JP2008168802A - Arrangement structure of vehicle drive device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an arrangement structure of a vehicle drive device in which a tie rod can be arranged at an adequate position, the degree of versatility of the arrangement of the tie rod and a driving motor is enhanced, and the layout of the tie rod, the driving motor and a suspension arm can be adequately determined. <P>SOLUTION: In a vehicle in which a driving motor M capable of a driving a wheel 27 is arranged in a wheel 31 of the steerable wheel 27, a tie rod 26 for steering the wheel 27 by connecting one end 26H to the wheel 31 and operating it in the vehicle width direction is arranged in the vehicle width direction. The driving motor M is arranged offset in a direction opposite to the position of the arrangement of the tie rod 26 with respect to the center of the wheel 31, and the driving motor M and the wheel 31 are connected to each other via a driving force transmission mechanism so as to transmit a driving force. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an arrangement structure of a vehicle drive device such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle in which a drive motor capable of driving the wheel is arranged in a steerable wheel.

In recent years, a technology for simplifying a power transmission system from a power source to a wheel has been developed by arranging a drive motor so-called in-wheel motor that can drive the wheel in the wheel of the wheel (Patent Document 1, 2).
When the wheel provided with the drive motor is applied to a steerable front wheel, the left and right front wheels can be controlled separately, which is a practically effective advantage.

On the other hand, an engine, a suspension, a tie rod, and the like are disposed in the engine room of the hybrid vehicle, and it is required to dispose the tie rod and the driving motor without deteriorating the performance of the tie rod. However, particularly in a compact vehicle, there is a problem in that proper arrangement is severe in terms of space due to the layout in the engine room.
JP 2006-248273 A JP 2006-248417 A

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a tie rod having one end connected to a wheel and operated in the vehicle width direction to steer the wheel in the vehicle width direction, and the drive motor for driving the wheel is connected to the wheel center portion with the tie rod. The tie rod can be arranged at an appropriate position by offsetting in the direction opposite to the arrangement position and connecting the drive motor and the wheel with a driving force transmission mechanism. It is an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement structure for a vehicle drive device that improves the degree of freedom of arrangement with a drive motor and can appropriately lay out a tie rod, a drive motor, and a suspension arm.

An arrangement structure of a vehicle drive device according to the present invention is a vehicle in which a drive motor capable of driving a wheel is disposed in a wheel of a steerable wheel. A tie rod that operates to steer the wheel is disposed in the vehicle width direction, and the drive motor is disposed offset from the central portion of the wheel in a direction opposite to the position where the tie rod is disposed. The driving motor and the wheel are connected via a driving force transmission mechanism so that the driving force can be transmitted.
According to the above configuration, since the drive motor is disposed offset with respect to the wheel center in the direction opposite to the tie rod disposition position, the tie rod can be disposed at an appropriate position, and the tie rod and the drive are driven. The degree of freedom of arrangement with the motor for use is improved, and the tie rod, the drive motor, and the suspension arm can be appropriately laid out.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the tie rod is disposed in the vehicle width direction and formed in a straight straight structure.
According to the said structure, since the straight tie rod which does not have a curved part can be used, the rigidity of a tie rod is securable.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the drive motor is disposed to be offset rearward from the center of the wheel, and the tie rod is disposed in front of the drive motor.
According to the above configuration, the tie rod is disposed in front of the drive motor, which is advantageous in the layout of the engine room particularly in the case of a hybrid vehicle.
In other words, the engine as a heavy object can be laid out at the rear, the engine can be arranged as close to the center of the vehicle as possible, and the heavy drive motor can be arranged at the rear as well, so yaw inertia This is advantageous in terms of moment.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the drive motor is disposed offset upward with respect to the center of the wheel.
According to the above configuration, since the drive motor is offset upward, the degree of freedom in layout is improved, and the arrangement of a large drive motor that can secure torque and the proper arrangement of tie rods are compatible. can do.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the drive motor is disposed so as to be offset downward with respect to the central portion of the wheel.
According to the above configuration, since the drive motor is offset downward, the layout flexibility is improved, and the arrangement of a large drive motor that can secure torque and the optimization of the tie rod arrangement are compatible. can do.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the tie rod includes a curved portion that is curved so as to avoid interference with the drive motor or the wheel inner edge when operated in the vehicle width direction during steering. .
According to the above configuration, since the bending portion described above is provided, the bending portion can avoid interference between the tie rod and the driving motor during wheel steering, or interference between the tie rod and the wheel inner edge portion. The degree of freedom of arrangement with the drive motor is improved, and the vehicle body can be made compact. In particular, in a hybrid vehicle, the engine room can be made compact.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the tie rod is provided with a curved portion curved at least in the front-rear direction so as to avoid interference with the drive motor or the wheel inner edge during steering.
According to the above configuration, since the tie rod is provided with the bending portion that curves in the front-rear direction, the following effects can be obtained. In other words, since the wheel is supported by the suspension arm so as to be able to swing, the tie rod can be properly moved in the state of avoiding interference between the tie rod and the suspension arm and other parts by allowing the curved portion to escape. Can be laid out.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the tie rod includes at least a curved portion that is curved in the vertical direction so as to avoid interference with the drive motor or the wheel inner edge during steering.
According to the above configuration, since the tie rod is released in the vertical direction at the curved portion that is curved in the vertical direction, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in layout of components such as the tie rod and the suspension arm.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the driving motor and the tie rod are arranged in a superposed manner in a front view.
According to the above configuration, since the drive motor is offset in the direction opposite to the position where the tie rod is disposed, there is no interference during steering even if both of these are overlapped in front view, and the drive motor Since the tie rod and the tie rod are superposed in a front view, the vehicle body (the engine room in a hybrid vehicle) can be made compact in the vertical direction.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the driving motor and the tie rod are arranged in a superposed manner in a plan view.
According to the above configuration, since the driving motor and the tie rod are superposed in a plan view, an output torque can be secured using a large driving motor while securing an appropriate arrangement of the tie rods. With the above-described superposition structure, the vehicle body (the engine room in a hybrid vehicle) can be made compact in the front-rear direction.

  According to the present invention, the tie rod having one end connected to the wheel and operating in the vehicle width direction to steer the wheel is disposed in the vehicle width direction, and the drive motor for driving the wheel is connected to the wheel center portion with the tie rod. Because it is arranged offset in the direction opposite to the arrangement position and the drive motor and the wheel are connected by a driving force transmission mechanism, the tie rod can be arranged at an appropriate position, and the tie rod and drive The degree of freedom of arrangement with the motor for driving is improved, and the tie rod, the driving motor, and the suspension arm can be appropriately laid out.

  For the purpose of arranging the tie rods at appropriate positions and improving the degree of freedom of arrangement between the tie rods and the drive motor, the drive motor capable of driving the wheels is arranged in the wheel of the steerable wheel. In the vehicle, a tie rod having one end connected to the wheel and operating in the vehicle width direction to steer the wheel is disposed in the vehicle width direction, and the drive motor is connected to the center portion of the wheel. In addition to being arranged offset in the direction opposite to the arrangement position, the driving motor and the wheel are connected by a driving force transmission mechanism so that the driving force can be transmitted.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  The drawing shows the arrangement of the vehicle drive device. First, the vehicle body front structure will be described with reference to FIG.

  The vehicle shown in the embodiment is a hybrid vehicle, and is provided with a dash lower panel 4 that partitions the engine room 2 in which the engine 1 is mounted and the vehicle compartment 3 in the front-rear direction, and the dash lower panel 4 in the vehicle width direction center is rearward A recess 4a is formed by forming a recess 4a, and the rear portion of the engine 1 is disposed in the recess 4a.

  In addition, a floor panel 5 that extends substantially horizontally toward the rear is connected to the lower portion of the dash lower panel 4, and a tunnel that projects inward of the passenger compartment 3 and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The part 6 is formed integrally or integrally, and side sills 7 and 7 having a closed cross-sectional structure extending in the vehicle front-rear direction are joined and fixed to the left and right sides of the floor panel 5.

  On the other hand, a pair of left and right front side frames 8, 8 extending forward from the above-described dash lower panel 4 on both the left and right sides of the engine room 2 are provided, and a cross member extending in the vehicle width direction between these front side frames 8, 8 ( A so-called NO, 1.5 cross member) 9 is stretched.

A pair of left and right crash cans 10, 10 are attached to the front end portions of the front side frames 8, 8, and a bumper beam 11 extending in the vehicle width direction is attached between the pair of left and right crash cans 10, 10. .
In FIG. 1, 12 is a battery, 13 is an air cleaner, and 14 is a headlamp.

Next, the configuration of the front suspension device 15 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
The front suspension device 15 is attached to the left and right front side frames 8 and 8 and a sub frame 16 (which agrees with the suspension cross member) fixed to other vehicle bodies. The sub-frame 16 extends in the vehicle width direction, and extends in a U-shape from the both sides toward the rear, and an upper member 16U that is fixed on both sides of the front member 16F in the vehicle width direction and extends upward. And a rear member 16R extending in the vehicle width direction behind the front member 16F and having both ends fixed to the front member 16F.

  The front suspension device 15 is a double wishbone type, and includes an upper arm 17 attached to the upper member 16U, a lower arm 18 attached to the front member 16F, and a shock absorber 19 as a shock absorber.

  The above-described shock absorber 19 includes a damper 20 and a coil spring 23 stretched between the upper seat 21 and the lower seat 22, and is arranged in the vertical direction. The upper end of the shock absorber 19 is connected to the suspension tower (that is, the vehicle body). In addition, a bracket 24 provided at the lower end of the damper 20 is connected to the lower arm 18.

A power steering device 25 is attached to the front member 16F of the sub-frame 16 in the vehicle width direction so as to be positioned in front of the engine 1, and the power steering device 25 is a pair of left and right extending in the vehicle width direction. The tie rod 26 is provided, and the tie rod 26 is operated in the vehicle width direction so as to steer the front wheel 27 as a wheel.
As indicated by phantom lines in FIG. 1, a steering wheel (not shown) is interlocked and connected to the power steering device 25 described above via a steering shaft 28.

  3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the front wheel 27. The front wheel 27 includes a wheel 31 including a rim 29 and a wheel disk 30, a brake disk 32 that rotates together with the wheel, a brake caliper 33 that brakes the brake disk 32, A wheel hub 34 and a tire 35 are provided.

  As shown in the figure, a drive motor M (hereinafter simply abbreviated as a motor) for driving the front wheel 27 is disposed in the wheel 31 of the front wheel 27. In the first embodiment, the motor M The so-called in-wheel motor is disposed at the center of the wheel 31, that is, at the wheel center c1 (see FIG. 5).

  The motor M described above includes a rotating shaft 36, a rotor 37, a stator 38, and a motor housing 39 surrounding them. In the first embodiment, the rotation shaft 36 of the motor M is disposed in the wheel center c1 so that the rotational force of the motor M is directly transmitted to the wheel 31 via the wheel hub 34.

  Further, the wheel side connecting portion 26H of the tie rod 26 that steers the front wheel 27 is attached to the raised portion 40 of the motor housing 39 so as to be upward and forward with respect to the wheel center c1 (see FIG. 5).

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, the tie rod 26 includes a curved portion 26a that is curved so as to avoid interference with the inner edge portion of the wheel 31 when operated in the vehicle width direction during steering. The bending portion 26a is bent in the front-rear direction, and the motor M and the bending portion 26a of the tie rod 26 are arranged so as to overlap in a plan view during the steering. Here, the bending portion 26a described above is formed to bend toward the vehicle rear side in the middle of the tie rod 26.

  FIG. 6 shows a comparative example. In the case of the tie rod 26 without the curved portion 26a, the tie rod 26 interferes with the wheel inner edge portion (see the phantom line α) corresponding to the height position during steering. In the embodiment, interference can be avoided by providing the bending portion 26a.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle body side connecting portions 17F and 17R before and after the upper arm 17 are supported by the upper member 16U (see FIG. 2) of the subframe 16, and the wheel side connecting portion 17H of the upper arm 17 is The motor housing 39 is supported on the upper part.

  The vehicle body side connecting portions 18F and 18R before and after the lower arm 18 are supported by the front side member 16F of the subframe 16, and the wheel side connecting portion 18H of the lower arm 18 is supported by the lower portion of the motor housing 39. Instead of the configuration in which each of the connecting portions 26H, 17H, and 18H is attached to the motor housing 39, a plurality of extension portions (not shown) are integrally formed on the wheel hub 34, and each of the extension portions is connected to the above-described extension portions. You may employ | adopt the structure which attaches connection part 26H, 17H, 18H.

As described above, in the arrangement structure of the vehicle drive device according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the motor M that can drive the front wheel 27 is arranged in the wheel 31 of the steerable front wheel 27. In this vehicle, one end is connected to the wheel 31 and is operated in the vehicle width direction so that the tie rod 26 for steering the front wheel 27 is disposed in the vehicle width direction, and the tie rod 26 is operated in the vehicle width direction during steering. In this case, a curved portion 26a is provided so as to avoid interference with the inner edge of the wheel 31.
According to this configuration, since the bending portion 26a is provided on the tie rod 26, interference between the tie rod 26 and the inner edge of the wheel 31 can be avoided by the bending portion 26a, and the tie rod 26 and the motor M can be disposed freely. Thus, the vehicle body can be made compact, and particularly in a hybrid vehicle, the engine room 2 can be made compact.

In addition, the motor M is disposed at the center of the wheel 31.
According to this configuration, since the motor M is disposed at the center of the wheel 31, the wheel 31 can be directly driven by the output of the motor M, power transmission efficiency is good, and a large motor M is used. Torque can be secured.

The tie rod 26 includes a curved portion 26a that is curved at least in the front-rear direction so as to avoid interference with the inner edge of the wheel 31 during steering.
According to this configuration, since the curved portion 26a curved in the front-rear direction is provided, the following effects can be obtained. That is, the wheel 31 is swingably supported by a suspension arm (see the upper arm 17 and the lower arm 18), and the tie rod 26 is released in the front-rear direction by the curved portion 26a. Can be avoided appropriately.
Further, the motor M is disposed so as to overlap with the curved portion 26a in plan view when the tie rod 26 is steered.

  According to this configuration, since the tie rod 26 is bent by the amount of polymerization and escapes so as not to interfere, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the tie rod 26 and the motor M can be improved. In this case, the engine room can be made compact in the front-rear direction.

  Further, as disclosed in the embodiment, when the tie rod 26 is disposed in front of the engine 1, when the front engine structure is employed in the hybrid vehicle, the engine 1 as a heavy object is disposed as close to the center of the vehicle as possible. This is advantageous in terms of the yaw moment of inertia.

  7, 8, and 9 show another embodiment of the arrangement structure of the vehicle drive device. The motor M is arranged at the center of the wheel 31 of the front wheel 27, and the tie rod 26 is attached to the wheel center of FIG. It is arranged downward and forward with respect to c1.

In this case, a knuckle 41 extending horizontally and forward from the motor housing 39 is provided, and the wheel side connecting portion 26H of the tie rod 26 is attached to the upper portion of the knuckle 41.
Moreover, the tie rod 26 described above is provided with a curved portion 26b that is curved so as to avoid interference with the motor M when the tie rod 26 is operated in the vehicle width direction.

  FIG. 7 is a front view, FIG. 8 is a side view showing the vehicle width direction from the inside in the vehicle width direction, and FIG. 9 is a plan view at the time of steering. A curved portion 26b that is curved three-dimensionally in the vertical direction (see FIG. 7) and in the front-back direction (see FIG. 9) is provided so as to avoid interference.

  That is, the tie rod 26 is provided with a curved portion 26b that is displaced forward and downward from the wheel side connecting portion 26H inward in the vehicle width direction and then displaced backward and upward. As shown in FIG. 9, the bending portion 26b of the tie rod 26 and the motor M are arranged so as to overlap in front view during steering.

  FIG. 10 shows a comparative example. In the case of a tie rod 26 without a bending portion 26b, the tie rod 26 interferes with the motor M during steering. However, in the embodiment of FIG. Can be avoided.

Thus, in the arrangement structure of the vehicle drive device of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the motor M that can drive the front wheel 27 is arranged in the wheel 31 of the steerable front wheel 27. In this vehicle, one end is connected to the wheel 31 and is operated in the vehicle width direction so that the tie rod 26 for steering the front wheel 27 is disposed in the vehicle width direction, and the tie rod 26 is operated in the vehicle width direction during steering. And a curved portion 26b that is curved so as to avoid interference with the motor M.
According to this configuration, since the bending portion 26b is provided on the tie rod 26, interference between the tie rod 26 and the motor M can be avoided by the bending portion 26b, and the degree of freedom of arrangement of the tie rod 26 and the motor M is increased. As a result, the vehicle body can be made compact. In particular, in a hybrid vehicle, the engine room 2 can be made compact.

In addition, the motor M is disposed at the center of the wheel 31.
According to this configuration, since the motor M is arranged at the center of the wheel 31, the wheel 31 can be directly driven by the output of the motor M, the power transmission efficiency is good, and the large motor M is used. Torque can be secured.

The tie rod 26 includes a curved portion 26b that is curved at least in the front-rear direction so as to avoid interference with the motor M during steering.
According to this configuration, since the curved portion 26b curved in the front-rear direction is provided, the following effects can be obtained. That is, the wheel 31 is swingably supported by a suspension arm (see the upper arm 17 and the lower arm 18), and the tie rod 26 is released in the front-rear direction by the curved portion 26b. Can be avoided appropriately.

Further, the tie rod 26 is provided with a curved portion 26b curved at least in the vertical direction so as to avoid interference with the motor M during steering.
According to this configuration, since the tie rod 26 is released in the vertical direction by the curved portion 26b that is curved in the vertical direction, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in layout between the tie rod 26 and other components such as the suspension arm.

In addition, the motor M is arranged so as to overlap with the curved portion 26b when viewed from the front when the tie rod 26 is steered.
According to this configuration, since the tie rod 26 is bent by the amount of polymerization and escapes so as not to interfere, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the tie rod 26 and the motor M can be improved. In this case, the engine room can be downsized in the vertical direction.
In the second embodiment, the other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, in FIGS. Detailed description is omitted.

11 to 14 show still another embodiment of the arrangement structure of the vehicle drive device.
In this embodiment, in a hybrid vehicle in which a motor M for driving the front wheel 27 is disposed in the wheel 31 of the steerable front wheel 27, the wheel side connecting portion 26 </ b> H as one end is interposed via the knuckle 41 and the motor housing 39. A tie rod 26 that is connected to the wheel 31 and operates in the vehicle width direction to steer the front wheel 27 is disposed in the vehicle width direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the motor M is disposed offset from the wheel center c <b> 1 as the center portion of the wheel 31 in the direction opposite to the position where the tie rod 26 is disposed. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the motor center c <b> 2 (the center portion of the motor M) is arranged such that the motor M is offset backward and upward with respect to the wheel center c <b> 1, and the tie rod 26 is connected to the engine 1 and the motor M. It is arranged in the front.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the motor M and the wheel 31 are connected via a driving force transmission mechanism 50 so that the driving force can be transmitted. That is, the idle shaft 52 is provided on the rotating shaft 36 of the motor M via the clutch 51, the driving gear 53 is fitted to the idle shaft 52, and the driven gear 55 is fitted to the wheel shaft 54 integrated with the wheel hub 34. The driven gear 55 and the above-described driving gear 53 are always meshed with each other. These elements 52, 53, 55 constitute the driving force transmission mechanism 50 described above, and the motor output is transmitted to the wheel 31 when the clutch 51 is ON (when connected).

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the tie rod 26 is formed in a straight straight structure having no curved portion, and the rigidity of the tie rod 26 having the straight structure is ensured and the front surface is secured. In view, the motor M and the tie rod 26 are superposed.

  Thus, since the motor center c2 is offset rearward with respect to the wheel center c1 and the tie rod 26 is disposed in front of the motor M, the tie rod 26 interferes with the motor M even during steering shown in FIG. Therefore, it is possible to optimize the arrangement of the tie rod 26, the motor M, and the suspension arm while using the straight and highly rigid tie rod 26.

  11 to 14, the same parts as those in the previous embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Also in the third embodiment, the vehicle body front portion structure and the structure of the front suspension device 15 are the same as those of the previous embodiments.

In short, the arrangement structure of the vehicle drive device of the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 to 14 is a vehicle in which a motor M capable of driving the front wheels 27 is arranged in a wheel 31 of the steerable front wheels 27. , A tie rod 26 that is connected to the wheel 31 and operates in the vehicle width direction to steer the front wheel 27 is disposed in the vehicle width direction, and the motor M is connected to the central portion of the wheel 31 with the tie rod 26. The motor M and the wheel 31 are connected via a driving force transmission mechanism 50 so as to be able to transmit a driving force.
According to this configuration, since the motor M is disposed offset with respect to the central portion of the wheel 31 in the direction opposite to the position where the tie rod 26 is disposed, the tie rod 26 can be disposed at an appropriate position. Further, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the tie rod 26 and the motor M is improved, and the tie rod 26, the motor M, and the suspension arm (see the upper arm 17 and the lower arm 18) can be appropriately laid out.

The tie rod 26 is disposed in the vehicle width direction and is formed in a straight straight structure.
According to this structure, since the straight tie rod 26 which does not have a curved part can be used, the rigidity of this tie rod 26 is securable.

Further, the motor M is disposed to be offset rearward with respect to the center portion of the wheel 31, and the tie rod 26 is disposed in front of the motor M.
According to this configuration, since the tie rod 26 is disposed in front of the motor M, the layout of the engine room 2 is advantageous particularly in the case of a hybrid vehicle.
In other words, the engine 1 as a heavy object can be laid out rearward, the engine 1 can be disposed as far as possible from the center of the vehicle, and the heavy motor M can also be disposed offset from the rear. This is advantageous because of the moment of inertia.

In addition, the motor M is disposed so as to be offset upward with respect to the center portion of the wheel 31.
According to this configuration, since the motor M is offset upward, the degree of freedom in layout is improved, and the arrangement of the large motor M that can secure the torque and the appropriate arrangement of the tie rod 26 are compatible. can do.

Further, the motor M and the tie rod 26 are superposed and arranged in a front view.
According to this configuration, since the motor M is offset in the direction opposite to the position where the tie rod 26 is disposed, there is no interference during steering even if both the M and 26 are overlapped in front view. Since the motor M and the tie rod 26 are superposed in a front view, the vehicle body (the engine room 2 in a hybrid vehicle) can be made compact in the vertical direction.

Instead of the offset structure shown in FIG. 13, the offset structure shown in FIG. 15 may be adopted.
That is, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the motor M is offset backward and upward with respect to the wheel center c1, but in the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the motor M is only moved backward with respect to the wheel center c1. It is arranged with an offset.
Even if configured in this way, the same operations and effects as those of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 to 14 can be obtained. Therefore, in FIG. Description is omitted.

16 to 18 show still another embodiment of the arrangement structure of the vehicle drive device.
In this embodiment, instead of the configuration of the tie rod 26 of the third embodiment, a curved portion 26b is formed on the tie rod 26.

  That is, the tie rod 26 is provided with a curved portion 26b that is curved so as to avoid interference between the tie rod 26 and the motor M when operated in the vehicle width direction at the time of steering. And it curves in the up-down direction.

  That is, the above-described tie rod 26 includes the curved portion 26b that is displaced forward and downward from the wheel side connecting portion 26H inward in the vehicle width direction and then three-dimensionally displaced rearward and upward. The motor M and the tie rod 26 are superposed and arranged in a front view.

  Further, the motor M is disposed offset from the wheel center c1 as the center of the wheel 31 in the direction opposite to the position where the tie rod 26 is disposed, and a driving force transmission mechanism is provided between the motor M and the wheel 31. About the structure connected so that a driving force could be transmitted via 50 (refer FIG. 12), it is the same as that of Example 3. FIG.

Further, also in the fourth embodiment, the motor M is disposed to be offset backward and upward with respect to the center portion of the wheel 31 (see the wheel center c1), and the tie rod 26 is disposed in front of the motor M. ing.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 18, in the structure in which the motor center c2 is offset from the wheel center c1 to the rear and upward, the tie rod 26 is provided with the curved portion 26b. As is apparent, the length of the knuckle 41 is set short, and the motor M and the tie rod 26 are superposed and arranged in a plan view to ensure the rigidity of the knuckle 41 and to arrange the tie rod 26 at an appropriate position. On the other hand, a large motor M is used to secure driving torque.

In short, in the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, the tie rod 26 is curved to avoid interference with the motor M or the inner edge of the wheel 31 when operated in the vehicle width direction during steering. The curved portion 26b is provided.
According to this configuration, since the bending portion 26b described above is provided, the bending portion 26b avoids interference between the tie rod 26 and the motor M during steering of the front wheels 27, or interference between the tie rod 26 and the inner edge of the wheel 31. Therefore, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the tie rod 26 and the motor M is improved, and the vehicle body can be made compact. In particular, in the case of a hybrid vehicle, the engine room 2 can be made compact.

The tie rod 26 includes a curved portion 26b that is curved at least in the front-rear direction so as to avoid interference with the motor M or the inner edge of the wheel 31 during steering (see FIG. 17).
According to this configuration, since the bending portion 26b that bends in the front-rear direction is provided on the tie rod 26, the following effects are obtained. In other words, since the wheel 31 is swingably supported by the suspension arm, the tie rod 26 is allowed to escape in the front-rear direction by the curved portion 26b, thereby avoiding interference between the tie rod 26 and the suspension arm or other components. Thus, it can be laid out properly.

Further, the tie rod 26 is provided with a curved portion 26b curved at least in the vertical direction so as to avoid interference with the motor M or the inner edge portion of the wheel 31 during steering (see FIG. 16).
According to this configuration, since the tie rod 26 is released in the vertical direction by the bending portion 26b that is bent in the vertical direction, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in layout of components such as the tie rod 26 and the suspension arm.

In addition, the motor M and the tie rod 26 are superposed in a plan view (see FIG. 18).
According to this configuration, since the motor M and the tie rod 26 are superposed in a plan view, an output torque can be secured using the large motor M while securing an appropriate arrangement of the tie rod 26. With the above superposition structure, the vehicle body (in the hybrid vehicle, the engine room 2) can be made compact in the front-rear direction.

  16 to 18, the same parts as those in the previous embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Also in the fourth embodiment, the vehicle body front structure, the structure of the front suspension device 15, and the internal structure of the motor housing 29 are the same as those of the third embodiment.

19 to 21 show still another embodiment of the arrangement structure of the vehicle drive device.
In this embodiment, in a hybrid vehicle in which a motor M for driving the front wheel 27 is disposed in the wheel 31 of the steerable front wheel 27, the wheel side connecting portion 26H as one end is located above and in front of the wheel center c1. A tie rod 26 that is connected to the wheel 31 via a raised portion 40 and a motor housing 39 and operates in the vehicle width direction to steer the front wheel 27 is disposed in the vehicle width direction.

As shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, the motor M is disposed offset with respect to the wheel center c1 in the direction opposite to the position where the tie rod 26 is disposed. That is, as shown in FIG. 20, the motor center c <b> 2 is disposed such that the motor M is offset backward and downward with respect to the wheel center c <b> 1, and the tie rod 26 is disposed in front of the engine 1 and the motor M. .
Further, the configuration in which the motor M and the wheel 31 are coupled to each other via the driving force transmission mechanism 50 so that the driving force can be transmitted is the same as that in FIG.

  In the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, as in the third embodiment, the tie rod 26 does not have a curved portion, and the rigidity is secured by the tie rod 26 having a straight structure. At the same time, the motor M and the tie rod 26 are superposed in a front view.

  Thus, since the motor center c2 is offset rearward with respect to the wheel center c1 and the tie rod 26 is disposed in front of the motor M, the tie rod 26 remains at the inner edge of the wheel 31 even during steering shown in FIG. It is possible to improve the degree of freedom in disposing the tie rod 26, the motor M, and the suspension arm while using the tie rod 26 that is straight and has high rigidity without interfering with (see the imaginary line α).

In short, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the motor M is disposed to be offset downward with respect to the center portion (wheel center c1) of the wheel 31 (see FIG. 20). ).
According to this configuration, since the motor M is offset downward, the degree of freedom in layout is improved, and the arrangement of the large motor M that can secure the torque and the appropriate arrangement of the tie rod 26 are compatible. can do.

  19 to 21, the same parts as those in the previous embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In the fifth embodiment, the vehicle body front structure and the structure of the front suspension device 15 are the same as those in the previous embodiments.

22 to 24 show still another embodiment of the arrangement structure of the vehicle drive device.
In this embodiment, in a hybrid vehicle in which a motor M for driving the front wheel 27 is disposed in a wheel 31 of the front wheel 27, a knuckle in which a wheel side connecting portion 18H as one end is formed integrally with a lower portion of a motor housing 39. The lower arm 18 is connected to the wheel 31 via the portion 39N and the wheel hub 34, and the vehicle body side connecting portions 18F and 18R as the other ends are connected to the front side member 16F (that is, the vehicle body) of the subframe 16 and extend in the vehicle width direction. (Suspension arm) is provided.

  FIG. 24 shows a wheel center c1 as the center portion of the wheel 31, a motor center c2 as the center portion of the motor M, and a motor housing center c3 as the center portion of the motor housing 39. It is disposed offset with respect to the center portion (see wheel center c1) in the direction opposite to the position where the lower arm 18 is disposed. That is, the lower arm 18 as a suspension arm is disposed below the wheel center c1, the motor M is disposed offset upward with respect to the wheel center c1, and the above-described lower arm 18 is It is arranged below the motor M.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the motor M described above is disposed in any one of the front and rear directions with respect to the wheel center c1, and in this embodiment, is arranged to be offset rearward. As shown in FIG. 22, the drive force is connected via a drive force transmission mechanism 50 so that the drive force can be transmitted.
The configuration of the driving force transmission mechanism 50 described above is substantially the same as that of FIG.

Further, as shown in a plan view in FIG. 23, the motor M (specifically, the motor housing 39) and the lower arm 18 are arranged so as to overlap in plan view.
Moreover, a damper 20 is disposed in the vertical direction, with the bracket 24 positioned at the lower end connected to the wheel 31 via the lower arm 18 and the motor housing 39, and the upper end connected to a suspension tower (not shown) as a vehicle body. Yes.

  The above-described damper 20 constitutes the shock absorber 19, and this shock absorber 19 is formed between the front arm portion 17a, the rear arm portion 17b of the upper arm 17 of the A arm structure, and the inner arm portion 17c inward in the vehicle width direction. It is arranged in the vertical direction through a space portion 17d formed in the above.

  The bracket 24 provided at the lower end of the damper 20 is formed in a gate shape, and the bracket 24 is connected to the lower arm 18 using a connecting member 60 such as a bolt or a nut. That is, the wheel side connecting portion (see the bracket 24) of the damper 20 is disposed below the motor M.

  Thus, the lower arm 18 is disposed below the wheel center c1 and the motor M is disposed above the wheel center c1, so that the length of the lower arm 18 is set longer, and the front wheel 27 bumps and rebounds. The configuration is such that the angle of the hour changes gradually, and the kingpin axis K indicated by the chain line in FIG. 22 is optimized to improve the straight running stability of the vehicle.

  In addition, the motor M is disposed above the wheel center c1, and the wheel side connecting portion (see the bracket 24) of the damper 20 is disposed below the wheel center c1, thereby setting the length of the damper 20 to be long. The damper 20 is attached to a portion having high rigidity so that the layout of the damper 20 and the large motor M is compatible.

  Instead of the configuration shown in FIG. 24, the configuration of FIG. 25 may be adopted. That is, in the configuration of FIG. 24, the wheel center c1 and the motor housing center c3 are configured at the same position in the vehicle front-rear direction. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. Thus, the motor center c2 of FIG. 25 is positioned further rearward than the motor center c2 of FIG.

  If comprised in this way, the wheel side connection part (refer bracket 24) of the damper 20 can be further connected with the free end side (vehicle outside) of the lower arm 18 rather than the position shown in FIG. The length of the damper 20 in the vertical direction can be set longer.

Further, instead of the configuration of the damper 20 shown in FIG. 22, the configuration of the damper 20 shown in FIG. 26 may be adopted. That is, the damper 20 shown in FIG. 26 is provided with a deformed portion 20A that is deformed so as to avoid interference with the motor M at the intermediate portion in the vertical direction of the damper 20 corresponding to the motor M. Is polymerized in plan view.
If comprised in this way, the damper 20 can avoid the motor M, and can be connected with the free end side (vehicle outer side) of the lower arm 18 further.

Furthermore, instead of the configuration of the damper 20 shown in FIGS. 22 and 26, the configuration of the damper 20 without the deformable portion 20A as shown in FIG. 27 may be adopted. That is, the damper 20 shown in FIG. 27 has its wheel side connecting portion (see bracket 24) set near the wheel side connecting portion 18H of the lower arm 18, and the motor M (specifically, the motor housing 39) and the damper 20 are in front. It arrange | positions so that it may superpose | polymerize visually.
If comprised in this way, the length of the up-down direction of the damper 20 can be set still longer, and the freedom degree of the layout of the motor M and the damper 20 will improve.

22 to 27, the same parts as those in the previous embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Also in the sixth embodiment, the vehicle body front structure and the like are the same as those of the previous embodiments.
Furthermore, in the figure, arrow F indicates the front of the vehicle, arrow IN indicates the inside of the vehicle, and arrow OUT indicates the outside of the vehicle.

In correspondence with the configuration of the present invention and the above-described third to fifth embodiments,
The wheel of the present invention corresponds to the front wheel 27 of the embodiment,
Similarly,
The drive motor corresponds to the motor M,
The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

  For example, although the hybrid vehicle is exemplified as the vehicle in the above embodiment, this may be an electric vehicle.

A plan view showing an arrangement structure of a vehicle drive device Perspective view of front suspension device FIG. Top view during front wheel steering Wheel and motor side view Plan view during steering showing a comparative example The front view which shows the other Example of arrangement | positioning structure of the drive device for vehicles Side view of FIG. Top view during front wheel steering Plan view during steering showing a comparative example The top view which shows the arrangement | positioning structure of the vehicle drive device of this invention 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of FIG. Side view of essential parts of FIG. Top view during front wheel steering Side view showing another embodiment of the offset structure of the drive motor The front view which shows the other Example of arrangement | positioning structure of the drive device for vehicles Top view during front wheel steering Side view of essential parts of FIG. The top view which shows other Example of arrangement | positioning structure of the drive device for vehicles Side view of essential parts of FIG. Top view during front wheel steering The front view which shows the further another Example of arrangement | positioning structure of the drive device for vehicles The principal part top view of FIG. Side view of essential parts of FIG. Side view showing an embodiment in which the motor is further offset backward Front view showing another embodiment of the suspension damper structure Front view showing still another embodiment of the suspension damper structure

Explanation of symbols

26 ... Tie rod 26b ... Bending part 27 ... Front wheel (wheel)
31 ... Wheel 50 ... Drive force transmission mechanism M ... Motor (drive motor)

Claims (10)

In a vehicle in which a drive motor capable of driving the wheel is disposed in the wheel of the steerable wheel,
One end is connected to the wheel and a tie rod that operates in the vehicle width direction and steers the wheel is disposed in the vehicle width direction,
The drive motor is disposed offset with respect to the center of the wheel in the direction opposite to the position where the tie rod is disposed, and a space between the drive motor and the wheel is interposed via a drive force transmission mechanism. An arrangement structure of a vehicle drive device connected so as to be able to transmit a drive force. 2. The vehicle drive device arrangement structure according to claim 1, wherein the tie rod is disposed in a vehicle width direction and formed in a straight straight structure. The drive motor is disposed to be offset backward with respect to the center of the wheel,
3. The vehicle drive device arrangement structure according to claim 1, wherein the tie rod is arranged in front of the drive motor. The arrangement structure of the vehicle drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the drive motor is arranged to be offset upward with respect to a center portion of the wheel. The arrangement structure of the vehicle drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the drive motor is arranged to be offset downward with respect to a center portion of the wheel. 6. The tie rod according to claim 1, further comprising a curved portion that is curved so as to avoid interference with the driving motor or the wheel inner edge when operated in the vehicle width direction during steering. An arrangement structure of the vehicle drive device described. The tie rod avoids interference with the drive motor or the inner edge of the wheel during steering.
The arrangement structure of the vehicle drive device of Claim 6 provided with the curved part curved at least in the front-back direction. The tie rod avoids interference with the drive motor or the inner edge of the wheel during steering.
The arrangement structure of the vehicle drive device according to claim 6, further comprising a curved portion curved at least in the vertical direction. The arrangement structure of the vehicle drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the drive motor and the tie rod are arranged in a superimposed manner in a front view. The arrangement structure of the vehicle drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the drive motor and the tie rod are arranged so as to overlap in a plan view.

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