JP2012223041A - In-wheel motor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an in-wheel motor in which power cables removed from an electric motor can be fixed.SOLUTION: In the in-wheel motor, the electric motor 5 is detachably housed, which generates torque for traveling of the vehicle by supplying electric power to the inside of a wheel 1 via the power cables pc. This in-wheel motor includes a dummy terminal block 17 which, when the power cables pc are removed from the motor 5 following removal of the motor 5, integrally fixes the power cables pc to a vehicle body by connecting terminals of the removed power cables pc thereto instead of the electric motor 5. Accordingly, the power cables pc can be excluded from an underbody of the vehicle since the power cables pc removed from the electric motor 5 are connected and fixed to the dummy terminal block 17.

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-wheel motor that is provided for each wheel of a vehicle and that can generate driving torque and braking torque for each wheel.

  As one form of vehicle, a so-called in-wheel motor type vehicle (in-wheel motor vehicle) has been developed in which an electric motor is arranged inside or near the wheel of the wheel and the wheel is directly driven by the electric motor. One example thereof is described in Patent Document 1. In the in-wheel motor vehicle described in Patent Document 1, a power line for supplying electric power to the electric motor is disconnected at a connector portion of a terminal box (sometimes referred to as a relay box) provided integrally with the electric motor. In order to prevent this, a wiring clamp is provided integrally with the motor between the terminal box and the vehicle body, and the power line is fixed to the motor by the wiring clamp. Therefore, even if the steering or shock absorber expands or contracts, the stress acting on the power line at the connector part of the terminal box can be reduced, and as a result, the disconnection of the power line at the connector part of the terminal box can be prevented. Yes.

  Patent Document 2 describes an invention related to an in-wheel motor vehicle for the purpose of preventing electric leakage in a power line. The in-wheel motor vehicle described in Patent Document 2 is provided with a terminal box that is a connecting portion between a power line and an electric motor on a wall surface on the vehicle body side in the axial direction of a casing that holds the electric motor, and from the terminal box to a power source. It is comprised so that the latching | locking part which latches the power line extended toward may be provided. Therefore, it is said that the power line can be damaged by the vibration of the vehicle or the like, and so-called plug disconnection can be prevented.

JP 2006-240430 A JP 2009-219271 A

  By the way, when the electric motors described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are removed from the vehicle body, the power line removed from the terminal box integrally provided with the electric motor is not fixed accordingly. There is a possibility that the unfixed power line is caught in the rotation of the wheels as the vehicle travels.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above technical problem, and an object thereof is to provide an in-wheel motor capable of fixing a power line detached from an electric motor.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 detachably accommodates an electric motor that generates torque for traveling of a vehicle by supplying electric power to the inside of the wheel via a power line. In an in-wheel motor, when the power line is removed from the motor along with the removal of the electric motor, the terminal portion of the removed power line is connected instead of the electric motor so that the power line is A pseudo terminal block fixed integrally with the vehicle body is provided.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the in-wheel motor according to claim 1, wherein the pseudo terminal block is provided on a knuckle that rotatably supports the wheel.

  Furthermore, the invention of claim 3 is the invention of claim 1 or 2, wherein the knuckle is provided with a brake caliper that generates a braking force by sandwiching a brake rotor that rotates integrally with the wheel. The pseudo terminal block is an in-wheel motor provided on the opposite side of the knuckle from the brake caliper in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the electric motor is provided for each wheel of the vehicle, and when the electric motor is removed from any of the wheels, the electric motor is Power line detection means for detecting whether or not the power line is connected to the pseudo terminal block in any of the removed wheels, and the power line is connected to the pseudo terminal block by the power line detection means. An in-wheel motor comprising a prohibiting means for prohibiting travel of the vehicle when it is detected that the vehicle has not been operated.

  The invention of claim 5 is the invention of claim 1 or 2, wherein the vehicle body or the knuckle of the vehicle is provided with a relay box for relaying power supplied from a power source to the electric motor, The power line is wired between the relay box and the electric motor, and the power line is configured to be removed from the relay box when the electric motor is removed from the wheel. It is an in-wheel motor.

  Further, the invention of claim 6 is the invention of claim 4 or 5, wherein the power line detecting means detects whether or not the power line is connected to the relay box in any of the wheels. And the prohibiting means includes means for prohibiting the control of any of the other electric motors when the power line detecting means detects that the power line is not connected to the relay box. It is an in-wheel motor characterized by this.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the electric motor is detachably attached to the vehicle body, and when the electric motor is removed and the power line is removed from the electric motor, the removed power A pseudo terminal block for integrally fixing the power line to the vehicle body is provided by connecting the terminal portion of the wire instead of the electric motor. Therefore, the power line can be excluded from the so-called undercarriage of the vehicle by connecting and fixing the power line removed from the electric motor to the pseudo terminal block. As a result, when the wheel rotates as the vehicle travels, it is possible to prevent or suppress the power line removed from the electric motor from being involved in the rotation of the wheel. In addition to this, it is possible to prevent or suppress disconnection due to the power line being caught in the wheel. In addition, since the power line is connected to the pseudo terminal block, it is possible to prevent or suppress an electric shock by contacting the removed power line.

  According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the effect similar to the effect of the invention of claim 1, since the pseudo terminal block is provided on the knuckle that rotatably supports the wheel, it is removed from the electric motor. By connecting the power line to the pseudo terminal block provided on the knuckle, the power line can be integrally fixed to the vehicle body.

  Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 3, in addition to the same effect as that of the invention of claim 1 or 2, the pseudo terminal block is provided on the side opposite to the brake caliper in the knuckle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Therefore, the arrangement of the existing configuration can be maintained.

  And according to invention of Claim 4, in addition to the effect similar to the effect by the invention of any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3, the electric motor is provided for every wheel, The electric motor was removed from one of the vehicle bodies In this case, the vehicle is prohibited from traveling when it is detected that the power line removed from the motor is not connected to the pseudo terminal block of the wheel. Therefore, it can prevent or suppress that the power line removed from the electric motor is caught in rotation of a wheel.

  According to the invention of claim 5, in addition to the same effect as that of the invention of claim 1 or 2, a relay box is provided on the vehicle body or the knuckle, and power is provided between the relay box and the motor. The wire is wired. Therefore, when the electric motor is removed from the vehicle body, the power line is removed from the relay box together with the electric motor, and as a result, the power line can be excluded from the undercarriage of the vehicle.

  According to the invention of claim 6, in addition to the same effect as that of the invention of claim 4 or 5, when it is detected that the power line is not connected to the relay box in any of the wheels. The control for the electric motor in any of the other wheels is prohibited. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or suppress the behavior of the vehicle from being disturbed by driving only the electric motor in any of the other wheels.

When the pseudo terminal block according to the present invention is integrally provided on the knuckle and the in-wheel motor is removed from the wheel, an example of a configuration in which the power line removed from the in-wheel motor is connected and fixed to the pseudo terminal block is schematically illustrated. FIG. It is a figure showing typically an example of composition of a pseudo terminal block. It is a figure which shows typically an example of the structure which removes a power line from a relay box, when providing the relay box which concerns on this invention integrally in a vehicle body, and removing an in-wheel motor from a wheel. It is a figure which shows typically an example of a structure of the vehicle made into object by this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the other example of a structure of the vehicle made into object by this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the further another example of a structure of the vehicle made into object by this invention.

  Next, the present invention will be described more specifically. FIG. 4 schematically shows an example of the configuration of the vehicle targeted by the present invention. The vehicle shown in FIG. 4 has left and right front wheels 1 and 2 and left and right rear wheels 3 and 4 in the width direction of the vehicle (left and right direction in FIG. 4). The front wheels 1 and 2 are rotatably supported on the vehicle body of the vehicle via a suspension mechanism (not shown) or a knuckle. Similarly, the rear wheels 3 and 4 are also rotatably supported on the vehicle body via a suspension mechanism and a knuckle, respectively or independently.

  As a vehicle driving force source, motors that are detachably supported on the vehicle body via knuckles are detachably incorporated in the front wheels 1 and 2, respectively. Thus, the output shafts of these electric motors and the drive shafts of the front wheels 1 and 2 are connected to each other so that power can be transmitted. That is, the electric motors of the front wheels 1 and 2 are so-called in-wheel motors 5 and 6, which are arranged together with the front wheels 1 and 2 under the spring of the vehicle, and each wheel (that is, driving wheel) from each in-wheel motor 5 and 6. ) Drive systems up to 1 and 2 are formed. And it is comprised so that the drive torque and braking torque of the front wheels 1 and 2 can each be controlled independently by controlling each rotation of each in-wheel motor 5 and 6 independently. . Although not shown in detail, each drive system may be provided with a speed reduction mechanism that decelerates the output of each in-wheel motor 5, 6 and transmits it to each drive wheel 1, 2.

  Each of these in-wheel motors 5 and 6 is constituted by, for example, an AC synchronous motor, and although not shown in detail, it is connected to the inverter 7 and the power storage device 8 via a power line (sometimes called a power cable) pc. It is connected. The inverter 7 converts DC power into AC power, and may be one that is generally used in the past. For the power storage device 8, a battery, a capacitor, or the like can be used. Therefore, when driving each in-wheel motor 5, 6, DC power supplied from the power storage device 8 is converted into AC power by the inverter 7, and the AC power is supplied to each in-wheel motor 5, 6. As a result, the in-wheel motors 5 and 6 are subjected to power running control, and driving torque is applied to the front wheels 1 and 2.

  The in-wheel motors 5 and 6 are configured to be able to perform regenerative control using the rotational energy of the front wheels 1 and 2. That is, during regeneration and power generation of each in-wheel motor 5, 6, the rotational (kinetic) energy of the front wheels 1, 2 is converted into electrical energy by each in-wheel motor 5, 6, and the electric power generated at that time passes through the inverter 7. The power is stored in the power storage device 8. At this time, braking torque based on regenerative / generated power is applied to the front wheels 1 and 2.

  For example, the inverter 7 is connected to an electronic control unit (ECU) 9 that controls the rotation state of the in-wheel motors 5 and 6. The ECU 9 includes, for example, a wheel speed sensor (not shown) that detects the rotation speed (wheel speed) of each drive wheel 1 and 2 and a resolver that detects the rotation angle of the output shaft of each in-wheel motor 5 and 6. A detection signal from various sensors such as (not shown) and an information signal from the inverter 7 are input.

  For example, the output torque (motor torque) of each of the in-wheel motors 5 and 6 is calculated and obtained based on a signal input from the inverter 7 to the ECU 9. And if it detects that each in-wheel motor 5 and 6 is carrying out power running control by the input signal from the inverter 7, the electric power amount or electric current value supplied to each in-wheel motor 5 and 6 will be detected, and based on it The motor torque of each in-wheel motor 5 and 6 can be calculated. Moreover, the rotation speed of each in-wheel motor 5 and 6 can also be calculated based on the current value when the rotation of each in-wheel motor 5 and 6 is controlled.

  On the other hand, the ECU 9 is configured to output a signal for controlling the rotation of each of the in-wheel motors 5 and 6 via the inverter 7. That is, in order to control the rotation (power running / regeneration) of each in-wheel motor 5, 6, the current supplied to or recovered from each in-wheel motor 5, 6 is controlled. A control signal is output from the ECU 9 to the inverter 7.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, an internal combustion engine 10 is provided as another driving force source of the vehicle. The output shaft of the internal combustion engine 10 is connected to the transmission 11 so that power can be transmitted, and the power shifted in the transmission 11 is transmitted to the left and right rear wheels 3 and 4 via the propeller shaft 12 and a differential (not shown). It is configured to be. The internal combustion engine 10 outputs power by burning fuel such as a gasoline engine, a diesel engine, or a natural gas engine, and preferably includes, for example, an electronically controlled throttle valve (not shown). In this internal combustion engine, the output can be automatically and electrically controlled, and the optimum operating point with the best fuel efficiency can be set by controlling the rotational speed with respect to a predetermined load. The transmission 11 is a stepped transmission that changes the torque stepwise by changing the gear ratio stepwise, or a continuously variable transmission that changes the torque steplessly by changing the gear ratio steplessly. A hybrid transmission that combines an electric motor and a planetary gear mechanism can be used. As described above, the vehicle having the configuration shown in FIG. 4 is configured such that the left and right front wheels 1 and 2 are driven by the in-wheel motors 5 and 6, and the rear wheels 3 and 4 are driven by the power generated by the internal combustion engine 10. This is a configured four-wheel drive hybrid vehicle.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, a configuration of a four-wheel drive vehicle in which left and right front wheels 1 and 2 are driven by in-wheel motors 5 and 6 and left and right rear wheels 3 and 4 are driven by an internal combustion engine 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle to which the present invention can be applied is provided with in-wheel motors 13 and 14 on the left and right rear wheels 3 and 4, respectively. Driven by the in-wheel motors 13 and 14, the left and right front wheels 1 and 2 may be driven by the internal combustion engine 10.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, the vehicle to which the present invention can be applied has in-wheel motors 5, 6, 13, as drive power sources for both the left and right front wheels 1, 2 and the left and right rear wheels 3, 4. A four-wheel drive in-wheel motor vehicle provided with 14 may be used. In short, in a vehicle to which the present invention can be applied, a plurality of wheels can independently drive each wheel independently, for example, each of the in-wheel motors 5 and 6 or the in-wheel motors 13 and 14 described above. What is necessary is just a structure, and what is necessary is just to provide the power line pc for supplying electric power from power supplies, such as the electrical storage apparatus 8 for driving each in-wheel motor 5,6,13,14. In the examples shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the left and right front wheels 1 and 2 are configured to be steered by a steering device (not shown) via a knuckle.

  As described above, the in-wheel motors 5, 6, 13, 14 according to the present invention are configured to be detachable from the vehicle body, and each of the wheels 1, 2, 3, 4 to which they are attached is provided. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the in-wheel motors 5 and 6 for driving the left and right front wheels 1 and 2 are removed from the vehicle body in the example shown in FIG. Can be a rear wheel drive vehicle. Similarly, in the example shown in FIG. 5, by removing the in-wheel motors 13 and 14 for driving the left and right rear wheels 3 and 4 from the vehicle body, the vehicle shown in FIG. 5 can be made a front wheel drive vehicle. It is configured. Similarly, in the example shown in FIG. 6, by removing the in-wheel motors 5 and 6 for driving the left and right front wheels 1 and 2 from the vehicle body, a rear wheel drive vehicle can be obtained. , 4 is configured to be a front-wheel drive vehicle by removing the in-wheel motors 13 and 14 for driving the vehicle from the vehicle body.

  By the way, for example, in the vehicle shown in FIG. 4 or 6, when the in-wheel motor 5 is removed from the vehicle body, the power line pc removed from the in-wheel motor 5 is left unfixed and the vehicle travels. The removed power line pc may be involved in the rotation of the wheel 1. For this reason, in the present invention, the terminal portion of the removed power line pc is integrally fixed to the knuckle or the vehicle body so that the removed power line pc is rotated by the wheel 1 when the vehicle travels. It is comprised so that it can prevent or suppress being caught.

  1, the pseudo terminal block according to the present invention is integrally provided on the knuckle, and when the in-wheel motor is removed from the vehicle body, the power line removed from the in-wheel motor is connected and fixed to the pseudo terminal block. An example is shown schematically. The example shown here shows a state in which the wheel 1 is viewed from the side of the vehicle body after the in-wheel motor 5 that is constantly supported by the vehicle body is removed via the knuckle 15, for example. As described above, the wheel 1 is rotatably supported by the vehicle body via the suspension mechanism and the knuckle 15, and the brake rotor (not shown) that rotates integrally with the wheel 1 at the rear of the knuckle 15 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The brake caliper 16 is provided integrally with the knuckle 15 so as to generate a braking force.

  On the other hand, a pseudo terminal block 17 is provided integrally with the knuckle 15 in the front and rear direction of the vehicle at the knuckle 15. FIG. 2 schematically shows an example of the configuration of the pseudo terminal block. The pseudo terminal block 17 is configured such that the end of the power line pc detached from the in-wheel motor 5, that is, the terminal portion can be connected by removing the in-wheel motor 5 from the vehicle body. As shown in FIG. 2, the end of the power line pc is configured to be short-circuited to a conductive metal plate 17a provided on the pseudo terminal block by a fixing member 17b such as a bolt. And each power line pc short-circuited to the metal plate 17a is configured to be electrically connected to electrically confirm the connection. Further, instead of the above configuration, it may be configured to electrically determine whether or not the power line pc is connected to the pseudo terminal block 17 based on the resistance value of the power line pc. Furthermore, the connection between the pseudo terminal block 17 and the terminal portion of the power line pc corresponds to the shape of the portion of the pseudo terminal block 17 to which the terminal portion of the power line pc is connected and the shape of the terminal portion of the power line pc. For example, it can be configured like a male or female joint. As described above, the power line pc and its terminal part are integrally fixed to the knuckle 15 and the vehicle body by connecting the terminal part of the power line pc to the pseudo terminal block 17.

  In the present invention, for example, in the vehicle shown in FIG. 4, when the in-wheel motor 5 is removed from the vehicle body, the terminal portion of the power line pc removed from the in-wheel motor 5 is connected to the pseudo terminal block 17. In the case where the continuity is not confirmed due to the failure of the vehicle, the vehicle is prohibited from running by prohibiting the start and drive of the in-wheel motor 6 in the internal combustion engine 7 and the other wheels 2 described above. Yes. This is to prevent the removed power line pc from being involved in the rotation of the wheels as the vehicle travels. On the contrary, for example, in the vehicle shown in FIG. 4, the in-wheel motors 5 and 6 are attached, and power is supplied to the in-wheel motors 5 and 6 through the power line pc. When the wheels 1 and 2 can function as drive wheels, even if the power line pc is not connected to the pseudo terminal block 17, the internal combustion engine 7 and the in-wheel motor 5 or Starting and driving of the in-wheel motor 6 are not prohibited.

  Although not shown in detail, the power line pc is connected to the pseudo terminal block 17 in the vehicle shown in FIG. 5 even though the in-wheel motor 13 is removed from the vehicle body, as in the vehicle shown in FIG. In the case where the continuity is not confirmed due to the absence of the engine, the starting and driving of the in-wheel motor 14 in the internal combustion engine 7 and the other wheels 4 are prohibited. Furthermore, in the vehicle shown in FIG. 6, for example, the in-wheel motor 5 for driving the wheel 1 is removed from the vehicle body, and the terminal portion of the power line pc removed from the in-wheel motor 5 is the pseudo terminal block 17. When the continuity is not confirmed due to being not connected to the wheel, the in-wheel motors 6, 13, and 14 that drive the other wheels 2, 3, and 4 are prohibited from starting and driving. In short, in the present invention, the in-wheel motor is removed from the vehicle body and the power line pc is removed from the in-wheel motor, and the removed power line pc is not connected to the pseudo terminal portion 17. Thus, when the continuity is not confirmed, the traveling of the vehicle is prohibited in order to prevent the removed power line pc from being caught in the rotation of the wheel.

  A means for confirming whether or not the power line pc is connected to the pseudo terminal block 17 by continuity of the power line pc when the in-wheel motor 5 is removed from the vehicle body is related to the present invention. It corresponds to a power line detection means, and when the pseudo terminal block 17 in the wheel 1 cannot be connected to the power line pc because it is detected that the power line pc is not connected to the pseudo terminal block 17, the vehicle travels. The prohibiting means corresponds to the prohibiting means according to the present invention.

  Therefore, according to the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 described above, when the in-wheel motor 5 is removed from the vehicle body and the power line pc is removed from the in-wheel motor 5, the removed power By connecting the terminal portion of the line pc to the pseudo terminal block 17, the power line pc can be integrally fixed to the knuckle 15 and the vehicle body. As a result, the power line pc can be excluded from the so-called undercarriage of the vehicle by connecting the terminal portion of the power line pc to the pseudo terminal block 17. That is, even if the wheel 1 rotates as the vehicle travels, it is possible to prevent or suppress the power line pc removed from the rotation of the wheel 1 and its terminal portion from being caught. In addition, it is possible to prevent or suppress an electric shock by contacting the terminal portion of the removed power line pc. Furthermore, according to the above-described configuration, when the continuity cannot be confirmed because the terminal portion of the removed power line pc is not connected to the pseudo terminal block 17, for example, in the vehicle shown in FIG. Since the start and drive of the in-wheel motor 6 at the wheel 2 are prohibited, the disconnection due to the rotation of the wheel 1 and the power line pc being involved in the rotation of the vehicle as it travels can be prevented or suppressed. .

  In the present invention, a relay box is provided between each in-wheel motor 5, 6, 13, and 14 and the power storage device 8 that functions as a power source for each in-wheel motor 5, 6, 13, and 14, respectively. For example, when the in-wheel motor 5 is removed from the vehicle body, the power line pc corresponding to the power line pc wired between the box and each in-wheel motor 5, 6, 13, 14 is removed. May be configured to be removed from the relay box. An example of the configuration is schematically shown in FIG. 3. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the relay box 18 is disposed at a position facing the wheel in the vehicle body or at a position close to the wheel, and is provided integrally with the vehicle body. It has been. A power line pc is wired between the relay box 18 and the in-wheel motor 5 of the wheel 1. The power line pc is connected to the relay box 18 by the connector 19 or the like. Therefore, the power line pc is configured so as to be detachable from the relay box 18 relatively easily. For example, the relay box 18 can determine the connection state of each power line pc, that is, whether or not the power line pc is connected, based on the resistance value of each power line pc connected thereto. When the resistance value of the power line pc is lower than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the power line pc has been removed from the relay box 18, and on the contrary, the resistance value of the power line pc Is higher than the threshold value, the power line pc is determined to be connected to the relay box 18.

  On the other hand, the in-wheel motor 5 is integrally provided with a terminal block 20 for connecting a power line pc, and the power line pc is firmly connected to the terminal block 20 via, for example, a caulking nut. . Further, for example, the power line pc is configured so that it cannot be connected to the terminal block 20 or removed from the terminal block 20 unless a special tool is used.

  In the present invention, for example, in the vehicle shown in FIG. 4, when the in-wheel motor 5 is removed and it is determined that the resistance value of the power line pc is lower than the threshold value, that is, the power When the line pc is not connected to the relay box 18, various controls on the in-wheel motor 5 of the wheel 1 and the in-wheel motor 6 of the wheel 2 are prohibited. More specifically, in the present invention, even if the in-wheel motors 5 and 6 are attached to the wheels 1 and 2, the power lines pc corresponding to these in-wheel motors 5 and 6 are connected to the relay box 18. If the resistance value of those power lines pc is lower than the threshold value, various controls on the in-wheel motors 5 and 6 are prohibited. This is for preventing or suppressing the behavior of the vehicle from being disturbed by driving only the in-wheel motor in one of the wheels.

  Although not shown in detail, the resistance value of the vehicle shown in FIG. 5 is lower than the threshold value because the power line pc removed from the relay box 18 is not connected as in the vehicle shown in FIG. In this case, various controls for the in-wheel motor 13 and the in-wheel motor 14 in the wheels 3 and 4 are prohibited. In the vehicle shown in FIG. 6, when the power line pc is removed from one of the in-wheel motors and the removed power line pc is not connected to the relay box 18, the resistance value is lower than the threshold value. Is configured to prohibit various controls on the in-wheel motors 5, 6, 13, and 14 in the wheels 1, 2, 3, and 4. In the vehicle shown in FIG. 6, the power line pc is removed from the in-wheel motor 5 for driving the wheels 1, and the removed power line pc is not connected to the relay box 18. In the case where only the resistance value of the power line pc corresponding to 5 is lower than the threshold value, various controls on only the in-wheel motor 6 for driving the wheel 2 may be prohibited. The power line pc is removed from the in-wheel motor 13 for driving the wheel 3, the removed power line pc is not connected to the relay box 18, and the resistance value of the power line pc corresponding to the in-wheel motor 13 In the case where only the motor is low, various controls for only the in-wheel motor 14 for driving the wheel 4 may be prohibited.

  When the in-wheel motor is removed from the vehicle body and the power line pc is removed from the in-wheel motor, the power line is determined by determining the resistance value of the removed power line pc. The means for detecting whether or not pc is connected to the relay box 18 corresponds to the power line detection means according to the present invention. When the resistance value of the power line pc is lower than the threshold value, the power line pc is connected to the relay box 18. The means for prohibiting various controls for the in-wheel motors 5, 6, 13, and 14 that are not connected corresponds to the prohibit means according to the present invention. Further, the prohibiting means determines or detects that any of the power lines pc is not connected to the relay box 18 because the resistance value of any of the removed power lines pc is lower than the threshold value. In addition, all controls including starting and driving of each in-wheel motor may be prohibited.

  Therefore, according to the configuration shown in FIG. 3, for example, in the vehicle shown in FIG. 4, when the in-wheel motor 5 is removed from the vehicle body, the power line pc can be removed from the relay box 18 together with the in-wheel motor 5. The power line pc can be excluded from the so-called undercarriage of the vehicle. That is, even if the wheel 1 rotates as the vehicle travels, the power line pc that is involved in the rotation of the wheel 1 can be eliminated. As a result, it is possible to prevent or suppress the removed power line pc from being involved in the rotation of the wheel 1 or being disconnected due to the power line pc being involved in the rotation of the wheel 1. Moreover, it is possible to prevent or suppress an electric shock by contacting the removed power line pc. Furthermore, according to the above-described configuration, it is determined whether or not the power line pc is connected to the relay box 18 based on the magnitude of the resistance value of the power line pc, and the power to the relay box 18 is determined based on the determination result. When it is determined that the line pc is not connected, various controls on the other in-wheel motors 6 are prohibited. For example, only the in-wheel motors 6 of the wheels 2 are driven to drive the vehicle behavior. Can be prevented or suppressed. That is, the vehicle shown in FIG. 4 can function as a rear wheel drive vehicle, and the vehicle shown in FIG. 5 can function as a front wheel drive vehicle. In addition, the vehicle shown in FIG. 6 can function as a front-wheel drive vehicle or a rear-wheel drive vehicle, and can prohibit the running of the vehicle by prohibiting starting and driving of all in-wheel motors.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,2 ... Wheel, 5,6 ... In-wheel motor (electric motor), 17 ... Pseudo terminal block, pc ... Power line (power cable).

Claims (6)

In an in-wheel motor in which an electric motor that generates torque for traveling of a vehicle is supplied detachably by supplying electric power to the inside of the wheel via a power line,
When the power line is removed from the motor as the motor is removed, the terminal portion of the removed power line is connected instead of the motor, so that the power line is integrated with the vehicle body. An in-wheel motor comprising a pseudo terminal block to be fixed. The in-wheel motor according to claim 1, wherein the pseudo terminal block is provided on a knuckle that rotatably supports the wheel. A brake caliper that generates a braking force by sandwiching a brake rotor that rotates integrally with the wheel is provided on the knuckle,
The in-wheel motor according to claim 1, wherein the pseudo terminal block is provided on the opposite side of the knuckle from the brake caliper in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The electric motor is provided for each wheel of the vehicle,
Power line detection means for detecting whether the power line is connected to the pseudo terminal block in any of the wheels from which the motor has been removed when the motor is removed from any of the wheels. ,
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising prohibiting means for prohibiting the vehicle from running when the power line detecting means detects that the power line is not connected to the pseudo terminal block. The in-wheel motor in any one of. The vehicle body or the knuckle of the vehicle is provided with a relay box for relaying power supplied from a power source to the electric motor,
The power line is wired between the relay box and the electric motor,
The in-wheel motor according to claim 1, wherein the power line is removed from the relay box when the electric motor is removed from the wheel. The power line detection means includes means for detecting whether or not the power line is connected to the relay box in any of the wheels,
The prohibiting means includes means for prohibiting control of any of the other electric motors when the power line detecting means detects that the power line is not connected to the relay box. The in-wheel motor according to claim 4 or 5.

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