JP3007433B2 - Vehicle powertrain structure - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power train structure for a vehicle, and more particularly, to an improvement in a vehicle having a horizontally disposed engine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a power train structure for a vehicle of this type, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-103735, an engine room at the front of a vehicle body is provided.
The engine is disposed horizontally so that its crankshaft is positioned in the vehicle width direction, and is disposed so as to be inclined forward of the vehicle body. Are arranged in parallel, and a differential for front wheels is arranged behind the vehicle body of the transmission so that these can be compactly arranged to reduce the length of the vehicle body in the vertical and front-rear directions. Have been.

[0003] In the above-mentioned conventional motor, a relatively large-diameter clutch for transmitting the power of the engine to the transmission is arranged in the transmission.

[0004]

However, in the prior art described above, since the transmission is disposed obliquely below and forward of the engine, the structure in which a large-diameter clutch is disposed at the position of the transmission has a disadvantage. Since the lower end position of the clutch is located further below the vehicle body, the minimum ground clearance of the vehicle body is reduced. For this reason, in order to secure the minimum ground clearance, it is necessary to arrange the engine at a high position, and there is a disadvantage that the height position of the hood of the vehicle body becomes high. Further, when the steering rack and the steering rod in the vehicle width direction connected to the steering rack are arranged close to the front axle, the rear part of the engine inclined forward may be located behind the vehicle body of the differential. Therefore, when the dashboard is to be arranged at this position, it is necessary to move the dashboard toward the cabin side, and there is a disadvantage that the cabin space is narrowed. On the other hand, when attempting to locate the front of the differential, a large-diameter clutch attached to the transmission is located at this position, which cannot be arranged because it interferes with the transmission, and the degree of freedom of arrangement of the steering rack and the like is limited. It has the disadvantage of being small.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the invention is to provide a power train structure in which a transmission is arranged in parallel with a horizontally inclined forward engine and a front wheel differential is arranged as described above. Therefore, the height position of the hood of the vehicle body can be set low, and the degree of freedom of arrangement of the steering rack and the like is increased.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention of the present application, a forward leaning horizontal engine,
When a transmission arranged diagonally below and forward and a differential gear arranged behind the transmission are provided, the position of the clutch or the torque converter is set to an appropriate position.

That is, a specific solution of the present invention is to dispose the engine horizontally and inclining forward in the vehicle body in the engine room at the front of the vehicle body, The transmission is premised on a power train structure in which a transmission is arranged obliquely downward and forward with the crankshaft of the engine parallel to the axis, and a differential is arranged behind the transmission in the vehicle body. Then, the shaft center of the differential is connected to the crankshaft.
From the shaft center of the shaft
With the extending cylinder axis as the height direction,
At the same height as the shaft center of the shaft,
Set the axis of the transmission above the axis of the crankshaft.
At the height of the cylinder wall of the piston
And the shaft center of the transmission is aligned with the differential
Closer to the cylinder axis than the axis of
Position the axial center of the renals approximately on the front axle and
In the vehicle body longitudinal direction than the axis of Chrysanthemum crankshafts
Position it on the front side. Further, a clutch or a torque converter for transmitting power from the engine to the transmission is arranged on the crankshaft of the engine.

[0008] Further, a specific solution of the invention according to claim 2 includes all the features of the invention according to claim 1, and further includes an arrangement above the transmission in the cylinder axis direction.
The exhaust pipe connected to the engine,
When viewing the exhaust pipe from the side of the body,
At the same time as extending, change the direction to the rear of the vehicle below the transmission.
And extend it. In addition, the transmission when viewed from the side of the vehicle body side
And a steering rack arranged between the differential and the exhaust pipe .

Further, a concrete solution of the invention according to claim 3 has all the features of the invention according to claim 1 and is driven and connected to the differential so as to be on the rear wheel side.
A transfer device for transmitting power to the
When viewing the shaft center of the transfer device from the side of the vehicle body,
At a position diagonally below the axial center of the
The shaft is set at a position approximately below the axis of the shaft .

[0010]

According to the above-mentioned structure, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
A transmission is arranged in parallel diagonally below and forward of the forward leaning engine, and a differential is arranged behind the vehicle body of the transmission. Therefore, when viewed from the side of the vehicle body, each of these center positions has a triangular vertex. And compactly arranged. Therefore, both the up-down direction and the front-back direction of the vehicle body are effectively reduced. In addition, the axis of the differential
Cylinder axis height direction with respect to rank shaft axis
At the same height position and crankshaft
Of the vehicle body in the vehicle longitudinal direction with respect to the axis of
Shaft of the engine and the transmission
Above the axis of the differential at the height of the wall
The engine and gear shifting are realized by the configuration close to the cylinder axis.
The center of gravity of the power unit including the machine is
As you approach the axis of the crankshaft,
The center of gravity of the power unit is on or behind the front axle
Front midship configuration located on the side.

In this case, since the clutch or the torque converter is arranged on the crankshaft of the engine in which the vertical position of the vehicle body is higher than that of the transmission, the clutch or the torque converter is compared with the conventional case where the clutch or the torque converter is arranged on a transmission having a lower height. Therefore, the lower end position of the clutch or the torque converter does not protrude below the vehicle body.
Therefore, the engine can be arranged at a lower position in the vehicle body vertical direction, and the height of the hood of the vehicle body can be set lower. Moreover, since there is no clutch or torque converter in the transmission ahead of the differential,
When viewed from the side of the vehicle , the space in front of the differential
The steering rack can be arranged in this space, and the degree of freedom of the arrangement is improved.

[0012] Here, in the second aspect of the present invention, since the steering rack is disposed on the vehicle body front of the differential when viewed from the side of the vehicle, the steering rack
It can be placed at a relatively high place above the ground, and the dashboard can be moved closer to the engine room than when it is placed behind the vehicle body.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3, the transformer
The shaft center of the gear assembly is differential when viewed from the side of the vehicle body.
Diagonally below the axis of the shaft and the axis of the crankshaft
Is set at about the lower position of
If the transfer device is
Engine in the front-rear direction while maintaining
Fits in the room.

[0014]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a transmission is arranged in parallel diagonally downward and forward of a horizontally inclined forward engine, and a front wheel differential is provided behind the transmission. In the powertrain structure of the vehicle in which the power unit is arranged, the center of gravity of the power unit including the engine and the transmission
Approach the crankshaft axis in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
And the center of gravity of this power unit is not on the front axle
Front midship located behind the front axle
The height position of the hood of the vehicle body can be set low, and the steering rack and the steering rod can be arranged at the front of the differential located at the rear of the transmission. The degree can be improved.

In particular, according to the second aspect of the present invention , the step
Aling rack can be placed at a relatively high level above the ground
At the same time, the dashboard can be moved toward the engine room, and the cabin can be expanded widely.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, a vehicle
Transfer device for driving the four wheels
Accommodated in a compact engine room while maintaining low ground clearance
Can be tolerated.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a power train structure of a four-wheel drive vehicle. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a hood forming a part of a vehicle body, and 2 denotes a dash panel.
However, a cabin 4 is formed on the opposite side.

In the engine room 3, a radiator 6 is arranged on the front side of the vehicle body, and an engine 7 is arranged behind the radiator 6. The engine 7 has its crankshaft 8
Are arranged horizontally in the vehicle width direction, are inclined at an angle of 45 ° or more in front of the vehicle body, and have an intake port 9 on the rear side of the vehicle body and an exhaust port 9 on the front side of the vehicle body. 10
Are arranged to be located.

A transmission 12 is disposed diagonally below and forward of the crankshaft 8 of the engine 7, and a front differential 15 is disposed diagonally below and behind the transmission 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the differential 15 has an axis substantially coaxial with the axis of the differential 15.
Left and right front wheels W are connected via a certain front axle 16.
Furthermore, the obliquely lower rear side of the differential 15, the
A four-wheel drive transfer device 17 that is drivingly connected to the differential 15 and transmits power to the rear wheels is disposed, and a propeller shaft 18 that transmits power to the rear wheels is disposed behind the transfer device 17 in front and rear of the vehicle. It is arranged to extend in the direction .

The specific arrangement of the power train will be described. The axis P of the crankshaft 8 of the engine 7 is described below.
1, the axis P2 of the transmission 12 is set obliquely downward and forward, and the axis P3 of the differential 15 is obliquely lower and rearward than the axis P2 of the transmission 12 and the axis P1 of the crankshaft 8. It is set on the front side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body than. Also, the axis P4 of the transfer device 17
Is set obliquely lower and rearward than the axis P3 of the differential 15 and approximately below the axis P1 of the crankshaft 8.

The above configuration will be described more specifically.
It is. That is, whether the axis P1 of the crankshaft 8 is
Of the piston 11 of the engine 7 in the vertical movement direction.
Assuming that the direction of the solder axis ax is the height direction, it can be understood from FIG.
As described above, the axis P3 of the differential 15 is
It is set at the same height position as the axis P1 of the link shaft 8.
You. Further, the axis P2 of the transmission 12 is
Pis at a height above the axis P1 of the shaft 8
The ton 11 is located on the side of the cylinder wall 11a. Furthermore,
With reference to the cylinder axis ax,
The distance of the transmission 12 to the axis P2 is L as shown in FIG.
1 while the reference point is 15
The distance to the axis P3 is L2, and this distance L
1, L2 has a relationship of L1 <L2. That is, the transmission 1
The axis P2 of the second is from the axis P3 of the differential 15.
Is also set to be close to the cylinder axis ax.
Further, the axis P4 of the transfer device 17 is
From the axis P3 of the differential 15 when viewed from the side
Is also located diagonally downward and rearward, as a result
The distance L3 to the axis P4 of the transfer device 17 is as described above.
From the cylinder axis ax to the axis P3 of the differential 15
(L2 ≦ L3).

A large-diameter clutch 20 is disposed on the crankshaft 8 of the engine 7, and the clutch 20 and the transmission 12 are linked by a chain 21 wound between the two. When the clutch 20 is engaged, the power of the engine 7 is transmitted from the crankshaft 8 to the transmission 12, and when the clutch 20 is released, the transmission of the power is cut off.

Above the crankshaft 8 of the engine 7, a surge tank 25 mounted and supported by a support member 24 below the engine 7 is disposed. The surge tank 25 is provided with a plurality of independent intake passages 26. Engine 7
The intake ports 9 of the respective cylinders communicate with each other. An exhaust pipe 27 connected to the exhaust port 10 of the engine 7 is
When viewed from the side of the vehicle body, the cylinder axis extends below the vehicle body and
The transmission 1 is located above the transmission 12 in the direction of ax and further extends downward on the vehicle body front side of the transmission 12.
With the direction extending to the rear portion of the vehicle body and bent on whether slow the vehicle body rear side 2 of the lower, the exhaust purification device 28 is interposed in the transfer apparatus slight vehicle rear position than the position of 17.

[0025] Then, in the vehicle front of the differential 15, as viewed from the side of the vehicle body side, a space A surrounded by the transmission 12 and the differential 15 and the exhaust pipe 27, the steering rack 30 is disposed on the steering rack 30 As shown in FIG. 2, a steering rod 35 extending in the vehicle width direction is connected. The above steering rack 3
Numeral 0 is disposed on the upper surface of a cross member 31 having a closed cross section and extending in the vehicle width direction and disposed in the space. A steering shaft 34 of a steering wheel 33 of a vehicle having a pinion 32 at its tip engaged with the steering rack 30.
As shown in FIG. 2, it extends obliquely downward toward the right front wheel W side of the side of the engine 7.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 39 denotes an alternator disposed between the engine 7 and the intake passage 26; 40, a fuel injection valve of the engine 7; 41, an intake valve; and 42, an exhaust valve.

Therefore, in the above embodiment, the power of the engine 7 is transmitted from the crankshaft 8 to the clutch 20, then to the transmission 12 via the chain 21, and then to the front axle 16 via the differential 15. And at the time of four-wheel drive, through a transfer device 17 and a propeller shaft 18 to the rear wheels.

Here, since the engine 7 is arranged to be inclined forward of the vehicle body, the height position of the bonnet 1 can be set lower accordingly. Also, since the transmission 12 is arranged in parallel with the crankshaft 8 with respect to the horizontal engine 7 and the transmission 12 and the differential 15 are arranged in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, Both the up-down and front-back directions are effectively shortened.

Further, the axis P3 of the differential 15
Is the cylinder axis with respect to the axis P1 of the crankshaft 8.
At the same height position in the direction of the line ax,
It is more in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle than the axis P1 of the rank shaft 8.
And the axial center P2 of the transmission 12
Is the height of the cylinder wall 11a of the piston 11 of the engine 7.
At the position, it is more serial than the axis P3 of the differential 15.
The engine 7 and the variable
The center of gravity of the power unit including the
Approaching the axis P1 of the crankshaft 8
The center of gravity of such a power unit is not on the front axle 16
It is located behind the front axle 16 and
Configuration.

In this case, since the large-diameter clutch 20 is disposed on the crankshaft 8 of the engine 7, the lower end position of the clutch 20 is located higher than the axis P3 of the differential as shown in FIG. In this case, the position is higher than when the transmission 12 is disposed as in the related art. Therefore, since it is not necessary to set the engine 7 at a high position,
The height position of the bonnet 1 can be set lower while securing the minimum ground clearance.

Further, the transmission 12 has a large-diameter clutch 20.
Is not provided, a space A is opened in the vehicle width direction in front of the vehicle body of the differential 15, and the steering rack 30 is disposed in this space A. Steering rack 30
The degree of freedom of arrangement can be increased.

Further, since the steering rack 30 is disposed in front of the differential 15 when viewed from the side of the vehicle body, the steering rack 30 is compared with the ground height.
In addition to being able to be positioned at an appropriate height, the position of the dashboard 2 can be shifted toward the front of the vehicle body, and the vehicle compartment 4 can be enlarged.

The axis P4 of the transfer device 17
However, when viewed from the side of the vehicle body, the axis of the differential 15
P3 at an obliquely lower position and the axis of the crankshaft 8
Because it is set at a position approximately below P1,
The engine room 3 is located in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle
Even if it is compact, the engine compartment 3
The transfer device 17 can be stored well.

FIG. 3 shows a modification of the arrangement position of the steering rack 30. In the above embodiment, the differential 15
Instead of being disposed in front of the vehicle body, the lower part of the clutch 20 on the dashboard 2 side, that is, the differential 1
5, a steering rack 30 'is arranged in front of the cross member 31' in the space between the dashboard 2 and the rear of the vehicle body.

Therefore, according to this modification, the rear side of the clutch 20 is close to the dashboard 2 because the clutch 20 is disposed on the crankshaft 8 of the engine 7. 2
The lower part of the side part becomes an empty space, and the steering shaft 30 'is arranged at this position, so that it is not necessary to move the dashboard 2 to the rear of the vehicle body while effectively utilizing the empty space, and the vehicle compartment 4 is widely secured. it can. In addition, since it is arranged at a position close to the dashboard 2, the total length of the steering shaft can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the clutch 20 is used as an element for transmitting the power of the engine 7 to the transmission 12, but it is a matter of course that a torque converter may be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an arrangement position of a power train.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an arrangement position of a power train when an arrangement position of a steering rack is modified.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 bonnet 2 dashboard 3 engine room 7 engine 8 crankshaft 11 piston 11a cylinder wall 12 transmission 15 differential 17 transfer device ax cylinder axis P1 axis of crankshaft P2 axis of transmission P2 axis of transmission P3 axis of differential P4 transfer device Axis W of wheels 20 clutch 30 steering rack

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Osamu Kameda 3-1 Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Mazda Co., Ltd. (72) Sakumi Hasefuji 3-1 Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Inside Mazda Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ichiro Hirose 3-1, Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture Inside Mazda Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-2-310128 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60K 17/04 B60K 5/04 B60K 17/02 B60K 17/16

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] An engine is disposed laterally and inclined forward of a vehicle body in an engine room at a front portion of the vehicle body, and a transmission is provided diagonally below and forward of the engine crankshaft. And a shaft disposed in parallel with the transmission, a differential is disposed behind the vehicle body of the transmission, and the axis of the differential is the crankshaft.
Extends in the vertical direction of the piston of the engine from the axis of
With the cylinder axis line as the height direction, the crankshaft
At about the same height as the axis of the
The axis of the gearbox is above the axis of the crankshaft.
Set at the height of the cylinder wall of the piston located at
And the axis of the transmission is shifted from the axis of the differential.
Also close to the cylinder axis, the axis of the differential is located approximately on the front axle
Also, the front and rear of the vehicle body from the axis of the crankshaft
Located on the front side in the direction, further, the crank shaft of the engine, clutch or torque converter performs the transmission of power from the engine to the transmission - powertrain structure for a vehicle, characterized in that data is located. 2. The transmission in the direction of the cylinder axis.
An exhaust pipe connected to the engine is disposed above the exhaust pipe , and the exhaust pipe is located below the vehicle front side when viewed from the side of the vehicle body.
To the rear of the vehicle body and below the transmission
It has been extended by changing the side, as viewed from the side of the vehicle body side, characterized in that the steering rack is disposed between the transmission and the Defarensha <br/> Le and the exhaust pipe The vehicle power train structure according to claim 1. 3. After being drivingly connected to the differential,
A transfer device that transmits power to the wheel side is disposed, and the axis of the transfer device is viewed from the side of the vehicle body,
At a position diagonally below and above the axis of the differential
The crankshaft is set approximately below the axis of the crankshaft.
Powertrain structure of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the that.