MOUNTING STRUCTURE FOR HIGH-VOLTAGE CONTROL EQUIPMENT UNIT

To achieve effective use of space in a vehicle compartment by optimizing arrangement of a high-voltage control equipment unit including batteries. The high-voltage control equipment unit (20) includes two batteries (50-1, 50-2) juxtaposed in the width direction of the vehicle (1), a high-voltage electrical component (56) for controlling power delivery from the batteries (50-1, 50-2), and a case (30) integrally housing the batteries (50-1, 50-2) and the high-voltage electrical component (56). The two batteries (50-1, 50-2) are mounted under front seats (5-1, 5-2). The high-voltage electrical component (56) is mounted between the two front seats (5-1, 5-2) in the vehicle width direction. On a bottom surface (33) of the case (30), a recessed portion (32) in which a propeller shaft (4) extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (1) is formed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mounting structure for a high-voltage control equipment unit mounted above a floor panel of a vehicle having a battery for driving the vehicle.

BACKGROUND ART

On an automobile that runs using a motor together with an engine (hereinafter referred to as “hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)”) or an automobile that runs only using a motor (hereinafter referred to as “electric car”), a battery (battery module) for storing electricity and supplying the electricity to an electric machinery apparatus is mounted. As a part of the high-voltage control equipment unit, the battery is often housed in a case (battery case), together with high-voltage electrical components including an inverter device.

An available temperature environment for the above-mentioned battery is limited in order to exhibit its enough performance. Therefore, when the battery is arranged in a vehicle compartment, it is desirable to arrange the battery at a lower position (downward) at a relatively low temperature in the vehicle compartment, avoiding a higher position at a high temperature under sunlight. In addition, it is necessary to arrange the battery at a place under a seat that is a dead space in the vehicle compartment to secure enough space for occupants. Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a structure in which a battery is arranged under a seat in a vehicle compartment.

In a four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle, a propeller shaft (driving force transmitting member) extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at a center of the vehicle in the lateral direction is arranged under a floor panel of the vehicle. In addition, even in a front-wheel (two-wheel) drive (2WD) vehicle, an exhaust pipe in which exhaust air from an engine (drive source) circulates and a wiring component for supplying electric power to auxiliary machinery mounted on the vehicle (for example, various electric lights and air-conditioners and related parts thereof) may be disposed under the floor panel. Accordingly, in the case of the conventional structure, when the above-mentioned voltage control equipment unit is installed, the high-voltage control equipment unit is mounted above (or, at a position right above) the propeller shaft, the exhaust pipe or the wiring component for the auxiliary machinery. As this requires the mounting position of the whole or part of the high-voltage control equipment unit to be high, it is necessary to arrange part of the high-voltage control equipment unit to a component such as a center console arranged between front seats. Thus, components of the high-voltage control equipment unit are installed, so as to be projected into the vehicle compartment, for example, at a position where the components are sandwiched between left and right front seats. This causes difficulty in effective use of space in the vehicle compartment. Furthermore, in an attempt to arrange the high-voltage control equipment unit under the seat in the vehicle compartment, the seat is installed necessarily at a higher position, preventing the vehicle floor from being lowered.

Moreover, it is necessary to arrange the battery housed in a case, power distribution components such as a junction box, a main switch (starter) of the battery, high-voltage devices such as the inverter device so that the occupants can be protected safely from high-voltage electricity at the time of vehicle collision. In addition, it is desirable to arrange the battery so as to be less damaged in the case of a side collision of the vehicle.

RELATED ART DOCUMENTS

Patent Documents

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

The present invention was made in view of above-mentioned point, and the purpose is to provide the mounting structure for the high-voltage control equipment unit that allows placement of the battery and the high-voltage electric equipment under an appropriate temperature environment and minimization of an impact at the time of vehicle collision, in addition to effective use of the space in the vehicle compartment, by devising arrangement configuration of the high-voltage control equipment unit including the battery for driving the vehicle and incidental high-voltage electrical components.

Means of Solving the Problems

To solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a mounting structure for a high-voltage control equipment unit having a battery for driving a vehicle mounted above a floor panel of the vehicle. The high-voltage control equipment unit (20) is a unit including at least two batteries (50-1,50-2) for driving the vehicle juxtaposed in the width direction of the vehicle (1), a high-voltage electrical component (56) for controlling power delivery from the batteries (50-1,50-2), and a case (30) housing the batteries (50-1,50-2) and the high-voltage electrical component (56). The two batteries (50-1,50-2) are mounted under a plurality of front seats (5-1,5-2) juxtaposed in the width direction of the vehicle (1). The high-voltage electrical component (56) is mounted at a position sandwiched between the two batteries (50-1,50-2) in the width direction of the vehicle (1). On a bottom surface (33) of the case (30), a recessed portion (32) in which a vehicular component (4) extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (1) at least at a position corresponding to the case is arranged is formed.

According to the mounting structure for the high-voltage control equipment unit of the present invention, on the bottom surface of the case, the recessed portion in which a vehicular component extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at least at a position corresponding to the case is arranged is formed. Thus, the high-voltage control equipment unit mounted above the vehicular component can be positioned at a low height. This necessitates no part of the high-voltage control equipment unit to be projected into the vehicle compartment, thereby enabling effective use of the space in the compartment. Even if the whole of the high-voltage control equipment unit is arranged under the seat in the compartment, the seat is not located at a high position. This can achieve a lowered floor of the vehicle (lowered floor surface in the vehicle compartment). The vehicular component here may be a driving force transmitting member for transmitting a driving force of the vehicle. The vehicular component may also be an exhaust pipe in which exhaust from the engine as a drive source of the vehicle circulates. The vehicular component may also be auxiliary machinery mounted on the vehicle or a wiring component for supplying power to this auxiliary machinery.

Furthermore, in the mounting structure in accordance with the present invention, as the installment of the above-mentioned recessed portion allows the high-voltage control equipment unit mounted above the vehicular component to be positioned at a low height, the high-voltage control equipment unit including the battery for driving the vehicle can be mounted under the front seat having a relatively low temperature. This achieve optimization of the temperature environment of the battery.

Moreover, according to the mounting structure for the high-voltage control equipment unit of the present invention, at least the two batteries are juxtaposed in the vehicle width direction under the front seats, and the high-voltage electrical component is arranged at the position sandwiched between these two batteries. Accordingly, the high-voltage electrical component is arranged at the center in the vehicle width direction and farthest from both sides of the vehicle, or in the vicinity thereof. This can suppress an impact on the high-voltage electrical component at the time of side collision of the vehicle. Also, the arrangement of the batteries and the high-voltage electrical component under the front seats can suppress an impact on the batteries and the high-voltage electrical component at the time of vehicle collision. Thus, malfunction or mechanical failure due to an impact of side collision of the vehicle can be prevented from occurring to the high-voltage electrical component, and the high-voltage control equipment unit having the batteries can avoid any troubles.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned mounting structure, the two batteries (50-1,50-2) are arranged respectively on both sides of the recessed portion (32) in the vehicle width direction, and the high-voltage electrical component (56) may be housed right above the recessed portion (32).

According to this configuration, even if the recessed portion for arranging the driving force transmitting member therein is formed on the bottom surface of the case, the components of the high-voltage control equipment unit can be efficiently housed in the case, keeping the thickness (height) thereof small.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned mounting structure, a pair of reinforcing members (26,27) arranged in the vehicle width direction at a predetermined interval and extending in the longitudinal direction is installed above the floor panel (9). The high-voltage control equipment unit (20) may be arranged so that both sides thereof in the vehicle width direction are sandwiched by the pair of reinforcing members (26,27).

According to this configuration, as the reinforcing members are arranged on both sides of the high-voltage control equipment unit in the vehicle width direction, the high-voltage control equipment unit is protected from an impact from all sides. This can effectively prevent the high-voltage control equipment unit from crushing because of an impact at the time of vehicle collision.

Moreover, the above-mentioned mounting structure may include a plurality of seat rails (18,19) supporting the front seats (5-1,5-2) so as to be slidable independently above the floor panel (9) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (1), and the high-voltage control equipment unit (20) may be arranged at a position lower than the seat rails (18,19).

At the time of side collision of the vehicle, an excessive collision load is applied to the front seat arranged at a position outside the high-voltage control equipment unit in the vehicle width direction. This might cause deformation and falling of the front seat. Even in such cases, as described above, the arrangement of the high-voltage control equipment unit at a position lower than the seat rail can reduce chances of impact of deformation and falling of the front seat on the high-voltage control equipment unit.

Moreover, the present invention is the mounting structure for the high-voltage control equipment unit having the batteries for driving the vehicle mounted above the floor panel of the vehicle. The high-voltage control equipment unit (20) includes at least the two batteries (50-1,50-2) for driving the vehicle juxtaposed in the width direction of the vehicle (1) and the high-voltage electrical component (56) for controlling power delivery from the batteries (50-1,50-2). The two batteries (50-1,50-2) are mounted under the plurality of front seats (5-1,5-2) juxtaposed in the width direction of the vehicle (1). The mounting structure includes the seat rails (18,19) supporting the plurality of seats (5-1,5-2) so as to be slidable independently above the floor panel (9) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (1). The high-voltage control equipment unit (20) is arranged at a position lower than the seat trails (18,19).

According to the mounting structure for the high-voltage control equipment of the present invention, the arrangement of the high-voltage control equipment unit at a position lower than the seat rails necessitates no part of the high-voltage control equipment unit to be projected into the vehicle compartment, thereby enabling effective use of the space in the compartment.

In addition, according to the mounting structure for the high-voltage control equipment unit of the present invention, the arrangement of the high-voltage control equipment unit at a position lower than the seat rails can suppress an impact on the high-voltage control equipment unit at the time of side collision of the vehicle. In particular, an excessive collision load is applied to the front seats arranged at a position outside the high-voltage control equipment unit in the vehicle width direction at the time of side collision of the vehicle, whereby deformation and falling might occur to the front seats. Even in such cases, as described above, the arrangement of the high-voltage control equipment unit at a position lower than the seat rail can reduce chances of impact of deformation and falling of the front seat on the high-voltage control equipment unit. Thus, malfunction or mechanical failure due to an impact of side collision of the vehicle can be prevented from occurring to the high-voltage control equipment unit, and the high-voltage control equipment unit having the batteries can avoid any troubles.

Furthermore, in the above-described mounting structure, the high-voltage electrical component (56) may be mounted between the plurality of front seats (5-1,5-2) in the vehicle width direction.

According to this configuration, the high-voltage electrical component is arranged at the center in the vehicle width direction and farthest from both sides of the vehicle, or in the vicinity thereof. This can suppress an impact on the high-voltage electrical component at the time of side collision of the vehicle. Thus, malfunction or mechanical failure due to an impact of side collision of the vehicle can be prevented from occurring to the high-voltage electrical component, and the high-voltage control equipment unit having the batteries can avoid any troubles.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned mounting structure, the pair of reinforcing members (26,27) arranged in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle1at a predetermined interval and extending in the longitudinal direction is installed above the floor panel (9). The high-voltage control equipment unit (20) may be arranged so that both sides thereof in the vehicle width direction are sandwiched by the pair of reinforcing members (26,27).

According to this configuration, as the reinforcing members are arranged on both sides of the high-voltage control equipment unit in the vehicle width direction, the high-voltage control equipment unit is protected from an impact from all sides. This can effectively prevent the high-voltage control equipment unit from crushing because of an impact at the time of vehicle collision.

Furthermore, in the above-described mounting structure, the high-voltage control equipment unit (20) may include the case (30) integrally housing the batteries (50-1,50-2) and the high-voltage electrical component (56). This configuration enables effective protection of the batteries for driving the vehicle and the high-voltage electrical component from an impact from all sides.

It is to be noted that the above symbols in parentheses each represent a symbol denoting the corresponding component in embodiments described later, as an example of the present invention.

Effects of the Invention

The mounting structure for the high-voltage control equipment unit in accordance with the present invention enables minimization of an impact at the time of vehicle collision, in addition to effective use of the space in the vehicle compartment.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail as below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that in the following description, any expressions representing directions such as above (high, upward), under (low, downward), front and rear (longitudinal, forth and back, before and behind), and left and right (lateral, width) are those of a vehicle1that will be described below. In addition, Arrow FR in a figure shows the front side direction (forward direction) of the vehicle1. In addition, “lateral (left and right) direction” and “(vehicle) width direction” in the following description refer to the width direction with respect to the travel direction (longitudinal direction) of the vehicle.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram illustrating a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) provided with a high-voltage control equipment unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle1shown in the figure includes a body10made of seat metal. And in an engine room2arranged in the front of the body10, a power unit3consisting of an engine3aand a motor generator3binstalled in series is mounted. The motor generator3bis, for example, a three-phase AC motor. The vehicle1is a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) that assists with driving of the engine3a, which is an internal combustion engine, using the motor generator3band can collect power from the motor generator3bwhen the vehicle decelerates.

Moreover, the vehicle1of this embodiment is a four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle in which a driving force from the power unit3is transmitted to a front wheel16and a rear wheel17. Accordingly, the vehicle1includes a propeller shaft (vehicular component, driving force transmitting member)4for transmitting a driving force from the power unit3to a rear differential (not shown in the figure) from a front differential (not shown in the figure). The propeller shaft4extends in the longitudinal direction from a position corresponding to the front wheel16to a position corresponding to the rear wheel17at the center in the width direction under a floor panel9of the vehicle1(seeFIG. 5).

In the vehicle1, a driving force from the engine3aand the motor generator3bis transmitted to the front wheel16as a main driving wheel and the rear wheel17as an auxiliary driving wheel. In addition, when a driving force is transmitted to the motor generator3bfrom the front wheel16or the rear wheel17when the vehicle1decelerates, the motor generator3bfunctions as a generator to generate so-called a regenerative braking force, whereby kinetic energy of the vehicle1is collected as electric energy. With the collected electric energy, a battery of a battery module50is charged via an electric power converter such as an inverter device included in a high-voltage device56that will be described below.

A vehicle compartment7in which a front seat5and a rear seat6are arranged is provided behind the engine room2. In addition, a trunk8partitioned off via the vehicle compartment7and a seat back6aof the rear seat6is provided behind the compartment7(above the rear wheel17).

A high-voltage control equipment unit20connected to the power unit3via an electrical power cable15is arranged under the front seat5(driver's seat5-1and passenger's seat5-2) in the vehicle compartment7.FIG. 2is a perspective view of the high-voltage control equipment unit20.FIG. 3is a disassembled perspective view of an outline illustrating components of the high-voltage control equipment unit20.FIG. 4is a plane view of an outline illustrating a configuration of the high-voltage control equipment unit20with respect to the driver's seat5-1and the passenger's seat5-2, andFIG. 5is a sectional side elevation of the high-voltage control equipment unit20viewed from the rear side of the vehicle1. In each figure, components inside the high-voltage control equipment unit20(such as the battery module50, the high-voltage device56, a power distribution component57and a main switch58) are shown in a simplified manner.

As shown inFIG. 4, a pair of side frames (reinforcing members)26,27extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle1is installed above the floor panel9in the vehicle compartment7. The side frames26,27are long-length members bend-formed so that the cross section thereof is convex upward, linearly extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle1at both sides of the high-voltage control equipment unit20. The floor panel9and the side frames26,27are members forming part of the body10.

Further, in the case30, which will be described below, of the high-voltage control equipment unit20, a pair of cross members (another pair of reinforcing members)11,12extending in the width direction of the vehicle1is installed. The cross members11,12are run between the pair of side frames26,27on the both sides and juxtaposed at an interval in the longitudinal direction.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 4, the driver's seat5-1and the passenger's seat5-2are installed above the floor panel9. Each of the driver's seat5-1and the passenger's seat5-2is provided with a seating part5-1a,5-2aand a backrest5-1b,5-2band attached to the seat rail18,19extending in the longitudinal direction above the floor panel9so as to be supported slidably in the longitudinal direction.FIG. 4AandFIG. 4Bare views illustrating the driver's seat5-1and the passenger's seat5-2, which slide forth and back along the seat rails18,19, being respectively at the forefront and rearmost positions.

In this embodiment, the high-voltage control equipment unit20is mounted between the floor panel9and the driver's and passenger's seats5-1,5-2. The high-voltage control equipment unit20is a unit including the battery module50, the high-voltage electrical component56and the power distribution component57for controlling power delivery from the battery module50, the main switch58for the battery module50, and the case30housing these components. The whole of this high-voltage control equipment unit20in the lateral direction is installed under the driver's seat5-1and the passenger's seat5-2.

As shown inFIG. 2, the high-voltage control equipment unit20is provided with the battery case30consisting of a lower cover31and an upper cover41. In this battery case30, the battery module50, the high-voltage electrical component56, the power distribution component (high-voltage electrical component)57and the main switch (starter)58for the battery module50are housed. The battery case30is a container, for instance, made of steel. On one hand, the lower case31is a bottomed container having an opening32facing upward of the vehicle1and serving as a housing31cfor housing the battery module50and other components. On the other hand, the upper cover (lid)41is an approximately plate-like member covering the opening32of the lower case31.

On the center of a bottom surface33of the case30in the vehicle width direction, a belt-shaped recessed portion21is provided so as to be recessed upward and penetrate the case30in the longitudinal direction. As shown inFIG. 5, the recessed portion21is formed so that the sectional configuration thereof viewed from the longitudinal direction is approximately inverted U-shaped. The recessed portion21is arranged between the driver's seat5-1and the passenger's seat5-2in the vehicle width direction and extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle1. In this recessed portion21, a propeller shaft4extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle1is arranged (housed). This recessed portion21allows the high-voltage control equipment unit20(case30) to be mounted so as to avoid the propeller shaft4thereabove.

The battery module50in the housing31cincludes the two batteries50-1,50-2juxtaposed in the vehicle width direction, and both batteries have an approximately rectangular parallelepiped outer shape along the inner shape of the housing31c. The two batteries are housed respectively in the housings31-1c,31-2crecessed downward on both sides of the recessed portion32inside the lower case31, and installed so as to be divided respectively into the left and right sides of the recessed portion32. And, the high-voltage device56is housed right above the recessed portion32in the lower case31. Therefore, the high-voltage device56is mounted between the driver's seat5-1and the passenger's seat5-2in the vehicle width direction. In addition, the high-voltage device56is mounted at a position sandwiched between the two batteries50-1,50-2.

Moreover, the front and rear cross members11,12are installed respectively before and behind the high-voltage device56and respectively before and behind the two batteries50-1,50-2. Both ends of the front and rear cross members11,12are connected respectively to the side frames18,19. Thus, the high-voltage devices56and the two batteries50-1,50-2are installed so that side surfaces thereof are surrounded by the front and rear cross members11,12and the left and right side frames18,19. In addition, the power distribution component57and the main switch58are arranged at a position adjacent to the front side of the cross-members11,12.

The batteries50-1,50-2are arranged in the way that a multiplicity of battery cells are bundled together integrally, although not illustrated in detail. The high-voltage device56is an electronic device including an inverter device having an inverter and a converter device having a DC/DC converter. To the high-voltage device56, also electronic equipment such as an ECU is provided, although not illustrated in detail. The high-voltage device56functions so as to obtain a direct current from the battery module50, convert this direct current into a three-phase AC current, supply this current to the motor generator3b, drive this motor generator3b, and convert a regeneration current from the motor generator3binto a direct current, thereby enabling charging of the battery module50.

The power distribution component57is a component integrally including a multiplicity of wires connected to the battery module50and the high-voltage device56and a large number of connectors for connecting these wires. This power distribution component57has such a complex structure that the multiplicity of wires branches via the connectors. The main switch58is a switch, connected to the battery cells included by each of the batteries50-1,50-2, for changing ON/OFF of energization of the battery module50.

The high-voltage control equipment unit20of this embodiment is a unit including the two batteries50-1,50-2for driving the vehicle juxtaposed in the width direction of the vehicle1, the high-voltage device (high-voltage electrical component)56for controlling power delivery from the batteries50-1,50-2, and the case30integrally housing the batteries50-1,50-2and the high-voltage device56. The two batteries50-1,50-2are mounted under the left and right front seats5-1,5-2juxtaposed in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle1. The high-voltage device56is mounted at a position sandwiched between the two batteries50-1,50-2in the width direction of the vehicle1. On the bottom surface33of the case30, the recessed portion32in which the propeller shaft (driving force transmission member)4extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle1at least at the position corresponding to the case30is arranged.

According to the mounting structure for the high-voltage control equipment unit20of this embodiment, the recessed portion32in which the propeller shaft4extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle1is housed is formed on the bottom surface33of the case30. This allows the high-voltage control equipment unit20mounted above the propeller shaft9to be positioned at a low height. Accordingly, there is no need to install any part of the high-voltage control equipment unit20to be projected into the vehicle compartment7. This enables effective use of space in the vehicle compartment7. Even if the whole of the high-voltage control equipment unit20is arranged under the seat5in the compartment7, the seat5is not located at a high position. This can achieve a lowered floor of the vehicle1(lowered floor surface in the vehicle compartment7).

Furthermore, according to the mounting structure for the high-voltage control equipment unit20of this embodiment, since the two batteries50-1,50-2juxtaposed in the vehicle width direction are mounted under the front seats5-1,5-2, and the high-voltage device56is arranged at a position sandwiched between those two batteries50-1,50-2, the high-voltage electrical device57is arranged at the center in the vehicle width direction and farthest from both sides of the vehicle1, or in the vicinity thereof. This can suppress an impact on the high-voltage device57at the time of side collision of the vehicle. Moreover, the arrangement of the batteries50-1,50-2and the high-voltage device57under the front seat5suppresses an impact on the batteries50-1,50-2and the high-voltage electrical component57at the time of collision of the vehicle1. Thus, malfunction or mechanical failure due to an impact of side collision of the vehicle1can be prevented from occurring to the high-voltage device57, and the high-voltage control equipment unit20having the batteries50-1,50-2can avoid any troubles.

Moreover, in the mounting structure for the high-voltage control equipment unit20of the present embodiment, the two batteries50-1,50-2are installed so as to be divided respectively into both sides of the recessed portion32in the vehicle width direction, and the high-voltage electrical component56is arranged right above the recessed portion32and mounted at a position sandwiched between the two batteries50-1,50-2. According to this configuration, even if the recessed portion4for arranging the propeller shaft4therein is formed on the bottom surface33of the case30, the components of the high-voltage control equipment unit20can be efficiently housed in the case30, keeping the thickness (height) thereof small.

Furthermore, in the mounting structure for the high-voltage control equipment unit20of the present embodiment, the pair of side frames (reinforcing members)26,27arranged at a predetermined interval in the width direction of the vehicle1and extending in the longitudinal direction is installed above the floor panel9. The high-voltage control equipment unit20is arranged so that both sides thereof in the vehicle width direction are sandwiched by the pair of side frames26,27. This configuration enables protection of the high-voltage control equipment unit20from an impact from all sides. This can effectively prevent the high-voltage control equipment unit20from crushing due to an impact at the time of collision of the vehicle1.

Moreover, since the mounting structure of the present embodiment includes the cross members11,12run between the pair of side frames26,27and extending in the width direction of the vehicle1, the high-voltage control equipment unit20(especially, the batteries50-1,50-2and the high-voltage device56) is surrounded on all four sides in the longitudinal and width directions by the pair of side frames26,27and the pair of the cross members11,12and accordingly protected from an impact from all sides. This can effectively prevent the high-voltage control equipment unit from crushing because of an impact at the time of vehicle collision.

Moreover, the mounting structure of the present embodiment includes the seat rails18,19supporting the left and front seats5-1,5-2so as to be slidable independently above the floor panel9in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle1, and the whole of the high-voltage control equipment unit20is arranged at a position lower than the seat rails18,19. In particular, at the time of side collision of the vehicle1, an excessive collision load is applied to the front seat5arranged at a position outside the high-voltage control equipment unit20in the vehicle width direction at the time of side collision of the vehicle1, whereby deformation and falling might occur to the front seat5. Even in such cases, as described above, the arrangement of the whole of the high-voltage control equipment unit20at a position lower than the seat rails18,19can reduce chances of impact of deformation and falling of the front seat5on the high-voltage control equipment unit20.

Furthermore, the high-voltage control equipment unit20of the present embodiment is a unit having the batteries50-1,50-2for driving the vehicle1mounted above the floor panel9of the vehicle1, and including the two batteries50-1,50-2for driving the vehicle1juxtaposed in the width direction of the vehicle1and the high-voltage device56for controlling power delivery from the batteries50-1,50-2, and the case30integrally housing the batteries50-1,50-2, the high-voltage device56and the starter58. The two batteries50-1,50-2are mounted under the left and right front seats5-1,5-2juxtaposed in the width direction of the vehicle1. The mounting structure of the present embodiment includes the seat rails18,19supporting the left and front seats5-1,5-2so as to be slidable independently above the floor panel9in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle1. The high-voltage control equipment unit20is arranged at a position lower than the seat rails18,19.

According to this configuration, the arrangement of the high-voltage control equipment unit20at a position lower than the seat rails18,19can suppress an impact on the high-voltage control equipment unit20at the time of side collision of the vehicle1. In particular, at the time of side collision of the vehicle1, an excessive collision load is applied to the front seat5arranged at a position outside the high-voltage control equipment unit20in the vehicle width direction, whereby deformation and falling might occur to the front seat. Even in such cases, as described above, the arrangement of the high-voltage control equipment unit20at a position lower than the seat rails18,19can reduce chances of impact of deformation and falling of the front seat5on the high-voltage control equipment unit20. Thus, malfunction or mechanical failure due to an impact of side collision of the vehicle1can be prevented from occurring to the high-voltage equipment unit20, and the high-voltage control equipment unit20having the batteries50-1,50-2can avoid any troubles.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be described below. In the description of the second embodiment and the corresponding figures, like reference characters refer to components corresponding or equivalent to those of the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof is dispensed with.

FIG. 6is a schematic diagram illustrating a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)1-2provided with the high-voltage control equipment unit20according to the second embodiment of the present invention. While the vehicle1of the first embodiment is a four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle in which a driving force from the power unit3is transmitted to the front wheel16and the rear wheel17, the vehicle1-2of the second embodiment is a front-wheel drive (two-wheel drive or 2WD) vehicle in which a driving force from the power unit3is transmitted only to the front wheel16. Accordingly, the vehicle1-2of the second embodiment is provided with no propeller shaft (vehicular component, driving force transmission member)4.

FIG. 7is a sectional side elevation of the high-voltage control equipment unit20of the second embodiment viewed from the rear side of the vehicle. The vehicle1-2of the present embodiment includes an exhaust pipe (vehicular component)70for guiding exhaust air from the engine3ato the rear of the vehicle1. At the center in the width direction under the floor panel9, the exhaust pipe70extends in the longitudinal direction from the engine3atowards the rear end of the vehicle1-2. And, as shown inFIG. 7, the exhaust pipe70is arranged in the recessed portion32provided on the bottom surface33of the case30. In other words, on the bottom surface33of the case30included by the high-voltage control equipment unit20of the present embodiment, the recessed portion32is formed for arranging therein the exhaust pipe70in which the exhaust air from the engine3acirculates.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 7, in the present embodiment, the wires (wiring components)80is arranged in the recessed portion32for supplying electric power to auxiliary machinery (not shown in the figure) mounted on the vehicle1-2.

At least part of the wires80corresponding to the case30extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle1-2, and this part is arranged in the recessed portion32. The auxiliary machinery here mentioned includes, for example, various electric lights and air-conditioners and related parts thereof mounted on the vehicle1-2. It should be noted that the wires80is not shown inFIG. 6.

In the present embodiment also, the recessed portion32in which the exhaust pipe70or the wires80extending at least at the position corresponding to the case30in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle1are housed is formed on the bottom surface33of the case30. This allows the high-voltage control equipment unit20mounted above the exhaust pipe70or the wires80to be positioned at a low height. Accordingly, there is no need to install any part of the high-voltage control equipment unit20to be projected into the vehicle compartment7, thereby enabling effective use of the space in the compartment. In addition, even if the whole of the high-voltage control equipment unit20is arranged under the seat5in the compartment7, the seat5is not located at a high position. This can achieve a lowered floor of the vehicle1(lowered floor surface in the vehicle compartment7).

In the foregoing, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but various modifications of the present invention are possible within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, specification, and drawings. While in the above-described embodiments, the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)1is illustrated as a vehicle provided with the high-voltage control equipment unit20according to the present invention, the present invention can be applied to other kinds of vehicles such as an electric vehicle, as far as the vehicles are provided with a high-voltage control equipment unit including batteries for driving the vehicles, a high-voltage electrical component for controlling power delivery from the batteries and a starter of the batteries, but not limited to the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)1as described above.

Moreover, the propeller shaft4(driving force transmitting member), the exhaust pipe70and the wires80are described in the above-described embodiments as the vehicular components arranged in the recessed portion32provided on the bottom surface33of the case30, other components may be arranged in the recessed portion32provided on the bottom surface33of the case30. For instance, not only the wires (wiring component)80for supplying electric power to the auxiliary machinery, but also the auxiliary machinery or other related accessories may be arranged in the recessed portion32provided on the bottom surface33of the case30, although not illustrated in the figure. Furthermore, when the power cable (high-tension wire, three-phase line)15pulled out from the power unit3is connected to apparatuses other than the high-voltage control equipment unit20, this power cable15may be configured to be guided toward behind the high-voltage control equipment unit20(rear side of the vehicle) by arranging this power cable15in the recessed portion32provided on the bottom surface33of the case30, although not illustrated in the figure.

Furthermore, while in the above-described embodiments, the recessed portion32provided on the bottom surface33of the case30is arranged on the center of the bottom surface33of the case3in the vehicle width direction, where to arrange the recessed portion32is not restricted thereto but may be another position as far as on the bottom surface33of the case30. For instance, the recessed portion32may be arranged at a position biased laterally in the vehicle width direction.