Hybrid vehicle and vehicle

A hybrid vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention is a hybrid vehicle including: an engine arranged at a vehicle body front portion; a propeller shaft configured to transmit an output of the engine to wheels arranged at a vehicle body rear portion; and a drive motor provided so as to drive the propeller shaft and supported with a vehicle body, and the propeller shaft transmits an output of the drive motor to wheels arranged at at least one of the vehicle body front portion and the vehicle body rear portion. The propeller shaft is supported with the vehicle body through the drive motor by a middle portion of the propeller shaft in the vehicle body front-rear direction being supported with the drive motor.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vehicle, such as a hybrid vehicle, including a propeller shaft extending in a vehicle body front-rear direction.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, a hybrid vehicle is put into practical use, which includes an engine and a drive motor as driving sources and is driven by at least one of an output of the engine and an output of the drive motor. Known is a hybrid vehicle, such as a four-wheel drive vehicle or a rear-wheel drive vehicle, in which: an engine is arranged at a vehicle body front portion; a rear wheel differential device is arranged at a vehicle body rear portion; and a propeller shaft is arranged so as to extend in a vehicle body front-rear direction.

For example, PTL 1 discloses a hybrid vehicle that is a four-wheel drive vehicle in which: an engine is arranged at a vehicle body front portion; a rear wheel differential device is arranged at a vehicle body rear portion; a propeller shaft is arranged so as to extend in a vehicle body front-rear direction; and a drive motor is arranged at a rear portion of the propeller shaft.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

According to the hybrid vehicle described in PTL 1, the propeller shaft is supported with a vehicle body through (i) a bearing portion rotatably supporting a middle portion of the propeller shaft and (ii) a support bracket through which the bearing portion is supported with the vehicle body, and the drive motor arranged at the rear portion of the propeller shaft is supported with the vehicle body. Therefore, to individually support the propeller shaft and the drive motor with the vehicle body, supporting parts, assembly man-hours, and the like increase. On this account, a support structure supporting the propeller shaft is desired to be made simple.

An object of the present invention is to, in a vehicle, such as a hybrid vehicle, including a propeller shaft extending in a vehicle body front-rear direction, simplify a support structure supporting the propeller shaft with a vehicle body of the vehicle.

Solution to Problem

To solve the above problems, the present invention is configured as below.

A first aspect of the present invention is a hybrid vehicle including: an engine arranged at one of a vehicle body front portion and a vehicle body rear portion; a propeller shaft extending in a vehicle body front-rear direction and configured to transmit an output of the engine to wheels arranged at the other of the vehicle body front portion and the vehicle body rear portion; and a drive motor provided so as to drive the propeller shaft and supported with the vehicle body, the propeller shaft transmitting an output of the drive motor to wheels which are arranged at at least one of the vehicle body front portion and the vehicle body rear portion, wherein the propeller shaft is supported with the vehicle body through the drive motor by a middle portion of the propeller shaft in the vehicle body front-rear direction being supported with the drive motor.

A second aspect of the present invention is configured such that: in the first aspect of the present invention, the drive motor includes a motor portion including a stator and a rotor, a casing portion accommodating the motor portion, and bearing portions provided at both respective vehicle body front-rear direction end portions of the casing portion; and the propeller shaft is inserted into and supported with the bearing portions, and with this, supported with the vehicle body through the drive motor.

A third aspect of the present invention is configured such that: in the second aspect of the present invention, the drive motor includes a speed reducer portion in the casing portion, the speed reducer portion being configured to decelerate rotation of the rotor of the motor portion and transmit the rotation of the rotor to the propeller shaft; and the motor portion and the speed reducer portion are provided on the propeller shaft so as to be lined up in the vehicle body front-rear direction.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is configured such that: in any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the hybrid vehicle is a four-wheel drive vehicle manufactured based on a front engine-front drive vehicle in which the engine is arranged at the vehicle body front portion, and the output of the engine is transmitted to wheels arranged at the vehicle body front portion; and the propeller shaft is provided so as to couple a transfer and a coupling, the transfer being provided on axles of the wheels arranged at the vehicle body front portion and being configured to take out driving force to be transmitted to wheels arranged at the vehicle body rear portion, the coupling being arranged at the vehicle body rear portion and being configured to adjust driving force to be distributed to the wheels arranged at the vehicle body front portion and the wheels arranged at the vehicle body rear portion.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is configured such that: in any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the hybrid vehicle is a front engine-rear drive vehicle in which the engine is arranged at the vehicle body front portion, and the output of the engine is transmitted to the wheels arranged at the vehicle body rear portion, or the hybrid vehicle is a four-wheel drive vehicle manufactured based on the front engine-rear drive vehicle; and the propeller shaft is provided so as to couple a transmission and a wheel differential device, the transmission being coupled to the engine and arranged at the vehicle body front portion, the wheel differential device being arranged at the vehicle body rear portion.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is configured such that: in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the engine is arranged at the vehicle body front portion; an exhaust treatment device is provided at a vehicle body rear side of the engine; a fuel tank is provided at a vehicle body front side of axles of the wheels arranged at the vehicle body rear portion; and the drive motor is located between the exhaust treatment device and the fuel tank in a vehicle body front-rear direction and arranged inside a tunnel portion which is provided at a vehicle width direction middle portion of a floor panel and is open at a lower side of the tunnel portion.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is configured such that: in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the engine is arranged at the vehicle body front portion; an exhaust treatment device is provided at a vehicle body rear side of the engine; a battery is provided at a vehicle body front side of axles of the wheels arranged at the vehicle body rear portion; and the drive motor is located between the exhaust treatment device and the battery in the vehicle body front-rear direction and arranged inside a tunnel portion which is provided at a vehicle width direction middle portion of a floor panel and is open at a lower side of the tunnel portion.

An eighth aspect of the present invention is a vehicle including: an engine arranged at one of a vehicle body front portion and a vehicle body rear portion; a propeller shaft extending in a vehicle body front-rear direction and configured to transmit an output of the engine to wheels arranged at the other of the vehicle body front portion and the vehicle body rear portion; and a power generator provided so as to be driven by the propeller shaft and supported with the vehicle body, wherein the propeller shaft is supported with the vehicle body through the power generator by a middle portion of the propeller shaft in the vehicle body front-rear direction being supported with the power generator.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the first aspect of the present invention in the present application, the hybrid vehicle includes: the engine arranged at one of the vehicle body front portion and the vehicle body rear portion; the propeller shaft configured to transmit the output of the engine to the wheels arranged at the other of the vehicle body front portion and the vehicle body rear portion; and the drive motor provided so as to drive the propeller shaft and supported with the vehicle body. Further, the propeller shaft is supported with the vehicle body through the drive motor by the middle portion of the propeller shaft in the vehicle body front-rear direction being supported with the drive motor.

Thus, in the hybrid vehicle including the propeller shaft extending in the vehicle body front-rear direction, the propeller shaft is supported with the vehicle body through the drive motor supported with the vehicle body. Therefore, the support structure supporting the propeller shaft with the vehicle body is made simpler than a case where the propeller shaft and the drive motor are individually supported with the vehicle body. Further, since the middle portion of the propeller shaft in the vehicle body front-rear direction is supported, the propeller shaft is stably supported.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the drive motor includes: the motor portion including the stator and the rotor; the casing portion accommodating the motor portion; and the bearing portions provided at both respective vehicle body front-rear direction end portions of the casing portion. Further, the propeller shaft is inserted into the bearing portions, and with this, supported with the vehicle body through the drive motor. Thus, the above effects are concretely realized.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the drive motor includes the speed reducer portion in the casing portion, and the motor portion and the speed reducer portion are provided on the propeller shaft so as to be lined up in the vehicle body front-rear direction. With this, torque is increased by the speed reducer portion, and therefore, the drive motor is downsized. Further, since the motor portion and the speed reducer portion are arranged so as to be lined up, a radial size of the drive motor is reduced, and therefore, mountability of the drive motor onto the vehicle is improved.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the hybrid vehicle is a four-wheel drive vehicle manufactured based on a front engine-front drive vehicle, and the propeller shaft is provided so as to couple the transfer arranged at the vehicle body front portion and the coupling arranged at the vehicle body rear portion. With this, in the engine transversely mounted type four-wheel drive hybrid vehicle, the above effects are effectively obtained.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the hybrid vehicle is the front engine-rear drive vehicle or the four-wheel drive vehicle manufactured based on the front engine-rear drive vehicle, and the propeller shaft is provided so as to couple the transmission arranged at the vehicle body front portion and the wheel differential device arranged at the vehicle body rear portion. With this, in the engine longitudinally mounted type two-wheel or four-wheel hybrid vehicle, the above effects are effectively obtained.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the drive motor is arranged inside the tunnel portion, provided at the floor panel, so as to be located between the exhaust treatment device and the fuel tank in the vehicle body front-rear direction. With this, in the hybrid vehicle in which: the exhaust treatment device is provided at the vehicle body rear side of the engine arranged at the vehicle body front portion; and the fuel tank is provided at the vehicle body front side of the axles of the wheels arranged at the vehicle body rear portion, the propeller shaft is stably supported by using the drive motor arranged between the exhaust treatment device and the fuel tank in the vehicle body front-rear direction.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the drive motor is arranged inside the tunnel portion, provided at the floor panel, so as to be located between the exhaust treatment device and the battery in the vehicle body front-rear direction. With this, in the hybrid vehicle in which: the exhaust treatment device is provided at the vehicle body rear side of the engine arranged at the vehicle body front portion; and the battery is provided at the vehicle body front side of the axles of the wheels arranged at the vehicle body rear portion, the propeller shaft is stably supported by using the drive motor arranged between the exhaust treatment device and the battery in the vehicle body front-rear direction.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the vehicle includes: the engine arranged at one of the vehicle body front portion and the vehicle body rear portion; the propeller shaft configured to transmit the output of the engine to the wheels arranged at the other of the vehicle body front portion and the vehicle body rear portion; and the power generator provided so as to be driven by the propeller shaft and supported with the vehicle body. Further, the propeller shaft is supported with the vehicle body through the power generator by the middle portion of the propeller shaft in the vehicle body front-rear direction being supported with the power generator.

With this, in the vehicle including the propeller shaft extending in the vehicle body front-rear direction, the propeller shaft is supported with the vehicle body through the power generator supported with the vehicle body. Therefore, the support structure supporting the propeller shaft with the vehicle body is made simpler than a case where the propeller shaft and the power generator are individually supported with the vehicle body. Further, since the middle portion of the propeller shaft in the vehicle body front-rear direction is supported, the propeller shaft is stably supported.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a hybrid vehicle according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The hybrid vehicle according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is an engine transversely mounted type four-wheel drive vehicle manufactured based on a front engine-front drive vehicle in which: an engine is arranged at a vehicle body front portion; and an output of the engine is transmitted to wheels arranged at the vehicle body front portion.

As shown inFIG. 1, a vehicle body10of the hybrid vehicle according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes: an engine14arranged at the vehicle body front portion as a driving source; a transmission16coupled to the engine14and configured to transmit an output of the engine14to wheels (front wheels)12F arranged at the vehicle body front portion and wheels (rear wheels)12R arranged at a vehicle body rear portion; a front wheel differential device20configured to transmit driving force of the transmission16to the left and right front wheels12F through axles18; a transfer22arranged on the axles18of the front wheels12F and configured to take out driving force to be transmitted to the rear wheels12R; a propeller shaft30coupled to the transfer22and extending in a vehicle body front-rear direction; a coupling28coupled to the propeller shaft30at the vehicle body rear portion and configured to adjust the driving force to be distributed to the front wheels12F and the rear wheels12R; and a rear wheel differential device26coupled to the coupling28and configured to transmit the driving force of the transfer22to the left and right rear wheels12R through axles24. The transmission16and the front wheel differential device20are included in a transmission casing17.

The vehicle body10further includes a drive motor40arranged at a vehicle body front-rear direction middle portion as a driving source. The drive motor40is provided so as to drive the propeller shaft30. An output of the drive motor40is transmitted from the propeller shaft30through the coupling28and the rear wheel differential device26to the rear wheels12R and also transmitted from the propeller shaft30through the transfer22and the front wheel differential device20to the front wheels12F.

In the present embodiment, the output of the engine14is transmitted to the front wheels12F and can also be transmitted to the rear wheels12R, and the output of the drive motor40can be transmitted to at least one of the front wheels12F and the rear wheels12R. The operations of the engine14and the drive motor40are controlled by a control unit (not shown).

For example, an electromagnetic coupling is used as the coupling28. Regarding at least one of the output of the engine14and the output of the drive motor40, the coupling28is configured to adjust the driving force to be distributed to the front wheels12F and the rear wheels12R. The distribution of the driving force between the front wheels12F and the rear wheels12R by the coupling28is changeable within a range of front wheel:rear wheel=100:0 to 50:50. It should be noted that the operation of the coupling28is controlled by the control unit.

As described below, the propeller shaft30is arranged inside a tunnel portion together with the drive motor40. The tunnel portion is provided at a vehicle width direction middle portion of a floor panel that is a vehicle body constituting member constituting a bottom surface of a vehicle room, and a lower side of the tunnel portion is open. A front end portion of the propeller shaft30is coupled to the transfer22through a first universal joint35. A rear end portion of the propeller shaft30is coupled to the coupling28through a second universal joint36.

The propeller shaft30is configured to be divided into a first divided shaft31, a second divided shaft32, and a third divided shaft33, which are arranged in this order from a vehicle body front side. The first divided shaft31and the second divided shaft32are coupled to each other through a third universal joint37. The second divided shaft32and the third divided shaft33are coupled to each other through a fourth universal joint38.

A cross shaft joint is used as each of the first universal joint35, the second universal joint36, and the third universal joint37. The universal joint (35,36,37) is configured to be able to bend a rotation axis of two members coupled by the universal joint (35,36,37). Further, the universal joint (35,36,37) is configured such that rotation can be transmitted between the two members coupled by the universal joint (35,36,37).

A slide type constant velocity ball joint is used as the fourth universal joint38. The universal joint38is configured to be able to bend a rotation axis of two members coupled by the universal joint38. Further, the universal joint38is configured such that rotation can be transmitted between the two members coupled by the universal joint38. Furthermore, the universal joint38is configured such that at least a part of the universal joint38and one of the two members coupled by the universal joint38move toward and are fitted into the other of the two members, and with this, the entirety of the two members coupled by the universal joint38can be extended or contracted in an axial direction.

The drive motor40is arranged on a vehicle body front-rear direction middle portion of the propeller shaft30, specifically on a vehicle body front-rear direction middle portion of the second divided shaft32of the propeller shaft30. The propeller shaft30is supported with the vehicle body10through the drive motor40by the vehicle body front-rear direction middle portion of the propeller shaft30, specifically the middle portion of the second divided shaft32being supported with the drive motor40.

FIG. 2is a diagram schematically showing the hybrid vehicle. As shown inFIG. 2, the vehicle body10further includes an exhaust pipe60extending from the engine14toward a vehicle body rear side. The exhaust pipe60is arranged inside a tunnel portion4of a floor panel2in the vicinity of the propeller shaft30.

At the vehicle body rear side of the engine14, a GPF (gasoline particulate filter)62and a silencer64are arranged at the exhaust pipe60in this order from the vehicle body front side. As an exhaust treatment device configured to treat an exhaust gas of the engine14, the GPF (gasoline particulate filter)62collects particulate matters (PM) contained in the exhaust gas. The silencer64reduces sound generated when the exhaust gas is discharged to the atmosphere.

The GPF62is arranged inside the tunnel portion4of the floor panel2and located between the transfer22and the drive motor40in the vehicle body front-rear direction. The silencer64is arranged at the vehicle body rear portion so as to be located at a vehicle body rear side of the rear wheel differential device26.

The vehicle body10includes: a fuel tank66configured to store fuel to be supplied to the engine14; and a battery68configured to store electric power to be supplied to the drive motor40. The drive motor40is configured to be driven by the propeller shaft30. At the time of deceleration of the vehicle, the drive motor40can perform regenerative power generation by being driven by the propeller shaft30and supply the generated electric power to the battery68.

The fuel tank66and the battery68are arranged at the vehicle body front side of the axles24of the rear wheels12R and located between the drive motor40and the coupling28in the vehicle body front-rear direction. The fuel tank66and the battery68are arranged at the vehicle body rear portion so as to be lined up in a vehicle width direction.

In the present embodiment, the drive motor40is arranged inside the tunnel portion4, provided at the vehicle width direction middle portion of the floor panel2, so as to be located between the GPF62and the fuel tank66in the vehicle body front-rear direction. Further, the drive motor40is arranged inside the tunnel portion4, provided at the vehicle width direction middle portion of the floor panel2, so as to be located between the GPF62and the battery68in the vehicle body front-rear direction.

Next, a support structure supporting the drive motor40and the propeller shaft30with the vehicle body10will be explained.

FIG. 3is a bottom view showing the drive motor of the hybrid vehicle and its vicinity.FIG. 4is a sectional view taken along line Y4-Y4ofFIG. 3and showing the hybrid vehicle.FIG. 5is a sectional view taken along line Y5-Y5ofFIG. 3and showing the hybrid vehicle.FIG. 6is a diagram showing a support structure supporting the drive motor.

As shown inFIG. 3, the drive motor40and the propeller shaft30are arranged inside the tunnel portion4of the floor panel2. In the vehicle body10, the second divided shaft32of the propeller shaft30penetrates the drive motor40and is supported with the drive motor40, and the drive motor40is supported with the tunnel portion4of the floor panel2through support brackets70supporting both respective vehicle body front-rear direction end portions of the drive motor40.

As shown inFIG. 4, the drive motor40includes a casing portion45configured to be divided into a first casing member41, a second casing member42, a third casing member43, and a fourth casing member44. Tubular portions46are provided at both respective vehicle body front-rear direction end portions of the casing portion45so as to extend toward the vehicle body front side and the vehicle body rear side, respectively.

Bearing portions47are provided at respective inner peripheral surfaces of both vehicle body front-rear direction end portions of the casing portion45. The second divided shaft32of the propeller shaft30are inserted into and supported with the bearing portions47. The second divided shaft32is configured to be divided into a first shaft32alocated at the vehicle body front side and a second shaft32blocated at the vehicle body rear side. The first shaft32ais rotatably supported with the bearing portion47provided at the vehicle body front side of the casing portion45, and the second shaft32bis rotatably supported with the bearing portion47provided at the vehicle body rear side of the casing portion45.

The second divided shaft32includes: a coupling member32csplined to the vehicle body front side of the first shaft32a; and a coupling member32dsplined to the vehicle body rear side of the second shaft32b. The coupling member32ccoupled to the first shaft32ais coupled to the third universal joint37, and the coupling member32dcoupled to the second shaft32bis coupled to the fourth universal joint38.

The drive motor40further includes a motor portion50in the casing portion45. The motor portion50includes: a stator48fixed to the casing portion45; and a rotor49arranged at a radially inner side of the stator48. A rotor shaft51is fixed to a radially inner side of the rotor49of the motor portion50so as to rotate integrally with the rotor49.

The stator48is configured by winding a plurality of coils around a stator core formed by a magnetic body. The rotor49is formed by a tubular magnetic body and rotates by magnetic force generated when electric power is supplied to the stator48.

The rotor shaft51is externally fitted to the second divided shaft32of the propeller shaft30. Both vehicle body front-rear direction end portions of the rotor shaft51are supported through respective bearing portions52with the casing portion45, specifically with the second casing member42and the third casing member43, respectively, such that the rotor shaft51is rotatable.

The drive motor40further includes a speed reducer portion53in the casing portion45. The speed reducer portion53decelerates rotation of the rotor49of the motor portion50and then transmits the rotation to the propeller shaft30. The speed reducer portion53is arranged at the vehicle body rear side of the motor portion50. The speed reducer portion53and the motor portion50are arranged on the propeller shaft30so as to be lined up in the vehicle body front-rear direction.

The speed reducer portion53includes a planetary gear set (planetary gear mechanism) PG. The planetary gear set PG is a single pinion type in which a pinion supported with a carrier directly meshes with a sun gear and a ring gear. As rotational elements, the planetary gear set PG includes a sun gear53a, a ring gear53b, and a carrier53c.

The sun gear53ais splined to the rotor shaft51arranged at the vehicle body front side and rotates integrally with the rotor shaft51. The ring gear53bis splined and fixed to the casing portion45, specifically to the third casing member43. The carrier53cincludes a sleeve53dextending toward the vehicle body rear side, and the sleeve53dis splined to the first shaft32aand the second shaft32b. The carrier53crotates integrally with the first shaft32aand the second shaft32b. With this, the rotation of the rotor49is decelerated by the speed reducer portion53and then transmitted to the propeller shaft30.

The drive motor40further includes an oil storage portion54in the casing portion45. The oil storage portion54stores oil for cooling the motor portion50and lubricating the speed reducer portion53, the bearing portions47and52, and the like. The oil stored in the oil storage portion54is supplied through an oil passage55to a gear type oil pump56provided at the vehicle body rear side of the speed reducer portion53. The oil is supplied from the oil pump56to lubricated portions of the drive motor40. In the drive motor40, oil seals57are provided at both respective vehicle body front-rear direction end portions of the casing portion45so as to be located at the vehicle body front side of the corresponding bearing portion47and the vehicle body rear side of the corresponding bearing portion47, respectively. With this, the oil is sealed in the casing portion45.

The vehicle body10further includes the support brackets70through which the drive motor40is supported with the vehicle body. The tubular portions46provided at both respective vehicle body front-rear direction end portions of the casing portion45are supported with the tunnel portion4of the floor panel2of the vehicle body through the support brackets70.

FIGS. 5 and 6show the support structure at the vehicle body front side of the drive motor40. As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the support bracket70includes a cylindrical portion71and two flange portions72. The cylindrical portion71is press-fitted to an outer periphery of the tubular portion46provided at the casing portion45of the drive motor40. The two flange portions72extend from the cylindrical portion71in a radially outer direction that is a horizontal direction. The cylindrical portion71and the two flange portions72are formed integrally. Opening portions72aare formed at the respective flange portions72of the support bracket70so as to penetrate the respective flange portions72. Mount members80are fixed and attached to the respective opening portions72a.

Each of the mount members80includes a tubular outer tube member81, a tubular inner tube member82, and a tubular elastic member83provided between the outer tube member81and the inner tube member82and coupled to the outer tube member81and the inner tube member82.

The inner tube member82is made of a metal material. An annular upper plate member84and an annular lower plate member85each extending in a radially outer direction are coupled to both respective axial end portions of the inner tube member82. An annular elastic body86made of an elastic material, such as rubber, is fixed and attached to a side of the lower plate member85which side is closer to the upper plate member84.

The outer tube member81is made of a metal material and arranged between the upper plate member84and the lower plate member85. Further, the outer tube member81is inserted into the opening portion72aof the flange portion72of the support bracket70and coupled to the flange portion72by welding or the like. The outer tube member81includes a flange portion81aextending in a radially outer direction and located at an end portion thereof which portion is closer to the upper plate member84coupled to the inner tube member82. An annular elastic body87made of an elastic material, such as rubber, is fixed and attached to a side of the flange portion81awhich side is closer to the upper plate member84.

The elastic member83is made of an elastic material, such as rubber, and arranged between the upper plate member84and the lower plate member85. An outer peripheral side of the elastic member83is coupled to the outer tube member81, and an inner peripheral side of the elastic member83is coupled to the inner tube member82. The inner tube member82of the mount member80is fixed and attached to the tunnel portion4of the floor panel2through a mounting bracket90.

As shown inFIG. 6, the mounting bracket90includes: a bottom surface portion91extending in a substantially horizontal direction and having a substantially rectangular shape; a front vertical surface portion92extending from the vehicle body front side of the bottom surface portion91upward in a substantially vertical direction; a rear vertical surface portion93extending from the vehicle body rear side of the bottom surface portion91in the substantially vertical direction; and an inner vertical surface portion94extending from a vehicle width direction inner side of the bottom surface portion91in the substantially vertical direction. As shown inFIG. 5, a bolt insertion hole91ais formed at a substantially middle of the bottom surface portion91, and a nut N is welded to an upper side of the bottom surface portion91so as to correspond to the bolt insertion hole91a.

The mounting bracket90further includes: a flange portion95extending downward from a vehicle width direction outer side of the bottom surface portion91along the tunnel portion4of the floor panel2; a flange portion96extending toward the vehicle body front side from a vehicle width direction outer side of the front vertical surface portion92along the tunnel portion4of the floor panel2; a flange portion97extending toward the vehicle body rear side from a vehicle width direction outer side of the rear vertical surface portion93along the tunnel portion4of the floor panel2; and a flange portion98extending upward from an upper side of the inner vertical surface portion94along the tunnel portion4of the floor panel2.

As shown inFIG. 6, the mount member80fixed to the flange portion72of the support bracket70is attached to the bottom surface portion91of the mounting bracket90by: stacking the upper plate member84on the bottom surface portion91of the mounting bracket90; and then inserting a fastening bolt B into the inner tube member82and the bolt insertion hole91afrom a lower side of the lower plate member85and threadedly engaging the fastening bolt B with the nut N.

The mounting bracket90including the bottom surface portion91to which the mount member80is attached is attached to the vehicle body10by joining the flange portions95,96,97, and98of the mounting bracket90to the tunnel portion4of the floor panel2by welding or the like.

The mount members80fixed to the respective flange portions72of the support bracket70are attached to the vehicle body10through the respective mounting brackets90. With this, the vehicle body front side of the drive motor40is supported with the vehicle body10.

At the vehicle body rear side of the drive motor40, as with the vehicle body front side of the drive motor40, the tubular portion46provided at the vehicle body rear side end portion of the casing portion45is supported with the support bracket70, and the mount members80fixed to the respective flange portions72of the support bracket70are attached to the vehicle body10through the respective mounting brackets90. With this, the vehicle body rear side of the drive motor40is supported with the vehicle body10.

Thus, the propeller shaft30, specifically the vehicle body front-rear direction middle portion of the second divided shaft32is rotatably supported with the casing portion45of the drive motor40, and the drive motor40is supported with the vehicle body10. The propeller shaft30is supported with the vehicle body10through the drive motor40by the vehicle body front-rear direction middle portion of the propeller shaft30being supported with the drive motor40.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 5, in the vehicle body10, floor cross members6each having a hat-shaped section are joined to both respective vehicle width direction sides of the tunnel portion4of the floor panel2so as to extend in the vehicle width direction. Reinforcing members7are provided in the respective floor cross members6. Each of the reinforcing members7includes a dividing surface portion7adividing the inside of the floor cross member6. The reinforcing member7reinforces the floor panel2by joining flange portions7band7cof the reinforcing member7to the floor cross member6and the floor panel2, respectively. The flange portions7band7care provided at respective upper-side and lower-side portions of the dividing surface portion7a.

As shown inFIG. 5, tunnel frames8each having a hat-shaped section are arranged at both respective vehicle width direction sides of the tunnel portion4of the floor panel2and joined to a lower surface of the floor panel2so as to extend in the vehicle body front-rear direction. Thus, the tunnel frames8reinforce the floor panel2.

In the present embodiment, the propeller shaft30is configured to be divided into the three divided shafts31,32, and33. However, the propeller shaft30may be configured by one shaft. Even in such a case, the drive motor40is arranged on the vehicle body front-rear direction middle portion of the propeller shaft30, and the vehicle body front-rear direction middle portion of the propeller shaft30is supported with the drive motor40, and with this, supported with the vehicle body10through the drive motor40.

According to the present embodiment, in the hybrid vehicle10including: the engine14arranged at the vehicle body front portion; the propeller shaft30configured to transmit the output of the engine14to the rear wheels12R; and the drive motor40provided so as to drive the propeller shaft30and supported with the vehicle body10, the propeller shaft30is supported with the drive motor40, and with this, supported with the vehicle body10through the drive motor40. Similarly, in a hybrid vehicle including: an engine arranged at a vehicle body rear portion; a propeller shaft configured to transmit an output of the engine to front wheels; and a drive motor provided so as to drive the propeller shaft and supported with a vehicle body, the propeller shaft can be supported with the drive motor, and with this, supported with the vehicle body through the drive motor.

As above, the hybrid vehicle10according to the present embodiment includes: the engine14arranged at one of the vehicle body front portion and the vehicle body rear portion; the propeller shaft30configured to transmit the output of the engine14to the wheels12R arranged at the other of the vehicle body front portion and the vehicle body rear portion; and the drive motor40provided so as to drive the propeller shaft30and supported with the vehicle body10. The propeller shaft30is supported with the vehicle body10through the drive motor40by the vehicle body front-rear direction middle portion of the propeller shaft30being supported with the drive motor40.

Thus, in the hybrid vehicle10including the propeller shaft30extending in the vehicle body front-rear direction, the propeller shaft30is supported with the vehicle body10through the drive motor40supported with the vehicle body10. Therefore, the support structure supporting the propeller shaft30with the vehicle body10is made simpler than a case where the propeller shaft and the drive motor are individually supported with the vehicle body. Further, since the vehicle body front-rear direction middle portion of the propeller shaft30is supported, the propeller shaft30is stably supported.

Further, the drive motor40includes the speed reducer portion53in the casing portion45, and the motor portion50and the speed reducer portion53are provided on the propeller shaft30so as to be lined up in the vehicle body front-rear direction. With this, torque is increased by the speed reducer portion53, and therefore, the drive motor40is downsized. Further, since the motor portion50and the speed reducer portion53are arranged so as to be lined up, a radial size of the drive motor40is reduced, and therefore, mountability of the drive motor40onto the vehicle is improved.

Further, the drive motor40is arranged inside the tunnel portion4, provided at the floor panel2, so as to be located between the exhaust treatment device62and the fuel tank66in the vehicle body front-rear direction. With this, in the hybrid vehicle10in which: the exhaust treatment device62is provided at the vehicle body rear side of the engine14arranged at the vehicle body front portion; and the fuel tank66is provided at the vehicle body front side of the axles24of the wheels12R arranged at the vehicle body rear portion, the propeller shaft30is stably supported by using the drive motor40arranged between the exhaust treatment device62and the fuel tank66in the vehicle body front-rear direction.

Further, the drive motor40is arranged inside the tunnel portion4, provided at the floor panel2, so as to be located between the exhaust treatment device62and the battery68in the vehicle body front-rear direction. With this, in the hybrid vehicle10in which: the exhaust treatment device62is provided at the vehicle body rear side of the engine14arranged at the vehicle body front portion; and the battery68is provided at the vehicle body front side of the axles24of the wheels12R arranged at the vehicle body rear portion, the propeller shaft30is stably supported by using the drive motor40arranged between the exhaust treatment device62and the battery68in the vehicle body front-rear direction.

According to the present embodiment, in the hybrid vehicle10including the propeller shaft30extending in the vehicle body front-rear direction, the propeller shaft30is supported with the vehicle body10through the drive motor40by the middle portion of the propeller shaft30being supported with the drive motor40. However, in a vehicle including a power generator instead of the drive motor40, the propeller shaft can be supported with the power generator, and with this, supported with the vehicle body through the power generator.

As above, in the vehicle including: the engine14arranged at one of the vehicle body front portion and the vehicle body rear portion; the propeller shaft30configured to transmit the output of the engine14to the wheels12R arranged at the other of the vehicle body front portion and the vehicle body rear portion; and the power generator provided so as to be driven by the propeller shaft30and supported with the vehicle body10, the propeller shaft30can be supported with the vehicle body10through the power generator by the vehicle body front-rear direction middle portion of the propeller shaft30being supported with the power generator.

Even in this case, in the vehicle including the propeller shaft extending in the vehicle body front-rear direction, the propeller shaft is supported with the vehicle body through the power generator supported with the vehicle body. Therefore, the support structure supporting the propeller shaft with the vehicle body is made simpler than a case where the propeller shaft and the power generator are individually supported with the vehicle body. Further, since the vehicle body front-rear direction middle portion of the propeller shaft is supported, the propeller shaft is stably supported.

The hybrid vehicle10according to Embodiment 1 is a four-wheel drive vehicle manufactured based on a front engine-front drive vehicle. However, even in a four-wheel drive vehicle manufactured based on a front engine-rear drive vehicle, the propeller shaft can be supported with the vehicle body through the drive motor as with the above case.

FIG. 7is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the hybrid vehicle according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The hybrid vehicle according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is an engine longitudinally mounted type four-wheel drive vehicle manufactured based on a front engine-rear drive vehicle in which: the engine is arranged at the vehicle body front portion; and the output of the engine is transmitted to the wheels arranged at the vehicle body rear portion. In Embodiment 2, the same reference signs are used for the same components as the hybrid vehicle according to Embodiment 1, and a repetition of the same explanation is avoided.

As shown inFIG. 7, a vehicle body10′ of the hybrid vehicle according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention includes: the engine14arranged at the vehicle body front portion as the driving source; the transmission16coupled to the engine14and configured to transmit the output of the engine14to the front wheels12F and the rear wheels12R; the rear wheel differential device26configured to transmit the driving force of the transmission16to the left and right rear wheels12R through the axles24; and a rear propeller shaft30′ coupling the transmission16and the rear wheel differential device26and extending in the vehicle body front-rear direction.

The vehicle body10′ includes: a transfer22′ coupled to the transmission16and configured to take out driving force to be transmitted to the front wheels12F; a coupling28′ included in the transfer22′ and configured to adjust the driving force to be distributed to the front wheels12F and the rear wheels12R; a front propeller shaft30″ coupled to the transfer22′ and extending toward the vehicle body front side; and the front wheel differential device20coupled to the front propeller shaft30″ and configured to transmit the driving force of the transfer22′ to the left and right front wheels12F through the axles18.

A front end portion of the rear propeller shaft30′ is coupled to the transfer22′ through a first universal joint35′, and a rear end portion of the rear propeller shaft30′ is coupled to the rear wheel differential device26through a second universal joint36′. Further, a front end portion of the front propeller shaft30″ is coupled to the front wheel differential device20through a third universal joint37′, and a rear end portion of the front propeller shaft30″ is coupled to the transfer22′ through a fourth universal joint38′.

The vehicle body10′ further includes the drive motor40arranged at the vehicle body front-rear direction middle portion as the driving source, and the drive motor40is provided so as to drive the rear propeller shaft30′. The output of the drive motor40is transmitted from the rear propeller shaft30′ through the rear wheel differential device26to the rear wheels12R and is also transmitted from the rear propeller shaft30′ through the transfer22′, the front propeller shaft30″, and the front wheel differential device20to the front wheels12F.

As with the vehicle body10, in the vehicle body10′, the drive motor40is arranged on the vehicle body front-rear direction middle portion of the propeller shaft30′, specifically on the vehicle body front-rear direction middle portion of the rear propeller shaft30′. The propeller shaft30′ is supported with the vehicle body10′ through the drive motor40by the vehicle body front-rear direction middle portion of the propeller shaft30′ being supported with the drive motor40.

According to the present embodiment, in the hybrid vehicle10′ including: the engine14arranged at the vehicle body front portion; the propeller shaft30′ configured to transmit the output of the engine14to the rear wheels12R; and the drive motor40provided so as to drive the propeller shaft30′ and supported with the vehicle body10′, the propeller shaft30′ is supported with the drive motor40, and with this, supported with the vehicle body10through the drive motor40. Similarly, in a hybrid vehicle including: an engine arranged at a vehicle body rear portion; a propeller shaft configured to transmit an output of the engine to front wheels; and a drive motor provided so as to drive the propeller shaft and supported with a vehicle body, the propeller shaft can be supported with the drive motor, and with this, supported with the vehicle body through the drive motor.

The hybrid vehicle10′ according to Embodiment 2 is a four-wheel drive vehicle manufactured based on a front engine-rear drive vehicle. However, even in a front engine-rear drive two-wheel drive vehicle in which the engine is arranged at the vehicle body front portion; and the output of the engine is transmitted to the wheels arranged at the vehicle body rear portion, the propeller shaft can be supported with the drive motor, and with this, supported with the vehicle body through the drive motor.

As above, the hybrid vehicle10′ according to the present embodiment includes: the engine14arranged at one of the vehicle body front portion and the vehicle body rear portion; the propeller shaft30′ configured to transmit the output of the engine14to the wheels12R arranged at the other of the vehicle body front portion and the vehicle body rear portion; and the drive motor40provided so as to drive the propeller shaft30′ and supported with the vehicle body10. The propeller shaft30′ is supported with the vehicle body10′ through the drive motor40by the vehicle body front-rear direction middle portion of the propeller shaft30′ being supported with the drive motor40.

With this, in the hybrid vehicle10′ including the propeller shaft30′ extending in the vehicle body front-rear direction, the propeller shaft30′ is supported with the vehicle body10′ through the drive motor40supported with the vehicle body10′. Therefore, the support structure supporting the propeller shaft30′ with the vehicle body10′ is made simpler than a case where the propeller shaft and the drive motor are individually supported with the vehicle body. Further, since the vehicle body front-rear direction middle portion of the propeller shaft30′ is supported, the propeller shaft30′ is stably supported.

According to the present embodiment, in the hybrid vehicle10′ including the propeller shaft30′ extending in the vehicle body front-rear direction, the propeller shaft30′ is supported with the vehicle body10′ through the drive motor40by the middle portion of the propeller shaft30′ being supported with the drive motor40. However, in the vehicle including the power generator instead of the drive motor40, the propeller shaft can be supported with the power generator, and with this, supported with the vehicle body through the power generator.

In the above embodiments, the vehicle body front-rear direction middle portion of the propeller shaft is supported. However, a portion of the propeller shaft which portion is offset from the vehicle body front-rear direction middle portion toward the vehicle body front side or the vehicle body rear side may be supported. A vehicle body front-rear direction substantially middle portion of the propeller shaft can be supported as long as the propeller shaft is stably supported, the vehicle body front-rear direction substantially middle portion including a portion offset from the vehicle body front-rear direction middle portion toward the vehicle body front side or the vehicle body rear side.

The present invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiments, and various modifications and design changes may be made within the scope of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As above, according to the present invention, the support structure supporting the propeller shaft with the vehicle body of the vehicle, such as the hybrid vehicle, including the propeller shaft is made simple. Therefore, the present invention may be suitably utilized in an industrial field of manufacture of this type of vehicles.

REFERENCE CHARACTER LIST

10,10′ vehicle body

62exhaust treatment device