PROTECTIVE FRAME ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

Protective frame arrangement with: a lower frame (10), an intermediate frame (20) which is connected to the lower frame (10) and is arranged above the lower frame (10), and an upper frame (30) which is connected to the intermediate frame (20) and is arranged above the intermediate frame (20), wherein a receiving space (V) is arranged between the lower frame (10) and the intermediate frame (20), which is designed to receive a battery module, wherein an upper space (P) is arranged between the intermediate frame (20) and the upper frame (30), wherein the intermediate frame (20) is deformable upwards when an external load (F) is applied to the protective frame arrangement, wherein the lower frame (10) comprises a lower front frame (11) and a lower rear frame (12) which are configured to extend in a lateral direction with respect to a vehicle and which are configured to be opposite each other in a longitudinal direction with respect to the vehicle, wherein the lower front frame (11) and the lower rear frame (12) are connected to each other via a lower connecting frame (15), wherein the intermediate frame (20) has an intermediate front frame (21) and an intermediate rear frame (22) which are configured to extend in the width direction and which are configured to be opposite each other in the longitudinal direction, wherein the intermediate front frame (21) and the intermediate rear frame (22) are connected to each other via an intermediate connecting frame (23), wherein the lower front frame (11) and the intermediate front frame (21) are connected to each other via a front vertical part (21a, 21b) which is provided on at least the lower front frame (11) and the intermediate front frame (21), wherein the lower rear frame (12) and the intermediate rear frame (22) are connected to each other via a rear vertical part (12d) which is provided on at least the lower rear frame (12) and the intermediate rear frame (22), and wherein a first base (C1) to which the front vertical part (21a,21b) is connected to the lower front frame (11) is arranged on a front with reference to a second base (C2) to which the front vertical part (21a,21b) is connected to the intermediate front frame (21).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a protective frame arrangement which is used to accommodate a power supply, such as a battery module, on a vehicle, and which protects the power supply from external stress when the external stress is applied to the vehicle. Technological background

[0002] In an electric or hybrid vehicle, a battery serves as a power source, referred to as a "battery module" or "battery pack," though the term "battery module" will be used hereafter. Since the output voltage can reach 200 V or more, it is necessary to protect the battery module from impacts or similar stresses when the vehicle is subjected to external loads.

[0003] JP 2003 - 45 392 A discloses a receiving arrangement in which an impact-absorbing part is provided close to the battery housing, wherein the impact-absorbing part has a breaking strength that is lower than that of the battery housing.

[0004] Since the arrangement disclosed in JP 2003 - 45 392 A is designed such that the impact-absorbing part breaks when there is an impact on the rear of the vehicle, and the battery housing moves relatively to cover an area above or below the impact-absorbing part, the impact-absorbing part represents a dead space that cannot be used by a user.

[0005] Since the mounting arrangement according to JP 2003 - 45 392 A is designed such that the rear seats are arranged at the front with respect to the battery housing, it is necessary to provide an additional protective arrangement which takes into account a collision with the rear seats.

[0006] From JP 2008 - 184 015 A a protective frame arrangement with a lower frame, an upper frame and an intermediate frame, which is arranged between the upper and lower frames forming receiving spaces and is deformable when subjected to an external force.

[0007] From US patent 2009 / 0134667A1, a floor structure for a vehicle body is known that provides protection in the event of a side collision.

[0008] A protective frame structure for a battery in an automobile is known from US patent 2013 / 0026786A1. Summary of the invention: Technical problem

[0009] One object of the invention is to provide a protective frame arrangement that is effectively reduced in terms of weight and size and has good impact-absorbing properties. Solution to the problem

[0010] According to the invention, a protective frame arrangement with the features of claim 1 is provided, comprising: a lower frame an intermediate frame that is connected to the lower frame and positioned above the lower frame, and an upper frame which is connected to the intermediate frame and positioned above the intermediate frame, wherein a receiving space is arranged between the lower frame and the intermediate frame, which is designed to receive a battery module, wherein an upper space is arranged between the intermediate frame and the upper frame, and the intermediate frame is deformable upwards when an external load is applied to the protective frame assembly.

[0011] The spatial arrangement described herein is based on the assumption that the lower frame is an element connected to or attached to the vehicle, and that the battery module is mounted or attached to the lower frame.

[0012] According to the invention, the lower frame, the intermediate frame, and the upper frame are integrated to create a predetermined stiffness. The intermediate frame is deformable upwards to absorb an impact force (this is the direction in which the intermediate frame moves away from the battery module).

[0013] This makes it possible to protect the battery module while simultaneously reducing the weight of the entire protective frame assembly and saving space.

[0014] Although the following description assumes that the object to be protected is a battery module, the protective frame arrangement can also be used to protect a part other than a battery module.

[0015] According to the invention, the protective frame arrangement provides that: the lower frame comprises a lower front frame and a lower rear frame, which are configured to extend in a lateral direction with respect to a vehicle, and which are configured to be opposite each other in a longitudinal direction with respect to the vehicle, wherein the lower front frame and the lower rear frame are connected to each other via a lower connecting frame, the intermediate frame comprises an intermediate front frame and an intermediate rear frame, which are designed to extend in the width direction and which are designed to be opposite each other in the longitudinal direction, wherein the intermediate front frame and the intermediate rear frame are connected to each other via an intermediate connecting frame, the lower front frame and the intermediate front frame are connected to each other via a front vertical part, which is provided on at least the lower front frame and the intermediate front frame, the lower rear frame and the intermediate rear frame are connected to each other via a rear vertical part, which is provided on at least the lower rear frame and the intermediate rear frame, and a first base, to which the front vertical part is connected with the lower front frame, is arranged on a front with reference to a second base, to which the front vertical part is connected with the intermediate front frame.

[0016] The terms "front" and "rear" are used here under the assumption that the battery module is located in a rear area of ​​the vehicle.

[0017] Consequently, the external load is applied primarily to the rear of the vehicle. It should be noted that the terms "front" and "rear" are interchangeable, depending on the mounting position of the battery module relative to the vehicle.

[0018] If the first base, to which the front vertical part is connected with the lower front frame, is located on the front (outside) with respect to the second base, to which the front vertical part is connected with the intermediate front frame, an external load propagates from the back to the front through the intermediate connecting frame, causing the front vertical part to move forward and act as a trigger to allow the intermediate connecting frame to deform upward.

[0019] Preferably, the protective frame arrangement is designed so that: the intermediate front frame may have an upper flange and a lower flange, which form a pair, one end of the intermediate connecting frame can be inserted between the upper flange and the lower flange, and The intermediate front frame and the front vertical part can be connected at a position that is closer to the lower flange than to the upper flange.

[0020] This causes the central area of ​​the intermediate connecting frame to reshape itself upwards.

[0021] The upper frame can be deformed upwards (outwards) or downwards (inwards) to protect the battery module, which is located in the receiving space formed by the lower frame and the intermediate frame. It may be desirable to provide a device component, such as a power supply control unit, in the upper space formed between the intermediate frame and the upper frame. If further protection of the device component is desired, the upper frame can have an upper front frame and an upper rear frame, which are designed to extend laterally and are positioned opposite each other longitudinally.The upper front frame and the upper rear frame can be connected via an upper connecting frame, wherein the upper front frame and the upper rear frame have an upper flange and a lower flange, forming a pair. Each end of the upper connecting frame can be inserted between the upper flange and the lower flange. The lower flange can have a length greater than that of the upper flange to cause the upper frame to deform upwards. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0022] The protective frame arrangement according to the invention is designed such that the entire protective frame arrangement, which comprises an upper frame, an intermediate frame, and a lower frame, absorbs an external load applied to the rear, and the intermediate frame (in particular the central region of the intermediate connecting frame) is deformed upwards to absorb the impact force. This makes it possible, in contrast to the arrangement of an impact-absorbing part according to JP 2003-45392A on the rear of the battery housing, to avoid a dead space and create a space-saving arrangement.

[0023] Since the intermediate frame is deformed upwards to absorb an impact when the entire protective frame assembly protects the battery module, the overall weight of the protective frame assembly can be reduced compared to the case where the intermediate frame is not deformed. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1A is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a protective frame arrangement according to the invention, and Fig. Figure 1B shows one type of deformation when an external load F is applied. Fig. Figures 2A to 2C show the parts which are provided in the protective frame arrangement according to the invention, wherein Fig. 2A is an external perspective view showing the upper frame, Fig. 2B is an external perspective view showing the intermediate frame, and Fig. 2C is an external perspective view showing the lower frame. Fig. Figure 3 shows an embodiment in which the intermediate frame is divided. Fig. Figure 4 shows an embodiment in which the intermediate rear frame and the upper rear frame are attached to a vertical part which is provided on the lower rear frame. Description of embodiments

[0024] One embodiment of a protective frame arrangement according to the invention is described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0025] The Fig. Figures 2A to 2C show an embodiment of the elements (parts) provided in the protective frame arrangement according to the invention, and the Fig. Figure 1A is a cross-sectional view showing the protective frame arrangement according to the invention.

[0026] The protective frame arrangement comprises a lower frame 10, which is attached to a vehicle body, an intermediate frame 20, which is connected to the lower frame and is provided above the lower frame 10, and an upper frame 30, which is connected to the intermediate frame and is provided above the intermediate frame 20.

[0027] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1A, the lower frame 10 and the intermediate frame 20 form a receiving space V, which is designed to hold a battery module or something similar. An upper space P is formed between the intermediate frame 20 and the upper frame 30.

[0028] A device component, such as a control component for a power supply, can optionally be provided in the upper space P.

[0029] The lower frame 10 comprises a lower front frame 11, which has a hollow cross-sectional profile and is made using an extruded aluminum alloy or a similar material, and a lower rear frame 12, which has a hollow cross-sectional profile and is arranged opposite the lower front frame 11.

[0030] The following describes an embodiment in which the battery module is located at the rear of the vehicle. In this case, an external load F is applied to the rear, and the protective frame assembly is deformed due to the external load F (see Fig. 1B). It should be noted that the terms "front" and "rear" can be interchanged depending on the recording position of the battery module.

[0031] The lower front frame 11 and the lower rear frame 12 extend in the width direction with respect to the vehicle. The lower front frame 11 and the lower rear frame 12 are connected via a plate-like lower connecting frame 15, which has a hollow cross-sectional profile (see Fig. 2C).

[0032] The lower connecting frame 15 can be a single plate. In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in 2C, the lower connecting frame 15 is divided into a plurality of lower connecting frames, which optionally differ in their shape.

[0033] The lower connecting frame 15 is a hollow plate which has a top 15a and a bottom 15b.

[0034] To form a frame using the lower frame 10, the intermediate frame 20 and the upper frame 30, a lower side frame 13 and a lower side frame 14 are formed on each side of the subframe 10 in the width direction with respect to the vehicle, and a plate-like rear vertical part 12d is integrated with the lower rear frame 12.

[0035] The lower front frame 11 is provided with an upper rib 11c and a lower rib 11b, which extend inwards (towards the rear) from a base side 11d and a top side 11e, both of which form a hollow part 11a.

[0036] The lower rear frame 12 is provided with an upper rib 12c and a lower rib 12b, which extend inwards from the top and bottom, which together form a hollow part 12a.

[0037] The ends of the lower connecting frame 15 in the longitudinal direction are inserted into the space formed between the upper rib 11c and the lower rib 11b of the lower front frame 11 and into the space formed between the upper rib 12c and the lower rib 12b of the lower rear frame 12 and are welded or bolted in a state in which, for example, each end of the lower connecting frame 15 comes into contact with the hollow part.

[0038] The intermediate frame 20 has an arrangement in which the intermediate front frame 21, which has a hollow part 21g and is made of an extruded aluminum alloy or a similar material, and an intermediate rear frame 22, which has a hollow cross-sectional profile, are connected via an intermediate connecting frame 23, which has a hollow cross-sectional profile.

[0039] The intermediate connecting frame 23 is divided into a multitude of struts.

[0040] The intermediate front frame 21 has an arrangement in which a connecting piece 21h extends from the underside of the hollow part 21g to the front (outside), and a front vertical part (21a, 21b) is provided at the end of the connecting piece 21h.

[0041] The front vertical part (21a, 21b) together with the rear vertical part 12d forms the receiving space V in which the battery module is provided. The vertical part (21a, 21b, 12d) can be provided either on the lower frame 10 or the intermediate frame 20, or it can be provided on and connected to both the lower frame 10 and the intermediate frame 20.

[0042] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the rear vertical part 12d is integrated into the lower rear frame 12, and the front vertical part (21a, 21b) is provided on or attached to the intermediate front frame 21, which is provided in the intermediate frame 20.

[0043] The front vertical section (21a, 21b) comprises a vertical part 21a, which extends substantially vertically, and an inclined part 21b, which is inclined towards the rear. The lower end of the front vertical section (21a, 21b) is bent to form a connecting part 21c. The front vertical section is attached to the lower front frame 11 by means of a screw 41 and a threaded nut 51 via a hole 21d formed in the connecting part 21c.

[0044] The intermediate rear frame 22, which is encompassed by the intermediate frame 20, is fastened via a connecting part 12f, which is provided on the rear vertical part 12d, using a screw 42 and a screw nut 52 via an inlet 22c and a hole 22b which receives the screw nut 52.

[0045] An intermediate rear frame 22 can, as in Fig. 4 shown, to be attached to the vertical part 12d, which is provided on the lower rear frame 12, such that a connecting part 122a, which is provided on the intermediate rear frame 122, and a connecting part 132a, which is provided on the upper rear frame 132, overlap. An auxiliary connection arrangement may be used.

[0046] The ends of the intermediate connecting frame 23, which has a hollow cross-sectional profile, are inserted into the space formed between an upper flange 21j and a lower flange 21k, which are provided on the intermediate front frame 21, and into the space formed between an upper flange 22d and a lower flange 22e, which are provided on the intermediate rear frame 22, and are welded, for example.

[0047] The intermediate connecting frame 23 is welded so that a bottom 23a and a top 23b of the intermediate connecting frame 23 come into contact with the inside of the lower flange 21k and the inside of the upper flange 21j, and an end side of the intermediate connecting frame 23 comes into contact with the hollow part 21g.

[0048] Since the hollow part 21g of the intermediate front frame 21 and the upper end of the inclined part 21b of the front vertical part are connected by the connecting part 21h, a recess 21i is formed on the upper side of the connecting part 21h.

[0049] An intermediate frame can, as in Fig. 3 shown, divided into a variety of frames such as the intermediate front frames 121A and 121B and the intermediate rear frames 122A and 122B.

[0050] The upper frame 30 is used to form the upper space P between the upper frame 30 and the intermediate frame 20.

[0051] The upper frame 30 has an arrangement in which an upper front frame 31, which has a hollow cross-sectional profile and is made of an extruded aluminum alloy or a similar material, and an upper rear frame 32, which has a hollow cross-sectional profile, are connected via an upper connecting frame 33, which is formed in the form of a plate with a hollow cross-sectional profile.

[0052] The upper frame 30 serves as a lid.

[0053] An upper flange 31e and a lower flange 31d are formed on a top surface 31b of one hollow part 31a of the upper front frame 31, such that they extend inwards (towards the rear). The length of the lower flange 31d is greater than that of the upper flange 31e.

[0054] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, an upper front frame 131, in which the length of an upper flange 131e is greater than that of a lower flange 131d, can be used depending on the type of deformation of the upper frame.

[0055] The upper rear frame 32 has an arrangement in which an upper flange 32b and a lower flange 32a are formed on a top surface 32d of a hollow part, such that they extend inwards (towards the front). The length of the lower flange 32a is greater than that of the upper flange 32b.

[0056] The ends of the upper connecting frame 33, which is formed in the form of a plate with a hollow cross-sectional profile, are inserted longitudinally into the space formed between the upper flange 31e and the lower flange 31d, and into the space formed between the upper flange 32b and the lower flange 32a, so that a top surface 33b and a bottom surface 33a come into contact with it and are, for example, welded together.

[0057] The upper front frame 31 is fastened to an upper end 21f of a receiving part 21e, which is provided on the intermediate front frame 21, which is part of the intermediate frame 20, via a machining hole formed in the top of the hollow part and a hole 31f formed in the bottom of the hollow part, using a screw 43 and a nut 53.

[0058] An upper rear frame 32 is connected such that a bottom surface 32c of the hollow part is arranged at an upper end 12e of the rear vertical part 12d.

[0059] The type of deformation due to an external load F is described below with reference to Fig. 1B described.

[0060] The lower frame 10 is designed (connected) such that the hollow part 11a of the lower front frame 11 and the hollow part 12a of the lower rear frame 12 come into contact with each end side of the lower connecting frame 15, which has a hollow cross-sectional profile.

[0061] The intermediate frame 20 is designed (connected) such that the hollow part 21g of the intermediate front frame 21 and the hollow part of the intermediate rear frame 22 come into contact with each end side of the intermediate connecting frame 23, which has a hollow cross-sectional profile, and the inclined part 21b of the front vertical part and the rear vertical part 12d are connected along the extension line of the lower flange 21k and the extension line of the lower flange 22e.

[0062] The upper frame 30 is provided such that the upper part of the hollow part of the upper front frame 31 and the upper part of the hollow part of the upper rear frame 32 are connected via the upper connecting frame 33, which has a hollow cross-sectional profile, wherein the length of the lower flange 31d is greater than that of the upper flange 31e, and the length of the upper flange 32a is greater than that of the upper flange 32b.

[0063] When an external load F is applied to the rear of the protective frame assembly, the impact load spreads over the entire lower frame 10, the intermediate frame 20 and the upper frame 30.

[0064] In this case, the receiving space V, in which the battery module is provided, is extended from the connection base C1 to C4, as shown in Fig. 1A is shown as a deformed starting point.

[0065] Since the front vertical part provided on the intermediate front frame 21 comprises the vertical part 21a and the inclined part 21b, and the connecting base C1 between the intermediate front frame 21 and the lower front frames 11 is arranged at the front with respect to the connecting base C2 provided on the intermediate connecting frame 23, the deformation occurs such that the connecting base C2 moves diagonally downwards. The deformation serves as a trigger to deform the intermediate connecting frame 23 upwards.

[0066] Since the ends of the intermediate connecting frame 23 are connected to the front vertical part and the rear vertical part on the side of the lower flange 21k and the lower flange 22i, and the recess 21i is formed on the front, the central area of ​​the intermediate connecting frame 23 is deformed in a direction d1 (direction upwards).

[0067] The receiving space V, in which the battery module is provided, is retained as is, meaning the battery module is protected.

[0068] Since the length of the lower flange 31d is greater than that of the upper flange 31e, and the length of the lower flange 32a is greater than that of the upper flange 32b, with the ends of the upper connecting frame 33 provided in the upper frame 30 being inserted into the space formed between the upper flange 31e and the lower flange 31d and the space formed between the upper flange 32b and the lower flange 32a, the upper connecting frame 33 is slightly deformed in direction d2 (upwards). Conversely, if a load is applied in a downward direction, the deformation load increases because the load is absorbed by the lower flange, the hollow part of the upper front frame 31, and the hollow part of the upper rear frame 32.

[0069] A device component that can be provided in the upper space P is therefore protected. Commercial applicability

[0070] The protective frame arrangement according to the invention can be used as a protective structure which protects various parts provided in a vehicle. Reference symbol list 10 Lower frame 11 Lower front frame 12 Lower rear frame 13 Lower side frame 14 Lower side frame 15 Lower connecting frame 20 intermediate frames 21 Intermediate front frame 22 intermediate rear frames 23 Intermediate connecting frames 30 Upper frame 31 Upper front frame 32 Upper rear frame 33 Upper connecting frame C1 connection base C2 connection base V battery module

Claims

[1] Protective frame arrangement with: a lower frame (10), an intermediate frame (20) which is connected to the lower frame (10) and is arranged above the lower frame (10), and an upper frame (30) which is connected to the intermediate frame (20) and is arranged above the intermediate frame (20), wherein a receiving space (V) is arranged between the lower frame (10) and the intermediate frame (20), which is designed to receive a battery module, wherein an upper space (P) is arranged between the intermediate frame (20) and the upper frame (30), wherein the intermediate frame (20) is deformable upwards when an external load (F) is applied to the protective frame arrangement, wherein the lower frame (10) comprises a lower front frame (11) and a lower rear frame (12) which are configured to extend in a lateral direction with respect to a vehicle and which are configured to be opposite each other in a longitudinal direction with respect to the vehicle, wherein the lower front frame (11) and the lower rear frame (12) are connected to each other via a lower connecting frame (15), wherein the intermediate frame (20) has an intermediate front frame (21) and an intermediate rear frame (22) which are configured to extend in the width direction and which are configured to be opposite each other in the longitudinal direction, wherein the intermediate front frame (21) and the intermediate rear frame (22) are connected to each other via an intermediate connecting frame (23), wherein the lower front frame (11) and the intermediate front frame (21) are connected to each other via a front vertical part (21a, 21b) which is provided on at least the lower front frame (11) and the intermediate front frame (21), wherein the lower rear frame (12) and the intermediate rear frame (22) are connected to each other via a rear vertical part (12d) which is provided on at least the lower rear frame (12) and the intermediate rear frame (22), and wherein a first base (C1) to which the front vertical part (21a,21b) is connected to the lower front frame (11) is arranged on a front with reference to a second base (C2) to which the front vertical part (21a,21b) is connected to the intermediate front frame (21). [2] Protective frame arrangement according to claim 1, wherein: the intermediate front frame (21) has an upper flange (21j) and a lower flange (21k) which form a pair, one end of the intermediate connecting frame (23) is inserted between the upper flange (21j) and the lower flange (21k), and the intermediate front frame (21) and the front vertical part (21a,21b) are connected at a position which is closer to the lower flange (21k) than to the upper flange (21j).

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