Vehicle body structure and vehicle including the same

Abstract

The present application relates to a vehicle body structure and a vehicle including the vehicle body structure. A vehicle body structure for a vehicle having a battery and a rear seat includes: a battery mounting portion, which is disposed on a floor behind the rear seat and on which a battery is mounted; a transverse member, which is configured to reinforce the floor in front of the battery mounting portion; a lower reinforcement portion, which is configured to reinforce the floor below the battery mounting portion and is supported on the transverse member and two lateral members; and an upper fixing portion, which is fastened to the lower reinforcement portion in a state where the battery is fixed. The vehicle body structure is configured to protect the battery by absorbing and distributing loads from a collision, and to effectively utilize the rear side space of the vehicle to install the battery using the rear seat, etc.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle body structure and a vehicle including the vehicle body structure, which can mount a large-capacity battery. Background Art

[0002] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0003] Vehicles using an electric motor as a driving source, such as an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), include a large-capacity battery.

[0004] These vehicles are developed into various types of vehicles such as sedans, sports utility vehicles (SUVs), and multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs), and due to restricted environmental regulations, there are restrictions on the installation of batteries depending on the type of vehicle. A 5-seat sedan may be equipped with batteries at the rear of the second row of seats (cargo space) or at the bottom of the second row of seats. However, since three or four rows of seats are installed at the rear of the passenger space and a drive shaft for four-wheel drive (4WD) is applied, it is difficult for SUVs and MPVs to install large-capacity batteries.

[0005] Recently, collision regulations for vehicles equipped with large-capacity batteries require the safety of a buffer space around the battery and a strong vehicle body structure design so that the battery can be safely protected by reducing the impact on the battery due to a vehicle collision.

[0006] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the present disclosure and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present disclosure provides a vehicle body structure that protects a battery from collision by increasing the rigidity of a battery mounting portion and ensuring a buffer zone.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a vehicle body structure on which a large-capacity battery is mounted while reducing occupation of passenger and cargo space.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a vehicle body structure capable of reducing restrictions on installation and movement of rear seats despite installation of a large-capacity battery.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle body structure for a vehicle having a battery and rear seats includes: a battery mounting portion, which is disposed on a floor behind the rear seats and has a battery mounted thereon; a cross member, which is configured to reinforce the floor in front of the battery mounting portion; a lower reinforcement portion, which is configured to reinforce the floor below the battery mounting portion and is supported on the cross member and two lateral members; and an upper fixing portion, which is fastened to the lower reinforcement portion in a state in which the battery is fixed.

[0011] The battery mounting portion may include a recessed portion formed to be recessed downward from the bottom plate to receive a lower side of the battery.

[0012] The lower reinforcement portion may include: a first reinforcement frame extending in the transverse direction at a position spaced apart from the rear of the transverse member and having opposite ends supported by two lateral members; a plurality of second reinforcement frames extending in the longitudinal direction to connect the transverse member and the first reinforcement frame and arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction; and a third reinforcement frame provided on both sides to connect the two lateral members and the second reinforcement frames adjacent to the two lateral members between the transverse member and the first reinforcement frame, and extending in the transverse direction.

[0013] The first reinforcement frame may be disposed at a position coincident with a rear end of the battery.

[0014] The vehicle body structure may further include a plurality of buffer frames supported on the rear bumper by extending in a rearward direction from positions to which the first reinforcement frame and the plurality of second reinforcement frames are connected, respectively, and made of a material having weaker rigidity than the first reinforcement frame and the second reinforcement frame.

[0015] The upper fixing portion may include: a first fixing frame extending in a transverse direction to fix the battery and having opposite ends fastened to a third reinforcing frame; a second fixing frame extending in a transverse direction to fix the battery and having opposite ends fastened to the first reinforcing frame; and a plurality of third fixing frames extending in a longitudinal direction to fix the battery, connected to the first fixing frame and the second fixing frame in an intersecting state, and having front ends fastened to the plurality of second reinforcing frames, respectively.

[0016] The lower reinforcement portion may further include a plurality of reinforcement members provided in the first to third reinforcement frames to respectively reinforce portions to which the first to third fixing frames are fastened.

[0017] The vehicle body structure may further include a plurality of seat rails mounted on the floor panel to guide movement of the rear seats and fastened to the first fixing frame in a state of extending to the first fixing frame.

[0018] The vehicle body structure may further include a plurality of seat rails mounted on the floor panel to guide movement of the rear seats and fastened to the upper fixing portion in a state of extending above the upper fixing portion.

[0019] The vehicle body structure may further include a plurality of buffer frames supported on the rear bumper by respectively extending from the lower reinforcement in a rearward direction and made of a material having weaker rigidity than the lower reinforcement.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle includes the vehicle body structure described above.

[0021] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein.It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In order that the present disclosure may be better understood, its various forms will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle body structure according to one form of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration around a battery mounting portion of a vehicle body structure according to one form of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 3 is a plan view showing a lower reinforcement portion of a vehicle body structure according to one form of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 4 is a plan view showing an upper coupling portion of a vehicle body structure according to one form of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 5 is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA′; and

[0028] Figure 6 is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken along line BB′.

[0029] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts and features.

[0031] refer to Figures 1 to 3 A vehicle body structure according to one form of the present disclosure includes: a central floor panel 10, which forms a floor panel of an interior space; a rear floor panel 20, which extends from the rear of the central floor panel 10; a battery mounting portion 50, which is disposed on the rear floor panel 20 at the rear of the rear seat 30 to mount a battery 40 thereon; a lower reinforcement portion 60, which is configured to reinforce the rear floor panel 20 below the battery mounting portion 50; an upper fixing portion 70, which is disposed above the battery 40 to fix the battery 40; a cross member 80, which is configured to reinforce the rear floor panel 20 in front of the battery mounting portion 50; and a rear bumper 90, which is mounted to the rear end of the rear floor panel 20.

[0032] The rear seat 30 may be a seat installed in the rearmost part of the passenger space. When the vehicle body structure according to this form is applied to an SUV or MPV, the rear seat 30 may be a three-row or four-row seat, and when the vehicle body structure is applied to a small SUV having a first row and a second row of seats, the rear seat 30 may be a second row of seats.

[0033] The cross member 80 extends in the lateral direction and is connected at opposite ends to the left and right rear lateral members 82 and 83, respectively. The cross member 80 is supported at opposite ends by the left and right rear lateral members 82 and 83 in a state of being attached to the lower surface of the rear floor panel 21 to increase the lateral rigidity of the rear floor 20.

[0034] like Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, the battery mounting portion 50 may be formed to be recessed downward from the surface of the rear floor panel 21 by a predetermined depth to receive the lower side of the battery 40. Specifically, the rear floor panel 21 in which the battery mounting portion 50 is located is provided with a recess 52 recessed downward to receive the lower side of the battery 40.

[0035] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the lower reinforcement 60 is supported by a cross member 80, a left rear lateral member 82, and a right rear lateral member 83 positioned at opposite ends of the cross member 80 while being coupled to the lower surface of the rear floor panel 21 to increase the longitudinal and lateral rigidity of the vehicle body structure.

[0036] like Figure 3 As shown, the lower reinforcement part 60 may include a first reinforcement frame 61, a plurality of second reinforcement frames 62a, 62b, and 62c, and third left and right reinforcement frames 63a and 63b.

[0037] The first reinforcing frame 61 is disposed at a position spaced rearward from the cross member 80 and extends in the lateral direction to be parallel to the cross member 80. Specifically, the first reinforcing frame 61 may be disposed at a position coincident with the rear end of the battery 40. Opposite ends of the first reinforcing frame 61 are connected to the left rear lateral member 82 and the right rear lateral member 83, respectively.

[0038] The plurality of second reinforcing frames 62a, 62b, and 62c extend to connect the cross member 80 and the first reinforcing frame 61 and are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction. Front and rear ends of the plurality of second reinforcing frames 62a, 62b, and 62c are supported by the cross member 80 and the first reinforcing frame 61, respectively, in a state of being parallel and spaced apart from each other, thereby increasing the longitudinal rigidity of the lower portion of the battery mounting portion 50.

[0039] The third left reinforcing frame 63a and the third right reinforcing frame 63b extend between the cross member 80 and the first reinforcing frame 61 in the transverse direction, and connect the left rear lateral member 82 and the right rear lateral member 83 and the second reinforcing frames 62a and 62c respectively adjacent to the left rear lateral member 82 and the right rear lateral member 83. The third left reinforcing frame 63a connects the left rear lateral member 82 and the second left reinforcing frame 62a adjacent to the left rear lateral member 82, and the third right reinforcing frame 63b connects the right rear lateral member 83 and the second right reinforcing frame 62c adjacent to the right rear lateral member 83.

[0040] The first reinforcing frame 61 and the third left and right reinforcing frames 63 a and 63 b increase the lateral rigidity of the lower portion of the battery mounting portion 50 by being supported on the left and right rear lateral members 82 and 83 , respectively.

[0041] A plurality of buffer frames 111, 112, and 113 are installed between the rear bumper 90 and the first reinforcement frame 61 of the lower reinforcement portion 60. The plurality of buffer frames 111, 112, and 113 extend rearward from positions where the first reinforcement frame 61 and the plurality of second reinforcement frames 62a, 62b, and 62c are connected, respectively, and are supported on the rear bumper 90. The plurality of buffer frames 111, 112, and 113 are made of a material having a weaker rigidity than the first reinforcement frame 61 and the second reinforcement frames 62a, 62b, and 62c.

[0042] like Figure 6 As shown, since the multiple buffer frames 111, 112 and 113 are made of a material having relatively weaker rigidity than the first reinforcement frame 61 and the second reinforcement frames 62a, 62b and 62c and are located in the rear of the battery mounting portion 50, when a collision occurs from the rear thereof, the multiple buffer frames 111, 112 and 113 can absorb energy while being deformed, thereby protecting the battery mounting portion 50.

[0043] like Figure 6 As shown, the vehicle body structure may include a high-strength region D between the cross member 80 on which the battery mounting portion 50 is located and the first reinforcement frame 61 , and a low-strength region E between the rear bumper 90 and the first reinforcement frame 61 .

[0044] Since the high-strength area D includes the first reinforcing frame 61, the plurality of second reinforcing frames 62a, 62b, and 62c, and the third left and right reinforcing frames 63a, 63b having relatively high rigidity, the high-strength area D stably protects the battery 40 by suppressing deformation of the battery mounting portion 50. Since the low-strength area E includes the plurality of buffer frames 111, 112, and 113 having relatively low rigidity, when a collision occurs from the rear thereof, the plurality of buffer frames 111, 112, and 113 absorb collision energy while being deformed.

[0045] In order to stably protect the battery 40 from rear collisions, it is appropriate to set the first reinforcement frame 61 forming the boundary between the high-strength zone D and the low-strength zone E at a position overlapping with the rear end of the battery 40 so as to fix the low-strength zone E (buffer zone) of sufficient size in the rear part of the battery mounting portion 50.

[0046] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the upper fixing portion 70 is fastened to the lower reinforcing part 60 while fixing the upper outer surface of the battery 40 placed on the battery mounting portion 50 .

[0047] The upper fixing portion 70 includes: a first fixing frame 71, which extends in the lateral direction to fix the battery 40 and has opposite ends fastened to the third reinforcing frames 63a and 63b; a second fixing frame 72, which extends in the lateral direction to fix the battery 40 in the rear part of the first fixing frame 71 and has opposite ends fastened to the opposite ends of the first reinforcing frame 61; and a plurality of third fixing frames 73a, 73b and 73c, which respectively extend in the longitudinal direction to fix the battery 40, are connected to the first fixing frame 71 and the second fixing frame 72 in an intersecting state, and have front ends fastened to the plurality of second reinforcing frames 62a, 62b and 62c.

[0048] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the opposite ends of the first fixed frame 71 and the second fixed frame 72 are fastened to the first reinforcing frame 61 and the third reinforcing frames 63a and 63b in a state of fixing the upper part of the battery 40, so that in addition to the function of fixing the battery 40, the first fixed frame 71 and the second fixed frame 72 also increase the lateral rigidity of the vehicle body structure together with the first reinforcing frame 61 and the third reinforcing frames 63a and 63b.

[0049] like Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, the front ends of multiple third fixed frames 73a, 73b and 73c are fastened to the front ends of multiple second reinforcing frames 62a, 62b and 62c in a state of fixing the upper part of the battery 40, so that in addition to the function of fixing the battery 40, the multiple third fixed frames 73a, 73b and 73c also increase the longitudinal stiffness of the vehicle body structure together with the second reinforcing frames 62a, 62b and 62c located below the third fixed frames 73a, 73b and 73c.

[0050] refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the first to third fixing frames 71, 72, 73a, 73b and 73c of the upper fixing portion 70 are each fastened to the upper surface of the rear floor panel 21 at positions where the first to third reinforcing frames 61, 62a, 62b, 62c, 63a and 63b of the lower reinforcing portion 60 are each coupled to the rear floor panel 21. However, as with a general vehicle body structure, the first to third reinforcing frames 61, 62a, 62b, 62c, 63a and 63b welded to the lower surface of the rear floor panel 21 can be regarded as having a hollow rectangular cross-sectional portion in structure by including a portion of the rear floor panel 21 positioned above the first to third reinforcing frames 61, 62a, 62b, 62c, 63a and 63b. Therefore, the first to third fixing frames 71, 72, 73a, 73b and 73c are regarded as coupled to the first to third reinforcing frames 61, 62a, 62b, 62c, 63a and 63b.

[0051] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, a reinforcing member 65 for increasing the rigidity of the fastening portion may be installed in each of the first to third reinforcing frames 61, 62a, 62b, 62c, 63a and 63b at a position to which each of the first to third fixing frames 71, 72, 73a, 73b and 73c is coupled. The reinforcing member 65 may be welded to the first to third reinforcing frames 61, 62a, 62b, 62c, 63a and 63b or the lower surface of the rear floor panel 21 in a state received in a hollow rectangular cross-sectional portion of the first to third reinforcing frames 61, 62a, 62b, 62c, 63a and 63b.

[0052] like Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, since the lateral load P1 acting on the vehicle reaches the battery mounting portion 50 and is then distributed and transmitted to the first to third reinforcing frames 61, 62a, 62b, 62c, 63a and 63b of the lower reinforcing portion 60 and the first fixed frame 71 and the second fixed frame 72 of the upper fixed portion 70, the vehicle body structure can not only stably protect the battery 40 from collisions in the lateral direction but also increase the lateral rigidity.

[0053] Furthermore, if Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, since the longitudinal load P2 acting from the front of the vehicle reaches the battery mounting portion 50 and is then distributed and transmitted to the second reinforcing frames 62a, 62b and 62c of the lower reinforcing portion 60 and the third fixed frames 73a, 73b and 73c of the upper fixed portion 70, the vehicle body structure can not only stably protect the battery 40 from collisions in the longitudinal direction but also increase the longitudinal rigidity.

[0054] Furthermore, if Figure 6 As shown, since the multiple buffer frames 111, 112 and 113 having weaker rigidity than the first reinforcement frame 61 and the second reinforcement frames 62a, 62b and 62c absorb energy while being deformed when the longitudinal load P3 is applied from the rear bumper 90 side, the battery 40 can be stably protected from rear collisions.

[0055] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 , a plurality of seat rails 31, 32, 33, and 34 may be installed above the rear floor panel 21 for guiding the movement of the rear seats 30 while supporting the rear seats 30 (three or four rows of seats). The seat rails 31, 32, 33, and 34 extend longitudinally in parallel with each other. The rear end of each of the seat rails 31, 32, 33, and 34 is fastened to the first fixing frame 71 after extending above the first fixing frame 71 of the upper fixing portion 70.

[0056] As such, when the plurality of seat rails 31, 32, 33, and 34 are coupled to the first fixing frame 71 fixing the upper portion of the battery 40, the weight of the passengers sitting in the rear seats 30 and the rear seats 30 is transmitted to the first fixing frame 71 through the plurality of seat rails 31, 32, 33, and 34 to press the first fixing frame 71 in the downward direction. That is, the battery 40 can be pressed in the downward direction by the weight of the passengers sitting in the rear seats 30 and the rear seats 30. Therefore, even if a front collision occurs in the vehicle, a phenomenon in which the battery 40 rises due to inertia can be prevented.

[0057] like Figure 6As shown, since the vehicle body structure of this form includes a battery mounting portion 50 arranged behind the rear seat 30 installed at the rearmost of the passenger space and a recess 52 recessed downward to receive the lower side of the battery 40 in the rear floor panel 21, the vehicle body structure can be equipped with a battery 40 with a large capacity while reducing the occupancy of the passenger space and the cargo space.

[0058] Furthermore, since the battery mounting portion 50 is disposed behind the rear seat 30, even though a battery 40 having a large capacity is installed, the present form of vehicle body structure can reduce restrictions on the installation and movement of the rear seat 30 and prevent interference between the drive shaft (not shown) and the battery 40 when 4WD is applied.

[0059] As described above, the vehicle body structure according to one form of the present disclosure can increase the rigidity of the battery mounting portion because the vehicle body structure includes the lower reinforcement portion and the upper fixing portion.

[0060] Since the lateral load P1 is distributed and transmitted to the first and third reinforcing frames of the lower reinforcing part and the first and second fixed frames of the upper fixed part, and the longitudinal load P2 is distributed and transmitted to the second reinforcing frame of the lower reinforcing part and the third fixed frame of the upper fixed part, a vehicle body structure according to a form of the present disclosure can stably protect the battery from collision.

[0061] Since the plurality of buffer frames having weaker rigidity than the first and second reinforcement frames absorb energy while deforming when the longitudinal load P3 is applied from the rear bumper side, the vehicle body structure according to one form of the present disclosure can stably protect the battery from a rear collision.

[0062] Since the vehicle body structure includes a battery mounting portion disposed behind the rear seats and a recessed portion that is recessed downward to receive the lower side of the battery in the rear floor panel, a vehicle body structure according to one form of the present disclosure can be equipped with a battery having a large capacity while reducing the occupancy of passenger space and cargo space.

[0063] Since the upper fixing portion for fixing the upper portion of the battery is supported by the seat rails of the rear seats, the vehicle body structure according to one form of the present disclosure can prevent the battery from rising due to inertia even if a frontal collision occurs in the vehicle.

[0064] Since the battery mounting portion is disposed behind the rear seats, even though a battery having a large capacity is installed, a vehicle body structure in accordance with one form of the present disclosure can reduce restrictions on the installation and movement of the rear seats and prevent interference between the drive shaft and the battery when 4WD is applied.

[0065] While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what are presently considered to be practical exemplary forms, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the forms disclosed, but on the contrary is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A vehicle body structure for a vehicle having a battery and rear seats, the vehicle body structure comprising: A battery mounting portion, the battery mounting portion being disposed on a floor behind the rear seat and having a battery mounted thereon; a cross member configured to reinforce the floor in front of the battery mounting portion; a lower reinforcement portion configured to reinforce a floor below the battery mounting portion and supported on the cross member and the left and right rear lateral members; as well as an upper fixing portion, the upper fixing portion being fastened to the lower reinforcing portion in a state of fixing the battery, wherein the battery mounting portion includes a recessed portion formed to be recessed downward from the bottom plate to receive the lower side of the battery, Wherein, the lower reinforcement portion comprises: a first reinforcing frame extending in the lateral direction at a position spaced apart from a rear portion of the cross member and having opposite ends supported by the left rear lateral member and the right rear lateral member; a plurality of second reinforcement frames extending in a longitudinal direction to connect the cross member and the first reinforcement frame and arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the cross direction; and a third reinforcing frame, the third reinforcing frame being disposed between the cross member and the first reinforcing frame and comprising a third left reinforcing frame and a third right reinforcing frame, wherein the third left reinforcing frame connects the left rear lateral member and the second reinforcing frame adjacent to the left rear lateral member, and the third right reinforcing frame connects the right rear lateral member and the second reinforcing frame adjacent to the right rear lateral member, and wherein the upper fixing portion comprises a first fixing frame extending in the transverse direction to fix the battery and having opposite ends fastened to the third reinforcing frame; The vehicle body structure further includes a plurality of longitudinally extending seat rails installed on the floor panel to guide movement of the rear seats and fastened to the first fixing frame in a state of extending to the first fixing frame.

2. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein: The first reinforcement frame is disposed at a position coincident with a rear end of the battery.

3. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, further comprising: A plurality of buffer frames are supported on the rear bumper by extending in a rearward direction from positions to which the first reinforcement frame and the plurality of second reinforcement frames are connected, respectively, and the plurality of buffer frames are made of a material having a weaker rigidity than the first reinforcement frame and the second reinforcement frame.

4. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein: The upper fixing portion further comprises: a second fixing frame extending in the lateral direction to fix the battery and having opposite ends fastened to the first reinforcing frame; and A plurality of third fixing frames extending in the longitudinal direction to fix the batteries, the plurality of third fixing frames being coupled to the first fixing frame and the second fixing frame in an intersecting state, and the plurality of third fixing frames having front ends fastened to the plurality of second reinforcing frames, respectively.

5. The vehicle body structure according to claim 4, wherein: The lower reinforcement portion further comprises: A plurality of reinforcing members are provided in the first to third reinforcing frames to respectively reinforce portions to which the first to third fixing frames are fastened.

6. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, further comprising: A plurality of seat rails are installed on the floor panel to guide movement of the rear seats and are fastened to the upper fixing portion in a state of extending above the upper fixing portion.

7. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, further comprising: A plurality of bumper frames are supported on the rear bumper by respectively extending from the lower reinforcement in a rearward direction and are made of a material having a weaker rigidity than the lower reinforcement.

8. A vehicle comprising the vehicle body structure according to claim 1.

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