Vehicle floor structure

Abstract

A vehicle floor structure includes: a central floor panel; a pair of side beams installed on both sides of the central floor panel; a plurality of structural members attached to the bottom surface of the central floor panel; and a plurality of seat cross members attached to the bottom surface of the central floor panel, wherein each structural member extends in the longitudinal direction of the central floor panel, each seat cross member extends in the width direction of the central floor panel, and the axis of the structural member is orthogonal to the axis of the seat cross member.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0167620, filed on Dec. 16, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle floor structure, and more particularly, to a vehicle floor structure capable of uniformly distributing a load and improving mounting rigidity of a battery assembly and mounting rigidity of a vehicle seat. Background Art

[0004] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0005] Recently, with the recognition of the increasing consumption of petroleum resources and environmental crises, research and development of environmentally friendly electric vehicles have been actively carried out. Electric vehicles include plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), battery electric vehicles (BEV), fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV), etc.

[0006] An electric vehicle is equipped with a battery assembly mounted to the vehicle body. The battery assembly includes: one or more battery cells (or battery modules); electrical / electronic components associated with the battery cells; and a battery housing in which the battery cells and electrical / electronic components are mounted. The battery housing is composed of an upper housing and a lower housing. The battery assembly may be mounted below the floor panel of the vehicle body.

[0007] With the development of autonomous vehicles as well as electric vehicles, research and development are being conducted to apply a flat floor and hide seat tracks, etc., thereby securing a larger passenger compartment and improving interior design. However, we have found that applying a flat floor and hiding seat tracks may reduce the cross-section of body structural members such as seat cross members, which may affect rigidity and crash resistance.

[0008] According to the related art, since the battery assembly is indirectly connected to the floor of the vehicle body through a bracket or the like, the mounting rigidity of the battery assembly may be reduced.

[0009] The above information described in the Background section is provided to help understanding the background of the present inventive concept, and this information may include any technical concept that is not considered as the prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the invention

[0010] The present disclosure provides a vehicle floor structure capable of uniformly distributing a load on a floor and improving the mounting rigidity of a battery assembly and the mounting rigidity of a vehicle seat.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle floor structure may include: a central floor panel; a pair of side beams installed on both sides of the central floor panel; a plurality of structural members attached to a bottom surface of the central floor panel; and a plurality of seat cross members attached to the bottom surface of the central floor panel, wherein each structural member may extend in a longitudinal direction of the central floor panel, each seat cross member may extend in a width direction of the central floor panel, and an axis of the structural member may be orthogonal to an axis of the seat cross member.

[0012] Each end of at least one seat cross member of the plurality of seat cross members may be connected to a corresponding side beam via a reinforcement member.

[0013] The reinforcement member may have a first flange and a second flange, the first flange may be coupled to the side sill, and the second flange may be coupled to the center floor panel.

[0014] The reinforcement member may have an inclined wall extending obliquely from the center floor panel toward the side member, and the seat cross member may have a flange coupled to the inclined wall of the reinforcement member.

[0015] The plurality of seat cross members may include: a first seat cross member adjacent to a front edge of the center floor panel; a second seat cross member spaced apart from the first seat cross member toward the rear of the center floor panel; a third seat cross member spaced apart from the second seat cross member toward the rear of the center floor panel; and a fourth seat cross member spaced apart from the third seat cross member toward the rear of the center floor panel.

[0016] The plurality of structural members may include: a pair of first structural members located on a front portion of the center floor panel; and a pair of second structural members located on a rear portion of the center floor panel.

[0017] A front end of each side beam may be connected to the front side member, and each first structural member may have a front extension portion coupled to the front side member.

[0018] Each second structural member may connect the third seat cross member with the fourth seat cross member.

[0019] The vehicle floor structure may further include a plurality of seat tracks attached to a top surface of the central floor panel, and at least some of the plurality of structural members may be disposed facing at least some of the plurality of seat tracks.

[0020] The battery assembly may be mounted below the center floor panel, and mounting bolts extending through the battery assembly and the center floor panel may engage the seat tracks.

[0021] A side sill reinforcement may be installed in a cavity of each side sill, each end of at least one of the plurality of seat cross members may be connected to the corresponding side sill reinforcement by a reinforcement member, and the side sill may have an opening through which the reinforcement member passes.

[0022] The reinforcement member may have a first flange and a second flange, the first flange may be coupled to the side sill reinforcement, and the second flange may be coupled to the center floor panel.

[0023] The reinforcement member may have an inclined wall extending obliquely from the center floor panel toward the side member reinforcement, and the seat cross member may have a flange coupled to the inclined wall of the reinforcement member.

[0024] The plurality of structural members may include a pair of structural members extending through the plurality of seat cross members along the entire length of the center floor panel.

[0025] 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

[0026] In order to better understand the present disclosure, several forms of the present disclosure given by way of example will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 shows a bottom view of a vehicle floor structure according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 2 shows a plan view of a vehicle floor structure according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 3 Shown along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA;

[0030] Figure 4 Shows Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the structure in which the battery assembly, side sill reinforcement and seat track are removed;

[0031] Figure 5 shows a bottom view of a vehicle floor structure according to another exemplary form of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 6 A connection portion between a seat cross member and a side member reinforcement in a vehicle floor structure according to another exemplary form of the present disclosure is shown; and

[0033] Figure 7 Shown along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

[0034] 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

[0035] 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, like reference numerals indicate similar or identical parts and features.

[0036] Hereinafter, exemplary forms of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals will be used throughout to represent the same or equivalent elements. In addition, in order not to make the subject matter of the present disclosure unnecessarily obscure, the detailed description of the known technologies associated with the present disclosure will be omitted.

[0037] Terms such as first, second, A, B, a and b can be used to describe the elements of the exemplary form of the present disclosure. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element, and the inherent characteristics, order or sequence of the corresponding elements, etc. are not limited by these terms. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical terms or scientific terms) used in this article have the same meaning as the meaning generally understood by those of ordinary skill in the field to which the present disclosure belongs. As defined in a commonly used dictionary, these terms should be interpreted as having a meaning equivalent to the text meaning in the relevant technical field, and should not be interpreted as having an idealized or overly formal meaning, unless clearly defined as having such a meaning in this application.

[0038] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 A vehicle floor structure 10 according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure may include: a central floor panel 2 disposed on the bottom of a vehicle body; a rear floor panel 6 connected to a rear edge of the central floor panel 2; and a pair of side beams 3 mounted on both side edges of the central floor panel 2.

[0039] The center floor panel 2 and the rear floor panel 6 may be disposed on the bottom of the vehicle body to form a floor of the vehicle body.

[0040] Each side member 3 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The side members 3 may be respectively installed on side edges of the center floor panel 2, and thus, a pair of side members 3 may be spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the center floor panel 2.

[0041] A pair of front side members 4 may be provided on the front portion of the vehicle body. Each front side member 4 may have an extension 4a extending toward the corresponding side beam 3. A pair of rear side members 5 may be provided on the rear portion of the vehicle body. The front end of each side beam 3 may be connected to the extension 4a of the corresponding front side member 4, and the rear end of each side beam 3 may be connected to the corresponding rear side member 5. The pair of rear side members 5 may be mounted on both side edges of the rear floor panel 6, respectively.

[0042] In one form of the present disclosure, the vehicle floor structure 10 may include a plurality of structural members 11 and 15 attached to the bottom surface of the center floor panel 2. The structural members 11 and 15 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the center floor panel 2.

[0043] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The plurality of structural members 11 and 15 may include a pair of first structural members 11 located on the front portion of the center floor panel 2 and a pair of second structural members 15 located on the rear portion of the center floor panel 2 .

[0044] A pair of first structural members 11 may be spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the center floor panel 2. Each of the first structural members 11 may have a front extension portion 11a extending toward the front side member 4, and the front extension portion 11a may be bent at a predetermined angle. One end of the front extension portion 11a may be directly bonded to the front side member 4 by welding or the like.

[0045] The first structural members 11 may be directly connected to the corresponding front side members 4, and therefore, the pair of first structural members 11 may stably support the vertical load acting on the front portion of the center floor panel 2. In addition, since the first structural members 11 are directly connected to the front side members 4, a load path separated from the side members 3 may be defined, and therefore, the load transmitted to the center floor panel 2 through the front side members 4 may be distributed to the side members 3 and the first structural members 11.

[0046] A pair of second structural members 15 may be spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the center floor panel 2. The second structural members 15 may be spaced apart from the corresponding first structural members 11 toward the rear of the vehicle body.

[0047] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the vehicle floor structure 10 may include a plurality of seat cross members 21, 22, 23, and 24 attached to the bottom surface of the center floor panel 2. Each of the seat cross members 21, 22, 23, and 24 may extend in the width direction of the center floor panel 2, and a vehicle seat may be mounted on the seat cross members 21, 22, 23, and 24 by a bracket or the like.

[0048] According to an exemplary form, the plurality of seat cross members 21, 22, 23, and 24 may include: a first seat cross member 21 adjacent to a front edge of the center floor panel 2; a second seat cross member 22 spaced apart from the first seat cross member 21 toward a rear portion of the center floor panel 2; a third seat cross member 23 spaced apart from the second seat cross member 22 toward a rear portion of the center floor panel 2; and a fourth seat cross member 24 adjacent to a rear edge of the center floor panel 2. For example, a front mounting portion of a front vehicle seat may be mounted on the first seat cross member 21, and a rear mounting portion of the front vehicle seat may be mounted on the second seat cross member 22. A front mounting portion of a rear vehicle seat may be mounted on the third seat cross member 23, and a rear mounting portion of a rear vehicle seat may be mounted on the fourth seat cross member 24.

[0049] Each first structural member 11 may extend toward the rear of the center floor panel 2 through the first seat cross member 21. Specifically, the rear end of each first structural member 11 may be directly coupled to the second seat cross member 22 by welding or the like. Each second structural member 15 may connect the third seat cross member 23 and the fourth seat cross member 24. In one form, the front end of each second structural member 15 may be coupled to the third seat cross member 23 by welding or the like, and the rear end of each second structural member 15 may be coupled to the fourth seat cross member 24 by welding or the like.

[0050] Since the plurality of structural members 11 and 15 and the plurality of seat cross members 21, 22, 23, and 24 are attached to the bottom surface of the center floor panel 2, the rigidity of the center floor panel 2 can be improved. In addition, the top surface of the center floor panel 2 can be effectively flattened, and the thickness of the covering can be made uniform, and therefore, the cost and weight can be reduced.

[0051] Each end portion of at least some of the plurality of seat cross members 21 , 22 , 23 , and 24 may be connected to the corresponding side beam 3 through the reinforcement member 20 .

[0052] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4, the reinforcement member 20 may have an inclined wall 20c which extends obliquely from the center floor panel 2 toward the side beam 3 at a predetermined angle. Each of the first seat cross member 21, the second seat cross member 22, and the third seat cross member 23 may have a flange 25 extending from an end thereof. The flange 25 may have an inclination angle corresponding to the inclination angle of the inclined wall 20c, and the flange 25 may be bonded to the inclined wall 20c of the reinforcement member 20 by welding or the like. Each flange 25 of the first seat cross member 21, each flange 25 of the second seat cross member 22, and each flange 25 of the third seat cross member 23 may be bonded to the inclined wall 20c of the reinforcement member 20 by welding or the like, so that each of the seat cross members 21, 22, and 23 may be connected to the side beam 3 by the reinforcement member 20. Since the end of each of the seat cross members 21, 22, and 23 is connected to the corresponding side beam 3 by the reinforcement member 20, the support rigidity of the side beam 3 may be improved. For example, when an impact load of a side impact is transmitted to the side beam 3 , the side beam 3 may be mainly supported by the reinforcement member 20 and auxiliary supported by the seat cross members 21 , 22 , and 23 , and thus, rotation and damage of the side beam 3 may be prevented.

[0053] refer to Figure 1 , each end portion 24 a of the fourth seat cross member 24 may be directly joined to the corresponding rear side member 5 by welding or the like.

[0054] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The reinforcing member 20 may have a first flange 20a and a second flange 20b respectively extending along the edges of the reinforcing member 20. The first flange 20a of the reinforcing member 20 may be directly coupled to the side member 3 by welding or the like, and the second flange 20b of the reinforcing member 20 may be directly coupled to the center floor panel 2 by welding or the like.

[0055] The axis of each of the structural members 11 and 15 may be orthogonal to the axis of each of the seat cross members 21, 22, 23, and 24, and the plurality of structural members 11 and 15 may be connected to the plurality of seat cross members 21, 22, 23, and 24. The plurality of structural members 11 and 15 and the plurality of seat cross members 21, 22, 23, and 24 may be attached to the bottom surface of the center floor panel 2 to form a base frame of the center floor panel 2, thereby increasing the rigidity and strength of the center floor panel 2.

[0056] refer to Figure 2, a plurality of seat tracks 14a and 14b may be attached to the top surface of the center floor panel 2. Each of the seat tracks 14a and 14b may extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body to guide the movement of the vehicle seat. The plurality of seat tracks 14a and 14b may include a pair of inner seat tracks 14a and a pair of outer seat tracks 14b, wherein the pair of inner seat tracks are adjacent to the center of the center floor panel 2 and the pair of outer seat tracks are adjacent to the corresponding side members 3.

[0057] At least some of the plurality of structural members 11 and 15 may be disposed to face at least some of the plurality of seat tracks 14 a and 14 b .

[0058] refer to Figure 2 , each first structural member 11 and the corresponding inner seat track 14a may be located on the same line of the central floor panel 2 so as to face each other. Specifically, the axis of the first structural member 11 may be aligned with the axis of the inner seat track 14a, and therefore, when the inner seat track 14a is located on the central floor panel 2, the first structural member 11 may be aligned in the same position.

[0059] In addition, each second structural member 15 and the corresponding inner seat track 14a can be located on the same line of the central floor panel 2 so as to face each other. In another form, the axis of the second structural member 15 can be aligned with the axis of the inner seat track 14a, and therefore, when the inner seat track 14a is located on the central floor panel 2, the second structural member 15 can be aligned in the same position.

[0060] refer to Figure 3 , the battery assembly 50 may be installed below the center floor panel 2. The battery assembly 50 may include a plurality of battery modules 52 and a battery housing 51, in which the plurality of battery modules 52 are received. The side beam reinforcement 7 may be installed in the cavity of each side beam 3, and the side beam reinforcement 7 may be an extruded product formed by an extrusion method. The side beam reinforcement 7 may have a plurality of ribs so that the side beam reinforcement may be deformed by an impact load during a lateral impact of the vehicle. The battery housing 51 may be mounted to the center floor panel 2 and the side beams by a plurality of fasteners.

[0061] refer to Figure 3 The mounting bolts 53 that pass through the top of the battery housing 51, the first structural member 11, and the center floor panel 2 can be engaged with the inner seat track 14a, and the battery assembly 50 and the inner seat track 14a can be combined by the mounting bolts 53, and therefore, the rigidity of the vehicle body, the installation rigidity of the battery assembly 50, and the installation rigidity of the vehicle seat can be improved.

[0062] refer to Figure 3, the outer seat rail 14b may be mounted on the center floor panel 2 by a fastener 35 such as a bolt, and the bottom end of the fastener 35 may be fastened to the reinforcement member 20. The outer seat rail 14b and the reinforcement member 20 may be coupled to the center floor panel 2 by the fastener 35, and therefore, the rigidity of the vehicle body and the installation rigidity of the vehicle seat may be improved.

[0063] refer to Figure 5 , a vehicle floor structure according to another exemplary form of the present disclosure may include a pair of structural members 31 attached to the bottom surface of the center floor panel 2. Each structural member 31 may have a front extension portion 31a extending toward the front side member 4, and the front extension portion 31a may be bent at a predetermined angle. One end of the front extension portion 31a may be directly bonded to the front side member 4 by welding or the like.

[0064] Each structural member 31 may extend along the entire length of the center floor panel 2. In one form, the structural member 31 may extend through the first seat cross member 21, the second seat cross member 22, and the third seat cross member 23, and the rear end of the structural member 31 may be joined to the fourth seat cross member 24 by welding or the like.

[0065] Since other configurations in this exemplary form are the same as or similar to those in the aforementioned exemplary form, their detailed description will be omitted.

[0066] refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7, a vehicle floor structure according to another exemplary form of the present disclosure may allow the seat cross member 21 to be connected to the side beam reinforcement 7 through a reinforcement member 40. The side beam 3 may have an opening 3a through which the reinforcement member 40 passes, and the reinforcement member 40 may pass through the opening 3a. The reinforcement member 40 may have an inclined wall 40c that extends obliquely from the center floor panel 2 toward the side beam reinforcement 7 at a predetermined angle. The reinforcement member 40 may have a first flange 40a and a second flange 40b that extend along the edges of the reinforcement member 40, respectively. The first flange 40a of the reinforcement member 40 may be directly bonded to the side beam reinforcement 7 by welding or the like, and the second flange 40b of the reinforcement member 40 may be directly bonded to the center floor panel 2 by welding or the like. Each flange 25 of the first seat cross member 21, each flange 25 of the second seat cross member 22, and each flange 25 of the third seat cross member 23 may be bonded to the inclined wall 40c of the reinforcement member 40 by welding or the like, so that each of the seat cross members 21, 22, and 23 may be connected to the side beam reinforcement 7 by the reinforcement member 40. Since the end of each of the seat cross members 21, 22 and 23 is connected to the corresponding side sill reinforcement 7 through the reinforcement member 40, the support rigidity of the side sill reinforcement 7 can be improved. For example, when the impact load of the side impact is transmitted to the side sill reinforcement 7, the side sill reinforcement 7 can be mainly supported by the reinforcement member 40 and auxiliary supported by the seat cross members 21, 22 and 23, and therefore, the rotation and damage of the side sill reinforcement 7 can be prevented.

[0067] As described above, according to the exemplary form of the present disclosure, a plurality of structural members and a plurality of seat cross members can be attached to the bottom surface of the center floor panel 2, thereby improving the rigidity of the center floor panel. In addition, the top surface of the center floor panel can be effectively flattened, and the thickness of the cover can be made uniform, and thus the cost and weight can be reduced.

[0068] According to an exemplary form of the present disclosure, a pair of first structural members can be directly connected to a pair of front side members, and therefore, the pair of first structural members can stably support the vertical load acting on the front of the center floor panel. In addition, since the first structural member is directly connected to the first side member, a load path separated from the side beam can be defined, and therefore, the load transmitted to the center floor panel through the front side member can be evenly distributed to the side beam and the first structural member.

[0069] According to an exemplary form of the present disclosure, the end of the seat cross member can be connected to the corresponding side beam through the reinforcement member, and thus, the support rigidity of the side beam can be improved. For example, when the impact load of the side impact is transmitted to the side beam, the side beam can be mainly supported by the reinforcement member and auxiliary supported by the seat cross member, and thus rotation and damage of the side beam can be prevented.

[0070] According to an exemplary form of the present disclosure, mounting bolts that penetrate the battery housing and the center floor panel can engage the inner seat track, and the battery assembly and the inner seat track can be combined by the mounting bolts, and thus the rigidity of the vehicle body, the mounting rigidity of the battery assembly, and the mounting rigidity of the vehicle seat can be improved.

[0071] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to exemplary forms and drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and various modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0072] 2. Central floor panel

[0073] 3. Side beam

[0074] 4. Front side member

[0075] 5. Rear side member

[0076] 6. Rear floor panel

[0077] 7. Side beam reinforcement

[0078] 11. The first structural member

[0079] 14a, Inner seat track

[0080] 14b. External seat rail

[0081] 15. Second structural member

[0082] 20. Strengthening components

[0083] 21. First seat cross member

[0084] 22. Second seat cross member

[0085] 23. Third seat cross member

[0086] 24. Fourth seat cross member

[0087] 25. Flange

[0088] 31. Structural components

Claims

1. A vehicle floor structure, comprising: center floor panel; a pair of side beams mounted on both sides of the center floor panel; a plurality of structural members attached to a bottom surface of the center floor panel; as well as a plurality of seat cross members attached to the bottom surface of the center floor panel, wherein each of the plurality of structural members extends in the longitudinal direction of the central floor panel, Each of the plurality of seat cross members extends in a width direction of the center floor panel, and The axes of the plurality of structural members are orthogonal to the axes of the plurality of seat cross members, It is characterized in that wherein a side beam reinforcement is installed in a cavity of each of the pair of side beams, each end of at least one of the plurality of seat cross members is connected to the corresponding side beam reinforcement through a reinforcement member, and the side beam of the pair of side beams has an opening through which the reinforcement member passes, wherein the reinforcement member has a first flange and a second flange, the first flange being coupled to the side member reinforcement, the second flange being coupled to the center floor panel, and wherein the reinforcement member has an inclined wall extending obliquely from the center floor panel toward the side member reinforcement, and one of the plurality of seat cross members has a flange coupled to the inclined wall of the reinforcement member.

2. The vehicle floor structure according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of seat cross members include: a first seat cross member adjacent a front edge of said center floor panel; a second seat cross member spaced from the first seat cross member toward the rear of the center floor panel; a third seat cross member spaced from the second seat cross member toward the rear of the center floor panel; and A fourth seat cross member is spaced apart from the third seat cross member toward the rear of the center floor panel.

3. The vehicle floor structure according to claim 2, wherein: The plurality of structural members include: a pair of first structural members located on a front portion of the center floor panel; and A pair of second structural members are located on the rear portion of the center floor panel.

4. The vehicle floor structure according to claim 3, wherein: A front end of each of the pair of side beams is connected to the front side member, and Each of the pair of first structural members has a front extension portion coupled to the front side member.

5. The vehicle floor structure according to claim 3, wherein: Each second structural member of the pair of second structural members connects the third seat cross member with the fourth seat cross member.

6. The vehicle floor structure of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of seat tracks attached to a top surface of the center floor panel, in, Some of the plurality of structural members are disposed facing some of the plurality of seat tracks.

7. The vehicle floor structure according to claim 6, wherein: The battery assembly is mounted below the center floor panel, and A mounting bolt extending through the battery assembly and the center floor panel engages one of the plurality of seat tracks.

8. The vehicle floor structure according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of structural members includes a pair of structural members extending through the plurality of seat cross members along an entire length of the center floor panel.

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