Body structure for electrically operated vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a body structure for an electrically operated vehicle, with an installation space (12) for a traction battery (9) which is open toward the bottom of the vehicle in the vertical direction (z) of the vehicle, the installation space being delimited toward the top of the vehicle by a floor panel (10) forming the vehicle bottom, wherein the traction battery (9) is inserted into the installation space (12) from the bottom of the vehicle, i.e., a free installation gap (27) is formed between the battery top wall (15) and the floor panel (10), and wherein at least one spacer (29) is supported between the battery top wall (15) and the floor panel (10). According to the invention, the spacer (29) is designed in two parts, consisting of a buffer (39) of an elastically flexible soft component and a base (41) of a rigid component. In the undeformed manufacturing state, the structural height (h) of the spacer (29) is greater than the gap size of the assembly gap (27), so that in the installed position the spacer (29) is supported between the bottom plate (10) and the battery top wall (15) when the buffer (39) is elastically deformed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a body structure according to the invention for an electrically operated vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In electrically operated, dual-track vehicles, the traction battery can be installed from the bottom of the vehicle on the vehicle floor. A vehicle body structure of this type is known from DE 102017205447 A1, which has an assembly space for the traction battery that is open in the vertical direction of the vehicle toward the bottom of the vehicle. The assembly space is limited toward the top of the vehicle by a floor panel that forms the vehicle floor. The traction battery can be inserted into the assembly space from the bottom of the vehicle, i.e., with a free assembly gap between the battery top wall and the floor panel. In the assembled position, at least one spacer is supported between the battery top wall and the floor panel. This provides a vertical load path from the floor panel through the spacer and the battery top wall to the reinforcement structure inside the battery.

[0003] In document DE 102017205447A1, the battery top wall has a reinforcement bead. It is correspondingly constructed with a bead bottom that is retracted from the top wall base section to the inside of the battery by a bead height. The bead bottom is force-transmittingly attached to the reinforcement structure inside the battery. In addition, the spacer is constructed as a hollow cylindrical sleeve with a sleeve bottom located on the bead bottom. The sleeve bottom of the spacer is tensioned with the reinforcement structure inside the battery by means of fixing screws with the bead bottom placed in the middle. In document DE 102017205447 A1, the spacer almost completely fills the groove-shaped bead cross section. As a result, it is not easy to lead water or dirt collected in the reinforcement bead from the reinforcement bead to the outside of the vehicle in the lead-out direction. In addition, in document DE 102017205447 A1, the sleeve-shaped spacer is implemented as a completely rigid component. As a result, tolerance-related deviations in the gap size of the assembly gap between the traction battery and the vehicle underbody can only be compensated inadequately. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a body structure for an electrically operated vehicle in which a force transmission from the vehicle underbody to the reinforcement structure of the traction battery can be achieved in a structurally simple and operationally reliable manner.

[0005] This object is achieved by the present invention. Preferred improvements of the present invention are disclosed in the specification.

[0006] According to the invention, the spacer is no longer designed as a completely rigid component, but is constructed in two parts from a buffer and a base. The buffer is made of a soft component that flexes elastically, while the spacer base is formed from a hard component. Preferably, the spacer can be produced from plastic in a two-component injection molding process. The spacer is designed structurally so that in the undeformed manufacturing state the spacer structural height is greater than the gap size of the assembly gap between the traction battery and the vehicle floor. In this case, in the installed position, the spacer is supported between the floor plate and the battery top wall under the elastic deformation of the buffer. Due to the elastic deformation of the buffer, deviations in the gap size of the assembly gap caused by tolerances can be easily compensated.

[0007] The spacer can be fixedly connected to the battery top wall on the one hand and supported with loose contact against the underside of the bottom plate on the other hand. It is preferred if the connection is realized as a structurally simple adhesive connection in which the base adhesive surface of the spacer is bonded to the battery top wall via an adhesive layer.

[0008] In one technical implementation, at least one reinforcement bead can be constructed in the battery top wall. The reinforcement bead can be pressed from the top of the vehicle into the top wall base section, which is flat. In this case, the reinforcement bead can have a bead bottom that is retracted from the top wall base section into the battery interior by a bead height. The bead bottom can be force-transmittingly abutted against a reinforcement structure inside the battery. Preferably, the battery top wall can be screwed to the reinforcement structure inside the battery, i.e., at the screwing position, where the fixing bolt tensions the bead bottom of the reinforcement bead with the reinforcement structure inside the battery. The bolt head of the fixing bolt is preferably positioned within the reinforcement bead in a structurally advantageous manner, i.e., without protruding beyond the flat top wall base section in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The reinforcement structure inside the battery is preferably a battery cross member extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle, which can transmit the collision force to the vehicle side facing away from the collision on both sides, at least in the case of a side collision.

[0009] In order to provide a vertical load path from the bottom plate through the spacers and the cell top wall into the reinforcement structure inside the cell, it is preferred if the spacer base has a supporting profile via which the spacers are supported directly on the beaded bottom.

[0010] The above-mentioned spacer support profile is preferably functionally and geographically separated from the base bonding surface. In this context, the spacer support profile can be supported on the bead bottom with loose contact. In contrast, the base bonding surface can be bonded to the top wall base section offset relative to the base support profile, that is, outside the reinforcement bead.

[0011] The at least one reinforcement bead can extend in the transverse direction of the vehicle to the outer edge of the battery cover and can be open in the transverse direction of the vehicle to the outside of the vehicle. In this way, water or dirt collected in the reinforcement bead can be discharged in a discharge direction along the reinforcement bead to the outside of the vehicle. It has been shown that during driving operation, a high inflow of dust and / or liquids from outside the vehicle occurs. Providing the reinforcement bead facilitates the removal of water / dirt.

[0012] In order not to obstruct the removal of water / dirt within the reinforcement bead, the base support profile of the spacer preferably does not fill the entire bead cross section, but rather is supported on the bead base, forming a free channel in the discharge direction. In a technical embodiment, the base support profile can have two support ribs supported on the bead base, between which a free channel is formed. Alternatively, only one support rib can also be provided, which is supported on the bead base on both sides with a free spacing relative to the bead wall of the reinforcement bead.

[0013] The reinforcement bead can be designed in a groove-shaped manner in the profile cross section with two bead walls that are raised from the bead bottom. It can transition into a flat top wall base section at the transition edge. For such a bead geometry, it is preferred if the base support profile transitions into the base bonding surface transversely to the longitudinal direction of the bead and with positioning profiles placed in the middle on both sides. The corresponding positioning profiles can be realized as positioning flanks that rest in a form-fitting manner against the corresponding bead wall.

[0014] In contrast to the prior art, the adhesive connection of the spacer to the battery top wall is functionally and / or locationally independent of the screw connection of the battery top wall to the reinforcement structure inside the battery. In this way, the spacer can be positioned independently of the positioning of the screwing point, thereby obtaining a degree of freedom when assembling the body structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] Figure 1 A vehicle body structure is shown in a perspective partial view;

[0017] Figure 2 The assembly position of the traction battery in the vehicle body structure is shown in a side cutaway view;

[0018] Figure 3 and Figure 4 Different views of a spacer according to the invention are shown accordingly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] exist Figure 1, a body structure of a double-track vehicle is shown, which is described below to the extent necessary for understanding the invention. The body structure thus has two lateral side sills 1 extending in the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle, Figure 1 1 , only one of which is shown in the figure. The sill 1 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between the front A-pillar 3 and the rear C-pillar 5 and delimits the side door opening 7 on the bottom side. A crash-sensitive traction battery 9 is installed in the vehicle floor of the body structure. It is positioned below the floor panel 10 and extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle y between the two sills 1. The traction battery 9 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle x between a front cross member and a rear cross member, which is not shown in the figure.

[0020] As from Figure 1 As can be seen, the traction battery 9 is positioned approximately at the same height as the door sill 1 when viewed in the vehicle vertical direction z. Figure 2 The battery housing 13 is provided in the traction battery 9, namely with housing side walls 16, a top wall 15 and a bottom wall 17. The housing side walls 16 are formed with laterally projecting housing flanges 19, which underlie the door sill 1 and are screwed 21 to the door sill. The battery cells 23 and the internal reinforcement of the battery are positioned within the traction battery 9, which furthermore have a Figure 2 The battery cross member 25 shown in FIG. 1 extends between the two housing side walls 16 in the vehicle transverse direction y. Figure 2 , only half of the vehicle body structure is shown up to the vehicle center plane E. The other half, not shown, is designed approximately in a mirror image. In the event of a side impact, the impact forces are transmitted from the side sill 1 facing the impact in the transverse load path (in which the battery cross member 25 engages) in the direction of the side sill 1 facing away from the impact.

[0021] During assembly, the traction battery 9 is first inserted in the joining direction from the vehicle bottom into the assembly space 12 which is delimited by the two front and rear body cross members and the lateral sills 1 and the floor panel 10. Subsequently, the housing flange 19 of the traction battery 9 is screwed to the front and rear body cross members and the sills 1, i.e., a free assembly gap 27 is formed between the battery cover 15 and the floor panel 10.

[0022] As from Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , a certain number of reinforcing beads 31 can be formed in the battery top wall 15. Figure 3 or Figure 4 Only one of them is shown in FIG. The reinforcing bead 31 has a bead bottom 35 that is set back from the top wall base section 33 toward the inside of the battery by a bead height. The bead bottom 35 is in force-transmitting contact with the battery crossbeam 25 at the screwing position 37. Figure 3 or Figure 4As can be further seen, the spacer 29 is supported directly in the reinforcement bead 31 on its bead bottom 35. As a result, a vertical load path is provided from the floor panel 10 via the spacer 29 and the battery top wall 15 to the reinforcement structure inside the battery, that is to say the battery cross member 25, depending on the load situation. The battery cross member 25 is thus engaged in the transverse load path (in the event of a side impact) and / or in the vertical load path.

[0023] The geometric structure of the spacer 29 is explained below: The spacer 29 is thus constructed in two parts, consisting of a buffer 39 and a base 41. The buffer 39 is made of a soft plastic component that is elastically flexible, while the base 41 is constructed of a hard plastic component that is rigid relative to this component. An important aspect of the invention is that in the installed position the spacer 29 is supported between the bottom plate 10 and the battery top wall 15 with elastic deformation of the buffer 39. For this purpose, the structural height h of the spacer 39 ( Figure 4 ) is dimensioned in the undeformed manufacturing state to be larger than the gap dimension of the assembly gap 27, as in Figure 4 As shown in Figure 4 . . . The spacer 29 is shown in the undeformed production state (as opposed to the actual installed position).

[0024] The spacer base 41 has on its underside a support contour consisting of two support ribs 42 spaced apart from one another, which are supported with loose contact on the bead base 35. Between the two support ribs 42 a free channel 44, which will be described later, is defined.

[0025] As from Figure 3 As can be further seen, the base support contour (support rib 42) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (i.e. transversely to the longitudinal direction of the bead) on both sides, forward and rearward, with the positioning limbs 47 placed in the middle, respectively, transitions into a front base adhesive surface 43 and a rear base adhesive surface 49, which are adhesively bonded to the flat top wall base section 33 with an adhesive layer 45 in between. The adhesive connection is thus formed outside the reinforcing bead 31 and from the support contour 42 with an offset Δx ( Figure 4 The two positioning flanks 47 of the spacer base 41 rest loosely and in a form-fitting manner against corresponding bead walls 51 of the reinforcing bead 31 , which transition at a transition edge 53 into the planar top wall base section 33 .

[0026] exist Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The screwing point 37, which is only schematically shown in the figure, has a fixing screw (not shown), whose screw head 57 ( Figure 2 or Figure 3) The structural space is advantageously positioned within the reinforcing bead 31. The reinforcing bead 31 extends in the vehicle transverse direction y to the side edge of the battery cover 15 outside the vehicle and is open to the outside of the vehicle in the vehicle transverse direction y. In this way, the battery cover 15 can be extended in the vehicle transverse direction y in the lead-out direction A ( Figure 3 ) to the outside of the vehicle, that is, through the free passage 44 of the spacer 29 , water or dirt collected in the reinforcing bead 31 during driving operation.

[0027] List of Reference Numerals

[0028] 1Threshold

[0029] 3 A-pillar

[0030] 5 C-pillar

[0031] 7 Side door opening

[0032] 9 Traction Battery

[0033] 10 Bottom panel

[0034] 11Battery housing

[0035] 12Assembly space

[0036] 13 Shell side wall

[0037] 15 Battery top wall

[0038] 16 Shell side wall

[0039] 17 Battery bottom wall

[0040] 19 Shell flange

[0041] 21 spiral connection

[0042] 23 battery cells

[0043] 25 battery beam

[0044] 27 Assembly gap

[0045] 29 Spacer

[0046] 31 Reinforced hem

[0047] 33 Top wall foundation section

[0048] 35 hem bottom

[0049] 37 screwing part

[0050] 39 Buffer

[0051] 41 base

[0052] 42 Support ribs

[0053] 43 front adhesive surface

[0054] 44 channels

[0055] 45 adhesive layer

[0056] 47 Positioning flank

[0057] 49 Adhesive surface at the rear

[0058] 51 rolled side wall

[0059] 53 transition edge

[0060] 55 fixing bolt

[0061] 57 bolt head

[0062] Δx offset

[0063] A Leading direction

[0064] E The middle longitudinal plane of the vehicle

[0065] h is the structural height of the spacer 29 .

Claims

1. A body structure for an electrically operated vehicle, with an installation space (12) for a traction battery (9) which is open in the vertical direction (z) of the vehicle toward the bottom of the vehicle, the installation space being delimited toward the top of the vehicle by a floor panel (10) forming the vehicle floor, wherein: The traction battery (9) is inserted into the assembly space (12) from the bottom of the vehicle, i.e., in such a way that a free assembly gap (27) is formed between the battery top wall (15) and the bottom plate (10), and wherein at least one spacer (29) is supported between the battery top wall (15) and the bottom plate (10), characterized in that the spacer (29) is constructed in two parts from a buffer (39) consisting of an elastically flexible soft component and a base (41) consisting of a rigid component, and that in the undeformed manufacturing state the overall height (h) of the spacer (29) is greater than the gap size of the assembly gap (27), so that in the installed position the spacer (29) is supported between the bottom plate (10) and the battery top wall (15) when the buffer (39) is elastically deformed, wherein at least one spacer (29) is constructed in the battery top wall (15). A reinforcement bead (31) having a bead bottom (35) which is retracted from a top wall base section (33) toward the interior of a battery by a bead height, and the bead bottom (35) is force-transmittingly abutted against a reinforcement structure (25) inside the battery, and in order to provide a vertical load path from the bottom plate (10) through the spacer (29), the battery top wall (15) to the reinforcement structure (25) inside the battery, the spacer base (41) has a support profile (42), and the spacer (29) is supported on the bead bottom (35) via the support profile, wherein the support profile (42) of the spacer (29) is supported on the bead bottom (35) of the reinforcement bead (31) with loose contact, wherein the support profile (42) is supported on the bead bottom (35) while forming a free channel (44) in the lead-out direction (A).

2. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The supporting contour (42) of the spacer (29) is supported on the bead base (35) of the reinforcing bead (31) without adhesive or screw connection.

3. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spacer (29) is fixedly connected to the battery top wall (15), and the connection location is realized as an adhesive connection, in which the adhesive surface (43, 49) of the base (41) is bonded to the battery top wall (15) via an adhesive layer (45).

4. The vehicle body structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The bonding surface (43, 49) is offset relative to the supporting contour (42) by an offset (Δx) and / or the bonding surface (43, 49) is supported on the top wall base section (33) outside the reinforcing bead (31).

5. The vehicle body structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The reinforcing bead (31) is pressed into the top wall base section (33) from the vehicle top, and / or the reinforcing bead (31) extends in the vehicle transverse direction (y) to the side edge of the battery top wall (15) and / or is open to the outside of the vehicle in the vehicle transverse direction (y).

6. The vehicle body structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: Water collected in the reinforcing bead (31) or dirt collected therein can be discharged in the vehicle transverse direction (y) in a discharge direction (A) to the outside of the vehicle.

7. The vehicle body structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The supporting contour (42) is realized by two supporting ribs supported on the flange base (25), between which the free channel (44) is formed.

8. The vehicle body structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The reinforcing bead (31) is designed in a groove-shaped manner in profile cross section with two bead walls (51) raised from the bead base (35) and transitioning at transition edges (53) into the planar top wall base section (33).

9. The vehicle body structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: The spacer (29) is fixedly connected to the battery top wall (15), and the connection point is realized as an adhesive connection, in which the adhesive surface (43, 49) of the base (41) is bonded to the battery top wall (15) via an adhesive layer (45), wherein the support contour (42) transitions into the adhesive surface (43, 49) transversely to the curling edge-longitudinal direction (y) and on both sides with a positioning contour (47) placed in the middle.

10. The vehicle body structure according to claim 9, characterized in that: The positioning contour (47) is a positioning wing which bears against the corresponding flange wall (51) in a form-fitting manner.

11. The vehicle body structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The spacer (29) is produced from plastic in a 2K injection molding process and / or the cell top wall (15) is screwed to the reinforcement structure (25) inside the cell at a screwing point (37) at the bead bottom (35) of the reinforcement bead (31).

12. The vehicle body structure according to claim 11, characterized in that: The screw head (57) of the screw (55) is advantageously positioned spatially within the reinforcing bead (31).

13. The vehicle body structure according to claim 11, characterized in that: The screwing point (37) and the connection of the spacer (29) to the battery top wall (15) are functionally and / or geographically separated from each other.

14. The vehicle body structure according to claim 13, characterized in that: The connection of the spacer (29) to the cell top wall (15) is an adhesive connection.

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