Body connection structure, body structure and vehicle

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a vehicle body connection structure, a vehicle body structure, and a vehicle, wherein the vehicle body connection structure is used to connect a lower body and an upper body, wherein a battery assembly is mounted on the lower body, and the vehicle body connection structure includes a plurality of main mounting parts, which are connected along the length direction of the upper body to the battery assembly, a chassis frame located on both sides of the lower body, and side beams located on both sides of the upper body via main engagement units.

Description

[0001] Cross-citation of related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 10-2020-0140441, filed on October 27, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to a vehicle body connection structure. Background Technology

[0004] Recently, the automotive industry has introduced new concepts and visions for the future of mobility, aiming to realize a dynamic, human-centered future city. One of these future modes of mobility is the purpose-based personal vehicle (PBV).

[0005] PBV is an environmentally friendly mobility solution that provides passengers with the customized services they need as they move to their destination, and can use electric vehicle-based artificial intelligence to perform optimal route planning and cluster driving for each situation.

[0006] A PBV consists of a lower body and an upper body. The lower body serves as the chassis (also known in the industry as a rolling chassis or skateboard chassis), while the upper body serves as the vehicle body mounted on the lower body. The battery pack is mounted on the lower body. The upper body can be a spatial frame formed by welding steel plates or tubing.

[0007] In addition, the upper and lower bodies are joined together by a cabin bracket, and the battery assembly is joined inside the edge of the lower body.

[0008] Typically, there are limitations on the increase in the width of battery modules, and increasing the width of battery modules may result in an increase in the number of mounting parts between the upper and lower bodies, as well as between the battery module and the lower body.

[0009] Furthermore, due to insufficient space between the lower body and the battery assembly for absorbing impact, side impacts may cause injury to the battery assembly and occupants.

[0010] The information disclosed in the background section is only intended to enhance the understanding of the background of the present invention, and therefore may contain information that does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0011] This invention relates to a vehicle body connection structure. A specific embodiment relates to a vehicle body connection structure for a personal commercial vehicle (PBV).

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle body connection structure that increases the connection strength between the lower body and the upper body, minimizes the number of mounting parts between the lower body and the upper body, and ensures lateral impact stability.

[0013] A vehicle body connection structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a lower body on which a battery assembly is mounted and an upper body connected to the lower body. The vehicle body connection structure may include at least two main mounting portions, which connect the battery assembly, a chassis frame located on both sides of the lower body, and side beams located on both sides of the upper body via main engagement units along the length direction of the vehicle body.

[0014] The body connection structure may also include at least two sub-mounting sections, which connect the battery assembly and chassis frame between the main mounting sections via sub-joining units.

[0015] The main mounting section can be connected to the lower part of the front pillar, middle pillar, and rear pillar of the upper body.

[0016] The battery assembly may include a joining flange formed on the edge of the battery housing of the battery assembly and joined to the chassis frame by a main joining unit and a sub joining unit.

[0017] An impact-absorbing space can be formed between the edge of the battery casing and the chassis frame.

[0018] The body connection structure may also include a tool pin, which is set on the engagement flange and fitted to the chassis frame and side beams.

[0019] The chassis frame and side beams can be made of extruded aluminum material, which includes enclosed sections separated by partition walls.

[0020] The main engagement unit may include a first blind hole nut and a first mounting bolt, the first blind hole nut being attached to a side beam, and the first mounting bolt penetrating the battery assembly and chassis frame and engaging the first blind hole nut.

[0021] The sub-joining unit may include a second blind hole nut and a second mounting bolt, the second blind hole nut being connected to the chassis frame, and the second mounting bolt penetrating the battery assembly and engaging the second blind hole nut.

[0022] The body connection structure may also include side beam trim pieces that are attached to the outer side of the chassis frame.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the number of mounting parts used to assemble the lower body and the upper body is minimized, the width of the battery assembly is maximized, and the collision stability of the vehicle is ensured.

[0024] Furthermore, the effects obtained or predicted through exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be disclosed directly or implicitly in the detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. That is, various effects predicted according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be disclosed in the following detailed description. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Since these drawings are only used to explain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the technical concept of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to these drawings.

[0026] Figure 1A and Figure 1B These are perspective and side views of a PBV with a vehicle body connection structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating a vehicle body connection structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 The cross-sectional view taken from line AA.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the position of the main mounting portion applied to the vehicle body connection structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 5 It is along Figure 2 The cross-sectional view of line BB.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a tool pin applied to a vehicle body connection structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] The embodiments of the present invention can be described using the following elements in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0033] 1: Lower Body

[0034] 2: Battery Components

[0035] 2a: Battery casing

[0036] 2b: Joining flange

[0037] 3: Upper body

[0038] 5: Chassis frame

[0039] 6, 8: Wall; 7: Side beam

[0040] 9a, 9b: Closed sections

[0041] 10: Main Installation Department

[0042] 11: Main Joint Unit

[0043] 13: First blind hole nut

[0044] 15: First mounting bolt

[0045] 50: Sub-installation section

[0046] 51: Sub-joining unit

[0047] 53: Second blind hole nut

[0048] 55: Second mounting bolt

[0049] 61: Shock Absorption Space

[0050] 71: Side beam trim

[0051] 91: Tool pin

[0052] A, B, C: Front post, middle post, rear post

[0053] 100: Body connection structure

[0054] 200: Vehicles Detailed Implementation

[0055] The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated. As those skilled in the art will recognize, modifications can be made to the described embodiments in various ways without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

[0056] To clearly describe the embodiments of the invention, parts irrelevant to the description have been omitted, and throughout the specification, the same or similar parts are accompanied by the same reference numerals.

[0057] Since the dimensions and thicknesses of each component shown in the accompanying drawings are arbitrarily illustrated for ease of description, embodiments of the present invention are not necessarily limited to the dimensions and thicknesses shown in the drawings, and the thicknesses are enlarged to clearly represent the various parts and areas.

[0058] Furthermore, in the detailed description below, the names of the configurations are categorized as first, second, etc., to distinguish configurations in the same relationship, and these configurations are not necessarily limited to the order described below.

[0059] Throughout the instruction manual, when a section includes a component, it means that other components may be included rather than excluded, unless otherwise specified.

[0060] Furthermore, terms such as “…unit” or “…device” described in the specification refer to units of an integrated structure that perform at least one function or operation.

[0061] Figure 1A and Figure 1B These are perspective and side views of a PBV with a vehicle body connection structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] Reference Figure 1A and Figure 1B The vehicle body connection structure 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be applied to a special purpose vehicle (PBV) 200, such as an unmanned motor vehicle based on an electric vehicle.

[0063] This PBV 200 includes a skateboard-type lower body 1 (also referred to in the art as a rolling chassis) and an upper body 3, wherein the lower body serves as the chassis and the upper body serves as the body mounted on the lower body 1.

[0064] The battery assembly 2 is mounted on the lower body 1, and the chassis frame 5 is mounted on both sides. The upper body 3 includes side beams 7 that form the vehicle compartment. Here, the upper body 3 can be a space frame formed by a structure made of steel plates or tubing.

[0065] In the industry, the vehicle width direction is referred to as the L direction, the vehicle length direction (front-to-back direction) is referred to as the T direction, and the vehicle height direction is referred to as the H direction. However, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the LTH direction as described above is not used as the reference direction, but the following components are described by setting the vehicle width direction, the vehicle length direction, and the vertical direction.

[0066] Furthermore, in the following text, an end can be defined as any end or as a specific portion that includes that end.

[0067] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle body connection structure 100 can maximize the width of the battery assembly 2 mounted on the lower body 1, minimize the number of mounting parts connecting the lower body 1, the battery assembly 2 and the upper body 3 respectively, and ensure side impact stability.

[0068] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating a vehicle body connection structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] Reference Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 2 According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle body connection structure 100 may include a plurality of main mounting portions 10 and a plurality of sub-mounting portions 50.

[0070] Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 The cross-sectional view taken from line AA.

[0071] Reference Figure 3The lower body 1 includes a chassis frame 5, and the upper body 3 includes side beams 7.

[0072] The chassis frame 5 and the side beam 7 each include multiple enclosed sections 9a and 9b separated by multiple walls 6 and 8, and the chassis frame and the side beam can be made of extruded aluminum material.

[0073] The battery assembly 2 includes a battery case 2a for housing the battery module and a joining flange 2b formed at the edge of the battery case 2a.

[0074] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the main mounting part 10 can integrally connect the chassis frame 5 on both sides of the lower body 1, the engagement flange 2b of the battery assembly 2, and the two side beams 7 of the upper body 3 in the length direction of the vehicle body via the main engagement unit 11.

[0075] The main engagement unit 11 includes a first blind hole nut 13 and a first mounting bolt 15.

[0076] The first blind hole nut 13 is inserted into the wall 8 inside the side beam 7 through a mating hole formed in the lower part of the side beam 7, and the first blind hole nut includes a nut portion 13a, a variable portion 13b, and a support end 13c that supports the edge portion of the mating hole.

[0077] The first blind hole nut 13 is a configuration known in the art, and a more detailed description of these configurations will be omitted in this specification.

[0078] Based on the accompanying drawings, the first mounting bolt 15 may be a long bolt, which includes a bolt head formed at the lower end of the bolt shank and has threads formed at the upper end of the bolt shank.

[0079] The first mounting bolt 15 penetrates from bottom to top through the engagement flange 2b of the battery assembly 2 and the chassis frame 5, and engages the nut portion 13a of the first blind hole nut 13.

[0080] When the first mounting bolt 15 penetrates the engagement flange 2b of the battery assembly 2 and the chassis frame 5 and engages with the nut portion 13a of the first blind hole nut 13, the variable portion 13b of the first blind hole nut 13 extends outward. As the variable portion deforms, the first blind hole nut is connected to the interior of the side beam 7 through the extended deformation of the variable portion and the support end 13c.

[0081] Therefore, the main engagement unit 11 can be used to integrally combine the chassis frame 5 on both sides of the lower body 1, the engagement flange 2b of the battery assembly 2, and the two side beams 7 of the upper body 3 by engaging the first mounting bolt 15 with the first blind hole nut 13.

[0082] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the position of the main mounting portion applied to the vehicle body connection structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] The main mounting part 10 is connected to the lower part of the front pillar A, middle pillar B and rear pillar C of the upper body 3.

[0084] Figure 5 It is along Figure 2 The cross-sectional view of line BB.

[0085] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 5 In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sub-mounting part 50 is used to integrally join the joining flange 2b of the battery assembly 2 and the chassis frame 5 by means of the sub-joining unit 51.

[0086] The sub-joint unit 51 includes a second blind hole nut 53 and a second mounting bolt 55.

[0087] The second blind hole nut 53 is inserted into the wall 6 inside the chassis frame 5 through a mating hole located in the lower part of the chassis frame 5. The second blind hole nut 53 may include a nut portion, a variable portion, and a support end that supports the edge of the mating hole.

[0088] The specific configuration and reference of the nut part, variable part and support end of the second blind hole nut 53 Figure 3 The first blind hole nut 13 described is the same as / similar to the first blind hole nut 13, so its detailed description will be omitted.

[0089] Based on the accompanying drawings, the second mounting bolt 55 includes a bolt head formed at the lower end of the bolt shank and threads formed at the upper end of the bolt shank.

[0090] The second mounting bolt 55 penetrates the engagement flange 2b of the battery assembly 2 from bottom to top, connects to the bolt joint of the second blind hole nut 53, and is attached to the nut portion of the second blind hole nut 53 by the thread at the upper end.

[0091] When the second mounting bolt 55 penetrates the engagement flange 2b of the battery assembly 2 and engages the nut portion of the second blind hole nut 53, the second blind hole nut 53 causes the variable portion to deform and expand outward. As the variable portion expands outward, the second blind hole nut 53 is connected to the interior of the chassis frame 5 through the extension deformation of the variable portion and the support end.

[0092] Therefore, the sub-joining unit 51 can be used to integrally combine the joining flange 2b of the battery assembly 2 and the chassis frame 5 of the lower body 1 by engaging the second mounting bolt 55 with the second blind hole nut 53.

[0093] The side beam trim 71 is attached to the outside of the chassis frame 5, which is combined with the side beam 7 of the upper body 3 in the vertical direction.

[0094] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a tool pin applied to a vehicle body connection structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] Reference Figure 6 The battery assembly 2 has a tool pin 91 on its engagement flange 2b. The tool pin 91 is fixed to the engagement flange 2b in the vertical direction.

[0096] When assembling the lower body 1 and the upper body 3, the tool pin 91 is inserted into the chassis frame 5 of the lower body 1 and the side beam 7 of the upper body 3. The tool pin 91 guides the vertical assembly of the lower body 1 and the upper body 3, restricts the installation position of the lower body 1 and the upper body 3, and absorbs the vertical assembly tolerance of the lower body 1 and the upper body 3.

[0097] The assembly process of the vehicle body connection structure 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, configured as described above, will now be described. First, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the battery assembly 2 is mounted on the lower body 1, a tool pin 91 provided on the engagement flange 2b of the battery assembly 2 is connected to the chassis frame 5 of the lower body 1 in an upward direction. Then, the tool pin 91 is inserted into the side beam 7 of the upper body 3 in an upward direction.

[0098] Then, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the tool pin 91 guides the vertical assembly of the lower body 1 and the upper body 3, restricts the installation position of the lower body 1 and the upper body 3, and absorbs the vertical assembly tolerance of the lower body 1 and the upper body 3.

[0099] In this state, the first blind hole nut 13 of the main engagement unit 11 is inserted through the engagement hole of the side beam 7 into the wall 8 inside the side beam 7. Then, the first mounting bolt 15 is inserted into the engagement flange 2b of the battery assembly 2 and the chassis frame 5, and engages with the nut portion 13a of the first blind hole nut 13.

[0100] The variable portion 13b of the first blind hole nut 13 expands and deforms outward by the engagement force of the first mounting bolt 15, and the first mounting bolt 15 is placed inside the side beam 7 by the extension deformation of the variable portion and the support end 13c.

[0101] Therefore, the main mounting unit 11 integrates the chassis frames 5 on both sides of the lower body 1, the mounting flanges 2b of the battery assembly 2, and the side beams 7 on both sides of the upper body 3 by engaging the first mounting bolt 15 with the first blind hole nut 13. Multiple main mounting portions 10 are formed along the length of the vehicle body.

[0102] Then, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second blind hole nut 53 of the sub-joining unit 51 is inserted through the joining hole of the chassis frame 5 into the wall 6 inside the chassis frame 5, and the second mounting bolt 55 is inserted into the joining flange 2b of the battery assembly 2 and engaged with the nut portion of the second blind hole nut 53.

[0103] As the variable part expands and deforms outward by the engagement force of the second mounting bolt 55, the second blind hole nut 53 is connected to the interior of the chassis frame 5 by the extension deformation of the variable part and the support end.

[0104] Therefore, the sub-mounting unit 51 is engaged with the second mounting bolt 55 and the second blind hole nut 53 to integrally combine the engagement flange 2b of the battery assembly 2 and the chassis frame 5 located on both sides of the lower body 1, and multiple sub-mounting parts 50 can be formed between the main mounting parts 10.

[0105] When the joining flange 2b of the battery assembly 2 as described above is joined to the chassis frame 5 through the main joining unit 11 and the sub-joining unit 51, an impact absorption space 61 can be formed between the edge of the battery case 2a and the chassis frame 5 through the joining flange 2b.

[0106] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the vehicle body connection structure 100, the lower body 1 of the skateboard type and the upper body 3 of the space frame type can be fastened in the vertical direction by the main mounting part 10 and the sub-mounting part 50.

[0107] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the chassis frame 5, the battery assembly 2, and the side beams 7 of the upper body 3 located on both sides of the lower body 1 can be integrally joined by the main joining unit 11 of the main mounting part 10. Therefore, the number of mounting parts that can be used to assemble the lower body 1 and the upper body 3 is minimized.

[0108] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the chassis frame 5, the battery assembly 2, and the side beams 7 located on both sides of the lower body 1 and the upper body 3 are integrated by the first blind hole nut 13 and the first mounting bolt 15 of the main engagement unit 11. This engagement increases the connection strength between the lower body 1, the battery assembly 2, and the upper body 3.

[0109] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the main mounting portion 10 is disposed on the front pillar side, the middle pillar side, and the rear pillar side, and an impact absorption space 61 can be formed between the battery case 2a and the chassis frame 5 by the engaging flange 2b of the battery assembly 2.

[0110] Therefore, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, by easily absorbing and distributing the side impact load during a side impact of the vehicle, damage to the battery assembly and occupant injury caused by the rotational deformation of the side beam can be minimized, and the width of the battery assembly 2 mounted on the lower body 1 can be maximized.

[0111] While the invention has been described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments now considered practical, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle body connection structure for connecting a lower body and an upper body, wherein a battery assembly is mounted on the lower body, the vehicle body connection structure comprising: a plurality of main mounting portions that join the battery assembly, a chassis frame located on both sides of the lower body, and side beams located on both sides of the upper body in a length direction of the upper body through main joint units.

2. The vehicle body connecting structure according to claim 1, wherein the main mounting portions are connected to lower portions of front pillars, center pillars, and rear pillars of the upper body.

3. The vehicle body connecting structure according to claim 1, wherein the chassis frame and the side beams include an aluminum extrusion material and include closed sections that are partitioned by partition walls.

4. The vehicle body connecting structure according to claim 1, wherein the main joint units include: a first blind nut attached to one of the side beams; and a first mounting bolt that penetrates the battery assembly and the chassis frame and joins the first blind nut.

5. The vehicle body connecting structure according to claim 1, further comprising side beam trim pieces that are coupled to outer sides of the chassis frame. a lower body; an upper body coupled to the lower body; 6. A vehicle body structure comprising: and a plurality of main mounting portions that join the battery assembly, a chassis frame located on both sides of the lower body, and side beams located on both sides of the upper body in a length direction of the upper body through main joint units.

7. The vehicle body structure according to claim 6, further comprising a plurality of sub mounting portions that join the battery assembly and the chassis frame between the main mounting portions through sub joint units. a second blind nut coupled to the chassis frame; and a second mounting bolt that penetrates the battery assembly and joins the second blind nut.

8. The vehicle body structure according to claim 7, wherein the sub joint unit includes:

9. The vehicle body structure according to claim 7, wherein the battery assembly includes a joining flange that is formed on an edge of a battery case of the battery assembly and is joined to the chassis frame through the main joint units and the sub joint units.

10. The vehicle body structure according to claim 9, wherein an impact absorbing space is formed between the edge of the battery case and the chassis frame.

11. The vehicle body structure according to claim 9, further comprising a tool pin provided on the joining flange and fitted to one of the chassis frame and the side beams. a lower body; a battery assembly mounted on the lower body; 12. A vehicle comprising: a chassis frame mounted on both sides of the lower body; an upper body coupled to the lower body, the upper body including a space frame and side beams located on both sides of the upper body, wherein the upper body defines a passenger compartment of the vehicle; and a plurality of main mounting portions that join the battery assembly, the chassis frame, and the side beams in a length direction of the upper body through main joint units.

13. The vehicle according to claim 12, further comprising front pillars, center pillars, and rear pillars, wherein the main mounting portions are connected to lower portions of the front pillars, the center pillars, and the rear pillars.

14. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the chassis frame and the side beams include an aluminum extrusion material and include closed sections that are partitioned by partition walls. ​ ​ 15.The vehicle of claim 12, further comprising a side sill trim coupled to an outer side of the chassis frame. 16.The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the main joint unit comprises: a first blind nut attached to one of the side sills; and a first mounting bolt penetrating the battery assembly and the chassis frame and engaging the first blind nut. 17.The vehicle of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of sub-mounting portions engaging the battery assembly and the chassis frame between the main mounting portions by sub joint units, wherein the sub joint units comprise: a second blind nut coupled to the chassis frame; and a second mounting bolt penetrating the battery assembly and engaging the second blind nut. 18.The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the battery assembly comprises an engagement flange formed on an edge of a battery case of the battery assembly and engaged with the chassis frame by the main joint unit and the sub joint units. 19.The vehicle of claim 18, wherein an impact absorbing space is formed between the edge of the battery case and the chassis frame. 20.The vehicle of claim 18, further comprising a tool pin provided on the engagement flange and fitted to the chassis frame and the side sills. ​ ​

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