electric vehicles

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electric vehicle comprising a floor, a battery housing, a frame supporting a suspension, and a bracket. The bracket is fixed to the frame at a first fixing portion located to the right of the vehicle relative to a centerline of the electric vehicle, fixed to the frame at a second fixing portion located to the left of the vehicle relative to the centerline, fixed to the battery housing at a third fixing portion located to the right of the vehicle relative to the centerline, and fixed to the battery housing at a fourth fixing portion located to the left of the vehicle relative to the centerline. The bracket comprises a first plate member and a second plate member fixed to the first plate member so as to cover a recessed portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to electric vehicles. In this specification, an electric vehicle refers to a vehicle that runs on electricity stored in a battery. Electric vehicles include hybrid vehicles that run on both electricity and fuel. Background Art

[0002] The electric vehicle disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-010999 has a battery housing arranged on the lower side of the floor. In this electric vehicle, the frame supporting the front suspension (i.e., the suspension member) and the battery housing are connected by two connecting members (i.e., the rear part of the suspension side beam). One connecting member is arranged at a position to the right of the center in the vehicle width direction. The other connecting member is arranged at a position to the left of the center in the vehicle width direction. According to this structure, since the load applied to the vehicle body can be transferred to the battery housing when the vehicle collides, the load applied to the vehicle body can be reduced. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In the vehicle disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-010999, the left and right connecting members are separated. Therefore, when the vehicle collides on either the left or right side, the load is not applied to the connecting member located on the side opposite to the collided part, and the load cannot be fully transferred to the battery housing. For example, when the vehicle collides on the right side, the load is applied to the right side of the battery housing via the connecting member on the right side. However, in this case, it is difficult to apply the load to the connecting member on the left side, and the load is difficult to be transferred to the left side of the battery housing. In this way, when the connecting member connecting the frame and the battery housing is separated from the left and right, when a collision occurs on one of the left and right sides, the problem arises that the battery housing cannot properly bear the load. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-010999 discloses a connecting member connecting the battery housing and the frame on its front side, but the same problem also occurs in the connecting member connecting the battery housing and the frame on its rear side.

[0004] To address this issue, the frame and battery housing can be connected using a plate-shaped connecting member extending across the center of the vehicle width. This structure allows the load in a left-right collision to be transferred to both the right and left sides of the battery housing. However, using a plate-shaped connecting member to connect the frame and battery housing can be difficult to achieve sufficient strength. Consequently, the connecting member is prone to deformation during a vehicle collision, making it difficult to transfer the load to the battery housing.

[0005] This specification proposes a technology that, in a vehicle having a connecting member connecting a frame and a battery case, ensures sufficient strength as the connecting member and transmits the load during a left-right collision to both the right and left sides of the battery case.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electric vehicle includes a floor, a battery housing, a frame, and a bracket. The battery housing is positioned below the floor to house the battery. The frame is positioned on the vehicle front or rear side of the battery housing to support the suspension. The bracket intersects an imaginary centerline perpendicular to the width direction of the electric vehicle and is fixed to the frame and the battery housing. The bracket is fixed to the frame by a first fixing portion, the first fixing portion being located on the right side of the vehicle relative to the centerline. The bracket is fixed to the frame by a second fixing portion, the second fixing portion being located on the left side of the vehicle relative to the centerline. The bracket is fixed to the battery housing by a third fixing portion, the third fixing portion being located on the right side of the vehicle relative to the centerline. The bracket is fixed to the battery housing by a fourth fixing portion, the fourth fixing portion being located on the left side of the vehicle relative to the centerline. The bracket includes a first plate and a second plate. The first plate includes a first reinforcing rib and a second reinforcing rib. The first reinforcing rib is located on the right side of the vehicle relative to the centerline and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The second reinforcing rib is located on the left side of the vehicle relative to the centerline and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The second plate is fixed to the first plate so as to cover the first recessed portion on the surface of the first plate formed by the first reinforcing rib and the second recessed portion on the surface of the first plate formed by the second reinforcing rib, and overlap with the first plate.

[0007] In this electric vehicle, the connecting member connecting the frame and the battery case is composed of a bracket. The bracket extends across both sides of the center of the electric vehicle in the vehicle width direction, and is connected to the frame and the battery case on the right and left sides of the center, respectively. That is, the connecting member is formed by the bracket connected from the right side of the vehicle to the left side. As a result, the load in the event of a left-right offset collision can be transferred to both the right and left parts of the battery case. In addition, the bracket has a first plate and a second plate. The first plate has a first reinforcing rib and a second reinforcing rib extending in the front-to-back direction, and the second plate covers the recess formed by each reinforcing rib. Therefore, a structure is formed in the bracket with a cylindrical portion formed by the first reinforcing rib and the second plate, and a cylindrical portion formed by the second reinforcing rib and the second plate extending in the front-to-back direction. With this structure, the bracket is given high strength. As a result, the bracket can be used to appropriately transfer the load from the frame to the battery case. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts, and in which:

[0009] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the electric vehicle 10 .

[0010] Figure 2 The cross section of the connection portion between the battery case 20 and the bracket 50 (including the positions of the mounting holes 62b and 62c) along the front-back direction ( Figure 4 Graph of line II-II).

[0011] Figure 3 This is a bottom view of the frame 30 and the battery case 20 from which the bracket 50 is removed, as seen from below.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a bottom view of the frame 30 , the battery case 20 , and the bracket 50 as viewed from below.

[0013] Figure 5 It is a perspective view of the bracket 50 .

[0014] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the bracket 50 connected to the frame 30 and the battery case 20 as viewed from an oblique lower side.

[0015] Figure 7 1 and 2 are diagrams showing a cross section of the first plate 51 at a position forward of the second plate 52 , taken along the vehicle width direction.

[0016] Figure 8 1 is a diagram showing a cross section of the bracket 50 along the vehicle width direction at a position where the first plate 51 and the second plate 52 overlap.

[0017] Figure 9 It is a diagram showing a cross section of the transverse rib 68 and the battery case 20 along the front-rear direction.

[0018] Figure 10 It is a diagram showing deformation of the bracket 50 during a collision. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] An electric vehicle of an example disclosed in this specification may also include: a first bolt, which fixes the bracket to the frame at the first fixing portion; a second bolt, which fixes the bracket to the frame at the second fixing portion; a third bolt, which fixes the bracket to the battery case at the third fixing portion; and a fourth bolt, which fixes the bracket to the battery case at the fourth fixing portion.

[0020] According to this structure, the bracket can be removed from the frame and the battery case by removing the first, second, third, and fourth bolts, thereby improving the maintainability of the electric vehicle.

[0021] In an electric vehicle of an example disclosed in this specification, the bracket may be fixed to the battery case by a fifth fixing portion, the fifth fixing portion being located to the right of the center and to the rear of the third fixing portion, and the bracket may be fixed to the battery case by a sixth fixing portion, the sixth fixing portion being located to the left of the center and to the rear of the fourth fixing portion.

[0022] According to this structure, the front portion of the battery case is reinforced by the bracket, thereby suppressing deformation of the battery case.

[0023] In an example electric vehicle disclosed in this specification, a coolant pipe extending in the vehicle width direction may be provided within the battery case. The coolant pipe may be positioned between the third and fifth fixing portions, or between the fourth and sixth fixing portions, when viewing the battery case from below.

[0024] According to this structure, damage to the coolant pipe can be suppressed.

[0025] In the electric vehicle of an example disclosed in this specification, the first reinforcing rib may extend from the first fixing portion to the third fixing portion, and the second reinforcing rib may extend from the second fixing portion to the fourth fixing portion.

[0026] According to this structure, the strength of the bracket is further improved.

[0027] In an electric vehicle of an example disclosed in this specification, the first recess and the second recess may also be provided on the lower surface of the first plate. The second plate may also be arranged on the lower side of the first plate. The first reinforcing rib may also have a front portion extending to the front side than the second plate, and a rear portion extending to the rear side than the second plate. The second reinforcing rib may also have a front portion extending to the front side than the second plate, and a rear portion extending to the rear side than the second plate. The first fixing portion may also be provided on the front portion of the first reinforcing rib. The second fixing portion may also be provided on the front portion of the second reinforcing rib. The third fixing portion may also be provided on the rear portion of the first reinforcing rib. The fourth fixing portion may also be provided on the rear portion of the second reinforcing rib.

[0028] According to this structure, the bracket can be appropriately fixed at each fixing portion.

[0029] In an example electric vehicle disclosed in this specification, the bracket may further include a transverse reinforcing rib extending along the width of the vehicle, protruding from the bracket's upper surface. The vehicle may also include a discharge portion for discharging foreign matter that enters the space between the bracket and the battery housing. The width of the gap between the transverse reinforcing rib and the battery housing may be narrower than the width of the discharge portion.

[0030] According to this structure, foreign matter (such as stones) can be prevented from entering the space between the bracket and the battery case by the transverse reinforcement ribs. In addition, if foreign matter enters the space, it can be discharged from the discharge portion.

[0031] Figure 1 1 shows an electric vehicle 10 according to an embodiment. In each figure, the front of the vehicle is indicated by an arrow FR, the upper side of the vehicle is indicated by an arrow UP, and the right side of the vehicle is indicated by an arrow RH. The electric vehicle 10 includes a battery case 20 and a frame 30. Figure 2 As shown, the battery case 20 is arranged on the lower side of the floor 40. The floor 40 is a plate-shaped member constituting the floor of the vehicle cabin of the electric vehicle 10. The battery case 20 houses the battery 22. Although not shown in the figure, the electric vehicle 10 has a driving motor. By supplying power from the battery 22 to the driving motor, the driving motor is driven, and the electric vehicle 10 travels. Figure 1 As shown, the frame 30 is arranged in front of the battery housing 20. The frame 30 is arranged in the front cabin of the electric vehicle 10. The frame 30 is arranged at approximately the same height as the battery housing 20. The frame 30 is fixed to the body of the electric vehicle 10. The front suspension (omitted in the figure) is connected to the frame 30. The frame 30 supports the front suspension. The frame 30 is sometimes referred to as a front suspension member.

[0032] like Figure 3 As shown, the frame 30 includes two longitudinal beams 32 and 34 extending in the front-rear direction, and two transverse beams 36 and 38 extending in the vehicle width direction (i.e., the left-right direction of the electric vehicle 10). The longitudinal beams 32 and 34 are arranged at intervals in the vehicle width direction. Figure 3 In some of the drawings, the center C1 of the electric vehicle 10 in the vehicle width direction is indicated by a dashed line. The longitudinal beam 32 is positioned to the left of the center C1, and the longitudinal beam 34 is positioned to the right of the center C1. A cross member 36 connects the front ends of the longitudinal beam 32 and the front ends of the longitudinal beam 34. A cross member 38 connects the longitudinal beams 32 and 34 behind the cross member 36. The front suspension is attached to the longitudinal beams 32 and 34.

[0033] like Figure 4 As shown, the electric vehicle 10 has a bracket 50. The bracket 50 connects the frame 30 and the battery housing 20. Figure 5、 Figure 6 As shown, the bracket 50 is a plate-shaped member. The bracket 50 includes a first plate 51 and a second plate 52. The first plate 51 and the second plate 52 are each a metal plate formed by press working.

[0034] like Figure 5 As shown, the first plate 51 extends across both sides of the center C1 of the electric vehicle 10. Four reinforcing ribs 61 to 64 extending in the front-to-back direction are formed on the first plate 51. The reinforcing ribs 61 to 64 are respectively formed by the bent portions of the first plate 51. Figure 7 As shown, within the range of each of the reinforcing ribs 61 to 64, a convex portion is formed on the upper surface of the first plate 51, and a concave portion is formed on the lower surface of the first plate 51. Figure 5 、 Figure 6 As shown, the reinforcing ribs 61 and 62 are arranged on the left side of the center C1 of the electric vehicle 10, and the reinforcing ribs 63 and 64 are arranged on the right side of the center C1 of the electric vehicle 10. Mounting holes 61a and 61b are provided at the front end of the reinforcing rib 61. A mounting hole 61c is provided at the rear end of the reinforcing rib 61. The reinforcing rib 61 extends from the mounting holes 61a and 61b to the mounting hole 61c. A mounting hole 62a is provided at the front end of the reinforcing rib 62. A mounting hole 62c is provided at the rear end of the reinforcing rib 62. A mounting hole 62b is provided at a position between the mounting hole 62a and the mounting hole 62c in the reinforcing rib 62. The reinforcing rib 62 extends from the mounting hole 62a to the mounting hole 62c via the mounting hole 62b. A mounting hole 63a is provided at the front end of the reinforcing rib 63. A mounting hole 63c is provided at the rear end of the reinforcing rib 63. Mounting hole 63b is provided between mounting holes 63a and 63c in rib 63. Rib 63 extends from mounting hole 63a through mounting hole 63b to mounting hole 63c. Rib 64 has mounting holes 64a and 64b at its front end. Rib 64 has mounting hole 64c at its rear end. Rib 64 extends from mounting holes 64a and 64b to mounting hole 64c. In the front portion of bracket 50, a spacer 65 is provided between ribs 62 and 63. Behind spacer 65, a plate-shaped portion 66 is provided, connecting ribs 62 and 63. Plate-shaped portion 66 has a transverse rib 68 extending in the vehicle width direction. Transverse rib 68 is formed by a bent portion of plate-shaped portion 66. Within the area of ​​transverse rib 68, a convex portion is formed on the upper surface of plate-shaped portion 66, and a concave portion is formed on the lower surface of plate-shaped portion 66. The transverse rib 68 extends from the rib 62 to the rib 63. In addition, two discharge holes 80 are formed in the plate-shaped portion 66. The discharge holes 80 are arranged behind the transverse rib 68.

[0035] like Figure 5 、 Figure 6As shown, the second plate 52 extends across both sides of the center C1 of the electric vehicle 10. The second plate 52 is arranged on the lower side of the first plate 51 and is welded to the first plate 51. That is, the second plate 52 is fixed to the first plate 51 in a state where the upper surface of the second plate 52 is in contact with the lower surface of the first plate 51. The second plate 52 partially blocks the spacer 65 of the first plate 51. Figure 8 As shown, within the range where the second plate 52 covers the lower surface of the first plate 51, the second plate 52 extends from the reinforcing rib 61 to the reinforcing rib 64. The second plate 52 covers the recess formed by the reinforcing ribs 61 to 64 (the recess formed on the lower surface of the first plate 51). A cylindrical portion with a closed cross-section is formed by each reinforcing rib 61 to 64 and the second plate 52. Each cylindrical portion extends in the front-to-back direction of the electric vehicle 10. In this way, by having the bracket 50 have cylindrical portions extending in the front-to-back direction on both sides of the center C1, an effort is made to improve the strength of the bracket 50. As shown Figure 5 、 Figure 6 As shown, the reinforcing ribs 61 to 64 extend forward compared to the second plate 52. Figure 7 As shown in FIG, the concave portion formed by the reinforcing ribs 61 to 64 is not covered by the second plate 52 at a position forward of the second plate 52. That is, the concave portion formed by the reinforcing ribs 61 to 64 is released at a position forward of the second plate 52. Figure 5 、 Figure 6 As shown, mounting holes 61a, 61b, 62a, 63a, 64a, and 64b are located in the portion of the ribs 61 to 64 that is forward of the second plate 52. Ribs 61 to 64 extend to the rear of the second plate 52. Behind the second plate 52, the recess formed by the ribs 61 to 64 is not covered by the second plate 52. In other words, behind the second plate 52, the recess formed by the ribs 61 to 64 is uncovered. Mounting holes 61c, 62b, 62c, 63b, 63c, and 64c are located in the portion of the ribs 61 to 64 that is rear of the second plate 52.

[0036] like Figure 3As shown, mounting holes 71a and 71b are provided on the longitudinal beam 32. A mounting hole 72a is provided at the left end of the transverse beam 38. A mounting hole 73a is provided at the right end of the transverse beam 38. Mounting holes 74a and 74b are provided on the longitudinal beam 34. Mounting holes 71c, 72b, 73b, and 74c are provided at the front end of the lower surface of the battery case 20. Mounting holes 71c and 72b are located to the left of center C1. Mounting hole 72b is located between mounting hole 71c and center C1. Mounting holes 73b and 74c are located to the right of center C1. Mounting hole 73b is located between mounting hole 74c and center C1. Mounting hole 72c is provided on the lower surface of the battery case 20, rearward of mounting hole 72b. Mounting hole 73c is provided on the lower surface of the battery case 20, rearward of mounting hole 73b.

[0037] like Figure 4As shown, the bracket 50 is fixed to the frame 30 and the battery case 20. More specifically, the bracket 50 is fixed to the mounting holes 71a and 71b of the longitudinal beam 32 using bolts and nuts via mounting holes 61a and 61b located to the left of center C1. Furthermore, the bracket 50 is fixed to the mounting hole 71c of the battery case 20 using bolts and nuts via mounting hole 61c located to the left of center C1. Furthermore, the bracket 50 is fixed to the mounting hole 72a of the crossbeam 38 using bolts and nuts via mounting hole 62a located to the left of center C1. Furthermore, the bracket 50 is fixed to the mounting hole 72b of the battery case 20 using bolts and nuts via mounting hole 62b located to the left of center C1. Furthermore, the bracket 50 is fixed to the mounting hole 72c of the battery case 20 using bolts and nuts via mounting hole 62c located to the left of center C1. The bracket 50 is secured to the mounting hole 73a of the horizontal beam 38 using bolts and nuts via the mounting hole 63a located to the right of the center C1. The bracket 50 is secured to the mounting hole 73b of the battery case 20 using bolts and nuts via the mounting hole 63b located to the right of the center C1. The bracket 50 is secured to the mounting hole 73c of the battery case 20 using bolts and nuts via the mounting hole 63c located to the right of the center C1. The bracket 50 is secured to the mounting holes 74a and 74b of the vertical beam 34 using bolts and nuts via the mounting holes 64a and 64b located to the right of the center C1. The bracket 50 is secured to the mounting hole 74c of the battery case 20 using bolts and nuts via the mounting hole 64c located to the right of the center C1. Furthermore, because the ribs 61-64 have an upwardly convex shape, the ribs 61-64 can maintain close contact with the frame 30 located above the ribs 61-64. Furthermore, because the recesses formed by the ribs 61-64 at the locations of the mounting holes 61a, 61b, 62a, 63a, 64a, and 64b are not covered by the second plate 52, bolts can be tightened smoothly in these holes. This allows the bracket 50 to be securely fixed to the frame 30. Furthermore, because the ribs 61-64 have an upwardly convex shape, they can maintain close contact with the battery case 20 above them. Furthermore, because the recesses formed by the ribs 61-64 at the locations of the mounting holes 61c, 62b, 62c, 63b, 63c, and 64c are not covered by the second plate 52, bolts can be tightened smoothly in these holes. This allows the bracket 50 to be securely fixed to the battery case 20. In this way, the bracket 50 connects the frame 30 and the battery case 20. When the bracket 50 is mounted on the battery case 20, Figure 9As shown, the transverse rib 68 is disposed at a position facing the front end 20 f of the battery case 20 . The transverse rib 68 extends along the front end 20 f of the battery case 20 . Furthermore, the discharge hole 80 is disposed on the lower side of the battery case 20 .

[0038] like Figure 3 、 Figure 4 As shown, coolant pipes 96 and 98 are provided inside the battery case 20 for circulating the coolant. The coolant flows from the coolant pipe 96 to the coolant pipe 98 via a branch flow path (not shown). This flow of coolant cools the batteries 22 within the battery case 20. When viewing the battery case 20 from below, the coolant pipe 96 passes between the mounting holes 62b and 62c, and the coolant pipe 98 passes between the mounting holes 63b and 63c.

[0039] When the electric vehicle 10 collides from the front, a load is applied to the frame 30. The load applied to the frame 30 is transmitted to the battery case 20 via the bracket 50. As described above, the first plate 51 has reinforcing ribs 61 to 64 extending in the front-to-back direction on both sides of the center C1, and the second plate 52 blocks the recesses of each reinforcing rib 61 to 64. As a result, a cylindrical portion extending in the front-to-back direction is formed on the bracket 50. Therefore, the bracket 50 has high strength against the load applied from the frame 30, making it easy to transmit the load from the frame 30 to the battery case 20 via the bracket 50. In particular, in this embodiment, each reinforcing rib 61 to 64 extends from the fixed portion relative to the frame 30 (i.e., the mounting holes 61a, 61b, 62a, 63a, 64a, 64b) to the fixed portion relative to the battery case 20 (i.e., the mounting holes 61c, 62b, 62c, 63b, 63c, 64c). Therefore, bracket 50 has higher strength against the load applied from frame 30, and can more effectively transfer the load from frame 30 to battery case 20 via ribs 61 to 64. Thus, by transferring the collision load to battery case 20, the load applied to the body of electric vehicle 10 is reduced.

[0040] In addition, when the load applied to the bracket 50 exceeds the specified value, as shown in FIG. Figure 10As shown, the bracket 50 is bent at a position between the frame 30 and the battery case 20. As a result, the situation where a high load is excessively applied to the battery case 20 is suppressed, and the deformation of the battery case 20 is suppressed. In particular, the first plate 51 of the bracket 50 is fixed to the battery case 20 by means of two mounting holes 62b and 62c arranged at intervals in the front-to-back direction on the left side of the center C1, and the mounting holes 62b and 62c are connected by a reinforcing rib 62. In addition, the first plate 51 of the bracket 50 is fixed to the battery case 20 by means of two mounting holes 63b and 63c arranged at intervals in the front-to-back direction on the right side of the center C1, and the mounting holes 63b and 63c are connected by a reinforcing rib 63. With this structure, the front side portion of the battery case 20 (i.e., the portion between the mounting holes 62b, 63b and the mounting holes 62c, 63c) is reinforced. Therefore, as Figure 10 As shown in FIG. 1 , the deformation of the battery case 20 is more effectively suppressed. Figure 4 As shown, coolant pipe 96 passes between mounting holes 62b and 62c. In other words, coolant pipe 96 is located within the battery case 20, in an area reinforced by bracket 50. Furthermore, coolant pipe 98 passes between mounting holes 63b and 63c. In other words, coolant pipe 98 is located within the battery case 20, in an area reinforced by bracket 50. Consequently, coolant pipes 96 and 98 are less likely to be damaged in the event of a collision involving electric vehicle 10.

[0041] Furthermore, the bracket 50 is a plate-shaped member formed by laminating a first plate 51 and a second plate 52. Since the bracket 50 is fixed to the frame 30 and the battery case 20 on both sides of the center C1, the bracket 50 can effectively transmit the collision load to the battery case 20 even in the event of a frontal collision (e.g., the right or left side) of the electric vehicle 10. For example, in the event of a frontal collision of the electric vehicle 10 on the right, a load is applied from the longitudinal beam 34 of the frame 30 via the ribs 63 and 64 of the bracket 50 to the right side of the battery case 20 (i.e., the portion to the right of the center C1). Furthermore, the ribs 63 and 64 are connected to the ribs 61 and 62 by the plate-shaped portion 66 of the first plate 51 and the second plate 52. Therefore, load is easily transferred from the ribs 63 and 64 to the ribs 61 and 62. The load applied to the ribs 61 and 62 is then transferred to the left side of the battery case 20 (i.e., the portion to the left of the center C1). Thus, even in the event of a front right collision of electric vehicle 10, bracket 50 can effectively transfer the load to the right and left sides of battery case 20. Similarly, even in the event of a front left collision of electric vehicle 10, bracket 50 can effectively transfer the load to the right and left sides of battery case 20. Thus, even in a side collision, the load applied to the body of electric vehicle 10 is reduced.

[0042] In addition, if Figure 9 As shown, by providing a transverse reinforcing rib 68 on the bracket 50, the width W1 of the gap 90 between the transverse reinforcing rib 68 and the battery case 20 can be narrowed. As a result, when the electric vehicle 10 is traveling, foreign matter (for example, pebbles, etc.) is prevented from entering the space 92 between the bracket 50 and the battery case 20. In addition, a discharge hole 80 is provided on the first plate 51 of the bracket 50. The diameter R1 of the discharge hole 80 is larger than the width W1 of the gap 90. Thus, even if foreign matter enters the space 92 from the gap 90, the foreign matter can be discharged from the discharge hole 80 to the lower side. In addition, the width W2 of the gap 94 between the rear end of the bracket 50 and the battery case 20 is wider than the width W1 of the gap 90. Thus, even if foreign matter enters the space 92 from the gap 90, the foreign matter can be discharged from the gap 94 to the rear. Thus, in the electric vehicle 10 of the embodiment, the transverse ribs 68 prevent foreign matter from entering the space 92 between the bracket 50 and the battery case 20 . Even if foreign matter does enter the space 92 , it can be discharged to the outside of the space 92 through the discharge holes 80 and the gap 94 .

[0043] Furthermore, in the electric vehicle 10, the bracket 50 is secured to the frame 30 and the battery case 20 by bolts. Therefore, during maintenance, the bracket 50 can be removed from the frame 30 and the battery case 20. This improves the maintainability of the frame 30 and the battery case 20. For example, if the capacity of the battery 22 decreases due to aging, the battery case 20 can be replaced.

[0044] In the electric vehicle of the above embodiment, the first plate is provided with a reinforcing rib protruding upward, and the second plate covers the recessed portion (i.e., the reinforcing rib) on the lower surface of the first plate. However, the first plate may also be provided with a reinforcing rib protruding downward, and the second plate may cover the recessed portion (i.e., the reinforcing rib) on the upper surface of the first plate.

[0045] Furthermore, in the electric vehicle of the above embodiment, the battery housing and the frame arranged in front of the battery housing (i.e., the frame supporting the front suspension) are connected by a bracket. However, the battery housing and the frame arranged behind the battery housing (i.e., the frame supporting the rear suspension) may also be connected by a bracket. In this case, the technology disclosed in this specification can also be applied.

[0046] The mounting holes 63a, 64a, and 64b of the embodiment are examples of first fixing portions. The mounting holes 61a, 61b, and 62a of the embodiment are examples of second fixing portions. The mounting holes 63b and 64c of the embodiment are examples of third fixing portions. The mounting holes 61c and 62b of the embodiment are examples of fourth fixing portions. The mounting hole 63c of the embodiment is an example of fifth fixing portions. The mounting hole 62c of the embodiment is an example of sixth fixing portions. The reinforcing ribs 63 and 64 of the embodiment are examples of first reinforcing ribs. The reinforcing ribs 61 and 62 of the embodiment are examples of second reinforcing ribs. The bolts fastened to the mounting holes 63a, 64a, and 64b of the embodiment are examples of first bolts. The bolts fastened to the mounting holes 61a, 61b, and 62a of the embodiment are examples of second bolts. The bolts fastened to the mounting holes 63b and 64c of the embodiment are examples of third bolts. The bolts fastened to the mounting holes 61 c and 62 b in the embodiment are examples of fourth bolts.

[0047] While the embodiments have been described in detail above, they are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The techniques described in the claims include various variations and modifications of the specific examples exemplified above. The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings may be technically useful individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the techniques exemplified in this specification or the drawings may achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of these objectives may also be technically useful.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle, characterized in that: include: floor; a battery housing, the battery housing being disposed on the lower side of the floor and being used to accommodate batteries; a frame disposed on the vehicle front side or the vehicle rear side of the battery case and configured to support a suspension; and a bracket intersecting an imaginary center line perpendicular to the vehicle width direction of the electric vehicle and fixed to the frame and the battery case, wherein: The bracket is fixed to the frame by a first fixing portion, and the first fixing portion is located on the right side of the vehicle relative to the center line. The bracket is fixed to the frame by a second fixing portion, and the second fixing portion is located on the left side of the vehicle relative to the center line. The bracket is fixed to the battery case by a third fixing portion, and the third fixing portion is located on the right side of the vehicle relative to the center line. The bracket is fixed to the battery case by a fourth fixing portion, and the fourth fixing portion is located on the left side of the vehicle relative to the center line. The bracket comprises a first plate and a second plate, The first plate has a first reinforcing rib and a second reinforcing rib, the first reinforcing rib being located on the right side of the vehicle relative to the center line and extending in the front-to-rear direction, and the second reinforcing rib being located on the left side of the vehicle relative to the center line and extending in the front-to-rear direction. The second plate is fixed to the first plate so as to cover the first concave portion on the surface of the first plate formed by the first reinforcing rib and the second concave portion on the surface of the first plate formed by the second reinforcing rib, and overlap with the first plate. The bracket is fixed to the battery case by a fifth fixing portion, the fifth fixing portion being located on the right side of the vehicle relative to the center line and on the rear side of the vehicle relative to the third fixing portion. The bracket is fixed to the battery case by a sixth fixing portion, the sixth fixing portion being located on the left side of the vehicle relative to the center line and on the rear side of the vehicle relative to the fourth fixing portion. A coolant pipe at least partly extending in the vehicle width direction is provided in the battery housing. When the battery case is viewed from below, the coolant pipe is arranged between the third fixing portion and the fifth fixing portion, and between the fourth fixing portion and the sixth fixing portion. The first fixing portion and the second fixing portion are located closer to the front of the vehicle than the second plate. The third fixing portion, the fourth fixing portion, the fifth fixing portion, and the sixth fixing portion are located further rearward of the vehicle than the second plate member.

2. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: Also includes: a first bolt, the first bolt fixing the bracket to the frame at the first fixing portion; a second bolt, the second bolt fixing the bracket to the frame at the second fixing portion; a third bolt, wherein the third bolt fixes the bracket to the battery housing at the third fixing portion; as well as A fourth bolt fixes the bracket to the battery case at the fourth fixing portion.

3. The electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first reinforcing rib extends from the first fixing portion to the third fixing portion, The second reinforcing rib extends from the second fixing portion to the fourth fixing portion.

4. The electric vehicle according to claim 3, wherein: The first recess and the second recess are provided on the lower surface of the first plate. The second plate is arranged on the lower side of the first plate, The first reinforcement rib has a first front portion extending further forward of the vehicle than the second plate, and a first rear portion extending further backward of the vehicle than the second plate. The second reinforcement rib has a second front portion extending further toward the front of the vehicle than the second plate, and a second rear portion extending further toward the rear of the vehicle than the second plate. The first fixing portion is provided at the first front portion of the first reinforcing rib, The second fixing portion is provided at the second front portion of the second reinforcing rib, The third fixing portion is provided on the first rear portion of the first reinforcing rib, The fourth fixing portion is provided at the second rear portion of the second reinforcing rib.

5. The electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The bracket further has a transverse reinforcement rib that makes the upper surface of the bracket protrude and extends along the width direction of the vehicle. The electric vehicle includes a discharge portion for discharging foreign matter that has entered the space between the bracket and the battery case out of the space. A width of a gap between the transverse reinforcement rib and the battery case is narrower than a width of the discharge portion.

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