Vehicle body structure

Abstract

A vehicle body structure in which a battery and a pipe member are provided below a floor panel, while achieving protection of them and improvement of aerodynamic performance under the floor. The vehicle body structure (A) is provided with: a pipe member (180) extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction outside in the vehicle width direction of a battery rack (10) below a floor panel (41); a cover member (15) extending from below a battery (FB) to below the pipe member (180); a battery rack fixing portion (63b, 63c) fixing the battery rack (10) to a side sill (60); and a cover member fixing portion (61b, 61c) fixing a vehicle width direction end portion of the cover member (15) to the side sill (60). The pipe member (180) and the battery rack fixing portion (63b, 63c) are located inside in the vehicle width direction than the cover member fixing portion (61b, 61c).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle body structure provided on an automobile. BACKGROUND

[0002] For example, in the case of an electric automobile equipped with a traveling motor, in order to extend the cruising range, a large-capacity battery needs to be mounted. In Patent Literature 1, for example, a configuration is disclosed in which a large battery is mounted below a floor panel disposed between a pair of left and right side sills. The battery of Patent Literature 1 is housed in a rectangular box-shaped housing main body portion, and a mounting portion provided on the housing main body portion is fixed to a floor under reinforcement.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-158688 SUMMARY

[0006] However, there are cases in which various pipe members such as various pipes and wire harnesses are provided below the floor panel in a manner extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. In this case, a cover for protecting the pipe members is needed.

[0007] Further, from the viewpoint of improving the aerodynamic performance of the automobile, there are cases in which the processing of turbulent flow and the like generated below the floor during traveling becomes important, but in the case in which the battery is mounted below the floor panel, a battery cover for protecting the battery also needs to be separately provided, and if the cover for the aforementioned pipe members is provided below the floor panel in addition to the battery cover, there is a possibility that the aerodynamic performance below the floor will deteriorate.

[0008] The present disclosure was made in view of the above, and aims to enable the protection of a battery and pipe members and the improvement of the aerodynamic performance below the floor to be simultaneously achieved in the case in which the battery and the pipe members are provided below the floor panel.

[0009] SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

[0010] To achieve the foregoing object, a vehicle body structure according to a first aspect of the present disclosure can be provided in an electric vehicle equipped with a traveling motor. The vehicle body structure includes a floor panel that constitutes a floor of an occupant space provided with a seat on which an occupant sits; a pair of side sills that extend in a vehicle front-rear direction at both end portions in a vehicle width direction of the floor panel; a battery unit that has a battery rack configured between the pair of side sills and extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, and supplies electric power to the traveling motor; a line member that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction below the floor panel outward of the battery rack in the vehicle width direction; a cover member that extends from below the battery unit to below the line member; a battery rack fixing portion that fixes the battery rack to the side sill; and a cover member fixing portion that fixes an end portion in the vehicle width direction of the cover member to the side sill. The line member and the battery rack fixing portion are located inward of the cover member fixing portion in the vehicle width direction.

[0011] According to this configuration, the cover member extends from below the battery unit to below the line member, and the line member and the battery rack fixing portion are located inward of the cover member fixing portion in the vehicle width direction. Thus, the battery unit and the line member can be protected by the shared cover member, and the aerodynamic performance under the floor is improved.

[0012] A vehicle body structure according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes a floor panel; a pair of side sills; a battery housing space provided between the pair of side sills below the floor panel, and housing the battery unit; a line member housing space provided between the side sill and the battery rack below the floor panel outward of the battery rack in the vehicle width direction, and housing a line member extending in the vehicle front-rear direction; a cover member that covers the battery housing space and the line member housing space from below; and a cover member fixing portion that fixes the cover member to the side sill.

[0013] According to this configuration, the battery housing space and the line member housing space can be protected by the shared cover member, and the aerodynamic performance under the floor is improved.

[0014] A battery unit according to a third aspect of the present disclosure has a battery configured at a position inward of the battery rack in the vehicle width direction. A sealing member is provided between a lower surface of the battery rack and an upper surface of the cover member.

[0015] According to this configuration, water and dust can be inhibited from intruding between the battery rack and the cover member, and thus the protection performance of the battery is improved.

[0016] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a protruding portion that protrudes downward and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction is provided at a portion of the side sill that is distanced outward from an inner end portion in the vehicle width direction. The line member is provided at a position inward of the protruding portion in the vehicle width direction.

[0017] According to this configuration, the pipe member can be arranged along the protruding portion provided on the side sill.

[0018] In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the battery rack fixing portion can be provided at a position on the lower side of the side sill that is inward in the vehicle width direction from the protruding portion.

[0019] In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the cover member fixing portion can be provided at the protruding portion.

[0020] Effects of the Invention

[0021] As described above, the battery unit and the pipe member can be protected by the shared cover member, and the aerodynamic performance under the floor can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is a side view of an automobile having a vehicle body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the automobile is divided into an upper structure body and a lower structure body.

[0024] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the vehicle body structure.

[0025] Figure 4 is a plan view of a portion of the vehicle body structure.

[0026] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the lower structure body showing a state in which the cover member is removed.

[0027] Figure 6 is a VI-VI line cross-sectional view in Figure 4

[0028] SYMBOL EXPLANATION

[0029] 1 automobile

[0030] 10 frame-shaped rack (battery rack)

[0031] 15 cover member

[0032] 41 passenger space side floor panel

[0033] 49 battery housing space

[0034] 60 side sill

[0035] 61 protruding portion

[0036] 61b, 61c nut, bolt (cover member fixing portion) ​

[0037] 62 pipeline member storage space

[0038] 63b, 63c nut, bolt (battery rack fixing portion)

[0039] 180 pipeline member

[0040] 181 sealing member

[0041] M traveling motor

[0042] Y battery cell DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Embodiments of the present application are described in detail below based on the drawings. Note that the following description of preferred embodiments is merely an illustration in nature and does not limit the present application and its applicability or use thereof.

[0044] Figure 1 is a side view of an automobile 1 provided with a vehicle body structure A (shown in Figure 2 ) of an embodiment of the present application, as viewed from the left side. In the description of the embodiment, the vehicle front-rear direction is simply referred to as the "front-rear direction", the front side of the vehicle is simply referred to as the "front side", and the "rear side" of the vehicle is simply referred to as the rear. Further, the vehicle width direction is the left-right direction of the vehicle, the left side of the vehicle is simply referred to as the "left side", and the right side of the vehicle is simply referred to as the "right side".

[0045] (Overall configuration of automobile)

[0046] The automobile 1 is a passenger car, and at the middle portion in the front-rear direction of the automobile 1, a passenger space R1 for passengers to ride is provided. In the passenger space R1, a front seat (front-seat seat) FS constituting a front seat and a rear seat (rear-seat seat) RS constituting a rear seat are provided. The front seat FS includes a driver's seat disposed on the right side (or left side) of the passenger space R1 and a front passenger's seat disposed on the left side (or right side) of the passenger space R1. The rear seat RS is also disposed on the right side and left side of the passenger space R1, respectively. Although not shown, a third seat can also be disposed behind the rear seat RS. Further, the rear seat RS is not essential and can be omitted.

[0047] A front door FD and a rear door RD are provided on the left side and right side of the passenger space R1, respectively. In the case of the automobile 1 without the rear seat RS, the rear door RD can be omitted.

[0048] A front side space R2 is located further forward than the passenger space R1 in the vehicle 1. The powertrain PT can be installed in this front side space R2 as needed. When the powertrain PT is installed in the front side space R2, it can also be referred to as, for example, a powertrain storage compartment, an electric motor compartment, or an engine compartment. A bonnet hood BF is located on the upper part of the front side space R2.

[0049] like Figure 1 As shown, a trunk space R3 for accommodating luggage and other items is located further rearward than the passenger compartment R1 in the vehicle 1. The trunk space R3 can be opened and closed via a trunk lid TR. A rear side space R4 is located further rearward than the passenger compartment R1 and below the trunk space R3 in the vehicle 1. The powertrain PT that generates power for the vehicle 1 can be mounted in this rear side space R4 as needed. When the powertrain PT is mounted in the rear side space R4, the rear side space R4 can also be referred to, for example, as a powertrain storage compartment, motor compartment, or engine compartment.

[0050] The powertrain PT can be installed in both the front side space R2 and the rear side space R4, or only in one side. When the powertrain PT is installed only in the front side space R2, it is a front-wheel drive vehicle that uses this powertrain PT to drive only the front wheels FT. Similarly, when the powertrain PT is installed only in the rear side space R4, it is a rear-wheel drive vehicle that uses this powertrain PT to drive only the rear wheels RT. Furthermore, when the powertrain PT is installed in both the front side space R2 and the rear side space R4 to drive the front wheels FT and the rear wheels RT, it is a four-wheel drive vehicle.

[0051] The powertrain PT includes at least a driving motor M (shown in) for driving the drive wheels. Figure 2 The vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle, and may also include a reducer, transmission, etc., as needed. The driving motor M is configured such that its center of rotation extends in the left-right direction. In addition to the driving motor M, the powertrain PT may also include, for example, a control unit. The powertrain PT may also include an internal combustion engine. A battery unit Y (also shown in…) is used to supply power to the driving motor M. Figure 1 It is mounted on the lower part of the car 1. For example, the battery unit Y can be charged using the power generated by the internal combustion engine, and at least one of the front wheel FT and the rear wheel RT can be driven using the power generated by the internal combustion engine.

[0052] The type of car 1 can also be different. Figure 1 The example shown is a four-door vehicle, such as a car without a rear door RD. Furthermore, although not shown, the invention can also be applied to vehicles like hatchbacks where the rear side space R4 can be opened and closed via the tailgate.

[0053] As Figure 2 shown, the automobile 1 is provided with a lower structure 2 and an upper structure 3, and a vehicle body structure A is constituted by a front portion of the lower structure 2 and a front portion of the upper structure 3. In this Figure 2 , a state after disassembly of doors FD, RD, a bonnet BF, fenders, window glasses, a roof, center pillars, rear pillars, a front bumper, a rear bumper, front and rear lamp fixtures including headlamps, an instrument panel, front and rear seats, and the like, which are originally provided in the upper structure 3, is shown. Further, in Figure 2 , a state after disassembly of front wheels FT, rear wheels RT, suspension devices, and the like, which are originally provided in the lower structure 2, is shown.

[0054] The lower structure 2 is provided with a battery unit Y. The battery unit Y has front and rear side batteries FB, RB and a frame-shaped frame 10 that surrounds the front and rear side batteries FB, RB. Further, the lower structure 2 is provided with a front support frame 20 that extends toward the front from a front portion of the frame-shaped frame 10 and a rear support frame 30 that extends toward the rear from a rear portion of the frame-shaped frame 10.

[0055] Although not shown, in the case of a general electric automobile, the battery unit is often provided under the floor as a member different from the vehicle body so as to be detachable, but in the present embodiment, not only the batteries FB, RB but also the front and rear support frames 20, 30 are integrated on the frame-shaped frame 10 that surrounds the batteries FB, RB, and the front and rear support frames 20, 30 are also detachable with respect to the upper structure 3 together with the batteries FB, RB.

[0056] Specifically, the automobile 1 of the present embodiment is configured to be vertically split into the lower structure 2 having the batteries FB, RB and the upper structure 3 that forms a passenger room Rl and a trunk room R3. The vertically split means that the lower structure 2 is integrated with respect to the upper structure 3 by using fastening members such as bolts and nuts, screws, and the like, instead of using welding and adhesion and the like. Thus, when maintenance and repair are performed after the automobile 1 is delivered to a user, the lower structure 2 can be separated from the upper structure 3 as needed, and thus the maintainability is good.

[0057] Here, as a vehicle body structure of an automobile, a ladder frame type vehicle body structure is known. In the case of the ladder frame type vehicle body structure, it is vertically split into a ladder frame and a cabin, but since the ladder frame extends continuously in the front-rear direction, it mainly receives a collision load at the time of a front collision and at the time of a rear collision. At the time of a side collision, the ladder frame only receives a collision load assistively, and the cabin mainly receives a collision load. In this way, in the ladder frame type vehicle body structure, members that receive a collision load at the time of a front collision and at the time of a rear collision are distinguished from members that receive a collision load at the time of a side collision.

[0058] In the case of the automobile 1 of the present embodiment, although the lower structure 2 and the upper structure 3 having the front support frame 20 and the rear support frame 30 are separable, in both the case of a front collision and the case of a rear collision as well as the case of a side collision, the collision load is received by the lower structure 2 and the upper structure 3, so that the collision load can be dispersed to the two structures 2, 3 to be absorbed, which is greatly different from the technical idea of the ladder-type vehicle body structure of the past. The configurations of the lower structure 2 and the upper structure 3 will be described in turn. In the present embodiment, an example in which the lower structure 2 and the upper structure 3 are separable is described, but the present application is applicable not only to such a separable vehicle body structure but also to a vehicle body structure that is not separable into the lower structure 2 and the upper structure 3.

[0059] (Lower structure)

[0060] First, the lower structure 2 will be described. The lower structure 2 has, in addition to the batteries FB, RB, the frame-type frame 10, the front support frame 20, and the rear support frame 30, a powertrain PT, front wheels FT, rear wheels RT, Figure 4 front side suspension devices SP1, SP2 and rear side suspension devices SP3, SP4 are indicated by broken lines. The forms of the front side suspension devices SP1, SP2 and the rear side suspension devices SP3, SP4 are not particularly limited, and the vehicle body structure can be changed depending on the forms of the front side suspension devices SP1, SP2 and the rear side suspension devices SP3, SP4.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 1, the frame-type frame 10 is a member for protecting the front side battery FB and the rear side battery RB, wiring harnesses, and the like by surrounding them, and the front side battery FB and the rear side battery RB are disposed at positions inside the vehicle width direction from the frame-type frame 10. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1, the frame-type frame 10 is a member for protecting the front side battery FB and the rear side battery RB, wiring harnesses, and the like by surrounding them, and the front side battery FB and the rear side battery RB are disposed at positions inside the vehicle width direction from the frame-type frame 10. Figure 5 By thus providing the frame-type frame 10 in a wide range of the area below the passenger space side floor panel 41, it is possible to mount large-capacity batteries FB, RB on the automobile 1. The batteries FB, RB can be, for example, lithium ion batteries, all-solid-state batteries, or other secondary batteries. In addition, the batteries FB, RB can be so-called battery cells or battery packs in which a plurality of battery cells are housed.

[0062] The frame 10 has a left side member 11, a right side member 12, a front side member 13, and a rear side member 14, and is configured to extend in the front-rear direction as a whole between the left and right side sills 60, 60. The left side member 11, the right side member 12, the front side member 13, and the rear side member 14 are formed of, for example, extruded members made of an aluminum alloy, but can be formed of press-formed members made of an aluminum alloy sheet or a steel sheet. In the following description, the case where referred to as "extruded members" is extruded members made of an aluminum alloy, and the case where referred to as "press-formed members" is press-formed members made of an aluminum alloy sheet or a steel sheet. Further, each member can be formed of, for example, a casting or a die casting.

[0063] The cross-sectional shape of each of the left side member 11, the right side member 12, the front side member 13, and the rear side member 14 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is a rectangular shape. Further, the left side member 11, the right side member 12, the front side member 13, and the rear side member 14 are all disposed at the same height and extend substantially horizontally. The front side member 13 extends in the vehicle width direction at the front of the battery unit Y.

[0064] When the upper structure 3 is joined to the lower structure 2, the front side member 13 is fastened and fixed to the lower portion of the cowl 50 by a fastening member, and the left side member 11 and the right side member 12 are fastened and fixed to the left and right side sills 60, respectively, by fastening members. Further, the rear side member 14 is fastened and fixed to the connection panel 43 described later by a fastening member.

[0065] The left side member 11 is provided at the left end portion of the lower structure 2 and extends in the front-rear direction. The right side member 12 is provided at the right end portion of the lower structure 2 and extends in the front-rear direction. The left side member 11 and the right side member 12 are disposed inward of the left and right side sills 60 in the vehicle width direction, respectively. Further, the front side member 13 extends from the front end portion of the left side member 11 to the front end portion of the right side member 12. The left end portion of the front side member 13 is connected to the front end portion of the left side member 11, and the right end portion of the front side member 13 is connected to the front end portion of the right side member 12. The rear side member 14 is provided at the rear of the battery unit Y and extends in the left-right direction from the rear end portion of the left side member 11 to the rear end portion of the right side member 12. The left end portion of the rear side member 14 is connected to the rear end portion of the left side member 11, and the right end portion of the rear side member 14 is connected to the rear end portion of the right side member 12.

[0066] A cover member 15 (shown in FIG. 1) that becomes a floor panel is installed at the lower portion of the frame 10. Figure 5). The frame 10 is closed from below by a cover member 15. The cover member 15 extends substantially horizontally, is fixed to the lower surfaces of the left side member 11, the right side member 12, the front side member 13, and the rear side member 14, and is also fixed to the side sill 60 as described later. In addition, the upper portion of the frame 10 can be closed by a cover not shown or by the passenger space side floor panel 41 described later. In addition, the electric power of the batteries FB, RB housed in the frame 10 is supplied to the traveling motor M via a traveling control circuit not shown. Further, charging of the batteries FB, RB is enabled via a charging inlet not shown.

[0067] As shown in Figure 2 , the front support frames 20 are provided in left and right pairs and extend linearly substantially horizontally below the upper structure 3. The left front support frame 20 is connected to a portion of the front side member 13 constituting the front portion of the frame 10 that is leftward of the center in the left-right direction. Further, the right front support frame 20 is connected to a portion of the front side member 13 that is rightward of the center in the left-right direction. The powertrain PT on the front side is mounted to the front support frames 20 via mounting members not shown. On the lower structure 2, drive shafts S1 that transmit the output (rotational force of the traveling motor M) of the powertrain PT to the front wheels FT on the left and right, respectively, are provided on the left and right.

[0068] The rear support frames 30 are also provided in left and right pairs and extend linearly substantially horizontally toward the rear. The powertrain PT on the rear side is mounted to the rear support frames 30 via mounting members not shown. On the lower structure 2, drive shafts S2 that transmit the output (rotational force of the traveling motor M) of the powertrain PT to the rear wheels RT on the left and right, respectively, are provided on the left and right.

[0069] (Upper Structure)

[0070] Next, the upper structure 3 will be described. The upper structure 3 is provided with a floor constituting member 40, a dash panel 50, and left and right side sills 60. The floor constituting member 40 is a member that is disposed above the frame 10 of the lower structure 2 and the rear support frames 30. This floor constituting member 40 is provided with a passenger space side floor panel 41 that constitutes the floor of the passenger space R1 in which the front seat FS and the rear seat RS (indicated in Figure 1 ) are disposed, a trunk space side floor panel 42 that constitutes the floor of the trunk space R3, and a connecting panel 43 that connects the rear portion of the passenger space side floor panel 41 and the front portion of the trunk space side floor panel 42. The connecting panel 43 constitutes a kick-up portion.

[0071] The floor component 40 can be made of, for example, a component formed by pressing steel plates. The passenger compartment side floor panel 41, the trunk space side floor panel 42, and the connecting panel 43 can be integrally formed, or they can be formed separately and then connected. Furthermore, although this embodiment has been described as consisting of three parts—the passenger compartment side floor panel 41, the trunk space side floor panel 42, and the connecting panel 43—the floor component 40 including these panels 41 to 43 can also be referred to as a floor panel. Alternatively, the passenger compartment side floor panel 41 can be referred to simply as a floor panel.

[0072] The passenger compartment side floor panel 41 extends from the front to the rear of the passenger compartment R1, and from the left side to the right side of the passenger compartment R1. In this embodiment, the passenger compartment side floor panel 41 is a floor-less passage structure without a passage section, but it may also have a passage section.

[0073] A recessed portion 41a, bulging downwards, is formed at the center of the passenger compartment side floor panel 41. The recessed portion 41a has a bottom portion 41b capable of supporting the feet of a rear passenger seat occupant seated in the rear seat RS. The bottom portion 41b is formed approximately horizontally. The recessed portion 41a is continuously formed from the left side to the right side of the passenger compartment side floor panel 41.

[0074] The trunk space side floor panel 42 is positioned above the passenger space side floor panel 41. The rear side space R4 is located below the trunk space side floor panel 42. Because the trunk space side floor panel 42 is positioned above the passenger space side floor panel 41, the connecting panel 43 extends vertically.

[0075] like Figure 3 As shown in the diagram, the front bulkhead 50 is a component that serves as a partition between the front side space R2 and the passenger space R1. It extends upward from the front of the passenger space side floor panel 41 and also extends in the left and right directions, dividing the front of the passenger space R1.

[0076] like Figure 2As shown, the left and right side beams 60 are arranged to extend in the front-rear direction from the left and right ends of the passenger compartment side floor panel 41, respectively. The left side beam 60 is connected to the left end of the passenger compartment side floor panel 41 at its midpoint in the vertical direction. The upper portion of the side beam 60 protrudes upward from the connection point of the passenger compartment side floor panel 41, and the lower portion of the side beam 60 protrudes downward from the connection point of the passenger compartment side floor panel 41. Since the battery unit Y, including batteries FB and RB, is arranged below the passenger compartment side floor panel 41, when viewing the vehicle from the side, the lower portion of the side beam 60 is configured to overlap with the batteries FB and RB. Similarly, the right side beam 60 is also connected to the right end of the passenger compartment side floor panel 41. Figure 6 As shown, below the passenger compartment side floor panel 41, between a pair of left and right side beams 60, there is a battery storage space 49 for accommodating the battery unit Y.

[0077] The upper structure 3 has a pair of hinge pillars 70 on the left and right sides. The right hinge pillar 70 extends upward from the front end of the right side beam 60. Similarly, the left hinge pillar 70 extends upward from the front end of the left side beam 60. Left and right front doors (FDs) are rotatably mounted on the left and right hinge pillars 70, respectively. Figure 1 (As shown). The left edge of the front bulkhead 50 is connected to the right side of the left hinge pillar 70. Furthermore, the right edge of the front bulkhead 50 is connected to the left side of the right hinge pillar 70. Additionally, although not shown, a center pillar and a rear pillar are also provided on the upper structure 3.

[0078] On the left side of the upper structure 3, which is further forward than the front bulkhead 50, there is a suspension device (front suspension device) SP1 for the left front wheel FT. Figure 4 The left front wheel suspension support member 51A is supported by a dashed line. Furthermore, on the right side of the upper structure 3, further forward of the front bulkhead 50, a suspension device (front suspension device) SP2 for the right front wheel FT is provided. Figure 4 (Represented by a dashed line) The right front wheel suspension support component 51B is supported.

[0079] like Figure 4 As shown, at the front of the vehicle body, a left mounting bracket 52A is provided for fixing the left front wheel suspension support member 51A, and a right mounting bracket 52B is provided for fixing the right front wheel suspension support member 51B. Furthermore, the upper structure 3 includes a left front bracket 54A and a right front bracket 54B.

[0080] The upper structure 3 has a left rear frame 112A located behind the rear of the passenger compartment side floor panel 41 and extending to the left in the front-rear direction, and a right rear frame 112B located behind the rear of the passenger compartment side floor panel 41 and extending to the right in the front-rear direction.

[0081] On the left side of the upper structure 3, behind the connecting panel 43, there is a suspension device (rear suspension device) SP3 for the left rear wheel RT. Figure 4 The left rear wheel suspension support member 110A is supported by a dashed line. Furthermore, on the right side of the upper structure 3, behind the connecting panel 43, there is a suspension device (rear suspension device) SP4 for the right rear wheel RT. Figure 4 (Represented by a dashed line) The right rear wheel is supported by a suspension support member 110B.

[0082] As examples of suspension devices SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4, air suspension devices with air springs consisting of air chambers can be listed. In the case of air suspension devices, although not shown, they include an air pump, air piping for supplying air compressed from the air pump to the air chambers at the front and rear, and valves for adjusting the amount of air supplied to and discharged from the air chambers.

[0083] like Figure 3 As shown, the passenger compartment side floor panel 41 has a front crossbeam 44A, a middle crossbeam 44B, a front side crossbeam 44C of the recess, and a rear side crossbeam 44D of the recess. The front crossbeam 44A, the middle crossbeam 44B, the front side crossbeam 44C of the recess, and the rear side crossbeam 44D of the recess extend in the left-right direction and are fixed to the upper surface of the passenger compartment side floor panel 41.

[0084] The front crossbeam 44A is located at the front of the passenger compartment side floor panel 41. The front of the front crossbeam 44A also connects to the lower part of the front bulkhead 50. The middle crossbeam 44B is located behind the front crossbeam 44A and in front of the recess 41a.

[0085] A front crossbeam 44C of the recessed portion extends laterally along the front of the recessed portion 41a, behind the intermediate crossbeam 44B. A rear crossbeam 44D of the recessed portion extends laterally along the rear of the recessed portion 41a, behind the front crossbeam 44C. The front crossbeam 44C and the passenger compartment-side floor panel 41 form a closed section, as do the rear crossbeam 44D and the passenger compartment-side floor panel 41. By providing the front crossbeam 44C and the rear crossbeam 44D, the portion where the recessed portion 41a is formed can be strengthened. The front of the floor frame 41c, located inside the recessed portion 41a, is connected to the center of the front crossbeam 44C in the left-right direction, and the rear of the floor frame 41c is connected to the center of the rear crossbeam 44D in the left-right direction.

[0086] like Figure 2 As shown, the upper structure 3 has a central frame 80 that extends continuously in the front-rear direction from the front bulkhead 50 to the connecting panel 43. The central frame 80 is located in the center in the left-right direction, and the rear part of the central frame 80 is connected to the connecting panel 43. On the left side of the central frame 80, a left front seat FS and a rear seat RS are arranged, and on the right side of the central frame 80, a right front seat FS and a rear seat RS are arranged.

[0087] The center frame 80 includes a front frame member 81 extending in the longitudinal direction, a rear frame member 82 disposed behind the front frame member 81 and extending rearward, and a connecting member 83 connecting the rear portion of the front frame member 81 to the front portion of the rear frame member 82. The front frame member 81 and the rear frame member 82 are hollow, i.e., cylindrical extending in the longitudinal direction, and may be made of, for example, an extruded member. Furthermore, the center frame 80 is not limited to a two-part structure of the front frame member 81 and the rear frame member 82; it may be composed of a single member or a three-part structure. In the case of a single member, the connecting member 83 can be omitted.

[0088] In addition, such as Figure 3 As shown, the center frame 80 has a left-side structural member 84A and a right-side structural member 84B constituting the front portion of the center frame 80. The rear portion of the left-side structural member 84A is fixed to the left side of the middle portion of the front structural member 81 in the front-rear direction. In addition, the rear portion of the right-side structural member 84B is fixed to the right side of the middle portion of the front structural member 81 in the front-rear direction.

[0089] The upper structure 3 has a first fixing member 101, a second fixing member 102, and a third fixing member 103 for fixing the central frame 80 to the passenger compartment side floor panel 41. The lower part of the third fixing member 103 is connected to the center part of the left-right direction of the front crossbeam 44C of the recess.

[0090] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the lower structure 2 in a state in which the cover member 15 is removed. On the upper surface of the cover member 15, a passage-constituting portion 15a that constitutes a cooling water passage through which cooling water is able to flow is provided. The passage-constituting portion 15a is located directly below the front-side battery FB and the rear-side battery RB, and cooling of the front-side battery FB and the rear-side battery RB is efficiently performed by cooling water flowing inside the passage-constituting portion 15a.

[0091] As shown in Figure 6 , on the left side of the left side member 11 of the frame 10 (the vehicle width direction outer side of the frame 10), a line member 180 that extends in the front-rear direction below the passenger room side floor panel 41 is provided. That is, between the vehicle width direction outer side of the left side member 11 and the left side rocker 60, a line member housing space 62 in which the line member 180 is housed is continuously formed in the front-rear direction below the passenger room side floor panel 41. The line member 180 is, for example, a wire harness, a cooling water pipe, a refrigerant pipe, an oil pressure pipe, an air pipe, or the like, and one of these can be provided, or two or more of these can be provided. The air pipe is, for example, a pipe or the like that is connected to an air suspension device, an air pump, or the like. Although not shown, a line member housing space can also be provided on the right side. Furthermore, the line member housing space can be provided on only one of the left side and the right side.

[0092] The cover member 15 is provided from below the left side member 11 to below the right side member 12 of the frame 10, and is provided from below the front side member 13 to below the rear side member 14. Specifically, the cover member 15 is a large member that extends from below the battery unit Y to below the line member 180, and thereby covers the battery housing space 49 and the line member housing space 62 from below. By providing the cover member 15 of this size, it is possible to cover a large portion of the lower portion of the vehicle body with the cover member 15, and therefore the cover member 15 functions as a under cover that suppresses the generation of turbulent air under the floor during running.

[0093] In the example shown in Figure 5 , the cover member 15 is constituted by one member, and therefore it is advantageous in terms of reducing the number of components at the time of assembly. Alternatively, the cover member 15 can be constituted by combining a plurality of members. For example, a plurality of plates that extend in the vehicle width direction can be joined in the front-rear direction to constitute one cover member 15, or a plurality of plates that extend in the front-rear direction can be joined in the vehicle width direction to constitute one cover member 15. Furthermore, as the configuration of the cover member 15, a configuration in which a plurality of plates are respectively fixed to the vehicle body can also be employed.

[0094] As shown in Figure 6As shown, between the upper surface of the cover member 15 and the lower surface of the frame 10, a seal member 181 made of an elastic material such as rubber is provided. The seal member 181 extends annularly along the lower surface of the frame 10. In a state where the cover member 15 is attached to the side sill 60, the seal member 181 is elastically deformed by being compressed by the upper surface of the cover member 15 and the lower surface of the frame 10. Thus, the seal member 181 is in close contact with the upper surface of the cover member 15 and the lower surface of the frame 10, and intrusion of water and dust and the like from between the cover member 15 and the frame 10 is suppressed.

[0095] In a portion of the lower side of the side sill 60 that is separated from the inner end portion in the vehicle width direction toward the outer side, a protruding portion 61 that protrudes downward and extends in the front-rear direction is provided. A pipe member 180 is provided at a position that is inward of the protruding portion 61 in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the protruding portion 61 is provided at the vehicle width direction intermediate portion of the lower side of the side sill 60, but the protruding portion 61 can also be shaped so as to reach the vehicle width direction outer end portion of the lower side of the side sill 60. Further, inside the side sill 60, a transverse rib 60a that extends in the vehicle width direction and a longitudinal rib 60b that extends in the up-down direction are provided. The transverse rib 60a and the longitudinal rib 60b are integrally formed.

[0096] The lower wall portion 61a of the protruding portion 61 extends horizontally in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction. The cover member 15 is fixed to the lower wall portion 61a of the protruding portion 61. That is, a nut 61b is fixed to the upper surface of the lower wall portion 61a of the protruding portion 61. The left side portion of the cover member 15 coincides with the lower surface of the lower wall portion 61a of the protruding portion 61. By passing a bolt 61c through the left side portion of the cover member 15 from below and through the lower wall portion 61a of the protruding portion 61 from below and screwing it to the nut 61b, the cover member 15 is detachably fixed to the side sill 60. The nut 61b and the bolt 61c are cover member fixing portions that fix the vehicle width direction end portion of the cover member 15 to the side sill 60, and a plurality of these are provided at intervals in the front-rear direction.

[0097] Further, at a position inside in the vehicle width direction from the housing space 62 of the side sill 60, a fixed plate portion 63 extending horizontally in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction is provided. On the other hand, the left side member 11 of the frame-shaped member 10 is provided with a fastened portion 11a protruding in the left direction, and the fastened portion 11a is fixed to the fixed plate portion 63. That is, a nut 63b is fixed to the upper surface of the fixed plate portion 63. The fastened portion 11a coincides with the lower surface of the fixed plate portion 63. By passing a bolt 63c through the fastened portion 11a from below and screwing the bolt 63c with the nut 63b from below, the left side member 11 of the frame-shaped member 10 is detachably fixed to the side sill 60. The symbol 63d is a cylindrical collar, and is a member for setting the height of the frame-shaped member 10 after being fixed to the side sill 60 to a predetermined height. The nut 63b and the bolt 63c are provided in plurality with a space in the front-rear direction. The right side can be configured similarly to the left side. The nut 63b and the bolt 63c are the battery rack fixing portions for fixing the frame-shaped member 10 to the side sill 60.

[0098] In this embodiment, the line member 180 and the nut 63b and the bolt 63c for fixing the frame-shaped member 10 to the side sill 60 are located inside in the vehicle width direction compared to the nut 61b and the bolt 61c for fixing the vehicle width direction end portion of the cover member 15 to the side sill 60. Further, the line member 180 is located between the nut 63b and the bolt 63c and the nut 61b and the bolt 61c. Further, the nut 63b is located at a position higher than the nut 61b.

[0099] (EFFECTS OF THE EMBODIMENT)

[0100] As explained above, according to this embodiment, the battery housing space 49 and the line member housing space 62 provided below the occupant space side floor panel 41 can be covered by the common cover member 15, and thus the aerodynamic performance under the floor can be improved compared to a case where the battery housing space 49 and the line member housing space 62 are covered by different members.

[0101] Further, the protection of the battery cells T of the battery housing space 49 and the protection of the line member 180 housed in the line member housing space 62 can be performed by the common cover member 15, and thus the number of components can be reduced.

[0102] Further, the sealing material 181 is provided between the upper surface of the cover member 15 and the lower surface of the frame-shaped member 10, and thus the intrusion of water and dust from between the cover member 15 and the frame-shaped member 10 can be suppressed, and the protection performance of the front side battery FB and the rear side battery RB is further improved.

[0103] The foregoing embodiments are merely examples in all aspects and should not be construed limitatively. Further, modifications and changes within the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present application.

[0104] Industrial applicability

[0105] As explained above, the present application can be utilized as a vehicle body structure of an electric vehicle, for example.

Claims

1. A vehicle body structure, installed on an electric vehicle equipped with a driving motor, characterized in that, Possessing: a floor panel constituting a floor of an occupant space provided with a seat on which an occupant sits; a pair of side sills extending in a vehicle front-rear direction at both ends in a vehicle width direction of the floor panel; a battery unit having a battery rack configured between the pair of side sills and extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, which supplies electric power to the traveling motor; a line member extending in the vehicle front-rear direction below the floor panel outward of the battery rack in the vehicle width direction; a cover member extending from below the battery unit to below the line member; a battery rack fixing portion fixing the battery rack to the side sill; and a cover member fixing portion fixing an end portion of the cover member in the vehicle width direction to the side sill, the line member and the battery rack fixing portion are located inward of the cover member fixing portion in the vehicle width direction, a protruding portion protruding downward and extending in the vehicle front-rear direction is provided at a portion of the side sill that is distanced outward from an inner end portion in the vehicle width direction on a lower side of the side sill, and the line member is provided at a position inward of the protruding portion in the vehicle width direction.

2. A vehicle body structure provided on an electric vehicle equipped with a traveling motor and a battery unit having a battery rack extending in a vehicle front-rear direction and supplying electric power to the traveling motor, the vehicle body structure characterized by possessing: a floor panel constituting a floor of an occupant space provided with a seat on which an occupant sits; a pair of side sills extending in a vehicle front-rear direction at both ends in a vehicle width direction of the floor panel; a battery housing space provided between the pair of side sills below the floor panel, which houses the battery unit; a line member housing space provided between the side sill outward of the battery rack below the floor panel, which houses a line member extending in the vehicle front-rear direction; a cover member covering the battery housing space and the line member housing space from below; and a cover member fixing portion fixing the cover member to the side sill, a protruding portion protruding downward and extending in the vehicle front-rear direction is provided at a portion of the side sill that is distanced outward from an inner end portion in the vehicle width direction on a lower side of the side sill, and the line member housing space is provided at a position inward of the protruding portion in the vehicle width direction.

3. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: the battery unit has a battery configured at a position inward of the battery rack in the vehicle width direction, a sealing member is provided between a lower surface of the battery rack and an upper surface of the cover member.

4. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: the battery rack fixing portion is provided at a position inward of the protruding portion in the vehicle width direction on a lower side of the side sill.

5. The vehicle body structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: the cover member fixing portion is provided at the protruding portion. ​ ​

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