Lower structure of vehicle body

Abstract

A lower structure of a vehicle body includes a rocker mounted in a front-rear direction of the vehicle body, a battery mounted at a lower portion of a center floor, and a side connection member provided to transmit a collision load between the rocker and the battery.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0141181 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on October 20, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle body understructure and, more particularly, to a vehicle body understructure having improved performance in dispersing side impact loads. Background Art

[0004] As the size of electric vehicle batteries increases, there is an increasing trend to mount a high voltage battery in a lower portion of a center floor of the electric vehicle.

[0005] To this end, in order to cope with the restrictions on reinforcement for side or column collisions, it is necessary to study the connection structure between the cross members and longitudinal members of the vehicle body and the cross members of the battery to protect the high-voltage battery.

[0006] In particular, in the case of the 5th generation battery (CTP or Cell To Pack, module-free battery pack), the size of the battery in the width direction is reduced, and the number of cross members of the battery is reduced. Therefore, the connection between the inner side of the side sill and the longitudinal member of the vehicle body and the battery cross member may be disconnected.

[0007] The contents described in this background section are for a better understanding of the background of the present disclosure. Therefore, the background section may include subject matter that does not constitute prior art known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the invention

[0008] To address the above issues, the collision path (load path) between the vehicle body and the battery needs to be appropriately designed to minimize deformation caused by the collision.

[0009] The present disclosure provides a lower structure of a vehicle body having improved performance in dispersing a side collision load.

[0010] The vehicle body lower structure according to the embodiment may include a rocker installed in a front-rear direction of the vehicle body, a battery installed at a lower portion of a center floor of the vehicle body, and a side connection member configured to transfer a collision load between the rocker and the battery.

[0011] The side connection member may include an inner protrusion connected to a battery cross member installed in a vehicle body width direction to form or define an inner load path.

[0012] The side connecting member may further include an outer protrusion connected to a seat cross member installed at an upper portion of the center floor in a vehicle body width direction to form or define an outer load path.

[0013] The inner protrusion may be formed to protrude toward the inside of the vehicle body. The outer protrusion may be formed at an outer side of the vehicle body toward the rocker.

[0014] The outer protrusion may include a rocker support that supports the rocker.

[0015] The side connection member may further include an upper surface at an upper portion thereof to be connected to the central floor.

[0016] The lower structure according to the embodiment may further include a vehicle body longitudinal member installed at an inner side of the vehicle body in a front-rear direction of the vehicle body relative to the rocker.

[0017] The side connecting member may further include a connecting member body surrounding the vehicle body longitudinal member.

[0018] The inner protrusion and the outer protrusion may be connected to the connection member body.

[0019] The inner protrusion, the outer protrusion, and the connecting member body may be integrally formed.

[0020] The side connecting member may further include a longitudinal member supporting wall mounted within the vehicle body longitudinal member.

[0021] The inner and outer projections may be connected to the vehicle body longitudinal members.

[0022] The inner protrusion may include a load transfer end portion formed or provided at an inner side of the vehicle body. An imaginary extension line of the battery cross member points to the load transfer end portion or is formed in a direction toward the load transfer end portion.

[0023] The imaginary extension line of the seat cross member may be directed toward the rocker support or formed in a direction toward the rocker support.

[0024] According to the vehicle body lower structure of the embodiment, the performance of dispersing the lateral collision load can be improved, thereby preventing excessive deformation of the vehicle body and damage to the battery.

[0025] Furthermore, according to the vehicle body lower structure of the embodiment, the side connecting member is adopted to improve the connection performance between the vehicle body and the battery, so that the collision load can be effectively dispersed.

[0026] In addition, in the detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the effects obtainable or predictable by the embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed directly or implicitly. In other words, various effects expected according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed or can be derived from the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Since the accompanying drawings are only used for reference in explaining exemplary examples of the present disclosure, the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited by the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle body lower structure according to an embodiment.

[0029] Figure 2 is a partial perspective view showing a vehicle body lower structure according to an embodiment.

[0030] Figure 3 and Figure 4 : is a perspective view showing a partial configuration of a vehicle body lower structure according to the embodiment.

[0031] Figure 5 1 is a perspective view showing a side connecting member applicable to the vehicle body lower structure according to the embodiment.

[0032] Figure 6 2 is a view showing a load path of a vehicle body lower structure according to an embodiment.

[0033] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Cross-section of the lower structure along line AA.

[0034] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 Cross-section of the lower structure along line BB.

[0035] Fig. 9 : is an exploded perspective view showing a modification of a side connecting member applicable to the vehicle body lower structure according to the embodiment.

[0036] Fig.10 1 is a perspective view showing a modification of a side connecting member applicable to the vehicle body lower structure according to the embodiment.

[0037] The above referenced drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and should be understood to present relatively simplified representations of various features illustrating the basic principles of the present disclosure. The specific design features of the present disclosure (including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes) will be determined in part by the specific intended application and use environment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can implement the present disclosure. As those skilled in the art can understand, the embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.

[0039] The terms used in this specification are for describing specific embodiments rather than for limiting the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0040] As used in this specification, the terms "include", "have" and / or "comprises" and their variations indicate the presence of specified features, quantities, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but at least one other feature, quantity, step, operation, element and / or component may also be present. It should also be understood that it does not exclude the presence or addition of steps, operations, elements and / or combinations thereof.

[0041] As used in this specification, the term "and / or" includes any one or all possible combinations of at least one of the associated listed items.

[0042] In this specification, the term "coupled" or "connected" refers to a physical relationship between two components, where the components are directly connected to each other by welding, self-piercing rivets (SPR), self-tapping screws (FDS), structural adhesives, etc., or indirectly connected through at least one intermediate component.

[0043] The terms "vehicle", "vehicle-related" or other similar terms used in this specification are generally used in the context of passenger vehicles. Such passenger vehicles may include passenger cars, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, and various commercial vehicles. Such passenger vehicles may also include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel (e.g., fuels derived from resources other than petroleum) vehicles.

[0044] In this specification, the "front-rear direction of the vehicle body" may be defined as the longitudinal or length direction of the vehicle body. The "vehicle width direction" may be defined as the left-right, lateral or width direction of the vehicle body. The "up-down direction" may be defined as the height or vertical direction of the vehicle body.

[0045] In addition, in this specification, the "upper end", "upper part" or "upper surface" of a component means the relatively upper end, part or surface of the component in the drawing, and the "lower end", "lower part" or "lower surface" of a component means the relatively lower end, part or surface of the component in the drawing.

[0046] In addition, in this specification, an end of a component (e.g., one end or the other (other) end, etc.) means an end of the component in any direction. An end portion of a component (e.g., one end portion or the other (another) end portion, etc.) means a portion of the component including the end.

[0047] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0048] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle body lower structure according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a partial perspective view showing a vehicle body lower structure according to an embodiment.

[0049] Figure 3 and Figure 4 : is a perspective view showing a partial configuration of a vehicle body lower structure according to the embodiment.

[0050] See also Figure 1-Figure 4 The vehicle body lower structure according to the embodiment includes a side sill 20 installed along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body 10, a battery 40 installed under the center floor 30 (see Figure 7 and Figure 8 ), and a side connecting member 100 provided between the rocker 20 and the battery 40 for transmitting the collision load.

[0051] The rocker 20 is disposed at the outer side of the center floor 30 and bears the side load of the vehicle body 10. Since this is obvious to those skilled in the art, a detailed description of its configuration and function will be omitted.

[0052] Generally, a center floor is a member constituting a floor of a vehicle compartment, and seats and the like are mounted on the center floor.

[0053] In order to increase the driving range of hybrid vehicles or electric vehicles, the battery size is getting larger and larger. Accordingly, the trend of improving space utilization by installing the high-voltage battery at the bottom of the center floor is increasing.

[0054] In the industry, CTM (Cell To Module), known as the 4th generation battery, is usually supported by two battery cross members.

[0055] Typically, two body cross members are mounted on the center floor of the vehicle body to ensure lateral strength of the vehicle body and to mount components within the vehicle body.

[0056] Furthermore, the two battery cross members match the mounting positions of the two body cross members, making it easy to connect them and form a smooth load transfer path.

[0057] In the industry, the CTP (Cell To Pack), which is called the fifth generation battery, is usually supported by a battery cross member, and its connection with the two body cross members of the existing body is interrupted. As a result, the load transfer path on the side of the body is interrupted.

[0058] For example, in the case of the fifth generation battery, the connection structure between the lower side sill and the battery mounting part is disconnected and the wiring between the cross members is mismatched, resulting in a loss of connectivity. This leads to the problem of floor side structure deterioration.

[0059] The vehicle body lower structure according to the embodiment includes a side connecting member 100, which is provided to transfer the collision load between the rocker 20 and the battery 40. Even if the fifth generation battery is adopted, the connection between the rocker 20 and the battery 40 can be strengthened, the deformation of the vehicle body 10 can be suppressed even in the case of a vehicle body side collision, and the battery 40 can be prevented from being damaged.

[0060] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the figure, reference numerals 42 and 44 respectively denote a battery cross member 42 and a battery longitudinal member 44 for supporting the battery 40. The battery 40 is installed in a space between the battery cross member 42 and the battery longitudinal member 44.

[0061] The battery cross member 42 and the battery longitudinal member 44 serve as load transfer paths in the transverse and longitudinal directions of the battery 40 , respectively.

[0062] Figure 5 1 is a perspective view showing a side connecting member applicable to the vehicle body lower structure according to the embodiment. Figure 6 2 is a view showing a load path of a vehicle body lower structure according to an embodiment.

[0063] Figure 7 is along Figure 6 The cross-section of the AA line, Figure 8 is along Figure 6 Cross-section along line BB.

[0064] refer to Figure 1-Figure 8 , the side connection member 100 may include an inner protrusion 110 connected with the battery cross member 42 installed in the width direction of the vehicle body 10 to form or define an inner load path 130 .

[0065] The inner protrusion 110 protrudes toward the inside of the vehicle body 10 at a position corresponding to the battery cross member 42 .

[0066] Therefore, during a side collision of the vehicle, the impact load of the rocker 20 is transmitted to the side connecting member 100 . Also, a part of the impact load transmitted to the side connecting member 100 is transmitted to the battery cross member 42 through the inner protrusion 110 .

[0067] The impact load transmitted to the battery cross member 42 may be dispersed to the vehicle body 10 through the battery cross member 42 and the battery longitudinal members 44 .

[0068] Therefore, it is possible to prevent the battery 40 from being deformed or damaged.

[0069] The inner protrusion 110 shown in the drawings has a protruding configuration in an inclined form, but it is not limited to this configuration.

[0070] In other words, according to the embodiment, the vehicle body lower structure may also have various forms including the load transfer end portion 112 that transfers the collision load to the battery cross member 42 .

[0071] The side connection member 100 may further include an outer protrusion 120 connected to the seat cross member 32 installed at an upper portion of the center floor 30 in the width direction of the vehicle body 10 to form or define an outer load path 140 .

[0072] The outer protrusion 120 protrudes outward in the width direction of the vehicle body 10 and may be connected to the seat cross member 32 through the center floor 30 .

[0073] The outer protrusion 120 may further include a rocker support 122 that supports the rocker 20 .

[0074] The rocker support 122 may be connected to the rocker 20 , and may be connected to the rocker 20 by welding, for example.

[0075] As described above, the inner protrusion 110 may protrude toward the inner side of the vehicle body 10 , and the outer protrusion 120 may protrude toward the outer side of the vehicle body 10 toward the rocker 20 .

[0076] Therefore, even if the dimensions of the battery 40 in the width direction of the vehicle body 10 have various sizes, it can be dealt with by simply changing the designs of the inner protrusion 110 and the outer protrusion 120 .

[0077] The side connection member 100 may further include an upper surface 124 formed at an upper portion thereof to be connected with the center floor 30 .

[0078] For example, the upper surface 124 may be connected to the central floor 30 in the form of a flange by welding.

[0079] Therefore, when an impact load is transmitted to the side connecting member 100 , a portion of the impact load may be dispersed to the seat cross member 32 through the upper surface 124 and the center floor 30 .

[0080] The vehicle body lower structure according to the embodiment may further include a vehicle body longitudinal member 50 installed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body 10 and located at the inner side of the vehicle body 10 with respect to the rocker 20 .

[0081] The side connection member 100 may further include a connection member body 150 surrounding the vehicle body longitudinal member 50 .

[0082] like Figure 3As shown, the body longitudinal member 50 supports the load in the longitudinal direction of the body 10 and is disposed inside the side connecting member 100. Thus, when the vehicle collides sideways, the body longitudinal member 50 can transfer the collision load of the rocker 20 to the body 10 together with the side connecting member 100.

[0083] The vehicle body lower structure according to the embodiment may further include a longitudinal member support wall (bulk head) 60 installed in the vehicle body longitudinal member 50 .

[0084] The longitudinal member support wall 60 supports the vehicle body longitudinal member 50 , prevents the vehicle body longitudinal member 50 from being deformed when the vehicle collides, and disperses the collision load.

[0085] The inner protrusion 110 , the outer protrusion 120 , and the connection member body 150 may be integrally formed.

[0086] Therefore, the manufacturing process of the side connection member 100 is simple, and the strength of the side connection member 100 can be improved.

[0087] In addition, the inner protrusion 110 and the outer protrusion 120 may be connected with the connection member body 150 .

[0088] Therefore, various forms of side connecting members 100 can be provided for different battery sizes, so as to be applicable to the production of various vehicle models.

[0089] The inner protrusion 110 includes a load transfer end 112 formed inside the vehicle body 10. An imaginary or imaginary extension line of the battery cross member 42 may be directed toward the load transfer end 112 or formed in a direction toward the load transfer end 112.

[0090] In other words, Figure 6 In FIG. 1 , a virtual extension line of the battery cross member 42 may be the internal load path 130 .

[0091] A virtual or imaginary extension line of the seat cross member 32 may be directed toward the rocker support 122 or formed in the direction of the rocker support 122 .

[0092] In other words, a virtual extension line of the seat cross beam 32 may be the external load path 140 .

[0093] See also Figure 6-Figure 8 The rocker 20 , the load transfer end 112 of the side connecting member 100 , and the battery cross member 42 form an internal load path 130 to disperse the load when the vehicle body collides sideways.

[0094] Furthermore, the rocker 20 , the rocker support 122 of the side connecting member 100 , the upper surface 124 , the center floor 30 , and the seat cross member 32 form or define an external load path 140 when the vehicle body is in a side collision.

[0095] Fig. 9 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a modification of the side connecting member applicable to the vehicle body lower structure of the embodiment. Fig.10 It is an assembly perspective view showing a modification of the side connecting member applicable to the vehicle body lower structure of the embodiment.

[0096] In explaining Fig. 9 and Fig.10 When describing the above-described lower vehicle body structure according to the embodiment, repeated description of the same or similar configurations will be omitted.

[0097] See also Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The inner protrusion 210 and the outer protrusion 220 may be connected to the vehicle body longitudinal member 250 to form the side connection member 200 .

[0098] In a modification of the vehicle body lower structure according to the present disclosure, the side connecting member 200 is formed using the vehicle body longitudinal member 250 to reduce the number of components and reduce the weight of the vehicle body.

[0099] Furthermore, by changing only the designs of the inner protrusion 210 and the outer protrusion 220 , the lateral rigidity of the vehicle body can be enhanced without increasing the manufacturing cost even if the battery specifications are changed.

[0100] Although the technical concept of the present disclosure has been described in conjunction with the currently considered feasible embodiments, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments. On the contrary, the present disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0101] <Description of Reference Numerals>

[0102] 10: Car body 20: Lower side beam

[0103] 30: Central floor 32: Seat crossbeam

[0104] 40: Battery 42: Battery cross member

[0105] 44: Battery longitudinal member 50, 250: Vehicle body longitudinal member

[0106] 60: Longitudinal member support wall 100, 200: Side connection member

[0107] 110, 210: Inner protrusion 112: Load transfer end

[0108] 120, 220: Outer protrusion 122: Lower side beam support

[0109] 124: Upper surface 130: Internal load path

[0110] 140: External load path 150: Connecting member body

Claims

1. A lower structure of a vehicle body, the lower structure comprising: A lower side beam installed along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body; a central floor of said vehicle body; a battery mounted on a lower portion of the central floor; as well as A side connecting member is configured to transfer a collision load between the rocker and the battery.

2. The substructure according to claim 1, wherein: The side connecting member includes an inner protrusion connected to a battery cross member installed in a width direction of the vehicle body to define an inner load path.

3. The substructure according to claim 2, wherein: The side connection member further includes an outer protrusion connected to a seat cross member installed at an upper portion of the center floor in a width direction of the vehicle body to define an outer load path.

4. The substructure according to claim 3, wherein: The inner protrusion is configured to protrude toward the inner side of the vehicle body; and The outer protrusion is provided on the outer side of the vehicle body toward the rocker.

5. The substructure according to claim 3, wherein: The outer protrusion includes a rocker support that supports the rocker.

6. The substructure according to claim 3, wherein: The side connection member further includes an upper surface located at an upper portion thereof to be connected to the central floor panel. 7 . The lower structure according to claim 3 , further comprising a vehicle body longitudinal member installed on an inner side of the vehicle body in a front-rear direction of the vehicle body relative to the rocker.

8. The substructure according to claim 7, wherein: The side connecting member further includes a connecting member body surrounding the vehicle body longitudinal member.

9. The substructure according to claim 8, wherein: The inner protrusion and the outer protrusion are connected to the connection member body.

10. The substructure according to claim 9, wherein: The inner protrusion, the outer protrusion, and the connecting member body are integrally formed.

11. The lower structure according to claim 7, further comprising a longitudinal member support wall installed in the vehicle body longitudinal member.

12. The substructure according to claim 7, wherein: The inner protrusion and the outer protrusion are connected to the vehicle body longitudinal member.

13. The substructure according to claim 3, wherein: The inner protrusion includes a load transfer end formed on the inner side of the vehicle body; and An imaginary extension line of the battery cross member points toward the load transfer end.

14. The substructure according to claim 5, wherein: An imaginary extension line of the seat cross member points to the lower side member support member.

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