Vehicle with reinforced integrated side sheet

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle with a reinforced integrated side threshold so as to provide effective protection for a battery pack under the condition of side collision of the vehicle and prevent the battery pack from being damaged due to excessive extrusion. The vehicle (V) includes: a floor (20); a battery pack (40) mounted to the bottom side of the floor; and a side sill (10) directly connected to each of the floor and the battery pack. The side sill comprises: a top wall (11) and a bottom wall (12) opposite to each other in a vertical direction (Z); an inner wall (13) and an outer wall (14) opposite each other in the transverse direction (Y), the top wall, the bottom wall, the inner wall and the outer wall together delimiting a cavity (C); at least one first partition wall (15, 16) within the cavity connecting the inner wall and the outer wall; and at least one second partition wall (17, 18) within the cavity connecting the top wall and the bottom wall.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vehicle body structures, and more particularly, to a vehicle with a reinforced one-piece side sill. Background Art

[0002] Currently, in some new energy vehicles (such as electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, etc.), the power battery pack is usually installed under the vehicle floor and connected to the side sill. However, in the case of a relatively severe side collision of the vehicle, the side sill will be deformed and rotated due to a large impact, and thus will squeeze the battery pack located inside it, which may cause the battery pack to be damaged due to excessive squeezing. Therefore, how to increase the strength of the side sill to provide effective protection for the battery pack in the case of a side collision has received more and more attention from vehicle manufacturers. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a vehicle with a reinforced one-piece side sill, so as to provide effective protection for the battery pack in the case of a side collision of the vehicle and avoid damage to the battery pack due to excessive squeezing.

[0004] To this end, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a vehicle, which includes: a floor; a battery pack installed on the bottom side of the floor; and a side sill directly connected to each of the floor and the battery pack. The side sill includes: a top wall and a bottom wall opposite to each other in the vertical direction of the vehicle; an inner wall and an outer wall opposite to each other in the transverse direction of the vehicle, and the top wall, the bottom wall, the inner wall and the outer wall jointly define a cavity; at least one first partition wall connecting the inner wall and the outer wall in the cavity; and at least one second partition wall connecting the top wall and the bottom wall in the cavity.

[0005] According to the above technical concept, the present invention may further include any one or more of the following optional forms.

[0006] In some optional forms, the floor is connected to each of the top wall and the inner wall.

[0007] In some optional forms, the top wall includes a mounting wall protruding in the vertical direction, and the side panel is connected to each of the mounting wall and the outer wall.

[0008] In some optional forms, the thickness of the inner wall is greater than the thickness of the outer wall.

[0009] In some alternative forms, the top wall includes a first top wall section extending from the inner wall and a second top wall section connecting the first top wall section to the outer wall, and the thickness of the first top wall section is greater than that of the second top wall section.

[0010] In some alternative forms, the bottom wall includes a first bottom wall section extending from the inner wall and a second bottom wall section connecting the first bottom wall section to the outer wall, and the thickness of the first bottom wall section is greater than that of the second bottom wall section.

[0011] In some alternative forms, the at least one first partition wall includes a first upper partition wall adjacent to the top wall and a first lower partition wall disposed between the first upper partition wall and the bottom wall, and the at least one second partition wall includes a second inner partition wall adjacent to the inner wall and a second outer partition wall disposed between the second inner partition wall and the outer wall.

[0012] In some alternative forms, the thickness of the section of the first upper partition wall connecting the inner wall and the second inner partition wall is greater than the thickness of the section of the first upper partition wall connecting the second outer partition wall and the outer wall.

[0013] In some alternative forms, the thickness of the section of the second outer partition wall connecting the top wall and the first upper partition wall is greater than the thickness of the section of the second outer partition wall connecting the first lower partition wall and the bottom wall.

[0014] In some alternative forms, the side sill further includes a third partition wall disposed between the first lower partition wall and the bottom wall and connecting the inner wall and the second inner partition wall.

[0015] In some alternative forms, the thickness of the section of the first upper partition wall connecting the inner wall and the second inner partition wall is greater than the thickness of the third partition wall.

[0016] The vehicle according to the present invention has multiple beneficial technical effects, especially: compared with the traditional side sill formed by components such as an outer panel, an inner panel, and a reinforcement, the side sill of the vehicle according to the present invention is configured as an integral part directly connected to the floor panel and the side wall panel. Therefore, the overall structure is simple, the manufacturing is convenient, the weight is small, and the cost is low; in addition, through the specific structure of the side sill, the side sill not only has sufficient stiffness, but also can absorb energy through its own deformation in the case of a side collision of the vehicle, avoiding excessive extrusion of the battery pack and causing its damage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood through the following preferred embodiments described in detail in conjunction with the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same or similar components.

[0018] Figure 1 is a side view schematic diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a schematic diagram of the vehicle in along the YZ cross-section at the side sill position;

[0020] Figure 3 is Figure 2 an enlarged schematic diagram of the side sill in along the YZ cross-section.

[0021] The elements in the accompanying drawings are shown for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to exact scale and shape. It should be understood that these accompanying drawings can not only be used for the interpretation and illustration of the present invention, but also help to define the present invention when necessary. Detailed Embodiments

[0022] The implementation and use of specific embodiments are discussed in detail below. However, it should be understood that the specific embodiments discussed are only exemplary illustrations of specific ways of implementing and using the present invention, rather than limiting the scope of the present invention.

[0023] In this specification, when describing the structural positions of various components, the expressions indicating directions such as "upper" and "lower" are not absolute but relative. When the various components are arranged as shown in the figures, these expressions indicating directions are appropriate, but when the positions of the various components in the figures change, these expressions indicating directions should also change accordingly.

[0024] In this specification and the accompanying drawings, the X direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the Y direction corresponds to the transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the Z direction corresponds to the vertical direction opposite to the direction of gravity and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction. In addition, in this specification, "inner" and "outer" are both defined with reference to the direction of the vehicle, that is, "inner side" refers to the side facing the interior of the vehicle, and "outer side" refers to the side facing the exterior of the vehicle.

[0025] In addition, in this specification, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, terms such as "installation" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or the internal communication of two components or the interaction relationship between two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this specification can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0026] Next, with the help of Figures 1 to 3 a preferred embodiment of the vehicle V of the present invention will be described.

[0027] As Figure 1 andFigure 2 As shown, the vehicle V according to the present invention includes a side sill 10, a floor 20, a side wall panel 30, and a battery pack 40 mounted to the bottom side of the floor 20. The side sill 10 is a one-piece all-aluminum extrusion, for example, that is directly connected to each of the floor 20 and the battery pack 40 and optionally directly connected to the side wall panel 30. That is to say, compared with a conventional side sill, the side sill 10 integrally forms components such as an outer panel, an inner panel, and an internal reinforcement, so that the side sill 10 saves the number of components, has a simple overall structure, is convenient to manufacture, has a small weight, and has a low cost.

[0028] More specifically, especially as Figure 3 shown, the side sill 10 includes: a top wall 11 and a bottom wall 12 that are opposite to each other in the Z direction; an inner wall 13 and an outer wall 14 that are opposite to each other in the Y direction, wherein the top wall 11, the bottom wall 12, the inner wall 13, and the outer wall 14 together form a body B that defines a cavity C and is directly connected to each of the floor 20, the side wall panel 30, and the battery pack 40; at least one first partition wall connecting the inner wall 13 and the outer wall 14 in the cavity C, for example, including a first upper partition wall 15 adjacent to the top wall 11 and a first lower partition wall 16 disposed between the first upper partition wall 15 and the bottom wall 12; and at least one second partition wall connecting the top wall 11 and the bottom wall 12 in the cavity C, for example, including a second inner partition wall 17 adjacent to the inner wall 13 and a second outer partition wall 18 disposed between the second inner partition wall 17 and the outer wall 14, that is, the first upper partition wall 15, the first lower partition wall 16, the second inner partition wall 17, and the second outer partition wall 18 are cross-arranged in the cavity C.

[0029] In this embodiment, the floor 20 includes a first connecting portion 21 and a second connecting portion 22 at its Y-direction edge to be connected to the top wall 11 through the first connecting portion 21 and to the inner wall 13 through the second connecting portion 22. The top wall 11 includes a mounting wall 113 protruding upward in the Z direction, and the side wall panel 30 includes a first fixing portion 31 and a second fixing portion 32 at its bottom to be connected to the mounting wall 113 through the first fixing portion 31 and to the outer wall 14 through the second fixing portion 32. The battery pack 40 is disposed adjacent to the side sill 10 and includes a mounting flange 41 extending toward the side sill 10 to be connected to the bottom wall 12 through the mounting flange 41. According to a schematic but non-limiting embodiment, the floor 20 and the top wall 11 and the inner wall 13, the side wall panel 30 and the mounting wall 113 and the outer wall 14, and the battery pack 40 and the bottom wall 12 are connected to each other by screws 50, preferably by flow drill screws (FDS - “Flow Drill Srew”).

[0030] Next, with the help of Figure 3A preferred embodiment of the side sill 10 will be described. It should be understood that the following structure of the side sill 10 is illustrative but not restrictive, and those skilled in the art can make changes according to the actual strength and deformation requirements of the side sill 10.

[0031] As Figure 3 shown, the top wall 11 includes a first top wall section 111 extending from the inner wall 13 and a second top wall section 112 connecting the first top wall section 111 to the outer wall 14. The mounting wall 113 protrudes upward between the first top wall section 111 and the second top wall section 112, and the thickness of the first top wall section 111 is greater than the thickness of the second top wall section 112. For example, the thickness of the first top wall section 111 and the mounting wall 113 is about 5 mm, and the thickness of the second top wall section 112 is about 4 mm. The bottom wall 12 includes a first bottom wall section 121 extending from the inner wall 13 and a second bottom wall section 122 connecting the first bottom wall section 121 to the outer wall 14. The first bottom wall section 121 is connected to the mounting flange 41 of the battery pack 40 by screws 50, and the thickness of the first bottom wall section 121 is greater than the thickness of the second bottom wall section 122. For example, the thickness of the first bottom wall section 121 is about 6 mm, and the thickness of the second bottom wall section 122 is about 4 mm. The inner wall 13 includes a first inner wall section 131 extending from the top wall 11 and a second inner wall section 132 connecting the first inner wall section 131 to the bottom wall 12. The thicknesses of both the first inner wall section 131 and the second inner wall section 132 are greater than the thickness of the outer wall 14. For example, the thickness of the first inner wall section 131 is greater than 5 mm, the thickness of the second inner wall section 132 is about 6 mm, and the thickness of the outer wall 14 is about 4 mm.

[0032] The first upper partition wall 15 includes a first section 151 connecting the inner wall 13 and the second inner partition wall 17, a second section 152 connecting the second inner partition wall 17 and the second outer partition wall 18, and a third section 153 connecting the second outer partition wall 18 and the outer wall 14. Preferably, the thickness of the first section 151 of the first upper partition wall 15 is equal to the thickness of the second section 152 of the first upper partition wall 15 and greater than the thickness of the third section 153 of the first upper partition wall 15. For example, the thicknesses of the first section 151 and the second section 152 of the first upper partition wall 15 are approximately 5 mm, and the thickness of the third section 153 of the first upper partition wall 15 is approximately 4 mm. The first lower partition wall 16 includes a first section 161 connecting the inner wall 13 and the second inner partition wall 17, a second section 162 connecting the second inner partition wall 17 and the second outer partition wall 18, and a third section 163 connecting the second outer partition wall 18 and the outer wall 14. In this embodiment, the first section 161 of the first lower partition wall 16 slopes slightly downward from the inner wall 13 towards the second inner partition wall 17, and the thicknesses of the first section 161 and the third section 163 of the first lower partition wall 16 are approximately 4 mm, and the thickness of the second section 162 of the first lower partition wall 16 is approximately 5 mm. In addition, in this embodiment, the side sill 10 further includes a third partition wall 19 disposed between the first lower partition wall 16 and the bottom wall 12 and connecting the inner wall 13 and the second inner partition wall 17. The thicknesses of the first section 151 of the first upper partition wall 15 and the first section 161 of the first lower partition wall 16 are preferably greater than the thickness of the third partition wall 19. For example, the thickness of the third partition wall 19 is approximately 2 mm.

[0033] The second inner partition wall 17 includes a first section 171 connecting the top wall 11 and the first upper partition wall 15, a second section 172 connecting the first upper partition wall 15 and the first lower partition wall 16, a third section 173 connecting the first lower partition wall 16 and the third partition wall 19, and a fourth section 174 connecting the third partition wall 19 and the bottom wall 12. In this embodiment, the thicknesses of the first section 171 and the second section 172 of the second inner partition wall 17 are approximately 5 mm, the thickness of the third section 173 of the second inner partition wall 17 is approximately 2 mm, and the thickness of the fourth section 174 of the second inner partition wall 17 is approximately 6 mm. The second outer partition wall 18 includes a first section 181 connecting the top wall 11 and the first upper partition wall 15, a second section 182 connecting the first upper partition wall 15 and the first lower partition wall 16, and a third section 183 connecting the first lower partition wall 16 and the bottom wall 12. Preferably, the thickness of the first section 181 of the second outer partition wall 18 is equal to the thickness of the second section 182 of the second outer partition wall 18 and greater than the thickness of the third section 183 of the second outer partition wall 18. For example, the thicknesses of the first section 181 and the second section 182 of the second outer partition wall 18 are approximately 5 mm, and the thickness of the third section 183 of the second outer partition wall 18 is approximately 2 mm.

[0034] As can be seen from the above description, the side sill 10 is configured such that the thickness of most of the walls in its inner region is greater than the thickness of most of the walls in its outer region, the thickness of most of the walls in the top region is greater than the thickness of most of the walls in the bottom region, and the thickness of most of the walls in the region adjacent to the battery pack fixture (i.e., the screw 50) is increased. Based on the above design, the side sill 10 not only has sufficient stiffness, but can also absorb energy through the compression deformation of the side sill 10 itself in the event of a side collision of the vehicle V, and the side sill 10 will not flip over excessively, so that excessive extrusion of the inner battery pack 40 can be avoided and its damage can be prevented.

[0035] The technical content and features of the present invention have been disclosed above. However, it can be understood that under the creative concept of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make various changes and improvements to the above-disclosed concept, but all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0036] The description of the above embodiments is exemplary rather than restrictive, and the protection scope of the present invention is determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle (V) having a longitudinal direction (X), a transverse direction (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X), and a vertical direction (Z) opposite to the direction of gravity and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) and the transverse direction (Y), characterized in that, The vehicle (V) includes: a floor (20); a battery pack (40) mounted to a bottom side of the floor (20); and side sills (10) each directly connected to the floor (20) and the battery pack (40), wherein each side sill (10) includes: a top wall (11) and a bottom wall (12) opposite to each other in the vertical direction (Z); an inner wall (13) and an outer wall (14) opposite to each other in the lateral direction (Y), the top wall (11), the bottom wall (12), the inner wall (13) and the outer wall (14) jointly defining a cavity (C); at least one first partition wall (15, 16) connecting the inner wall (13) and the outer wall (14) within the cavity (C); and at least one second partition wall (17, 18) connecting the top wall (11) and the bottom wall (12) within the cavity (C).

2. The vehicle (V) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The floor (20) is connected to each of the top wall (11) and the inner wall (13).

3. The vehicle (V) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top wall (11) includes a mounting wall (113) protruding in the vertical direction (Z), and a side panel (30) is connected to each of the mounting wall (113) and the outer wall (14).

4. The vehicle (V) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The thickness of the inner wall (13) is greater than the thickness of the outer wall (14).

5. The vehicle (V) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The top wall (11) includes a first top wall section (111) extending from the inner wall (13) and a second top wall section (112) connecting the first top wall section (111) and the outer wall (14), and the thickness of the first top wall section (111) is greater than the thickness of the second top wall section (112).

6. The vehicle (V) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The bottom wall (12) includes a first bottom wall section (121) extending from the inner wall (13) and a second bottom wall section (122) connecting the first bottom wall section (121) and the outer wall (14), and the thickness of the first bottom wall section (121) is greater than the thickness of the second bottom wall section (122).

7. The vehicle (V) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The at least one first partition wall (15, 16) includes a first upper partition wall (15) adjacent to the top wall (11) and a first lower partition wall (16) disposed between the first upper partition wall (15) and the bottom wall (12), and the at least one second partition wall (17, 18) includes a second inner partition wall (17) adjacent to the inner wall (13) and a second outer partition wall (18) disposed between the second inner partition wall (17) and the outer wall (14).

8. The vehicle (V) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The thickness of a section (151) of the first upper partition wall (15) connecting the inner wall (13) and the second inner partition wall (17) is greater than the thickness of a section (153) of the first upper partition wall (15) connecting the second outer partition wall (18) and the outer wall (14).

9. The vehicle (V) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The thickness of a section (181) of the second outer partition wall (18) connecting the top wall (11) and the first upper partition wall (15) is greater than the thickness of a section (183) of the second outer partition wall (18) connecting the first lower partition wall (16) and the bottom wall (12).

10. The vehicle (V) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The side sill (10) further includes a third partition wall (19) disposed between the first lower partition wall (16) and the bottom wall (12) and connecting the inner wall (13) and the second inner partition wall (17).

11. The vehicle (V) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The thickness of the section (151) of the first upper partition wall (15) connecting the inner wall (13) and the second inner partition wall (17) is greater than the thickness of the third partition wall (19).

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