Battery cell

Abstract

The invention provides a battery unit which protects a battery cell accommodated in a battery case from a front collision and a side collision. The battery unit is disposed below a floor panel of a vehicle in a state in which a battery cell is housed in a battery case. The battery case has a pair of first frames extending in parallel in a first direction, which is either the front-rear direction or the left-right direction, and a pair of second frames extending in parallel in a second direction, which is the other direction, and is combined in a four-side frame shape so as to surround the battery cells. The first frame includes a first contact surface facing the second direction so as to face the second frame. The second frame includes a second contact surface facing the first direction so as to face the first frame. A first connecting part of the first frame relative to the second frame is provided with a step-shaped first step part which forms a first space for accommodating at least a part of a second connecting part of the second frame relative to the first frame. At least a portion of the first contact surface is provided on the first step portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery cell disposed below the floor panel of a vehicle with the battery cells housed in a battery casing. Background Technology

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses such a battery cell. The battery cell disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes: a pair of first and second longitudinal frames with hollow cross-sectional shapes, and a pair of first and second transverse frames with hollow cross-sectional shapes respectively connected to the two ends of the first and second longitudinal frames via corner brackets. The corner brackets have insertion portions for inserting hollow portions into the longitudinal and transverse frames, and mounting portions for mounting to the vehicle body.

[0003] In the battery cell disclosed in Patent Document 1, by inserting corner brackets between the ends of the longitudinal frame and the ends of the transverse frame, the impact force can be dispersed to the entire frame for collision loads from either the longitudinal or transverse direction.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-97851

[0007] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] In the battery cell disclosed in Patent Document 1, although corner brackets are inserted between the ends of the longitudinal frame and the ends of the transverse frame, it is essentially just a structure that connects the ends of the longitudinal frame and the ends of the transverse frame.

[0009] In the battery cell disclosed in Patent Document 1, in the event of a frontal collision with a vehicle, the collision load cannot be adequately transferred from the transverse frame (extending in the left-right direction) to the longitudinal frame (extending in the front-back direction). Conversely, in the event of a side collision with a vehicle, the collision load cannot be adequately transferred from the longitudinal frame to the transverse frame.

[0010] In the battery cell disclosed in Patent Document 1, the individual battery cells housed in the battery casing cannot be adequately protected in the event of either a frontal collision or a side collision with the vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The object of the present invention is to protect the individual battery cells housed in the battery casing from both frontal and side impacts in a battery cell located below the floor panel of a vehicle.

[0012] Technical means for solving technical problems

[0013] The battery cell of the present invention is disposed below the floor panel of a vehicle with the battery cell housed in a battery casing. The battery casing has: a pair of first frames extending parallel to each other in a first direction, which is one of a front-rear direction and a left-right direction; and a pair of second frames extending parallel to each other in a second direction, which is the other of a front-rear direction and a left-right direction. The battery casing is assembled into a four-sided frame shape with the first frames and the second frames surrounding the battery cell. The first frame includes a first contact surface facing the second direction with the first contact surface facing the second frame. The second frame includes a second contact surface facing the first direction with the second contact surface facing the first frame. A stepped first step portion is provided in the first frame relative to the second frame. The first step portion forms a first space. The first space accommodates at least a portion of the second connection portion of the second frame relative to the first frame. At least a portion of the first contact surface is disposed in the first step portion.

[0014] Assuming the first direction is left-right and the second direction is front-back, when a vehicle experiences a frontal collision, the collision load is first applied to the first frame and then transferred to the second frame via the first contact surface of the first frame. Conversely, when a vehicle experiences a side collision, the collision load is first applied to the second frame and then transferred to the first frame via the second contact surface of the second frame.

[0015] Conversely, assuming the first direction is the front-to-back direction and the second direction is the left-to-right direction, then the first frame (first contact surface) and the second frame (second contact surface) have opposite functions and can achieve the same result.

[0016] In this way, in the event of either a frontal or side collision, the collision load can be supported by both the first and second frames.

[0017] In particular, the first connecting portion of the first frame is provided with a stepped first step portion forming a first space. The first space of the first frame accommodates at least a portion of the second connecting portion of the second frame. In the first frame, at least a portion of the first contact surface is provided at the first step portion.

[0018] Therefore, the first contact surface of the first frame is more likely to face the second frame. This makes it easier to transfer the impact load applied to the first frame to the second frame via the first contact surface.

[0019] The battery cells housed in the battery casing are protected from both frontal and side collisions by the battery unit located below the floor panel of the vehicle.

[0020] In one embodiment, the second connecting portion is provided with a stepped second step portion, which forms a second space that accommodates at least a portion of the first connecting portion. At least a portion of the second contact surface is disposed on the second step portion, and the first step portion and the second step portion engage with each other.

[0021] The second contact surface of the second frame becomes easier to face the first frame. This facilitates the transfer of impact loads applied to the second frame to the first frame via the second contact surface. Furthermore, by engaging the first step portion of the first frame and the second step portion of the second frame with each other, it becomes easier to assemble the first frame and the second frame.

[0022] In one embodiment, when viewed from above, the first step portion is formed in a step shape.

[0023] In one embodiment, when viewed from the second direction, the first step portion is formed in a step shape.

[0024] In one embodiment, when viewed from above, the second step portion is formed in a step shape.

[0025] In one embodiment, when viewed from the first direction, the second step portion is formed in a step shape.

[0026] In one embodiment, the battery housing has: a pair of transverse frames, which are one of the first frame and the second frame, and extend parallel to each other in the left-right direction; and a pair of longitudinal frames, which are the other of the first frame and the second frame, and extend parallel to each other in the front-rear direction. The transverse frames include transverse frame side contact surfaces, which are one of the first contact surfaces and the second contact surfaces. The vehicle has a pair of front side frames, which together with the floor panel form the vehicle body. The pair of front side frames are separated from the front of the floor panel in the left-right direction and extend forward. The transverse frame side contact surfaces of the front transverse frames face the longitudinal frames and are located at a position that coincides with the rear end of the front side frames in the vertical direction.

[0027] In the event of a frontal collision, the collision load is first applied to the front side frame, then transferred from the rear end of the front side frame to the front transverse frame, and subsequently transferred to the longitudinal frame via the transverse frame side contact surface of the front transverse frame. The transverse frame side contact surface of the front transverse frame is located at a position that coincides vertically with the rear end of the front side frame. This allows the collision load caused by a frontal collision to be smoothly transferred sequentially to the front side frame, the front transverse frame, and the longitudinal frame.

[0028] In one embodiment, the battery housing has: a pair of longitudinal frames, which are one of the first frame and the second frame, and extend parallel to each other in the front-rear direction; and a pair of transverse frames, which are the other of the first frame and the second frame, and extend parallel to each other in the left-right direction. The longitudinal frames include longitudinal frame side contact surfaces, which are one of the first contact surfaces and the second contact surfaces. The vehicle has a pair of side beams that, together with the floor panel, form the vehicle body, and the pair of side beams extend in the front-rear direction along the edges of both sides of the floor panel in the left-right direction. The longitudinal frames are fixed relative to the side beams by fasteners, and the longitudinal frame side contact surfaces of the longitudinal frames face the transverse frames in the left-right direction and are located at a position that coincides with the fasteners in the vertical direction.

[0029] In the event of a side collision, the collision load is first applied to the side beam, then transferred to the longitudinal frame via the fasteners (between the side beam and the longitudinal frame), and subsequently transferred to the transverse frame via the longitudinal frame side contact surface. The longitudinal frame side contact surface of the longitudinal frame is located at a position that coincides with the fasteners (between the side beam and the longitudinal frame) in the vertical direction. This allows the collision load caused by the side collision to be smoothly transferred sequentially to the side beam, fasteners, longitudinal frame, and transverse frame.

[0030] Effects of the Invention

[0031] According to the present invention, in a battery cell disposed below the floor panel of a vehicle, the battery cells housed in the battery casing can be protected from both frontal and side collisions. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a top view showing the structure of the vehicle body according to the first embodiment, viewed from above.

[0033] Figure 2 A perspective view showing the structure of the vehicle body according to the first embodiment.

[0034] Figure 3 This refers to the battery cell involved in the first embodiment.

[0035] Figure 4 This is a detailed top view showing the connection between the longitudinal and transverse frames in the first embodiment, viewed from above.

[0036] Figure 5 This indicates the positional relationship between the horizontal frame and the front side frame in the first embodiment.

[0037] Figure 6 This indicates the positional relationship between the longitudinal frame and the side beams in the first embodiment.

[0038] Figure 7 This is a detailed top view showing the connection between the longitudinal and transverse frames in the second embodiment, viewed from above.

[0039] Figure 8 A detailed perspective view showing the connection points between the longitudinal and transverse frames in the third embodiment.

[0040] Symbol Explanation

[0041] X (forward / backward direction, second direction)

[0042] Y represents the left and right directions (first direction).

[0043] Z (Up / Down Direction)

[0044] Fx Forward collision load (collision load)

[0045] Fy: Side impact load (collision load)

[0046] Vehicle A

[0047] 1. Body

[0048] 1a Anterior space

[0049] 1b Car Room

[0050] 2. Bumper beam

[0051] 3. Upper beam of the protective cover

[0052] 4. Beams

[0053] 5. Front side frame

[0054] 5a Rear end

[0055] 6 side beams

[0056] 7. Dashboard

[0057] 8 Floor panels

[0058] 8a Edge

[0059] 9. Rear side frame

[0060] 9a Rear Floor Panel

[0061] 10 Torque Box

[0062] 11 Suspension shell

[0063] 12 Energy Absorbing Boxes

[0064] 30 battery cells

[0065] 31 battery cells

[0066] 32 Battery casing

[0067] 40. Vertical Frame (Second Frame)

[0068] 40a Flange

[0069] 40b fixing hole

[0070] 41. Longitudinal frame side connection (second connection)

[0071] 42. Side step section of the longitudinal frame (second step section)

[0072] 42a Longitudinal protrusion

[0073] 43. Longitudinal frame side space (second space)

[0074] 44. Longitudinal frame side contact surface (second contact surface)

[0075] 50 Horizontal Frames (First Frame)

[0076] 51. Side connection of the transverse frame (first connection)

[0077] 52. Side step section of the transverse frame (first step section)

[0078] 52a Transverse protrusion

[0079] 53. Horizontal frame side space (first space)

[0080] 54. Cross-frame side contact surface (first contact surface)

[0081] 54a (part)

[0082] 54b Another part

[0083] 55 corner

[0084] 60 bottom component

[0085] 70 Fasteners. Detailed Implementation

[0086] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description of preferred embodiments is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the application or use of the present invention.

[0087] <First embodiment>

[0088] The battery cell 30 of vehicle A according to the first embodiment will be described. In the following description, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are based on vehicle A. In each figure, these directions are indicated by arrows. The front-rear direction is the direction of travel of vehicle A. The front-rear direction is an example of the second direction of this application, indicated by X. The left-right direction is the width direction of vehicle A. The left-right direction is an example of the first direction of this application, indicated by Y. The up-down direction is the height direction of vehicle A, indicated by Z.

[0089] (Vehicle body structure)

[0090] Figure 1 This is a top view showing the structure of the body 1 of vehicle A as viewed from above. Figure 2 Indicates from Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the structure of vehicle body 1, viewed from the direction of arrow II in the diagram. (See image for reference.) Figure 1 As shown, vehicle A has a bumper beam 2, a shroud upper beam 3, a pair of side beams 4, a pair of front side rails 5, a pair of side beams 6, an instrument panel 7, a floor panel 8, and a rear side frame 9 as components constituting the body 1. Vehicle A has a torque box 10, a suspension housing 11, and an energy absorption box 12. Vehicle A has a battery unit 30.

[0091] Vehicle A is an electric vehicle, driven by an electric motor. Although not shown, the motor is mounted in the front side space 1a located at the front of the vehicle body 1. The middle section of the vehicle body 1 forms the passenger compartment 1b. A floor panel 8 is provided in the middle section of the vehicle body 1. The floor panel 8 is approximately rectangular in shape when viewed from above, extending in both the front-rear and left-right directions. The floor panel 8 forms the bottom surface of the passenger compartment 1b.

[0092] Vehicle A is equipped with a battery unit 30. The battery unit 30 is the power source for the motor that drives vehicle A. For example... Figure 1 As shown by the dashed line, the battery unit 30 is positioned below the floor panel 8 of the vehicle A in a manner that extends along the floor panel 8.

[0093] The battery unit 30 has a roughly rectangular appearance similar to the floor panel 8 when viewed from above. The battery unit 30 will be described later.

[0094] like Figure 2 As shown, the front space 1a and the cabin 1b are separated by the instrument panel 7. The instrument panel 7 extends in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0095] A pair of side beams 6 are provided on the left and right sides of the middle section of the vehicle body 1. The side beams 6 are composed of columnar components, which have excellent strength and rigidity. The pair of side beams 6 extend parallel to each other in the front-rear direction along the edges 8a on both sides of the floor panel 8 in the left-right direction. The pair of side beams 6 and the floor panel 8 together constitute the vehicle body 1.

[0096] A pair of rear side frames 9 are connected to the rear ends of a pair of side beams 6. The pair of rear side frames 9 extend rearward. A rear floor panel 9a connected to the floor panel 8 is provided between the pair of rear side frames 9.

[0097] like Figure 1 and 2 As shown, a pair of front side brackets 5 extend forward from the front of the floor panel 8 in the left and right directions. The pair of front side brackets 5 and the floor panel 8 together constitute the vehicle body 1. The pair of front side brackets 5 are slightly inclined when viewed from above and below, extending further to the left and right as they move forward. The front side brackets 5 are composed of columnar members with rectangular cross-sections.

[0098] The front side frame 5 is engaged with the front end of the floor panel 8 and the torque box 10.

[0099] Suspension housings 11 are provided on the front side of each end of the instrument panel 7 in the left and right directions. The lower end of the suspension housing 11 is connected to the front side frame 5. A retaining beam 4 is connected to the upper end of the suspension housing 11.

[0100] The retaining beam 4 extends forward from the outside of the suspension housing 11. The retaining beam 4 bends inward toward the left and right as it moves forward. The front ends of a pair of retaining beams 4 are connected by an upper beam 3 of the cover that extends in the left and right direction.

[0101] Below and in front of the upper beam 3 of the guard is a bumper beam 2 that extends in the left-right direction. The front ends of the front side frame 5 are connected to both ends of the bumper beam 2 in the left-right direction via energy-absorbing boxes 12.

[0102] (Battery unit)

[0103] Figure 3 This refers to the battery unit 30 according to the first embodiment. The battery unit 30 has a plurality of battery cells 31 and a battery housing 32. The plurality of battery cells 31 are housed in the battery housing 32. The battery unit 30 is disposed below the floor panel 8 of the vehicle A with the battery cells 31 housed in the battery housing 32.

[0104] The battery cell 31 is composed of lithium-ion batteries or the like. All of the multiple battery cells 31 are electrically connected, thereby enabling the output of a specified high voltage. The battery cells 31 are formed into rectangular blocks (cubic prisms) to consider the loading efficiency into the battery casing 32. In this example, 12 battery cells 31 are arranged inside the battery casing 32 in a close arrangement of four in the left-right direction and three in the front-back direction.

[0105] The battery casing 32 has a pair of longitudinal frames 40, a pair of transverse frames 50, and a bottom component 60. The longitudinal frames 40 are an example of the second frame. The transverse frames 50 are an example of the first frame.

[0106] A pair of vertical frames 40 are separated in the left-right direction and extend parallel to each other in the front-back direction. A pair of horizontal frames 50 are separated in the front-back direction and extend parallel to each other in the left-right direction. The battery casing 32 is assembled in a four-sided frame shape when viewed from above, with the horizontal frames 50 and the vertical frames 40 surrounding the battery cell 31. In detail, the battery casing 32 forms a rectangular frame shape with the front-back direction as the long side and the left-right direction as the short side.

[0107] Hereinafter, the side facing the inside of the battery housing 32 in the front-back (left-right) direction (the side where the battery cell 31 is disposed) is sometimes referred to as the inner side in the front-back (left-right) direction, and the side facing the outside of the battery housing 32 in the front-back (left-right) direction (the side where the battery cell 31 is not disposed) is referred to as the outer side in the front-back (left-right) direction.

[0108] The longitudinal frame 40 is constructed of square tubing. The longitudinal frame 40 has an inverted L-shaped cross-section. An integral flange 40a extending outwards in the left-right direction is provided on the upper part of the longitudinal frame 40. Multiple fixing holes 40b (see reference) are provided at intervals along the longitudinal (long side) direction of the flange 40a of the longitudinal frame 40. Figure 4 The fixing hole 40b extends through the flange 40a in the vertical direction. Details will be described later, but the fastener 70 for fixing the longitudinal frame 40 to the side beam 6 passes through the fixing hole 40b.

[0109] The horizontal frame 50 is made of square tubing. The horizontal frame 50 has a quadrilateral cross-section. The longitudinal frame 40 and the horizontal frame 50 are formed, for example, by extruding aluminum.

[0110] The bottom component 60 is a plate component that forms the bottom surface of the battery housing 32. The bottom component 60 is arranged to cover the lower part of the longitudinal frame 40, the lower part of the transverse frame 50, and the space divided by the longitudinal frame 40 and the transverse frame 50 from below. Although not shown, a cover component that covers the upper part of the battery housing 32 may also be provided.

[0111] (Connection points between longitudinal and transverse frames)

[0112] Figure 4 This is a detailed top view showing the connection between the longitudinal frame 40 and the transverse frame 50 as viewed from above. Figure 4 express Figure 3 Region IV in the middle.

[0113] The longitudinal frame side connection 41 in the longitudinal frame 40, relative to the transverse frame 50, is provided with a stepped longitudinal frame side step 42. The longitudinal frame side connection 41 is an example of a second connection. The longitudinal frame side connection 41 is the connection portion in the longitudinal frame 40 relative to the transverse frame 50 (see reference). Figure 4(The double-dotted line). The longitudinal frame side step portion 42 is an example of the second step portion. The longitudinal frame side step portion 42 is formed in a step shape when viewed from the top and bottom.

[0114] Specifically, the longitudinal frame side step portion 42 includes a longitudinal protrusion 42a. The longitudinal protrusion 42a extends outward in the longitudinal direction and vertically in the left-right direction at its outer end in the front-rear direction and its outer portion in the left-right direction within the longitudinal frame 40. A longitudinal frame side space 43, where the longitudinal protrusion 42a is absent, is formed at the outer end in the front-rear direction and its inner portion in the left-right direction within the longitudinal frame 40. The longitudinal frame side space 43 is an example of a second space. The longitudinal frame side step portion 42 forms the longitudinal frame side space 43.

[0115] The longitudinal frame 40 includes a longitudinal frame side contact surface 44. The longitudinal frame side contact surface 44 is an example of a second contact surface. The longitudinal frame side contact surface 44 faces inward in the left-right direction, opposite to the transverse frame 50. At least a portion of the longitudinal frame side contact surface 44 is located on the longitudinal frame side step portion 42. Specifically, the longitudinal frame side contact surface 44 is located on the inward-facing surface in the left-right direction of the longitudinal protrusion 42a of the longitudinal frame side step portion 42. In this example, the entire longitudinal frame side contact surface 44 is located on the longitudinal frame side step portion 42.

[0116] The transverse frame side connection 51 of the transverse frame 50, relative to the longitudinal frame 40, is provided with a stepped transverse frame side step 52. The transverse frame side connection 51 is an example of a first connection. The transverse frame side connection 51 is a connection portion in the transverse frame 50 relative to the longitudinal frame 40 (see reference). Figure 4 (The double-dotted line). The side step portion 52 of the horizontal frame is an example of the first step portion. The side step portion 52 of the horizontal frame is formed in a step shape when viewed from the top and bottom.

[0117] Specifically, the side step portion 52 of the transverse frame includes a transverse protrusion 52a. The transverse protrusion 52a extends outward in both the left-right direction and the front-back direction from its outer end portion in the transverse frame 50. A transverse frame side space 53, where the transverse protrusion 52a is absent, is formed at the outer end portion in the left-right direction and the inner portion in the front-back direction of the transverse frame 50. The transverse frame side space 53 is an example of a first space. The side step portion 52 forms the transverse frame side space 53.

[0118] The longitudinal frame side step 42 of the longitudinal frame 40 and the transverse frame side step 52 of the transverse frame 50 engage with each other.

[0119] The transverse frame 50 includes a transverse frame side contact surface 54. The transverse frame side contact surface 54 is an example of a first contact surface. The transverse frame side contact surface 54 faces inward in the front-rear direction relative to the longitudinal frame 40. At least a portion of the transverse frame side contact surface 54 is provided in the transverse frame side step portion 52. Specifically, a portion 54a of the transverse frame side contact surface 54 is provided inward in the front-rear direction of the transverse protrusion 52a of the transverse frame side step portion 52. Another portion 54b of the transverse frame side contact surface 54 is provided inward in the front-rear direction of the corner 55 of the transverse frame side connecting portion 51, which is slightly inward in the left-right direction compared to the transverse frame side step portion 52.

[0120] The longitudinal frame side space 43 of the longitudinal frame 40 accommodates at least a portion of the transverse frame side connecting portion 51 of the transverse frame 50. Specifically, the longitudinal frame side space 43 of the longitudinal frame 40 accommodates the corner portion 55 of the transverse frame side connecting portion 51 of the transverse frame 50.

[0121] The transverse frame side space 53 of the transverse frame 50 accommodates at least a portion of the longitudinal frame side connecting portion 41 of the longitudinal frame 40. Specifically, the transverse frame side space 53 of the transverse frame 50 accommodates the longitudinal protrusion 42a of the longitudinal frame side step portion 42 in the longitudinal frame side connecting portion 41 of the longitudinal frame 40.

[0122] (Positional relationship between the horizontal frame and the front side frame)

[0123] Figure 5 Indicates from Figure 4 The cross-sectional view shows the positional relationship between the transverse frame 50 and the front side frame 5, viewed in the direction of arrow V. The transverse frame side contact surface 54 of the front transverse frame 50 faces rearward relative to the longitudinal frame 40. The transverse frame side contact surface 54 of the front transverse frame 50 is located at a position that coincides with the rear end 5a of the front side frame 5 in the vertical direction.

[0124] (Positional relationship between longitudinal frame and side beam)

[0125] Figure 6 Indicates from Figure 4 The sectional view shows the positional relationship between the longitudinal frame and the side beam 6, with arrow VI pointing in the direction of the arrow.

[0126] A flange portion 40a extending outward in a left-right direction is integrally provided on the upper part of the longitudinal frame 40. A side beam 6 is disposed above the flange portion 40a of the longitudinal frame 40. The flange portion 40a of the longitudinal frame 40 is fixed to the side beam 6. Specifically, the flange portion 40a of the longitudinal frame 40 is fixed relative to the side beam 6 by a fastener 70. The fastener 70 passes through a fixing hole 40b provided in the flange portion 40a. The fastener 70 is, for example, a bolt.

[0127] The longitudinal frame side contact surface 44 of the longitudinal frame 40 faces inward in the left-right direction, with its surface facing the transverse frame 50. The longitudinal frame side contact surface 44 of the longitudinal frame 40 is located at a position that coincides with the fastener 70 in the vertical direction.

[0128] (Effect)

[0129] When vehicle A is involved in a frontal collision, the collision load caused by the frontal collision (hereinafter referred to as "frontal collision load Fx") is first applied to the transverse frame 50, and then transferred to the longitudinal frame 40 via the transverse frame side contact surface 54 of the transverse frame 50. On the other hand, when vehicle A is involved in a side collision, the collision load caused by the side collision (hereinafter referred to as "side collision load Fy") is first applied to the longitudinal frame 40, and then transferred to the transverse frame 50 via the longitudinal frame side contact surface 44 of the longitudinal frame 40.

[0130] In this way, even if vehicle A is involved in either a frontal collision or a side collision, the collision load can be supported by both the transverse frame 50 and the longitudinal frame 40.

[0131] The transverse frame 50 has a stepped transverse frame side step portion 52 forming a transverse frame side space 53 at the transverse frame side connecting portion 51. The transverse frame side space 53 of the transverse frame 50 accommodates at least a portion of the longitudinal frame side connecting portion 41 of the longitudinal frame 40. In the transverse frame 50, at least a portion of the transverse frame side contact surface 54 is provided on the transverse frame side step portion 52.

[0132] The transverse frame side contact surface 54 of the transverse frame 50 becomes easily facing the longitudinal frame 40. This facilitates the transfer of the frontal collision load Fx applied to the transverse frame 50 due to a frontal collision to the longitudinal frame 40 via the transverse frame side contact surface 54.

[0133] Similarly, the longitudinal frame side connecting portion 41 of the longitudinal frame 40 is provided with a stepped longitudinal frame side step portion 42 forming a longitudinal frame side space 43. The longitudinal frame side space 43 of the longitudinal frame 40 accommodates at least a portion of the transverse frame side connecting portion 51 of the transverse frame 50. In the longitudinal frame 40, at least a portion of the longitudinal frame side contact surface 44 is provided on the longitudinal frame side step portion 42.

[0134] The longitudinal frame side contact surface 44 of the longitudinal frame 40 becomes easily oriented toward the transverse frame 50. This facilitates the transfer of the side impact load Fy, caused by a side impact, applied to the longitudinal frame 40 to the transverse frame 50 via the longitudinal frame side contact surface 44.

[0135] In the battery unit 30 located below the floor panel 8 of vehicle A, the battery cells 31 housed in the battery casing 32 can be protected from both frontal and side collisions.

[0136] By engaging the horizontal frame side step 52 of the horizontal frame 50 with the vertical frame side step 42 of the vertical frame 40, it becomes easy to assemble the horizontal frame 50 and the vertical frame 40.

[0137] In the event of a frontal collision involving vehicle A, the frontal collision load Fx is first applied to the front side frame 5, then transferred from the rear end 5a of the front side frame 5 to the front transverse frame 50, and then transferred to the longitudinal frame 40 via the transverse frame side contact surface 54 of the front transverse frame 50. The transverse frame side contact surface 54 of the front transverse frame 50 is located at a position that coincides with the rear end 5a of the front side frame 5 in the vertical direction.

[0138] Therefore, the frontal collision load Fx caused by the frontal collision can be smoothly transferred sequentially to the front side frame 5, the front transverse frame 50 and the longitudinal frame 40.

[0139] In the event of a side collision involving vehicle A, the side collision load Fy is first applied to the side beam 6, then transferred to the longitudinal frame 40 via the fastener 70 (between the side beam 6 and the longitudinal frame 40), and subsequently transferred to the transverse frame 50 via the longitudinal frame side contact surface 44 of the longitudinal frame 40. The longitudinal frame side contact surface 44 of the longitudinal frame 40 is located at a position that coincides with the fastener 70 (between the side beam 6 and the longitudinal frame 40) in the vertical direction.

[0140] Therefore, the side impact load Fy caused by the side impact can be smoothly transferred sequentially to the side beam 6, the fastener 70, the longitudinal frame 40 and the transverse frame 50.

[0141] <Second Implementation>

[0142] The second embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same symbols are used to refer to the same structures as in the above embodiment, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0143] Figure 7 This is a detailed top view showing the connection between the longitudinal frame 40 and the transverse frame 50 in the second embodiment, viewed from above.

[0144] In this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a stepped horizontal frame side step portion 52 is provided in the horizontal frame side connecting portion 51 of the horizontal frame 50 relative to the vertical frame 40. However, unlike the first embodiment, the stepped vertical frame side step portion 42 is not provided in the vertical frame side connecting portion 41 of the vertical frame 40 relative to the horizontal frame 50.

[0145] The transverse frame side space 53 of the transverse frame 50 accommodates the entire longitudinal frame side connecting part 41 of the longitudinal frame 40.

[0146] The other structures are the same as in the first embodiment. According to this embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0147] <Third Implementation Method>

[0148] The third embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same symbols are used to refer to the same structures as in the above embodiments, and detailed descriptions are omitted. Figure 8 A perspective view is used to illustrate the details of the connection between the longitudinal frame 40 and the transverse frame 50 in the third embodiment.

[0149] In this embodiment, the step portion 42 on the longitudinal frame side is stepped when viewed from the left-right direction. The step portion 52 on the transverse frame side is stepped when viewed from the front-back direction.

[0150] The other structures are the same as in the first embodiment. According to this embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0151] <Other Implementation Methods>

[0152] The present invention has been described above through preferred embodiments, but such description is not a limitation and various changes, substitutions or combinations are possible.

[0153] In the above embodiment, the first direction is set as the left-right direction and the second direction is set as the front-back direction, but it is not limited to this. The first direction can also be set as the front-back direction and the second direction as the left-right direction. Even in this case, the same effect as the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0154] The first direction is one of the front-back direction and the left-right direction. The second direction is the other of the front-back direction and the left-right direction. The horizontal frame 50 is one of the first frame and the second frame. The vertical frame 40 is the other of the first frame and the second frame. Similarly, the side contact surface 54 of the horizontal frame is one of the first contact surface and the second contact surface. The side contact surface 44 of the vertical frame is the other of the first contact surface and the second contact surface.

[0155] Industrial utilization potential

[0156] This invention can be applied to battery cells, and is therefore extremely useful with potential for industrial use.

Claims

1. A battery cell, wherein the battery cell is disposed below the floor panel of a vehicle with individual battery cells housed within a battery casing, characterized in that, The battery casing has: A pair of first frames that extend parallel to each other in a first direction, which is either a front-back direction or a left-right direction; as well as A pair of second frames that extend parallel to each other in a second direction, which is the other of the front-back and left-right directions. The battery casing is assembled into a four-sided shape by the first frame and the second frame surrounding the battery cell. The first frame includes a first contact surface that faces the second frame in the second direction. The second frame includes a second contact surface that faces the first frame in the first direction. The first frame has a stepped first step portion at a first connecting portion relative to the second frame, which forms a first space that accommodates at least a portion of the second connecting portion of the second frame relative to the first frame. At least a portion of the first contact surface is located on the first step portion.

2. The battery cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second connecting portion has a stepped second step portion, which forms a second space that accommodates at least a portion of the first connecting portion. At least a portion of the second contact surface is located at the second step portion. The first step portion and the second step portion engage with each other.

3. The battery cell according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Viewed from above and below, the first step is stepped in shape.

4. The battery cell according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Viewed from the second direction, the first step portion is formed in a step shape.

5. The battery cell according to claim 2, characterized in that, Viewed from above and below, the second step is stepped in shape.

6. The battery cell according to claim 2, characterized in that, Viewed from the first direction, the second step portion is formed in a step shape.

7. The battery cell according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The battery casing has: A pair of horizontal frames, which is one of the first frame and the second frame, and extend parallel to each other in the left-right direction; as well as A pair of longitudinal frames, which is the other of the first and second frames, and extend parallel to each other in the front-to-back direction. The cross frame includes a cross frame side contact surface, which is one of the first contact surface and the second contact surface. The vehicle has a pair of front side brackets that, together with the floor panel, form the vehicle body. These front side brackets separate from the floor panel in the left-right direction and extend forward. The horizontal frame side contact surface of the front side frame faces the rearward with the longitudinal frame facing it, and is located at a position that coincides with the rear end of the front side frame in the vertical direction.

8. The battery cell according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The battery casing has: A pair of longitudinal frames, which is one of the first frame and the second frame, and extend parallel to each other in the front-back direction; A pair of horizontal frames, which is the other of the first and second frames, and extend parallel to each other in the left-right direction. The longitudinal frame includes a longitudinal frame side contact surface, which is one of the first contact surface and the second contact surface. The vehicle has a pair of side beams that, together with the floor panel, form the vehicle body, and the pair of side beams extend along the left-right edges of the floor panel in the front-rear direction. The longitudinal frame is fixed relative to the side beam by fasteners. The longitudinal frame side contact surface of the longitudinal frame faces the transverse frame in the left-right direction and is located at a position that coincides with the fastener in the vertical direction.

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