Battery frame structure

Abstract

The battery housing structure (S) has a housing (10) covering the battery (2) disposed on the vehicle floor (1). The housing (10) has a side wall (11) and a front wall (12) and a rear wall (13) extending in the vehicle width direction. The side wall (11) extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction and has a closed profile. At least one of the front wall (12) and the rear wall (13) has a first rib (21) extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and a second rib (23) extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction at an end in the vehicle width direction, respectively. The first rib (21) approaches or abuts the first wall (11A) forming the closed profile of the side wall (11) from the inside of the vehicle width direction. The second rib (23) approaches or abuts the second wall (11B) from the inside of the vehicle width direction. The second wall is located further inside the vehicle width direction than the first wall (11A), forming a closed section of the side wall.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a battery frame structure. Background Technology

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a battery housing comprising a cast component disposed at the front end of a vehicle, a rear wall on the rear side of the vehicle, side walls disposed on the left and right sides along the vehicle width direction, and a bottom wall that connects the lower ends of the cast component, the rear wall, and the pair of left and right side walls to each other.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-59142 Summary of the Invention

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1, since the sidewall has relatively low rigidity compared to the cast components on the front side of the vehicle, when a load is applied to the vehicle body from the outside in the width direction, the sidewall may deform and damage the battery.

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a battery frame structure that can suppress battery damage when a load is input to the vehicle body from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention relates to a battery housing structure having a housing that covers a battery disposed on the vehicle floor. The housing has side walls and a front wall and a rear wall extending in the vehicle width direction. The side walls extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction and have a closed profile. At least one of the front wall and the rear wall has a first rib extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and a second rib extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction at its end in the vehicle width direction, respectively. The first rib approaches or abuts the first wall forming the closed profile of the side wall from the inside of the vehicle width direction. The second rib approaches or abuts the second wall from the inside of the vehicle width direction, the second wall being located further inside the vehicle width direction than the first wall, forming the closed profile of the side wall.

[0007] The effects of the invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, the battery frame structure can suppress battery damage when a load is input to the vehicle body from the outside in the vehicle width direction. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a top view showing the battery frame structure involved in the embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2A This is a perspective view showing the structure of the front wall and side wall according to the embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2BThis is a perspective view showing the joint structure between the front wall and the side wall according to the embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2C This is a cross-sectional view of the joint structure between the front wall and the side wall according to the embodiment.

[0013] Figure 3A This is a perspective view showing the structure of the rear wall and side wall according to the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 3B This is a perspective view showing the joint structure between the rear wall and the side wall according to the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing the fastening structure between the battery frame structure and the floor panel according to the embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Hereinafter, the battery frame structure S mounted in the vehicle according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, FW and BW indicate the front and rear sides in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, respectively; UP and DN indicate the upper and lower sides in the vehicle's vertical direction, respectively; and LH and RH indicate the left and right sides in the vehicle's width direction, respectively. In the following description, the front, front side, rear, and rear sides in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the upper, upper side, lower side, and lower side in the vehicle's vertical direction, and the left, left side, right side, and right side in the vehicle's width direction will be abbreviated as front, front side, rear, rear side, upper, upper side, lower side, lower side, left, left side, right side, respectively. Furthermore, structures with the same function as those already described will be labeled with the same reference numerals and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0017] The battery housing structure S has a housing 10 that covers the battery 2 surrounding the battery 2 disposed on the vehicle floor 1 (see reference). Figure 1 , 4 The battery 2 is disposed below the floor panel (hereinafter referred to as floor panel 1) that constitutes the vehicle body floor 1. The vehicle body floor refers, for example, to the components (floor panel, crossbeam, floor passage, etc.) that constitute the floor of the vehicle body.

[0018] The frame 10 protects the battery 2 from load input from the outside of the vehicle. The frame 10 has side walls 11, 11 arranged on the left and right sides, a front wall 12 arranged on the front side, and a rear wall 13 arranged on the rear side (see reference). Figure 1 Below the frame 10, a cover 14 is installed to cover the bottom of the frame 10 (see reference). Figure 4 ).

[0019] The side walls 11 and 11 are each cylindrical components extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and having a closed cross section R. The side walls 11 and 11 have a first wall 11A and a second wall 11B. The first wall 11A is located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and is parallel to the vehicle vertical direction. The second wall 11B is located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction than the first wall 11A and is parallel to the vehicle vertical direction.

[0020] Closed section R can also be like Figure 2A , 3A As illustrated, multiple rectangular closed sections are combined. The shape of the closed section R of the side wall 11 located on the left side in the vehicle width direction according to the embodiment is approximately L-shaped when viewed from the rear (see reference). Figure 2C That is, the side walls 11, 11 have a first wall 11A and a second wall 11B parallel to the vertical direction of the vehicle, a transverse wall 11C parallel to the width direction of the vehicle, an upper wall 11D parallel to the vertical direction of the vehicle, and a top wall 11E and a bottom wall 11F parallel to the width direction of the vehicle. The upper wall 11D is disposed between the first wall 11A and the second wall 11B in the width direction of the vehicle, and is arranged parallel to the vertical direction of the vehicle, positioned higher than the second wall 11B. The transverse wall 11C is disposed between the upper end of the second wall 11B and the lower end of the upper wall 11D, and is arranged parallel to the width direction of the vehicle. The top wall 11E is disposed between the upper end of the first wall 11A and the upper end of the upper wall 11D, and is arranged parallel to the width direction of the vehicle. The bottom wall 11F is disposed between the lower end of the first wall 11A and the lower end of the second wall 11B, and is arranged parallel to the width direction of the vehicle (see reference). Figures 2A-2C The structure of the closed section R is not limited to the structure described above; for example, the shape of the closed section R can also be rectangular. The structure of the second wall 11B is not limited to the structure described above; it can be composed of multiple walls, or it can have a wall that is inclined relative to the vertical direction of the vehicle. Alternatively, the upper wall 11D can also be defined as the second wall. The side walls 11, 11 are, for example, composed of extruded material formed by extrusion molding.

[0021] The front wall 12 extends along the width of the vehicle, and its two ends form a roughly rectangular shape (see reference). Figure 2A At the rear ends of both ends of the front wall 12 in the vehicle width direction, the front ends of the side walls 11, 11 are joined (see reference). Figure 2B The rear wall 13 has a generally rectangular cross-section and extends along the vehicle width direction (see reference). Figure 3A At the front ends of both ends of the rear wall 13 in the vehicle width direction, the rear ends of the side walls 11, 11 are joined (see reference). Figure 3B ).

[0022] The front wall 12 and rear wall 13 can also be castings formed from casting components. That is, the front wall 12 and rear wall 13 can also be formed by melting the casting components and injecting them into a mold for casting. By casting, it is possible to form reinforcing structures such as ribs or protrusions, and local thick-walled structures. Therefore, compared with forming the front wall 12 and rear wall 13 by methods other than casting, it is easier to improve rigidity. The front wall 12 and rear wall 13 according to the embodiment have, for example, multiple longitudinal ribs extending in the vertical direction or multiple transverse ribs extending in the vehicle width direction as reinforcing structures. Therefore, when a load is input in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the front wall 12 and rear wall 13 formed from highly rigid casting components can receive the impact. Furthermore, the load can be distributed to the side walls 11, 11 that engage with the front wall 12 and rear wall 13, absorbing the energy of the collision.

[0023] The front wall 12 and the rear wall 13 can also be connected by the connecting member 31 (see reference). Figure 1 In the battery frame structure S according to the embodiment, one end of the connecting member 31 is fixed to the central portion 12A at the rear end of the front wall 12. The other end of the connecting member 31 is fixed to the central portion 13A at the front end of the rear wall 13. The connecting member 31 is formed of components that are continuously connected in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The connecting member 31 is, for example, made of extruded material formed by extrusion molding. In addition, multiple connecting members 31 may be arranged in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the fixing portions between the front wall 12 and the rear wall 13 and the connecting member 31 are not limited to the above-described structure.

[0024] At the rear ends of both ends in the vehicle width direction at the front wall 12, an outer rib (hereinafter referred to as outer rib 21) serving as the first rib 21 and an inner rib (hereinafter referred to as inner rib 23) serving as the second rib 23 are respectively provided (see reference). Figure 2A In the following description, the construction of the outer rib 21 and the inner rib 23, and the joining structure between the front wall 12 and the side wall 11, will be described using the configuration on the left side in the vehicle width direction as an example. The configuration on the right side in the vehicle width direction is similar, therefore, the description is omitted. The construction of the outer rib 21 and the inner rib 23, and the joining structure between the front wall 12 and the side wall 11, according to the embodiment, are respectively configured on the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction, but they may also be configured on only one of the left and right sides.

[0025] The outer rib 21 extends rearward from the rear end of the left end of the front wall 12. The outer rib 21 has a first transverse rib 22A disposed at the upper part, a second transverse rib 22B disposed at the lower part, and a first longitudinal rib 22C disposed between the first transverse rib 22A and the second transverse rib 22B (see reference). Figure 2AThe first transverse rib 22A extends along the vehicle width direction, bends downward at the left end and extends along the vertical direction of the vehicle to form the first longitudinal rib 22C. The first longitudinal rib 22C bends inward at the lower end along the vehicle width direction and extends along the vehicle width direction to form the second transverse rib 22B.

[0026] The inner rib 23 is formed further in the vehicle width direction than the outer rib 21, extending rearward from the rear end of the left end of the front wall 12. The inner rib 23 has a second longitudinal rib 24A disposed at the upper part, a third longitudinal rib 24B disposed at the lower part, and a third transverse rib 24C disposed between the second longitudinal rib 24A and the third longitudinal rib 24B (see reference). Figure 2A The second longitudinal rib 24A extends along the vertical direction of the vehicle, and at its lower end bends inward in the vehicle width direction to extend along the vehicle width direction, forming the third transverse rib 24C. The third transverse rib 24C bends downward at its right end and extends along the vertical direction of the vehicle, forming the third longitudinal rib 24B. The third transverse rib 24C of the inner rib 23 is positioned between the first transverse rib 22A and the second transverse rib 22B of the outer rib 21 in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0027] The front end of the side wall 11 joins the rear end of the left end of the front wall 12. In the joined state, the first wall 11A forming the closed section R of the side wall 11 is positioned on the outer side of the outer rib 21 in the vehicle width direction (see reference). Figure 2B , 2C That is, the outer rib 21 approaches the inner surface of the first wall 11A from the inside in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, in the engaged state, the second wall 11B, which forms the closed section R of the side wall 11, is positioned on the outside of the inner rib 23 in the vehicle width direction (see reference). Figure 2B , 2C That is, the inner rib 23 approaches the outer surface of the second wall 11B from the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0028] In this embodiment, the front end of the side wall 11 is welded to the rear end of the left end of the front wall 12. The outer rib 21 can abut against the inner surface of the first wall 11A from the inside in the vehicle width direction, or it can be joined by welding. Similarly, the inner rib 23 can abut against the outer surface of the second wall 11B from the inside in the vehicle width direction, or it can be joined by welding. Additionally, the inner rib 23 approaches or abuts against the outer surface of the upper wall 11D from the inside in the vehicle width direction (including cases where it is joined by welding). The inner rib 23 approaches or abuts against the outer surface of the transverse wall 11C from the upper side in the vehicle vertical direction. Furthermore, the outer rib 21 approaches or abuts against the outer surface of the top wall 11E from the upper side in the vehicle vertical direction (including cases where it is joined by welding). The outer rib 21 approaches or abuts against the outer surface of the bottom wall 11F from the lower side in the vehicle vertical direction (including cases where it is joined by welding).

[0029] With the aforementioned joint structure, when a load is applied along the vehicle width direction and the first wall 11A of the side wall 11 deforms inward in the vehicle width direction, the first wall 11A is supported inward in the vehicle width direction by the outer rib 21 near the first wall 11A. This suppresses the inward deformation of the first wall 11A in the vehicle width direction. Similarly, when the second wall 11B of the side wall 11 deforms inward in the vehicle width direction, the second wall 11B is supported inward in the vehicle width direction by the inner rib 23 near the second wall 11B. This suppresses the inward deformation of the second wall 11B in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, compared to a structure without the outer rib 21 and the inner rib 23, the rigidity of the side wall 11 in the vehicle width direction can be improved. Furthermore, the shape and position of the outer rib 21 and the inner rib 23 are not limited to the above structure. As long as the inner rib 23 is positioned further inside the vehicle width direction than the outer rib 21, the outer rib 21 approaches or abuts against the first wall 11A from the inside of the vehicle width direction, and the inner rib 23 approaches or abuts against the second wall 11B from the inside of the vehicle width direction, it can be configured to have any shape and position.

[0030] At the rear ends of both ends in the vehicle width direction at the rear wall 13, outer ribs 25 and inner ribs 27 are respectively provided (see reference). Figure 3A In the following description, the structures of the outer rib 25 and the inner rib 27, and the joint structure between the rear wall 13 and the side wall 11, will be described using the structure arranged on the left side in the vehicle width direction as an example. The same applies to the structure arranged on the right side in the vehicle width direction, therefore, the description is omitted. The structures of the outer rib 25 and the inner rib 27, and the joint structure between the rear wall 13 and the side wall 11, according to the embodiment, are respectively arranged on the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction, but they may also be arranged on only one of the left and right sides.

[0031] The outer rib 25 extends forward from the front end of the left end of the rear wall 13. The outer rib 25 has a first transverse rib 26A disposed at the upper part, a second transverse rib 26B disposed at the lower part, and a first longitudinal rib 26C disposed between the first transverse rib 26A and the second transverse rib 26B (see reference). Figure 3A These structures are the same as the outer rib 21 at the front wall 12, therefore, description is omitted. The inner rib 27 is located further in the vehicle width direction than the outer rib 25, extending forward from the front end of the left end of the rear wall 13. The inner rib 27 has a second longitudinal rib 28A located at the top, a third longitudinal rib 28B located at the bottom, and a third transverse rib 28C located between the second longitudinal rib 28A and the third longitudinal rib 28B. These structures are the same as the inner rib 23 at the front wall 12, therefore, description is omitted.

[0032] The rear end of the side wall 11 joins the front end of the left end of the rear wall 13. In the joined state, the first wall 11A forming the closed section R of the side wall 11 is positioned on the outer side of the outer rib 25 in the vehicle width direction (see reference). Figure 3BThat is, the outer rib 25 approaches the inner surface of the first wall 11A from the inside in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, in the engaged state, the second wall 11B, which forms the closed section R of the side wall 11, is positioned on the outside of the inner rib 27 in the vehicle width direction (see reference). Figure 3B That is, the inner rib 27 approaches the outer surface of the second wall 11B from the inside in the vehicle width direction. In the embodiment, the rear end of the side wall 11 is welded to the front end of the left end of the rear wall 13. The outer rib 25 can abut against the inner surface of the first wall 11A from the inside in the vehicle width direction, or it can be joined by welding. Similarly, the inner rib 27 can abut against the outer surface of the second wall 11B from the inside in the vehicle width direction, or it can be joined by welding. Furthermore, the shape and position of the outer rib 25 and the inner rib 27 are not limited to the above structure, and may be different from the outer rib 21 and the inner rib 23. Regarding the shape and position of the outer rib 25 and the inner rib 27, as long as the inner rib 27 is positioned further inside the vehicle width direction than the outer rib 25, the outer rib 25 approaches or abuts against the first wall 11A from the inside of the vehicle width direction (including the case of joining by welding), and the inner rib 27 approaches or abuts against the second wall 11B from the inside of the vehicle width direction (including the case of joining by welding), it can be configured to have any shape and position.

[0033] The front wall 12 may also have a pair of fastening portions 41A, 41B protruding forward from the front end. In the battery frame structure S according to the embodiment, the fastening portion 41A1 of the pair of fastening portions 41A1, 41A2 constituting the left side, which is located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, is fixed to the longitudinal beam 4, which is the frame structure of the vehicle (see reference). Figure 4 The fastening part 41A2, which is located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, is fixed to the floor panel 1 via a connecting member (see reference). Figure 4 The fastener 41B1, which is located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, of the pair of fasteners 41B on the right side, is fixed to the longitudinal beam 4, which is the frame structure of the vehicle. The fastener 41B2, which is located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, is fixed to the floor panel 1 via a connecting member.

[0034] The front ends of fastening portions 41A1, 41A2, 41B1, and 41B2 are generally semi-circular, and mounting holes are provided near the center of each front end. Fastening portions 41A1, 41A2, 41B1, and 41B2 are formed with thick walls, and the battery 2 is fastened to the vehicle body through these mounting holes. Furthermore, although not shown, an internal thread is formed on the upper surface of the front wall 12 for securing the upper casing of the battery 2 with bolts. This internally threaded portion is thicker in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle compared to other portions, eliminating the need for fastening tools such as expansion nuts. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the formation of steps or gaps between the upper surface of the front wall 12 and the upper casing. This, for example, allows for the reduction of sealing material in the watertight structure between the upper surface of the front wall 12 and the upper casing, simplifying the structure.

[0035] (1) The battery frame structure S has a frame 10 that covers the battery 2 disposed on the vehicle floor 1. The frame 10 has a side wall 11 and a front wall 12 and a rear wall 13 extending in the vehicle width direction. The side wall 11 extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction and has a closed section R. At least one of the front wall 12 and the rear wall 13 has a first rib, i.e., an outer rib 21, 25, extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a second rib, i.e., an inner rib 23, 27, extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction further inward than the outer ribs 21, 25. The outer ribs 21, 25 approach or abut against the first wall 11A that forms the closed section of the side wall 11 from the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The inner ribs 23, 27 approach or abut against the second wall 11B that is located in the vehicle width direction further inward than the first wall 11A and forms the closed section R of the side wall 11 from the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

[0036] With the above structure, when a load is applied along the vehicle width direction, the deformation of the first wall 11A and the second wall 11B can be suppressed by the outer ribs 21 and 25 and the inner ribs 23 and 27. Therefore, the deformation of the side wall 11 can be suppressed, and the rigidity in the vehicle width direction can be improved.

[0037] (2) In addition, in the embodiment, the outer ribs 21, 25 and the inner ribs 23, 27 have transverse ribs 22A, 22B, 24C, 26A, 26B, 28C extending in the vehicle width direction. As a result, a structure with high strength relative to the load input in the vehicle width direction can be provided. Therefore, the rigidity in the vehicle width direction can be further improved.

[0038] (3) Furthermore, in the embodiment, first transverse ribs 22A, 26A and second transverse ribs 22B, 26B are formed at both ends of the outer ribs 21, 25 in the vehicle vertical direction. This allows for the vertical arrangement of transverse ribs 22A, 22B, 26A, 26B, which are strong relative to loads input along the vehicle width direction. Therefore, rigidity in the vehicle width direction can be further improved. Additionally, the first transverse ribs 22A, 26A and the second transverse ribs 22B, 26B are respectively close to or abut against the inner or outer wall of the side wall 11 (including cases where they are joined by welding). This allows for the positioning of the side wall during the manufacturing process.

[0039] (4) Furthermore, in the embodiment, the inner ribs 23 and 27 have first transverse ribs 22A and 26A, second transverse ribs 22B and 26B, and third transverse ribs 24C and 28C in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The third transverse ribs 24C and 28C are disposed between the first transverse ribs 22A and 26A and the second transverse ribs 22B and 26B, and extend in the vehicle width direction. Thus, in the vertical direction of the vehicle, a structure with high strength relative to the load input in the vehicle width direction can be provided at the first transverse ribs 22A and 26A, the second transverse ribs 22B and 26B, and the portion between them. Therefore, the rigidity in the vehicle width direction can be further improved.

[0040] (5) Furthermore, in the embodiment, a connecting member 31 formed of continuous components is provided, which connects the central portions of the front wall 12 and the rear wall 13 to each other. As a result, when a load is input in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, deformation of the central portions of the front wall 12 and the rear wall 13 can be suppressed. Therefore, the rigidity in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle can be improved.

[0041] The above embodiments are merely simple examples described for ease of understanding of the invention. The technical scope of the invention is not limited to the specific technical matters disclosed in the above embodiments, but also includes various modifications, alterations, and alternative techniques that can be easily derived therefrom.

[0042] Explanation of the label

[0043] 1. Floor panel (vehicle floor)

[0044] 2 batteries

[0045] 10. Frame

[0046] 11 Side walls

[0047] 11A First Wall

[0048] 11B Second Wall

[0049] 12 Front wall

[0050] 13. Back wall

[0051] 21, 25 Lateral ribs (first rib)

[0052] 22A, 26A First transverse rib (transverse rib)

[0053] 22B, 26B Second transverse rib (transverse rib)

[0054] 23, 27 Medial ribs (second ribs)

[0055] 24C, 28C Third transverse rib

[0056] 31 Connecting components

[0057] R Closed Section

[0058] S Battery frame structure

Claims

1. A battery housing configuration having a housing that covers the battery surrounding a battery disposed on a vehicle floor. The frame has: The sidewalls, extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, have a closed section; and The front and rear walls extending along the width of the vehicle. At least one of the front wall and the rear wall has a first rib extending in the vehicle width direction at its end and a second rib extending in the vehicle width direction further inside the first rib than the first rib. The first rib approaches or abuts against the first wall that forms the closed section of the side wall from the inside in the vehicle width direction. The second rib approaches or abuts against the second wall from the inside of the vehicle width direction. The second wall is located further inside the vehicle width direction than the first wall, forming a closed section of the side wall.

2. The battery frame structure according to claim 1, wherein, The first rib and the second rib have transverse ribs extending along the vehicle width direction.

3. The battery frame structure according to claim 2, wherein, The transverse ribs are formed at the two ends of the first rib in the vertical direction of the vehicle, namely the first transverse rib and the second transverse rib.

4. The battery frame structure according to claim 3, wherein, The second rib has a third transverse rib, which is disposed between the first transverse rib and the second transverse rib in the vertical direction of the vehicle and extends along the width direction of the vehicle.

5. The battery frame structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, It also has a connecting component that connects the central portions of the front wall and the rear wall to each other, and is formed of continuous components.

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