Protective structure, battery box and automobile

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of new energy battery, in particular to a protection structure, a battery box and a car, the protection structure comprises a supporting assembly; the battery box comprises a frame, the supporting assembly is arranged on the outer wall of the frame, and the supporting assembly is fixedly connected with the vehicle body of the car; a buffer energy absorption area is formed in the supporting assembly, and the buffer energy absorption area can absorb collision energy to reduce the invasion of collision energy into the frame. The protection structure, the battery box and the car provided by the present application set the supporting assembly with the buffer energy absorption area on the outer wall of the frame of the battery box, and realize the functions of vehicle body installation and fixation and collision energy absorption by using the supporting assembly, thereby effectively solving the technical problem that the battery box cannot simultaneously meet the requirements of anti-extrusion and collision energy absorption in the prior art.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of new energy battery technology, specifically to a protective structure, a battery box, and an automobile. Background Technology

[0002] Squeezing and collision are common conditions in car accidents. For electric vehicles, if the cells inside the battery pack are subjected to severe squeezing and collision, there is a risk of thermal runaway, or even fire and explosion.

[0003] Currently, the battery boxes commonly used in electric vehicles are made of welded aluminum profile straight frames. The box has low strength and is easily deformed under compression and impact, leading to welding failure. Some battery boxes are made of steel. Although steel itself has high strength and its resistance to compression is improved, it cannot effectively absorb energy during an impact. This can cause the box to deform severely and compress the internal battery cells. In other words, the existing battery boxes cannot protect the internal battery cells under compression and impact conditions. Summary of the Invention

[0004] (a) The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is that the existing battery box cannot protect the internal battery cells under the conditions of compression and collision.

[0005] (II) Technical Solution To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of the present invention provide a protective structure for a vehicle battery housing, the protective structure including a support component; The battery box includes a frame, the support assembly is disposed on the outer wall of the frame, and the support assembly is also fixedly connected to the vehicle body; The support component has a buffer energy-absorbing area formed within it, which can absorb collision energy to reduce the intrusion of collision energy into the frame.

[0006] Furthermore, the support assembly includes an upper support portion and a lower support portion; The upper support portion includes a connected upper support rib and an upper energy-absorbing rib, and the lower support portion includes a connected lower support rib and a lower energy-absorbing rib. The upper support rib and the lower support rib are stacked and arranged along the height direction of the frame; The end of the upper energy-absorbing rib that is away from the upper support rib is connected to the side wall of the frame, and the end of the lower support portion that is away from the lower support rib is connected to the bottom of the side wall of the frame. The upper and lower energy-absorbing ribs together form the buffer energy-absorbing zone.

[0007] Furthermore, both the upper support rib and the lower support rib have recesses and protrusions that are alternately arranged along their own direction toward the shown frame. The depressions can absorb impact energy when compressed, and the protrusions can increase structural strength when compressed.

[0008] Furthermore, the frame includes a frame beam, a first support rib, and a second support rib; The frame beam has a cavity inside, and the first support rib and the second support rib are located inside the cavity. The first support rib is located above the second support rib, and the two are arranged at intervals along the height of the cavity.

[0009] Furthermore, the upper support also includes an inclined support, one end of which is connected to the end of the upper energy-absorbing rib, and the other end is connected to the outer wall of the frame beam corresponding to the first support rib.

[0010] Furthermore, the lower support also includes a horizontal support, one end of which is connected to the end of the lower energy-absorbing rib, and the other end is connected to the bottom of the frame beam.

[0011] Furthermore, the top of the frame beam is provided with an upper rivet nut, which is riveted to the upper shell of the battery box. The bottom of the frame beam is provided with a pull-down rivet nut and an overflow groove. The pull-down rivet nut is riveted to the liquid cooling plate of the battery box, and the overflow groove is used to apply sealant.

[0012] Furthermore, a support sleeve is provided between the upper support rib and the lower support rib.

[0013] An embodiment of the present invention provides a battery housing including the above-described protective structure.

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention provides a car including the battery housing described above.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are: This invention provides a protective structure primarily used in automotive battery housings. The battery housing includes a frame serving as the main skeleton, and the protective structure includes a support assembly. This support assembly is mounted on the outer wall of the frame and is also used for fixed connection to the vehicle body. An energy-absorbing buffer zone is formed inside the support assembly. This energy-absorbing buffer zone is a cavity or specific structural area constructed within the support assembly. When the vehicle experiences a side collision or underbody compression, the external impact force first acts on the support assembly. The energy-absorbing buffer zone can absorb and dissipate a large amount of collision energy through its own structural deformation (such as wrinkling, bending, or compression), thereby significantly reducing the impact energy transmitted to the frame and even the interior of the battery housing, effectively reducing the intrusion of collision energy into the frame. The presence of the energy-absorbing buffer zone allows the entire protective structure to resist deformation under compressive loads and protect internal core components by absorbing energy during collision impacts, achieving a synergistic effect of compression resistance and energy absorption, rather than simply increasing structural strength or stiffness. By incorporating a support component with a buffer energy-absorbing zone on the outer wall of the battery housing frame, and utilizing this component to simultaneously achieve vehicle body mounting and collision energy absorption, the technical problem of existing battery housings being unable to simultaneously meet the requirements for compression resistance and collision energy absorption is effectively solved. This structure allows the battery housing to absorb most of the impact energy through the deformation of the buffer energy-absorbing zone during side collisions or bottom compression, reducing the amount of intrusion transmitted to the frame and internal battery cells, and significantly improving the safety and reliability of the battery housing.

[0016] This invention provides a battery housing including the aforementioned protective structure, inheriting all the beneficial effects of the protective structure and possessing excellent dual performance of compression resistance and impact energy absorption. This battery housing can meet the installation and load-bearing requirements of daily use, and effectively protect the internal battery modules and cells from compression damage in collision accidents, thereby significantly improving the safety and reliability of the battery pack and reducing the risk of thermal runaway and fire / explosion.

[0017] This invention provides a vehicle including the aforementioned battery pack, which possesses enhanced collision safety performance. In the event of a side collision, the protective structure on the battery pack effectively absorbs impact energy and resists compression deformation, maximizing the protection of the internal battery cells, reducing the risk of thermal runaway, and improving the overall vehicle safety level. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the protective structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of the battery box provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the upper support structure of the protective structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the lower support structure of the protective structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the battery box structure for the protective structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] icon: 100 - Support component; 101 - Upper support section; 102 - Lower support section; 103 - Upper support rib; 104 - Upper energy-absorbing rib; 105 - Lower support rib; 106 - Lower energy-absorbing rib; 107 - Diagonal support; 108 - Horizontal support; 200 - Frame; 201 - Frame beam; 202 - First support rib; 203 - Second support rib; 204 - Upper rivet nut; 205 - Lower rivet nut. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper" and "lower," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0023] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linkage" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances. Furthermore, in the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0024] Example 1 like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the present invention provides a protective structure for a battery box of an automobile, the protective structure including a support component 100; The battery box includes a frame 200, a support component 100 disposed on the outer wall of the frame 200, and the support component 100 is also fixedly connected to the vehicle body. A buffer energy-absorbing area is formed within the support component 100. The buffer energy-absorbing area can absorb collision energy to reduce the collision energy intrusion into the frame 200.

[0025] In this embodiment, the protective structure is mainly used for the battery box of a car. The battery box includes a frame 200 as the main skeleton, and the protective structure includes a support component 100. The support component 100 is disposed on the outer wall of the frame 200. Specifically, the support component 100 extends along the length of the frame 200 and is fixedly installed on at least one outer facade of the frame 200. The extension direction of the support component 100 is parallel to the corresponding side of the frame 200, thereby forming an additional protective layer on the outside of the frame 200. The support component 100 is also used for fixed connection with the car body. That is to say, the support component 100 not only undertakes the protective function, but also acts as the mounting part between the battery box and the car body. Preferably, the support component 100 may be provided with mounting holes, mounting brackets, or positioning pins, so as to fix the battery box as a whole to the longitudinal beams or transverse beams of the car body by means of bolts, welding, or riveting.

[0026] Specifically, a buffer energy-absorbing zone is formed inside the support component 100. This buffer energy-absorbing zone is a cavity or specific structural area constructed inside the body of the support component 100. When a side collision or bottom compression occurs, the external impact force first acts on the support component 100. The buffer energy-absorbing zone can absorb and dissipate a large amount of collision energy through its own structural deformation (such as wrinkling, bending, or compression), thereby significantly reducing the impact energy transmitted to the frame 200 and even the battery box, effectively reducing the intrusion of collision energy into the frame 200. The existence of the buffer energy-absorbing zone enables the entire protective structure to resist deformation when subjected to compressive loads, and to protect the internal core components by absorbing energy when subjected to collision impacts, achieving a synergistic effect of compression resistance and buffer energy absorption, rather than simply increasing structural strength or stiffness.

[0027] Furthermore, the support component 100 can adopt various structural forms to achieve the above functions. For example, the support component 100 can be a stamped metal sheet, and two metal sheets can be welded together to form an internally hollow structure, which constitutes the buffer energy absorption zone. Alternatively, the support component 100 can also be an extruded aluminum alloy profile, which has multiple chambers extending along its length, some of which can serve as buffer energy absorption zones, and others as reinforcing structures. The support component 100 and the frame 200 are preferably connected by welding to ensure that they form a solid integral structure, thereby ensuring the continuity of the force transmission path.

[0028] The protective structure provided in this embodiment, by providing a support component 100 with a buffer energy-absorbing area on the outer wall of the battery box frame 200, and utilizing this support component 100 to simultaneously achieve vehicle body mounting and collision energy absorption functions, effectively solves the technical problem in the prior art that battery boxes cannot simultaneously meet the requirements of compression resistance and collision energy absorption. This structure allows the battery box to absorb most of the impact energy through the deformation of the buffer energy-absorbing area during side collisions or bottom compressions, reducing the amount of intrusion transmitted to the frame 200 and internal battery cells, significantly improving the safety and reliability of the battery box. Furthermore, this structure is simple, easy to manufacture, and easy to assemble.

[0029] According to one embodiment provided by the present invention, such as Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the support assembly 100 includes an upper support portion 101 and a lower support portion 102; The upper support part 101 includes an upper support rib 103 and an upper energy-absorbing rib 104 connected together, and the lower support part 102 includes a lower support rib 105 and a lower energy-absorbing rib 106 connected together. The upper support rib 103 and the lower support rib 105 are stacked and arranged along the height direction of the frame 200; The end of the upper energy-absorbing rib 104 that is away from the upper support rib 103 is connected to the side wall of the frame 200, and the end of the lower support part 102 that is away from the lower support rib 105 is connected to the bottom of the side wall of the frame 200. The upper energy-absorbing rib 104 and the lower energy-absorbing rib 106 enclose and form a buffer energy-absorbing zone.

[0030] In this embodiment, the upper support portion 101 and the lower support portion 102 are arranged vertically along the height direction of the frame 200, and are partially spaced apart in the vertical direction, together forming the overall frame of the support assembly 100. Both the upper support portion 101 and the lower support portion 102 are formed by stamping metal sheets (preferably high-strength steel sheets), and both are slender components with specific cross-sectional shapes, extending along the length direction of the frame 200.

[0031] Specifically, the upper support portion 101 includes an upper support rib 103 and an upper energy-absorbing rib 104. The upper support rib 103 and the upper energy-absorbing rib 104 are formed into a single integral component by integral stamping or welding. The upper support rib 103 is the main part of the upper support portion 101 that bears the compressive load and transmits the force; it has a large cross-sectional dimension and high structural strength. One end of the upper energy-absorbing rib 104 is connected to the upper support rib 103, and the other end extends towards the frame 200. Similarly, the lower support portion 102 includes a lower support rib 105 and a lower energy-absorbing rib 106. The lower support rib 105 and the lower energy-absorbing rib 106 can also be integrally formed or welded together. The lower support rib 105 is the main part of the lower support portion 102 that bears the load, and one end of the lower energy-absorbing rib 106 is connected to the lower support rib 105, and the other end extends towards the frame 200.

[0032] The upper support rib 103 and the lower support rib 105 are stacked along the height direction of the frame 200. That is, the upper support rib 103 is located above the lower support rib 105, and the projections of the upper support rib 103 and the lower support rib 105 on the horizontal plane at least partially overlap. This stacking arrangement creates a double-layer force transmission path in the vertical direction between the upper support rib 103 and the lower support rib 105. When subjected to lateral compression, the compressive force can be transmitted to the frame 200 simultaneously through the upper support rib 103 and the lower support rib 105, thereby improving the redundancy of the load-bearing capacity.

[0033] The end of the upper energy-absorbing rib 104 facing away from the upper support rib 103 (i.e., the end facing the frame 200) is connected to the side wall of the frame 200. Specifically, the end of the upper energy-absorbing rib 104 can be fixed to the upper part of the side wall of the frame 200 by welding. The end of the lower support part 102 facing away from the lower support rib 105 (i.e., the end of the lower energy-absorbing rib 106 facing the frame 200) is connected to the bottom of the side wall of the frame 200. This connection method enables the entire support assembly 100 to be fixedly connected to the frame 200 at both the upper and lower parts, forming a stable triangular or trapezoidal support structure.

[0034] Between the upper support portion 101 and the lower support portion 102, a closed or semi-closed cavity region is formed by the opposing surfaces of the two portions and the sidewalls of the frame 200. This cavity region constitutes a buffer energy absorption zone. When a collision occurs, the upper energy-absorbing rib 104 and the lower energy-absorbing rib 106, as the boundary structures of this cavity region, can bend or fold to effectively absorb energy.

[0035] Optionally, both the upper energy-absorbing rib 104 and the lower energy-absorbing rib 106 are thin-walled structures formed by stamping, and their cross-sectional shapes can be U-shaped, V-shaped, or arc-shaped, etc., to facilitate controllable plastic deformation under stress, thereby improving energy absorption efficiency. In addition, the upper energy-absorbing rib 104 and the upper support rib 103, and the lower energy-absorbing rib 106 and the lower support rib 105 can be connected by rounded corners to avoid stress concentration and ensure that the connection parts do not break prematurely during deformation.

[0036] According to one embodiment provided by the present invention, such as Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, both the upper support rib 103 and the lower support rib 105 have recesses and protrusions that are alternately arranged along their own extension direction. Depressions can absorb impact energy when compressed, while bulges can increase structural strength when compressed.

[0037] In this embodiment, both the upper support rib 103 and the lower support rib 105 have alternating recesses and protrusions arranged along their direction toward the frame 200. That is, the cross-section of the upper support rib 103 and the lower support rib 105 in this direction is not a flat plate structure, but rather a component with a corrugated cross-section processed by stamping or rolling. The recesses and protrusions are arranged alternately along the width extension direction of the support rib, forming a structural shape similar to a corrugated plate or corrugated sheet.

[0038] By alternating recesses and protrusions, when the supporting rib is subjected to compressive load along its thickness, the recessed portions, due to the change in cross-sectional shape, will bend first, absorbing a large amount of impact energy through plastic deformation. The existence of the recessed portions is equivalent to pre-setting energy-absorbing areas on the supporting rib, allowing the impact energy to be absorbed and dissipated in an orderly manner according to a predetermined pattern. Meanwhile, the protruding portions provide high structural stiffness under compression, resisting deformation and thus improving the overall structural strength of the supporting rib. The protruding portions also act as force transmission channels, effectively transferring external loads to the frame 200 and the internal reinforcing structure.

[0039] Through the synergistic effect of the concave and convex shapes, the upper support rib 103 and the lower support rib 105 will not fail to absorb energy due to excessive stiffness or fail due to excessive deformation when subjected to a collision. This allows the upper support rib 103 and the lower support rib 105 to adaptively deform and absorb energy according to the magnitude and direction of the collision force.

[0040] Preferably, the shapes of the recesses and protrusions can be arc-shaped, trapezoidal, or rectangular. The depth of the recesses and the height of the protrusions can be optimized according to actual load-bearing requirements and energy absorption requirements. For example, when facing large compressive loads, the height of the protrusions can be appropriately increased to improve support stiffness; when facing high collision velocities, the depth and number of recesses can be increased to increase the energy absorption stroke. In addition, the recesses and protrusions on the upper support rib 103 and the lower support rib 105 can be set to correspond to each other or be staggered in the height direction to achieve different deformation coordination modes.

[0041] According to one embodiment provided by the present invention, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the frame 200 includes a frame beam 201, a first support rib 202, and a second support rib 203; The frame beam 201 has a receiving cavity inside, and the first support rib 202 and the second support rib 203 are located in the receiving cavity. The first support rib 202 is located above the second support rib 203, and the two are arranged at intervals along the height of the receiving cavity.

[0042] In this embodiment, the frame 200 includes a frame beam 201, a first support rib 202, and a second support rib 203. The frame beam 201 is the outer shell of the frame 200, and its overall shape is a hollow cylindrical structure that extends along the edge of the battery box. The frame beam 201 is preferably made of high-strength steel through a roll forming process, and its cross-sectional shape can be rectangular or approximately rectangular.

[0043] Specifically, a receiving cavity is formed inside the frame beam 201. This receiving cavity is a hollow region extending along the length direction, enclosed within the wall of the frame beam 201. The presence of the receiving cavity reduces the overall weight of the frame beam 201 while providing space for the installation of internal reinforcing structures.

[0044] Both the first support rib 202 and the second support rib 203 are disposed within the receiving cavity. That is, the first support rib 202 and the second support rib 203 are not disposed outside the frame beam 201, but rather within the internal cavity of the frame beam 201. Both the first support rib 202 and the second support rib 203 are slender, plate-like members extending along the length of the receiving cavity, with their ends connected to the left and right walls of the receiving cavity, respectively. The first support rib 202 is positioned above the second support rib 203, and the two are spaced apart along the height of the receiving cavity.

[0045] In other words, the frame beam 201 has a rectangular cross-section, comprising an upper wall, a lower wall, an inner wall, and an outer wall. A first supporting rib 202 connects the inner and outer walls, dividing the receiving cavity into upper and lower sub-chambers. A second supporting rib 203 similarly connects to the corresponding walls, arranged parallel to the first supporting rib 202. The first and second supporting ribs 202 and 203 divide the receiving cavity into multiple sub-chambers arranged along the height direction, resulting in an overall cross-section of the frame 200 having a U-shaped structure.

[0046] This embodiment, by setting a first support rib 202 and a second support rib 203 inside the frame beam 201, makes the frame beam 201 have an overall U-shaped structure. This not only significantly enhances the bending and torsional stiffness of the frame 200 itself, but also allows the external compressive load to be directly borne by the internal support ribs, avoiding the load being borne entirely by the single-layer wall of the frame beam 201. This improves the overall compressive resistance of the frame 200 while reducing the structural weight.

[0047] According to one embodiment provided by the present invention, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the upper support 101 also includes an inclined support 107. One end of the inclined support 107 is connected to the end of the upper energy-absorbing rib 104, and the other end is connected to the outer wall of the frame beam 201 corresponding to the first support rib 202.

[0048] In this embodiment, the upper support portion 101 further includes an inclined support 107. The inclined support 107 is an inclined member disposed between the upper energy-absorbing rib 104 and the outer wall of the frame beam 201. One end of the inclined support 107 is connected to the end of the upper energy-absorbing rib 104, and the other end is connected to the outer wall of the frame beam 201 corresponding to the first support rib 202. Specifically, the inclined support 107 is disposed between the upper energy-absorbing rib 104 and the frame beam 201, and the position where the inclined support 107 connects to the frame beam 201 corresponds in height to the inner first support rib 202.

[0049] Preferably, the inclined support 107 forms an angle of 35°-45° with the outer side wall of the frame beam 201, and the first support rib 202 forms an angle of 60°-90° with the inner side wall of the frame beam 201, thereby achieving effective force transmission. If the inclination angle is too small, the force transmission path will be short and the energy absorption effect will be reduced; if the inclination angle is too large, the force transmission path will be long and the strength will be weakened.

[0050] The diagonal brace 107 allows the compressive force transmitted from the upper support rib 103 to be transferred along an inclined path to the portion of the outer wall of the frame beam 201 corresponding to the first support rib 202. This creates a more direct and efficient force transmission channel. The diagonal brace 107 further enhances the compressive strength and structural stability of the entire protective structure.

[0051] According to one embodiment provided by the present invention, such as Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the lower support 102 also includes a horizontal support 108, one end of which is connected to the end of the lower energy-absorbing rib 106, and the other end is connected to the bottom of the frame beam 201.

[0052] In this embodiment, the lower support 102 further includes a horizontal support 108. The horizontal support 108 is a horizontally extending member disposed between the lower energy-absorbing rib 106 and the bottom of the frame beam 201. One end of the horizontal support 108 is connected to the end of the lower energy-absorbing rib 106, and the other end is connected to the bottom of the frame beam 201. Specifically, the end of the lower energy-absorbing rib 106 facing away from the lower support rib 105 is connected to one end of the horizontal support 108, and the other end of the horizontal support 108 extends horizontally and is fixedly connected to the bottom wall of the frame beam 201.

[0053] The main function of the horizontal support 108 is to transfer the compressive load borne by the lower support rib 105 to the bottom of the frame beam 201. Since the bottom of the frame beam 201 is the foundation for the battery box installation and load-bearing structure, it has high structural rigidity; therefore, transferring the load to the bottom facilitates the stable diffusion of force. The horizontal support 108 and the bottom of the frame beam 201 form a horizontal support relationship, allowing the lower support 102 to directly transfer the force to the bottom structure of the frame 200 when subjected to lateral compression, thus preventing excessive bending moment at the connection between the lower energy-absorbing rib 106 and the frame beam 201. Simultaneously, there is upward impact energy during a collision, so the horizontal support 108 effectively counteracts or mitigates this impact energy.

[0054] The horizontal support 108 is preferably a flat plate structure, and its thickness can be the same as the wall thickness of the lower energy-absorbing rib 106. The connection between the horizontal support 108 and the bottom of the frame beam 201 can be achieved by welding. The installation of the horizontal support 108 makes the connection between the lower support 102 and the frame beam 201 more stable and reliable.

[0055] According to one embodiment provided by the present invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, the top of the frame beam 201 is provided with an upper rivet nut 204, which is riveted to the upper shell of the battery box. The bottom of the frame beam 201 is provided with a pull-down rivet nut 205 and an overflow groove. The pull-down rivet nut 205 is riveted to the liquid cooling plate of the battery box, and the overflow groove is used to apply sealant.

[0056] In this embodiment, an upper rivet nut 204 is provided on the top of the frame beam 201. The upper rivet nut 204 is fixed to the top wall of the frame beam 201 by a riveting process. Specifically, mounting holes can be made in the top wall of the frame beam 201, the rivet nut can be inserted into the mounting holes, and then a rivet gun can be used to deform the tail of the rivet nut so that it is clamped to the wall. The upper rivet nut 204 is used to rivet and fix it to the upper shell of the battery box. That is to say, the upper shell of the battery box (i.e., the top cover) can be fixedly connected to the frame beam 201 by cooperating with the rivet nut.

[0057] The bottom of the frame beam 201 is equipped with a pull-down rivet nut 205 and an adhesive overflow groove. The pull-down rivet nut 205 is similar in its arrangement and function to the upper rivet nut 204, and is used for riveting and fixing to the liquid cooling plate of the battery housing. The liquid cooling plate is a component in the battery housing used to dissipate heat from the battery module; it is typically located below the battery module and contacts the battery module via a thermal pad or thermal adhesive. The liquid cooling plate is fixed in place with the pull-down rivet nut 205, thereby achieving the connection with the frame beam 201.

[0058] The sealant overflow groove is a recessed structure on the bottom wall of the frame beam 201, used for applying sealant. Specifically, when connecting the bottom plate or liquid cooling plate of the battery box to the bottom of the frame beam 201, sealant can be filled into the overflow groove. Then, the bottom plate or liquid cooling plate is pressed onto the bottom of the frame beam 201, and excess sealant is squeezed into the overflow groove, thus forming a uniform sealing layer. The overflow groove ensures the uniformity and continuity of sealant application, avoids gaps or leaks, improves the sealing performance of the bottom of the battery box, and prevents moisture and dust from entering the battery box.

[0059] The number and position of the upper rivet nuts 204 and the lower rivet nuts 205 can be set according to the size of the battery box and the fixing requirements. Usually, multiple nuts are set on each side of the frame beam 201 and are evenly distributed. The glue overflow groove can be set as an annular groove that extends continuously along the bottom of the frame beam 201, or it can be set as a segmented groove.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a support sleeve is provided between the upper support rib 103 and the lower support rib 105.

[0061] In this embodiment, a support sleeve is provided between the upper support rib 103 and the lower support rib 105. The support sleeve is a hollow cylindrical component that is disposed between the upper support rib 103 and the lower support rib 105 along the height direction. The upper end of the support sleeve is fixedly connected to the lower surface of the upper support rib 103, and the lower end of the support sleeve is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the lower support rib 105. The provision of the support sleeve creates a rigid support between the upper support rib 103 and the lower support rib 105 in the height direction.

[0062] The primary function of the support sleeve is to enhance structural strength. Specifically, when the support assembly 100 is fixedly connected to the vehicle body via the mounting structure on the upper support rib 103 or the lower support rib 105, the load at the mounting point needs to be borne and transferred by the support rib. The support sleeve connects the upper support rib 103 and the lower support rib 105 into a single unit in the vertical direction, enabling them to jointly bear the load from the vehicle body mounting point and preventing individual support ribs from deforming or breaking due to excessive local loads. Furthermore, the support sleeve also provides support and positioning, ensuring that the spacing between the upper support rib 103 and the lower support rib 105 remains constant during manufacturing and use, thus improving the dimensional stability and structural integrity of the entire support assembly 100.

[0063] Preferably, the connection between the support sleeve and the upper support rib 103 and the lower support rib 105 is welding. The inner diameter and wall thickness of the support sleeve can be set according to the load-bearing requirements to meet the requirements of the installation support strength, and no specific limitation is made here.

[0064] Example 2 This invention provides a battery housing, such as Figure 5 As shown, it includes the aforementioned protective structure.

[0065] In this embodiment, the battery housing includes the aforementioned protective structure. The battery housing serves as the outer shell of the power battery pack for new energy vehicles, and its overall shape is a flat cuboid or approximately cuboid, used to house and protect internal components such as battery modules and battery management systems.

[0066] The battery housing mainly comprises a frame 200, a base plate, and an upper shell. The frame 200 forms the side wall frame of the battery housing, the base plate is fixed to the bottom of the frame 200, and the upper shell is fixed to the top of the frame 200. Together, the three enclose a closed enclosure. A support assembly 100 for the protective structure is disposed on the outer wall of the frame 200, meaning that a support assembly 100 is fixedly installed on at least one outer surface of the frame 200. The support assembly 100 extends along the corresponding side of the frame 200 and is welded or bolted to the frame 200 to form a single unit.

[0067] The frame 200 in the protective structure can be a frame beam 201 with a U-shaped cross-section, which has a first support rib 202 and a second support rib 203 inside to enhance the frame 200's resistance to compression. The support assembly 100 in the protective structure includes an upper support part 101 and a lower support part 102, and a buffer energy-absorbing area is formed inside. The upper support part 101 of the support assembly 100 is provided with a mounting structure for connection with the vehicle body.

[0068] When the battery box is installed on the vehicle body, the support assembly 100 is fixedly connected to the longitudinal or transverse beams of the vehicle body by bolts or welding. Under normal driving conditions, the support assembly 100 bears the load-bearing function of the battery box, transferring the weight and dynamic load of the battery box to the vehicle body. In the event of a side collision or bottom crush accident, the buffer energy-absorbing area on the support assembly 100 absorbs the collision energy through deformation, while the support ribs and internal reinforcing structure resist crushing deformation, jointly protecting the battery module inside the frame 200 from damage.

[0069] The battery housing provided in this embodiment, by adopting the protective structure described in the aforementioned embodiments, possesses excellent dual performance in terms of resistance to compression and energy absorption in impact. This battery housing not only meets the installation and load-bearing requirements for daily use but also effectively protects the internal battery modules and cells from compression damage in the event of a collision, thereby significantly improving the safety and reliability of the battery pack and reducing the risk of thermal runaway and fire / explosion.

[0070] Example 3 The present invention provides an automobile including the battery housing described above.

[0071] In this embodiment, the vehicle is specifically a new energy vehicle, including but not limited to pure electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

[0072] A car mainly consists of a body, a powertrain, and a battery pack. The body is the main skeletal structure of the car, including the chassis, body, and running gear. The chassis has load-bearing structures such as longitudinal and transverse beams. The powertrain includes components such as a drive motor and motor controller, which convert the electrical energy provided by the battery pack into mechanical energy to drive the wheels. The battery pack is fixedly mounted on the chassis of the body. Specifically, the support component 100 in the protective structure of the battery pack is fixedly connected to the longitudinal or transverse beams of the body. The buffer energy-absorbing area formed inside the support component 100 is located between the battery pack frame 200 and the longitudinal beams of the body. When the car is involved in a side collision, this buffer energy-absorbing area is the first area to deform and absorb energy.

[0073] Thanks to the aforementioned protective structure and battery housing, in the event of a side collision or bottoming-out crush, the battery housing can effectively absorb collision energy through the buffer energy-absorbing area of ​​the support component 100, reducing the crushing and intrusion of the internal battery cells. This avoids thermal runaway and fire / explosion accidents caused by battery damage, significantly improving the vehicle's passive safety performance. Furthermore, because the protective structure integrates load-bearing, energy absorption, and crush resistance, no additional protective devices are needed, contributing to vehicle weight reduction and increased driving range.

[0074] Other parts of the automobile, such as the steering system, braking system, air conditioning system, and entertainment system, can all adopt technical solutions known in the field, and will not be elaborated here.

[0075] The vehicle provided in this embodiment, by employing the aforementioned battery pack, possesses enhanced collision safety performance. In the event of a side-impact collision, the protective structure on the battery pack effectively absorbs impact energy and resists compression deformation, maximizing the protection of the internal battery cells, reducing the risk of thermal runaway, and improving the overall vehicle safety level.

[0076] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A protective structure for a battery housing in an automobile, characterized in that, The protective structure includes a support component; The battery box includes a frame, the support assembly is disposed on the outer wall of the frame, and the support assembly is also fixedly connected to the vehicle body; The support component has a buffer energy-absorbing area formed within it, which can absorb collision energy to reduce the intrusion of collision energy into the frame.

2. The protective structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support assembly includes an upper support portion and a lower support portion; The upper support portion includes a connected upper support rib and an upper energy-absorbing rib, and the lower support portion includes a connected lower support rib and a lower energy-absorbing rib. The upper support rib and the lower support rib are stacked and arranged along the height direction of the frame; The end of the upper energy-absorbing rib that is away from the upper support rib is connected to the side wall of the frame, and the end of the lower support portion that is away from the lower support rib is connected to the bottom of the side wall of the frame. The upper and lower energy-absorbing ribs together form the buffer energy-absorbing zone.

3. The protective structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both the upper support rib and the lower support rib have recesses and protrusions that are alternately arranged along their own direction toward the frame. The depressions can absorb impact energy when compressed, and the protrusions can increase structural strength when compressed.

4. The protective structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The frame includes a frame beam, a first support rib, and a second support rib; The frame beam has a cavity inside, and the first support rib and the second support rib are located inside the cavity. The first support rib is located above the second support rib, and the two are arranged at intervals along the height of the cavity.

5. The protective structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The upper support also includes an inclined support, one end of which is connected to the end of the upper energy-absorbing rib, and the other end is connected to the outer wall of the frame beam corresponding to the first support rib.

6. The protective structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The lower support also includes a horizontal support, one end of which is connected to the end of the lower energy-absorbing rib, and the other end is connected to the bottom of the frame beam.

7. The protective structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The top of the frame beam is provided with an upper rivet nut, which is riveted to the upper shell of the battery box. The bottom of the frame beam is provided with a pull-down rivet nut and an overflow groove. The pull-down rivet nut is riveted to the liquid cooling plate of the battery box, and the overflow groove is used to apply sealant.

8. The protective structure according to any one of claims 2-7, characterized in that, A support sleeve is provided between the upper support rib and the lower support rib.

9. A battery housing, characterized in that, Includes the protective structure described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. A car, characterized in that, Includes the battery housing as described in claim 9.

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