Battery protection structure

Abstract

The utility model provides a structure which can properly protect the auxiliary battery in the case that the metal part installed in the lower back plate is opposite to the auxiliary battery. The protection structure of the battery has: an auxiliary battery which is arranged at the tail of a vehicle and has a terminal; a lower back plate which defines the lower edge of a tail gate opening and has a lower back plate hook with a metal part installed at the part which is behind the auxiliary battery; and a gap filling part which is arranged between the lower back plate and the auxiliary battery, the gap filling part has: a first protruding part which protrudes towards the rear of the vehicle and is opposite to the metal part; and a second protruding part which protrudes towards the front of the vehicle and is opposite to the part of the auxiliary battery which is away from the terminal in the vehicle width direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses a structure for protecting an auxiliary battery located at the rear of a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] The auxiliary battery of a vehicle is typically located at the rear of the vehicle, for example, in the trunk space or under the floor. Therefore, even in the event of a rear-end collision where the vehicle is struck by an obstacle, the auxiliary battery must be protected against short circuits.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for preventing the terminals of an auxiliary battery from colliding with the flange of a rear pillar. In Patent Document 1, a protective wall is provided between the auxiliary battery and the flange, and an insulating sheet is mounted on this protective wall. The insulating sheet is mounted on the protective wall, for example, in a corrugated shape with excess length. With this structure, when the flange moves forward in the event of a rear-end collision, the excess length of the insulating sheet allows it to move with the flange without breaking. As a result, the insulating sheet remains continuously positioned between the flange and the terminals, effectively preventing a short circuit in the auxiliary battery.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-209918 Utility Model Content The technology in Patent Document 1 is effective when the terminals of the rear pillar and the auxiliary battery are aligned. However, in vehicles, the terminals of the auxiliary battery are sometimes positioned opposite other metal components. For example, a lower back panel hook is installed on the lower back panel that forms the lower edge of the tailgate opening, and sometimes the auxiliary battery is positioned opposite this lower back panel hook. The technology in Patent Document 1 is not applicable to this configuration.

[0005] Therefore, this specification discloses a structure that appropriately protects the auxiliary battery when it is positioned opposite to a metal component mounted on the lower back plate.

[0006] The battery protection structure disclosed in this specification is characterized by comprising: an auxiliary battery disposed at the rear of the vehicle and having terminals; a lower back plate defining the lower edge of the tailgate opening and having a metal component mounted at the rear of the auxiliary battery; and a gap-filling component disposed between the lower back plate and the auxiliary battery, the gap-filling component comprising: a first protrusion protruding rearward of the vehicle and opposite to the metal component; and a second protrusion protruding forward of the vehicle and opposite to the portion of the auxiliary battery that moves away from the terminals in the vehicle width direction.

[0007] Utility Model Effect By designing the structure this way, in the event of a rear-end collision, the first protrusion impacts the lower back plate, causing the lower back plate to easily deform into a roughly V-shape. Furthermore, this ensures sufficient battery survival space, maintaining adequate distance between the terminals and metal components, thus effectively preventing battery short circuits. Additionally, the second protrusion effectively prevents the battery from moving backward during a rear-end collision. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic top view of the area surrounding the auxiliary battery.

[0009] Figure 2 This diagram shows the state of the auxiliary battery and lower back panel during a rear-end collision.

[0010] Figure 3 This diagram shows the state of the auxiliary battery and lower backplate during a rear-end collision in the comparative example structure. Detailed Implementation

[0011] The protection structure of the auxiliary battery 16 will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a schematic top view of the area surrounding the auxiliary battery 16. Additionally, in each figure, Fr, Up, and Out represent the front, top, and outer sides in the vehicle width direction, respectively.

[0012] The auxiliary battery 16 functions as an auxiliary power source for the vehicle. This auxiliary battery 16 is, for example, a lead-acid battery, with an output voltage of, for example, 12V. The auxiliary battery 16 is generally rectangular. A negative power terminal (not shown) is located at the upper front corner of the auxiliary battery 16 in the vehicle width direction, and a positive power terminal 18 is located at the upper rear corner. Near the positive power terminal 18 located at the rear, a terminal cover 20 is installed to cover and conceal the power terminal 18. When replacing and charging the auxiliary battery 16, the terminal cover 20 needs to be removed to expose the power terminal 18; therefore, the terminal cover 20 can be easily installed and removed relative to the auxiliary battery 16.

[0013] The auxiliary battery 16 is disposed in the trunk space 10 located at the rear of the vehicle. The trunk space 10 is a space for accommodating luggage, etc. A luggage panel (not shown) is provided in the trunk space 10 to serve as a mounting surface for luggage. The auxiliary battery 16 is disposed, for example, under the luggage panel and near the rear corner of the trunk space 10.

[0014] A tailgate opening (not shown) is formed on the rear side of the vehicle. The lower part of the tailgate opening, i.e., the lower edge of the tailgate opening, forms the lower back panel 12 in the rear wall of the vehicle. In addition to the lower back panel 12, a trailer hitch may also be installed at the rear of the vehicle. The trailer hitch is a component installed at the lower rear of the vehicle for towing other vehicles.

[0015] Multiple lower back panel hooks 14 are also provided in the trunk space 10. The lower back panel hooks 14 are metal components and are also referred to as "luggage hooks". These lower back panel hooks 14 are, for example, ring-shaped components fixed relative to the vehicle body. The lower back panel hooks 14 are distributed in multiple locations within the trunk space 10. To secure items placed in the trunk space 10 with a net or line, the user engages a portion of the net or line with one of the lower back panel hooks 14. One of these lower back panel hooks 14 is also installed on the end face of the lower back panel 12 on the passenger compartment side (front side of the vehicle). In this example, as... Figure 1 As shown, the lower backplate 12 is located behind the power terminal 18 of the auxiliary battery 16. That is, the lower backplate hook 14 is positioned to surround the power terminal 18 in both the width and height directions of the vehicle.

[0016] A gap-filling member 22 is disposed between the auxiliary battery 16 and the lower back plate 12. The gap-filling member 22 is, for example, an insulating member made of resin or the like. The gap-filling member 22 is generally divided into a central portion 24, a first protrusion 26 protruding rearward from the central portion 24, and a second protrusion 28 protruding from the front. Figure 1 As shown, the first protrusion 26 extends rearward from the outer end of the middle portion 24 in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the first protrusion 26 is located between the power terminal 18 and the lower back panel hook 14, and the rear end of the first protrusion 26 is opposite to and close to the lower back panel hook 14.

[0017] The second protrusion 28 extends forward from the inner end of the middle portion 24 in the vehicle width direction. The front end of the second protrusion 28 faces and is close to the rear end of the auxiliary battery 16. Additionally, as... Figure 1 As clearly shown, the portion of the rear end face of the auxiliary battery 16 opposite the second protrusion 28 is located sufficiently away from the power terminal 18 in the vehicle width direction.

[0018] The reasons for setting such a gap-filling component 22 will be explained by comparing it with a comparative example. Figure 2 , Figure 3 These are all schematic diagrams illustrating the state of the auxiliary battery 16 in the event of a rear-end collision. Figure 2 This indicates the structure disclosed in this specification. Figure 3 The structure representing the comparison example.

[0019] Figure 3 The comparison examples shown are Figure 1 Similarly, in this structure, the lower back panel hook 14 is located behind the power terminal 18. On the other hand, in Figure 3 In the comparative example, there are no gap-filling components 22 or other components between the auxiliary battery 16 and the lower back panel 12. In this structure, a rear-end collision is considered. In this case, the lower back panel 12 deforms due to being pressed forward by an obstacle and displaces forward of the vehicle.

[0020] Furthermore, the power terminal 18 is typically covered by the terminal cover 20. However, as mentioned above, the terminal cover 20 is installed in a manner that allows for easy removal during charging. Therefore, in the event of a rear-end collision, the terminal cover 20 is more likely to detach from the auxiliary battery 16 due to the impact. Additionally, Figure 3 This indicates that the terminal cover 20 has been detached from the auxiliary battery 16.

[0021] As a result, in Figure 3 In the case of this structure, during a rear-end collision, the lower back panel hook 14 may come into contact with or approach the power terminal 18. Then, the metal lower back panel hook 14 coming into contact with or approaching the power terminal 18 could cause a short circuit in the auxiliary battery 16. Furthermore, some regulations stipulate that the auxiliary battery 16 should not move rearward more than a certain extent during a rear-end collision. However, in... Figure 3 In the case of the structure, since there is no component to restrict the auxiliary battery 16 from moving backward, the auxiliary battery 16 may also move backward a distance greater than a specified distance.

[0022] In this example, to prevent short circuits and rearward movement of the auxiliary battery 16, a gap-filling member 22 is disposed between the auxiliary battery 16 and the lower back plate 12. At this time, as... Figure 2 As shown, if the lower back panel 12 is displaced forward of the vehicle due to a rear-end collision, the first protrusion 26 of the gap filling member 22 collides with the portion near the lower back panel hook 14 of the lower back panel 12. As a result, the portion near the lower back panel hook 14 of the lower back panel 12 is significantly crushed. Then, the lower back panel 12 is bent significantly in a roughly V-shape, centered around the periphery of the lower back panel hook 14. This bending ensures sufficient survival space for the auxiliary battery 16 and adequately ensures the distance between the power terminal 18 and the lower back panel hook 14. As a result, short circuits in the auxiliary battery 16 are effectively prevented.

[0023] Furthermore, in this example, the gap-filling member 22 has a second protrusion 28 that protrudes forward. Upon rearward impact, this second protrusion 28 contacts the rear end face of the auxiliary battery 16. This effectively prevents the auxiliary battery 16 from moving backward. As a result, the structure of this example satisfies the positional requirements of the auxiliary battery 16 as stipulated in regulations. Moreover, due to the second protrusion 28, collision between the power terminal 18 and the intermediate portion 24 is effectively prevented, thereby effectively preventing damage to the power terminal 18. Additionally, in this example, the gap-filling member 22 is insulating, thus preventing a short circuit in the auxiliary battery 16 even if the power terminal 18 comes into contact with the gap-filling member 22 for some reason.

[0024] As explained above, in this example, a gap-filling member 22 is disposed between the auxiliary battery 16 and the lower back panel 12 (especially the lower back panel hook 14). This effectively prevents short circuits in the auxiliary battery 16 during a rear-end collision, thus providing adequate protection for the auxiliary battery 16. Furthermore, in this example, the gap-filling member 22 is added to an existing vehicle. In other words, to protect the auxiliary battery 16, there is no need to change the existing vehicle structure, such as the shape of the lower back panel 12, the mounting position of the lower back panel hook 14, or the configuration of the auxiliary battery 16.

[0025] Furthermore, the structure described so far is just one example; other structures can be appropriately modified as long as the structure described in technical solution 1 is available. For example, the shape of the gap filling member 22 can be appropriately modified.

[0026] Symbol Explanation 10-Luggage compartment, 12-Lower back panel, 14-Lower back panel hook, 16-Auxiliary battery, 18-Power terminal, 20-Terminal cover, 22-Gap filling component, 24-Middle section, 26-First protrusion, 28-Second protrusion.

Claims

1. A battery protection structure, characterized in that, have: An auxiliary battery, located at the rear of the vehicle, has terminals; The lower back panel defines the lower edge of the tailgate opening and has a metal component mounted behind the auxiliary battery; and A gap-filling component is disposed between the lower back plate and the auxiliary battery. The gap-filling component includes: A first protrusion, which protrudes rearward from the vehicle and is opposite to the metal component; and The second protrusion protrudes forward of the vehicle and is opposite to the portion of the auxiliary battery that moves away from the terminal in the vehicle width direction.

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