Device for holding a battery in a vehicle body

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for holding a battery (10) in a support structure (12) of a vehicle body, comprising at least one holding device (14) that can be fastened to the support structure (12). According to the invention, the holding device (14) comprises an adapter structure (14.1, 14.2) that can be adapted to the geometry of the battery (10) and the support structure (12).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for holding a battery in a supporting structure of a vehicle body according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] When developing hybrid or purely electric vehicles, a suitable method is required to connect a battery or traction battery to a body structure. If the battery is to be installed and held in place from below in a vehicle body, a rigid base plate is required to which the battery can be attached and which transfers the weight forces from the battery to a supporting structure of the body. In current battery concepts, the battery cells are attached to a base plate and cooled via a cooling device or cooling plate, which are usually located at the base of the cells. This requires a base plate beneath the battery cells and an additional separate cooling device or cooling plate. In addition, thermal insulation from the vehicle's surroundings is required to keep cooling costs as low as possible.Since the cooling plates are currently made of solid aluminum, and the base plate must be extremely rigid due to the high battery weight, the vehicle contains two heavy structures that essentially have similar physical properties. Additionally, thermal insulation is usually provided by a separate component, which adds additional weight.

[0003] DE 10 2009 006 990 A1 describes a device for holding a battery in a supporting structure of a vehicle body, which device has a holding device that can be fastened to the supporting structure. The supporting structure comprises a floor panel with two connected longitudinal members, between which a tunnel part as a cover and a floor plate designed as a holding device with a battery mounted thereon are fastened from below to the supporting structure of the vehicle. Furthermore, a cooling device is integrated into the floor plate.

[0004] DE 102 61 630 A1 discloses a device for holding a battery in a supporting structure of a vehicle body. The device comprises a holding device consisting of a single-shell tray and a support assembly that accommodates the tray and is attached from below to the supporting structure of the vehicle. The body floor in the interior of the vehicle serves as a cover for the holding device, which is arranged below the driver and / or passenger area.

[0005] EP 1 950 070 A1 discloses a battery housing consisting of a tray and a cover, wherein the battery tray has individual fastening tabs that are connected to the body support structure. Furthermore, the bottom of the battery tray has reinforcing struts.

[0006] The disadvantage here, however, is that the battery housing must always be adapted to the dimensions of the body support structure.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of designing a device for holding a battery in a supporting structure of a vehicle body in such a way that a universal connection of the battery to the supporting structure of different vehicle bodies is possible.

[0008] According to the invention, the object is achieved by providing a device for holding a battery in a supporting structure of a vehicle body having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] In order to design a device for holding a battery in a support structure of a vehicle body in such a way that a universal connection of the battery to the support structure of different vehicle bodies is possible, the holding device according to the invention comprises at least two opposing, rail-shaped adapter elements which can be adapted to the geometry of the battery and the support structure. The adapter structure according to the invention allows the use of a battery for different body or model variants of a vehicle. It is particularly advantageous that the simple and extremely lightweight design of the adapter structure, combined with simultaneous high rigidity, enables very significant material savings and thus a weight reduction of the vehicle body, which can also reduce manufacturing costs.Furthermore, the attachment of the adapter structure to the supporting structures of the vehicle body additionally stiffens the vehicle body itself. A further advantage of the present invention is the space-saving arrangement of the battery in the adapter structure, because a cooling and insulation plate for cooling the battery can already be integrated into the base of the battery and the battery is no longer arranged on a separate base plate of a conventional holding device. This means that no additional installation space is required and the battery is flush with the adapter structure. This allows for more ground clearance from the roadway and therefore more protection for the battery. A further advantage is the good accessibility of the battery from the outside, which enables quick installation and replacement.A quick battery change is possible because the entire base plate of a conventional holding device does not have to be removed first; instead, only the adapter structure needs to be loosened to access the battery from the outside. This saves time and assembly costs during installation, as well as during battery replacement or maintenance. The multifunctional adapter structure according to the invention for holding the battery in a supporting structure of a vehicle body enables the battery to be integrated into different vehicle bodies and model variants. This reduces the number of components and thus lowers parts and manufacturing costs.

[0010] Since the adapter structure comprises at least two adapter elements that hold the battery between them, this results in two simple, mirror-symmetrical components whose geometry enables different batteries to be attached to different support structures of a vehicle body. In particular, the adapter elements can compensate for different battery designs, for example with regard to length, width and / or height. With this type of adapter structure, a battery can be quickly and easily attached to a support structure without having to first modify or remove other fastening elements. This quick and practical way of connecting a battery proves to be particularly cost-effective during installation as well as when changing or servicing the battery.A further advantage of the present invention lies in the positive connection of the battery with the adapter elements of the adapter structure, which fixes the battery securely and stably in its position in the event of a crash.

[0011] In a further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, a first adapter element has a support surface that interacts with a corresponding support surface of a second adapter element. It is particularly advantageous that the simply designed support surfaces of the adapter structure can securely support the battery, and full-surface support of the battery can be dispensed with in favor of a weight reduction of the adapter structure. This advantageously creates an extremely lightweight component that offers the battery a sufficient and optimal support surface on both sides.

[0012] In a further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the adapter elements each have a stop for securing the battery in a horizontal plane. Advantageously, the stop, together with the support surfaces of the adapter structure, forms a positive connection with the battery, providing the battery with stable lateral support.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the adapter elements are at least partially tapered in the direction of a longitudinal axis. This advantageously allows the adapter structure according to the invention to be used on various support structures of different vehicle body and model variants while maintaining consistently good fastening properties. This has the advantage that different tapered angles can be compensated for by the lateral adapter elements, and the same battery with the associated cooling plate can be used.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the adapter structure is designed as a hollow structure. This has the advantage that a particularly lightweight device with a torsion-resistant adapter structure can be produced, which contributes to reducing the vehicle's weight. For this purpose, the adapter structure can be made of a light metal material and / or a plastic or plastic composite, allowing for an extremely lightweight adapter structure while maintaining high rigidity.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, a filler material is provided at least partially within the hollow space structure, which serves to stiffen and / or insulate the adapter structure. The hollow space structure, together with the filler material, advantageously forms a particularly lightweight adapter structure with simultaneous high torsional rigidity, resulting in an extremely lightweight component that can be designed entirely in accordance with the lightweight construction concept. Furthermore, the hollow-foamed adapter structure can absorb significantly more energy in the event of a crash, thereby holding the battery more securely and improving occupant protection. A further advantage of the foamed hollow space structure of the present invention lies in the insulating effect of the adapter structure, which both protects the battery against temperature fluctuations and shields the occupants in the passenger compartment from temperature fluctuations.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the adapter elements of the holding device can be releasably secured to the supporting structure of the vehicle body via a mechanical connection. The mechanical connection of the device to the supporting structure of the body is preferably a screw connection. To enable rapid assembly and disassembly of the device on the supporting structure, it is advantageous for the holding device to be releasably secured to the supporting structure of the vehicle body. This attachment is preferably achieved by means of several screw connections, for which purpose a predetermined number of screw receiving holes are formed on the holding device.These screw holes are then each assigned a screw hole or screw point with a screw nut on the supporting structure, into which the fastening screws for releasably securing the holding device to the supporting structure can be screwed, preferably from the underlayer side. Such a releasable fastening using screw connections is particularly simple and functionally reliable to manufacture. The releasable connection saves time and installation costs during both installation and battery replacement or maintenance.

[0017] A preferred implementation of the bodyshell according to the invention provides for the adapter structure to be secured from below to the supporting structure of the vehicle body. It proves particularly advantageous that the adapter structure can be pre-assembled to the supporting structure without the heavy batteries. A separate subsequent attachment of the battery to the body's retaining device is significantly easier to handle, both during assembly and when replacing the battery.

[0018] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawing and are described below.

[0019] Showing: Fig. 1 a cross-section through an embodiment of a device according to the invention for holding a battery in a support structure of a vehicle body with a holding device attached to the support structure, which is designed with an adapter structure adaptable to the geometry of the battery and the support structure, Fig. 2 a view of the device according to the invention from Fig. 1 from below, Fig. 3 a perspective view of the device according to the invention from Fig. 1 before assembly.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a device for holding a battery 10 in a support structure 12 of a body of a vehicle with at least one holding device 14 which can be fastened to the support structure 12.

[0021] In order to design the device for holding the battery 10 in the support structure 12 of the vehicle body in such a way that a universal connection of the battery 10 to the support structure 12 of the vehicle body is possible, the holding device 14 according to the invention comprises an adapter structure 14.1, 14.2, which can be adapted to the geometry of the battery 10 and the support structure 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery arrangement comprises two stacked batteries 10, which are connected to one another via a cooling plate 32, wherein a lower battery 10 has an insulating layer 34 on its underside in addition to the cooling plate 32.

[0022] As is particularly evident from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, the adapter structure 14 comprises at least two adapter elements 14.1, 14.2, which accommodate the battery 10 between them. The adapter elements 14.1, 14.2 are arranged mirror-symmetrically to one another and hold the battery 10 from below at the edge regions of the battery 10 along a longitudinal axis 22 of the holding device.

[0023] As from Fig. 1, a first adapter element 14.1 has a support surface 16.1, which interacts with a corresponding support surface 16.2 of a second adapter element 14.2. The support surface 16.1, 16.2 of the adapter element 14.1, 14.2 extends constantly over the entire length of the holding device 14 along the longitudinal axis 22 of the holding device. Thus, along the longitudinal axis 22 of the holding device 14, a first edge region of the battery 10 rests on the support surface 16.1 of the first adapter element 14.1, and a second edge region of the battery 10, opposite the first edge region, rests on the support surface 16.2 of the second adapter element 14.2. The support surfaces 16.1, 16.2 of the adapter elements 14.1, 14.2 are arranged in one plane.The battery 10 has an insulating layer 34 on the side facing the roadway, which simultaneously serves as a support surface in the edge areas of the battery 10 and simultaneously fulfills other functions, such as protection against temperature fluctuations and stone chips. Advantageously, the material of the insulating layer 34 of the battery 10 has a closed surface structure on the side facing the roadway, thus protecting it against water absorption.

[0024] In the present embodiments, the adapter elements 14.1, 14.2 each have a stop 18.1, 18.2 to secure the battery 10 in a horizontal plane 20. To form the respective stop 18.1, 18.2, the adapter elements 14.1, 14.2 have a shoulder dimensioned such that, together with the support surfaces 16.1, 16.2 of the holding device 14, it forms a positive connection with the battery 10, which provides the battery 10 with at least stable lateral support or which securely fixes the battery 10 in the horizontal plane 20.

[0025] Preferably, the adapter elements 14.1, 14.2 at least partially have a sweep 24 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 22. In the present exemplary embodiment, the sweep 24 extends at a constant angle from the center to the outer edge of the holding device 14 along the longitudinal axis 22, although other embodiments are also conceivable. This enables the holding device 14 according to the invention to be used on various support structures 12 of the vehicle body with consistently good fastening properties. Different lengths, widths, and sweeps are compensated for by the lateral adapter elements 14.1, 14.2, and the same battery 10 can be used in various support structures 12 of different vehicle body and model variants.

[0026] In the Fig. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, the adapter structure 14 comprising the adapter elements 14.1, 14.2 is designed as a cavity structure 26. In the present exemplary embodiment, the cavity structure 26 of the adapter structure 14 is composed of two adjacent rectangular cavity cross-sections 26.1a, 26.2a and 26.1b, 26.2b, wherein both cavity cross-sections 26.1a, 26.2a and 26.1b, 26.2b extend along the entire component length in the direction of the longitudinal axis 22. The outer cavity cross-section 26.1a, 26.2a is larger than the inner cavity cross-section 26.1b, 26.2b. The outer cavity cross-section 26.1a, 26.2a of the cavity structure 26 of the adapter structure 14 is initially constant from one end to the center of the holding device 14 and then, due to the arrowing 24, increases its cross-section along the longitudinal axis 22 to the opposite end of the holding device 14.

[0027] As is particularly evident from Fig. 1, a filler material 28 is provided at least partially within the cavity structure 26, which serves to stiffen and / or insulate the adapter structure 14. In the present exemplary embodiment, the entire cavity structure 26 of the adapter structure 14 is filled with a filler material 28 and gives the cavity structure 26 of the adapter structure 14 a certain dimensional stability. As a result, no additional support elements are required within the cavity structure 26 when attaching the adapter structure 14 to the supporting structure 12 of the vehicle body. In the area of ​​the adapter structure 14.1, 14.2, the corresponding support surfaces 16.2, 16.2 have increased dimensional and positional stability due to the filler material 28.

[0028] Preferably, the adapter elements 14.1, 14.2 of the adapter structure 14 can be releasably secured to the supporting structure 12 of the vehicle body via a mechanical connection 30. Preferably, the adapter structure 14 is Fig. 1, the mechanical connection 30 can be releasably secured to the supporting structure 12 of the vehicle body. This securing is preferably effected by means of several screw connections 30, for which purpose a predetermined number of screw receiving holes are preferably formed on the adapter structure 14. Each of these screw receiving holes is then assigned a screw receiving hole or a screw point with a screw nut on the supporting structure 12, into which the fastening screws for releasably securing the adapter structure 14 to the supporting structure 12 are preferably, as shown in Fig. 2, can be screwed in from the bottom side of the vehicle body.

[0029] In order to enable simple and quick assembly and disassembly of the battery 10, the adapter structure 14.1, 14.2 is preferably fixed from below to the supporting structure 12 of the vehicle body. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 10 Battery 12 Supporting structure 14 Adapter structure (holding device) 14.1, 14.2 Adapter elements (adapter structure) 16.1, 16.2 Support surface (adapter structure) 18.1, 18.2 Stop (adapter structure) 20 Horizontal plane 22 Longitudinal axis 24 Arrowing 26 Cavity structure 26.1a, 26.2a external cavity structure 26.1b, 26.2b internal cavity structure 28 Filling material 30 mechanical connection (screw connection) 32 Cooling plate (battery) 34 Insulation layer (battery)

Claims

[1] Device for holding a battery (10) in a supporting structure (12) of a body of a vehicle, with at least one holding device (14) which is fastened to the supporting structure (12), characterized by that the holding device (14) comprises at least two opposing, rail-shaped adapter elements (14.1, 14.2) which can be adapted to the geometry of the battery (10) and the supporting structure (12). [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the adapter structure comprises at least two adapter elements (14.1, 14.2) which accommodate the battery (10) between them. [3] Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that a first adapter element (14.1) has a support surface (16.1) which interacts with a corresponding support surface (16.2) of a second adapter element (14.2). [4] Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized bythat the adapter elements (14.1, 14.2) each have a stop (18.1, 18.2) to fix the battery (10) in a horizontal plane (20). [5] Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the adapter elements (14.1, 14.2) have at least partially an arrow shape (24) in the direction of a longitudinal axis (22). [6] Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the adapter structure (14.1, 14.2) is designed as a cavity structure (26). [7] Device according to claim 6, characterized by that a filling material (28) is present at least partially within the cavity structure (26), which serves to stiffen and / or insulate the holding device (14). [8] Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the adapter elements (14.1, 14.2) of the holding device (14) can be releasably fixed to the supporting structure (12) of the body of the vehicle via a mechanical connection (30). [9] Device according to claim 8, characterized by that the mechanical connection (30) is a screw connection (30). [10] Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the adapter structure (14.1, 14.2) can be fixed from below to the supporting structure (12) of the vehicle body.

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