Device for storing a vehicle's traction battery

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (6) for storing a traction battery (1) of a vehicle, in particular for use in a component-level crash test. The device (6) comprises a base body (7) and at least one bearing assembly (8) movably mounted relative to the base body (7). The at least one bearing assembly (8) is connectable to the traction battery (1). The device (6) comprises a means (9) wherein a force to be applied for moving the at least one bearing assembly (8) relative to the base body (7) can be varied by means of the means (9).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for supporting a traction battery of a vehicle. This device is used in particular in crash tests at the component level.

[0002] It is known in the art that component tests on individual components or assemblies are used to investigate their behavior in the event of a crash, without having to subject entire vehicles to crash tests. This approach – especially in the early project phase – offers significant cost-saving potential. Crucial to the validity of such tests is that the boundary conditions, especially the mechanical boundary conditions, are implemented at the selected system boundaries in a manner analogous to the entire vehicle, or that their behavior is similar, so that the load on the part being tested is representative.

[0003] DE 10 2016 103 371 A1 describes an energy-absorbing sill assembly for an electrically powered vehicle. The sill assembly includes, among other things, a vehicle sill on a lateral side of a vehicle and a battery sill on a lateral side of a battery pack of the vehicle. Mechanical fasteners are provided to connect the battery sill to the vehicle sill. During vehicle assembly, the battery pack is installed on the vehicle structure using a mechanical connector. The battery sill can be compressed relative to the battery pack to absorb part of the energy of an impact in the "lateral pole impact" crash load case.

[0004] DE 693 02 845 T2 discloses a device for supporting a traction battery of a vehicle. The device comprises a base body configured as a sill and a battery carrier movable relative to the base body, which serves as a support device for the traction battery. The device further comprises means that enable displacement of the support device relative to the base body in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle when a crash force acts on the vehicle in its longitudinal direction. For this purpose, the battery carrier is provided with elongated holes extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, each of which is penetrated by a screw of a screw-nut connection, said screw-nut connection acting on the opposite sides of the base body and the support device.

[0005] DE 10 2010 050 826 A1 describes an arrangement for a traction battery in an electrically powered motor vehicle. Effective protection of the traction battery in the event of a side impact of the motor vehicle is achieved by additionally protecting the traction battery from damage by means effective in a side impact.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a device for supporting a traction battery of a vehicle that allows a defined change in the position of the traction battery when a force is applied to it. The device is intended to be used in particular in connection with a "lateral pole impact" crash load case, possibly also in the formation of a flat barrier.

[0007] The object is achieved by a device having the features of patent claim 1. Further developments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0008] The device according to the invention serves to support a traction battery of a vehicle, in particular for use in a crash test at the component level. The device comprises a base body and at least two bearing devices mounted so as to be independently movable relative to the base body. The at least two bearing devices are connectable to the traction battery. Furthermore, the device comprises at least two means, wherein the means can be used to vary a force to be applied for moving the at least two bearing devices relative to the base body.

[0009] This means that the resistance to movement of the bearing devices relative to the base body can be varied, thus altering the movement behavior between the base body and the bearing devices. This makes it easy to investigate different conditions on individual components during a component test.

[0010] Preferably, the bearing devices are mounted in the base body so that they can move along a straight line. This allows a defined displacement of the bearing devices and the base body.

[0011] Preferably, the traction battery can be mounted in the device in such a way that, when the traction battery is installed in the vehicle, an axis of the traction battery running in the transverse direction of the vehicle runs along the straight line. The course of the straight line is thus largely tailored to the introduction of the force component in the "lateral pole impact" crash load case.

[0012] The means are designed, in particular, such that a force acting perpendicular to a direction of movement of the bearing devices relative to the base body between the bearing devices and the base body can be varied. By varying this normal force, a frictional resistance between the bearing devices and the base body can be changed, with the consequence that the degree of displaceability or the resistance to deformation can be varied.

[0013] According to a preferred development of the invention, the bearing devices comprise a friction plate, a first side of the friction plate contacting the base body, the friction plate having an elongated hole extending in the direction of movement of the bearing devices, the means passing through the elongated hole, the means being mounted in the base body in a fixed position in the direction of movement of the bearing devices, and a normal force applied by the means between the friction plate and the base body being variable. This design ensures a defined displacement of the base body and bearing devices, taking into account the applied normal force and the friction conditions between the friction plate and the base body.

[0014] In particular, it is provided that the base body has two spaced-apart sections, with the traction battery being at least partially arranged between the sections. This design not only allows for convenient accommodation of the traction battery in the base body, but also allows for the formation of a preferred further development with regard to an additional friction plate.

[0015] In particular, it is provided that the bearing devices have an additional friction plate, with one friction plate contacting the base body in the region of one section, and the other friction plate contacting the base body in the region of the other section. Preferably, each friction plate contacts the respective section on a side facing away from the other section. With precise guidance of the base body and bearing devices, precise specifications regarding the degree of displacement or resistance to deformation can be made via the two friction plates, taking into account the normal force applied by the means.

[0016] In particular, the traction battery can be stored in a fixed position within the bearings in the direction of movement of the bearings. Thus, there is no movement of the traction battery relative to the bearings in the direction of movement of the bearings; instead, the bearings are only displaced relative to the base body in the direction of movement of the bearings.

[0017] In particular, the bearing devices have a connecting means for connecting the traction battery to the bearing devices, wherein the connecting means passes through an elongated hole in the base body running in the direction of movement of the bearing devices.

[0018] Furthermore, the invention provides that the device has a plurality of storage devices.

[0019] Preferably, the device comprises several identically designed bearing devices. This allows the bearing devices to perform different relative movements with respect to the base body, depending on the forces introduced into the traction battery, particularly in the crash load case of "lateral pole impact."

[0020] Furthermore, according to the invention, the bearing devices are mounted so as to be movable independently of one another with respect to the base body.

[0021] It is considered advantageous if the device has a clamping bar that interacts with the means, whereby the clamping bar clamps several bearing devices against the base body. This clamping bar allows a particularly uniform preload force to be applied to the bearing devices.

[0022] It is further provided according to the invention that the device has a plurality of means.

[0023] In particular, these are several identically designed means. In particular, a means is assigned to the respective bearing device. In particular, the means is a clamping screw or the respective means has a clamping screw. The respective clamping screw makes it particularly easy to apply the force to be applied to the bearing device and the base body, and also to easily change this force.

[0024] Preferably, the bearing devices and / or the connecting means are designed such that the bearing devices and / or the connecting means cooperate with a bearing structure of the traction battery for the purpose of supporting the traction battery, said bearing structure serving to support the traction battery in the vehicle.

[0025] The invention and its described developments can be used particularly advantageously in a crash test at the component level, especially in vehicles that feature underbody battery concepts. These include structural designs according to which the system is also deformed on the side facing away from the crash. This deformation can occur together with the bodyshell or the sills, or only on the battery frame side. In that case, the deformation is counteracted by a resistance in the area of ​​a generally circumferential screw connection of the traction battery - high-voltage battery - on the bodyshell. The present invention, according to its developments, is provided in particular to be able to variably adjust this resistance in the vehicle's transverse direction (Y-direction) during a component test.It provides the screw connections of the high-voltage battery corresponding to the entire vehicle in the vertical direction (Z-direction) on a test frame, in this case the storage facility, in particular by means of support screws. These hold the battery in the Z-direction. However, the screw connections in the Y-direction, together with the friction plates, are designed to be movable relative to the two spaced-apart sections of the base body, whereby these sections are designed in particular as support plates, which are part of a fixed test frame or trolley and are intended to remain undeformed. The degree of moveability or the resistance to deformation is adjusted using clamping screws. If they are tightened with a higher torque, the friction increases and the Y-deformation occurs less easily. This corresponds to a more solid mounting of the battery in the real vehicle.The setting of the clamping screws and thus the resistance to deformation is determined based on the crash simulation on the virtual complete vehicle, in particular using a finite element method.

[0026] A preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is illustrated in the drawing and its description, without being limited thereto. It shows: Fig. 1 in a highly simplified representation, a plan view of an arrangement of a traction battery in a passenger car between a sill on the impact side with respect to a lateral pole for the crash load case “lateral pole impact” and a sill on the side facing away from the pole, before the crash, Fig. 2 the order pursuant to Fig. 1, illustrated after the crash, Fig. 3 a device for storing the traction battery, shown in a view from above, in the state before the crash, Fig. 4 the device in the view from above, in the state after the crash, Fig. 5 the device in a view from below, in the state before the crash, Fig. 6 the device in a view from below, in the state after the crash, Fig. 7 a sectional view AA of the device according to the Fig. 3 to 6, in the pre-crash condition, Fig. 8 the sectional view AA of the device, in the state after the crash. Character description

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 shows a traction battery 1 for a passenger car. This high-voltage battery is located in the vehicle's underbody. The orientation of this battery is determined by the coordinates X (vehicle longitudinal direction), Y (vehicle transverse direction), and Z (vehicle vertical direction). A sill 2 of the vehicle and a sill 3 of the vehicle are located to the side of the battery 1. The sill 2 faces the impact side of a pole 4 for implementing a "lateral pole impact" crash load case. The pole 4 extends in the Z direction. The direction of impact of the pole 4 on the sill 3 is illustrated by the arrow 5.

[0028] Fig. 2 illustrates the situation of the vehicle for the Fig. 1 after the crash load case. In the crash load case, the pile 4 deformed the sill 2, the traction battery 1 and the sill 3. The area shown in Fig. 2 The area shown in dashed lines is the one that is clamped by means of the Fig. 3 to 8 is to be depicted. In this area, the traction battery 1 is clamped into the device 6. In this respect, with regard to the detailed description of the device 6, reference is made to this Fig. 3 to 8:

[0029] The device 6 serves to support the traction battery 1 of the vehicle, specifically for use in crash tests at the component level. The device 6 comprises a base body 7 and several identically designed bearing devices 8. The bearing devices 8 can be connected to the traction battery 1 and are mounted in the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 is shown in the connected position. The device 6 has a means 9. By means of the means 9, a force to be applied in the vehicle's vertical direction Z for moving the bearing devices 8 relative to the base body 7 can be varied.

[0030] The bearing devices 8 are each mounted in the base body 7 so as to be movable along a straight line. The traction battery 1 can be mounted in the device 6 such that, when the traction battery 1 is installed in the vehicle, an axis of the traction battery 1 extending in the Y direction runs along the straight line.

[0031] The means 9 is designed such that a force acting perpendicular to a direction of movement of the bearing devices 8 with respect to the base body 7 between the respective bearing device 8 and the base body 7 can be changed.

[0032] The base body 7 has two sections 10, 11 arranged parallel to and spaced from one another. The base body 7 is preferably made of steel, at least in the area of ​​the sections 10, 11. The traction battery 1 is arranged at least partially between these sections 10, 11.

[0033] The respective bearing device 8 has a friction plate 12. One side 13 of the friction plate 12 contacts the base body 7 in the region of the section 10. The friction plate 12 has an elongated hole 14 extending in the direction of movement of the associated bearing device 8. The means 9 passes through the elongated hole 14. The means 9 is mounted in the base body 7 in a fixed position in the direction of movement of the associated bearing device 8. A normal force applied by the means 9 between the friction plate 12 and the base body 7 is variable.

[0034] The respective bearing device 8 further comprises a further friction plate 15, wherein the friction plate 12 contacts the base body 7 in the region of the section 10 and the friction plate 15 contacts the base body 7 in the region of the section 11, specifically on a side 19 facing away from the section 10.

[0035] The traction battery 1 is mounted in a stationary manner in the direction of movement of the respective bearing device 8.

[0036] The respective bearing device 8 has a connecting means 16 for connecting the traction battery 1 to this bearing device 8. The connecting means 16 passes through an elongated hole 17 of the respective section 10, 11, extending in the direction of movement of this bearing device 8.

[0037] The bearing devices 8 are mounted so as to be movable independently of one another with respect to the base body 7.

[0038] Each bearing device 8 has a means 9. The means 9 is designed as a tensioning screw 20 with a nut 21 screwed onto it. On opposite sides of the friction plates 12 and 15, tensioning strips 18 rest against these. The respective tensioning strip 18 is provided with a through-bore for receiving the tensioning screw 20. The tensioning strips 18 contact the friction plates 12 and 15 and, depending on the applied tightening torque of the tensioning screws 20, tension the bearing devices 8 against the base body 7. A connecting means 16 is assigned to the respective bearing device 8. This has a support screw 22, which penetrates a load distribution disk 26 on the head side, and a nut 23. The respective support screw 22 penetrates a support bushing 24, which is supported by the nut 23 and the traction battery 1. The traction battery 1 is positioned in the base body 7 by means of the support screws 22.

[0039] The bearing devices 8 and / or the means 9 are designed, for example, such that the bearing devices 8 and / or the means 9 interact with a bearing structure of the traction battery 1 for the purpose of storing the traction battery 1, wherein this bearing structure serves to store the traction battery 1 in the vehicle.

[0040] To conduct the "lateral pole impact" crash load case, the test specimen, thus the traction battery 1, is held in the Z direction by the base body 7 in the area of ​​its sections 10 and 11. Freedom of movement in the Y direction is ensured by the elongated holes 17 in sections 10 and 11 and by the elongated holes 14 in the friction plates 12, 15. The degree of movement of the force application in the Y direction, illustrated by arrow 25, depends on the friction between the clamping bars 18, the friction plates 12, 15, and the base body 7 in the area of ​​sections 10, 11 and can be controlled by the tightening torque of the means 9, thus the clamping screws 20 with nut 21.

[0041] The Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. 7 show the arrangement of device 6 and traction battery 1 before the crash, the Fig. 4, Fig. 6 and Fig. 8 the state of this arrangement after the crash load case “lateral pole impact”. List of reference symbols 1 traction battery 2 sills 3 sills 4 post 5 Arrow 6 Device 7 basic bodies 8 Storage facility 9 means Section 10 Section 11 12 friction plate 13 Page 14 slot 15 Friction plate 16 connecting devices 17 slot 18 tension bar 19 pages 20 clamping screw 21 Mother 22 support screw 23 Mother 24 support bushing 25 Arrow 26 load distribution disc

Claims

[1] Device (6) for supporting a traction battery (1) of a vehicle, wherein the device (6) has a base body (7) and at least two bearing devices (8) mounted so as to be independently movable with respect to the base body (7), wherein the at least two bearing devices (8) are connectable to the traction battery (1), wherein the device (6) has at least two means (9), wherein by means of the means (9) a force to be applied for moving the at least two bearing devices (8) with respect to the base body (7) can be changed. [2] Device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two bearing devices (8) are mounted in the base body (7) so as to be movable along a straight line. [3] Device according to claim 2, wherein the traction battery (1) can be mounted in the device (6) in such a way that, when the traction battery (1) is installed in the vehicle, an axis of the traction battery (1) extending in the vehicle transverse direction (Y) runs along the straight line. [4] Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the means (9) are designed such that a force acting perpendicular to a direction of movement of the bearing devices (8) with respect to the base body (7) between the bearing devices (8) and the base body (7) is variable. [5] Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bearing devices (8) have a friction plate (12), wherein a first side (13) of the friction plate (12) contacts the base body (7), wherein the friction plate (12) has an elongated hole (14) running in the direction of movement of the bearing devices (8), wherein the means (9) pass through the elongated hole (14), wherein the means (9) are mounted in the base body (7) in a stationary manner in the direction of movement of the bearing devices (8), wherein a normal force applied by the means (9) between the friction plate (12) and the base body (7) is variable. [6] Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the base body (7) has two spaced-apart sections (10, 11), wherein the traction battery (1) can be arranged at least partially between the sections (10, 11). [7] Device according to claim 5 and 6, wherein the bearing devices (8) have a further friction plate (15), wherein the one friction plate (12) contacts the base body (7) in the region of the one section (10) and the further friction plate (15) contacts the base body (7) in the region of the other section (11). [8] Device according to claim 7, wherein the respective friction plate (12, 15) contacts the respective section (10, 11) on a side facing away from the respective other section (10, 11). [9] Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the traction battery (1) can be mounted in the bearing devices (8) in a stationary manner in the direction of movement of the bearing devices (8). [10] Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the bearing devices (8) have a connecting means (16) for connecting the traction battery (1) to the bearing devices (8), wherein the connecting means (16) passes through an elongated hole (17) of the base body (7) extending in the direction of movement of the bearing devices (8). [11] Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the device (6) has a plurality of identically designed bearing devices (8). [12] Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the device (6) has at least one clamping bar (18) cooperating with the means (9), wherein the at least one clamping bar (18) clamps a plurality of bearing devices (8) against the base body (7). [13] Device according to claim 12, wherein the device (6) comprises a plurality of identically designed means (9). [14] Device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein a means (9) is associated with the respective bearing device (8). [15] Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the bearing devices (8) and / or the means (9) are designed such that the bearing devices (8) and / or the means (9) cooperate with a bearing structure of the traction battery (1) for the purpose of supporting the traction battery (1), said bearing structure serving to support the traction battery (1) in the vehicle.

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