Battery frame with integrated jack point in a skid plate and motor vehicle with such a battery frame

Abstract

Battery frame (10) for a vehicle battery (16) of an electrically powered vehicle (40) with a receiving compartment (14) for the vehicle battery (16), two supports (12) running laterally along the receiving space (14), which are designed to be connected to a frame component (24) of the vehicle (40), and at least two support sections (20), wherein at least one support section (20) is attached to the underside of each support (12), and wherein the support sections (20) have a bearing surface (36) on which the battery frame (10) can be supported on a substrate, characterized in that the support sections (20) extend along the entire length of the respective support (12), that at least one recess (46) is formed in each support section (20) which forms a receptacle for a jack (34, 48), and that the recess (46) has a clear width at the level of the bearing surface (36) which is smaller than the width of the support section (20) in the area of ​​the recess (46).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a battery frame according to the preamble of claim 1 for a vehicle battery of an electrically powered vehicle, having a receiving space for the vehicle battery, two supports running laterally along the receiving space, which supports are designed to be connected to a frame component of the vehicle, and having at least two support sections, wherein at least one support section is attached to the underside of each support, and wherein the support sections have a support surface on which the battery frame can be supported on a base.

[0002] Such battery frames are currently installed in electric vehicles. The battery is arranged longitudinally between the vehicle's axles and installed under the passenger compartment, i.e., below the floor. The support sections act as so-called skids, on which the battery frame and battery can be lifted or stored.

[0003] Such a battery frame is known, for example, from DE 10 2015 008 684 A1. Reference is also made to DE 10 2017 008 881 A1 and DE 196 20 380 A1, which also deal with the topic of battery frames.

[0004] In previous vehicles, jacking points are also provided in the sill area, which are designed in the form of a jacking block attached to the sill.

[0005] Due to the known jacking points and the attachment skids or support sections on the battery frame, different mounting and engagement points for tools such as jacks or lifting platforms, especially their lifting platform plates, arise on the vehicle. It has also been found that the underside of the jacking block in the sill and the underside of the support section or attachment skid of the battery frame are arranged at different heights, which is disadvantageous for supporting or storing such a motor vehicle, especially on lifting platform plates, or requires adjustments to the corresponding lifting tools.

[0006] The object underlying the invention is to provide a battery frame by means of which the above disadvantages can be avoided.

[0007] This object is achieved by a battery frame having the features of patent claim 1 and by a motor vehicle having the features of patent claim 6. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0008] A battery frame for a vehicle battery of an electrically powered vehicle is therefore proposed, comprising a receiving space for the vehicle battery, two supports running laterally along the receiving space and configured to be connected to a frame component of the vehicle, and at least two support sections, wherein at least one support section is attached to the underside of each support, and wherein the support sections have a bearing surface on which the battery frame can be supported on a base. Provision is made for the support sections to extend along the entire length of the battery frame, and for at least one recess to be formed in each support section, which recess forms a receptacle for a vehicle jack.

[0009] Thus, the support section(s), which can also be referred to as the support skid(s), integrates the functions of a defined jacking point and the battery protection function via the support skid(s) into a single component. A separate jacking point in the sill area is not required, thus avoiding the aforementioned level differences between the jacking point in the sill area and the support skid.

[0010] The recess may have a concave shape when viewed from below. In particular, it may have the shape of a partial circle in cross-section. Furthermore, the recess may also have the shape of an unfilled spherical cap, into which a corresponding counterpart of a car jack can be securely inserted and, with appropriate design, can also be fitted with a positive fit.

[0011] The recess has a clear width at the level of the support surface that is smaller than the width of the support section in the area of ​​the recess. Thus, the recess is surrounded by the support surface, allowing, for example, a lifting platform plate, which is usually larger than the recess, to be positioned in the area of ​​the recess and then rest against the support surface that runs around the recess.

[0012] The battery frame may have a base element connected to the supports, which is arranged below the receiving space, with the support surface of the support sections being arranged lower than the underside of the base element. The distance between the support surface and the underside of the base element may be between 2 and 12 millimeters, preferably between 4 and 8 millimeters.

[0013] The support sections can be formed in one piece and extend substantially along the entire length of the battery frame. The support sections can be made of a plastic, such as a thermoplastic, such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) or polyamide (PA), or polymer blends.

[0014] The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a motor vehicle with an electric drive, at least one vehicle battery and with one described above.

[0015] In such a motor vehicle, the support surface of the support sections can be positioned lower than a side sill and / or a sill panel of the vehicle body. This ensures that the support section and the recess formed therein (car jack receptacle) are easily accessible, while meeting the requirements for side visibility.

[0016] In the motor vehicle, the battery frame can be connected to the vehicle body in such a way that the vehicle can be raised or lowered by placing a lifting tool, in particular a car jack, on a recess in a support section or, in particular, a lifting platform on the support sections. The lifting tool thus does not engage directly on the body of the vehicle in the area of ​​the sill, but rather on the support section of the battery frame.

[0017] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the patent claims, the following description of preferred embodiments, and the drawings. Herein: Fig. 1 in the partial figures A) and B) a schematic and simplified sectional view through a sill area of ​​a motor vehicle and a battery frame of the prior art, wherein in partial figure A) a lifting platform plate and in partial figure B) a car jack are shown; Fig. 2 a schematic and simplified view of a motor vehicle from below Fig. 3 in the partial figures A) and B) a schematic and simplified sectional view through a sill area of ​​a motor vehicle and a battery frame according to the invention, wherein in partial figure A) a lifting platform plate and in partial figure B) a car jack are shown.

[0018] In Fig. 1 shows a simplified and schematic sectional view of a known battery frame 10 with a carrier 12. The battery frame 10 typically comprises two carriers 12 on both long sides of a receiving space 14. A battery 16 or multiple battery cells are accommodated in the receiving space 14. In the width direction Y, the two carriers 12 are connected to one another by a floor element 18. The floor element 18 forms the bottom end of the battery frame 10 in the direction of a ground surface (not shown here). The battery frame 10 comprises respective support sections 20 along the carriers 12. The support sections 20 can also be referred to as attachment skids. The attachment skid 20 serves in particular to prevent damage to the battery 16 should the vehicle touch down or get stuck on an obstacle during operation.

[0019] Purely as an example, in the Fig. 1 also shows that the battery frame 10, in particular its supports 12, can be connected to a frame element 24 of the vehicle by means of screw connections 22.

[0020] The frame element 24 has a sill 26 in its lower area. The sill 26 is arranged in the width direction Y behind a sill panel 28. A jack block 30 is attached to the sill 26. The vehicle can be lifted onto the jack block 30 by means of a lifting platform plate 32 of a lifting platform ( Fig. 1A) or by means of a jack 34 ( Fig. 1B). Since an underside of the jack block 30 is higher than an underside or support surface 36 of the support section 20, the support section 20 has a milled area 38 so that a lifting platform plate 32 can engage both the jack block 30 and the milled area 38 of the support section 20 when the vehicle is to be raised. The milled area 38 also serves as a safety feature to prevent the lifting platform plate 32 from tipping over on the edge of the support skid or the support section 20 if the lifting platform plate 32 is pivoted in too far within a tolerance range.

[0021] Fig. Figure 2 shows a vehicle 40 in a highly simplified and schematic view from below. Two front wheels 42 and two rear wheels 44 are shown as examples. In the longitudinal direction X, the battery 16 (shown in dashed lines) is arranged between the respective wheel axles RAv and RAh. In the illustration of the Fig. 2, one looks at the floor element 18, which covers the battery 16 at the bottom. The support sections 20 and the attachment skids are visible in the respective lateral areas. Furthermore, the sills 26 are also visible from this illustration, which are located further outwards than the support sections 20. In contrast to the known arrangement according to Fig. 1, the support sections 20 are provided with respective recesses 46 to which a car jack can be attached. This will be explained below with reference to the Fig. 3, which is one of the Fig. 1 shows a similar sectional view, approximately along the section line III-III of the Fig. 2.

[0022] In Fig. 3 shows a simplified and schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a battery frame 10 with a support 12. The battery frame 10 comprises two supports 12 on both long sides of the receiving space 14. The battery 16 or a plurality of battery cells are accommodated in the receiving space 14. In the width direction Y, the two supports 12 are connected to one another by the floor element 18. The floor element 18 forms the bottom end of the battery frame 10 in the direction of a ground surface (not shown here). The battery frame 10 comprises the respective support sections 20 along the supports 12. The support sections 20 can also be referred to as an attachment skid. The attachment skid 20 serves in particular to prevent damage to the battery 16 should the vehicle touch down or get stuck on an obstacle during operation.

[0023] As already mentioned with reference to the Fig. As mentioned in Figure 2, the battery frame is provided with recesses 46 formed in the support sections 12. The recesses 46 serve to come into positive contact with a counterpart 48 formed on the car jack 34. The recesses 46 can be concave downwards; in particular, they can have the shape of an unfilled spherical cap.

[0024] The support sections 20 have a substantially continuous support surface 36. The support surface 36 also forms a kind of border for the respective recesses 46. As can be seen from the Fig. 3A, a lifting platform plate 32 of a lifting platform can rest against the support surface 36 of the support section 20, which surrounds the recesses 46, in order to raise the vehicle. Alternatively, as shown in Fig.3B, a jack 34 can be used, wherein a counterpart 48 formed on the jack 34 can be inserted or is inserted into the recess 46 when the vehicle is to be raised. The recesses 46 formed as a jack receptacle are thus integrated into the support section 20 or the attachment skid, and it is not necessary to provide and attach separate jack blocks in the area of ​​the sill 24. This can save assembly effort and weight. Furthermore, costs can be saved by eliminating the separate jack block 30, perforation of the body, sealing of the perforation, and stiffening of the sills. Finally, a previously required cutback in the sill panel is also eliminated.

[0025] It should be noted that the support surface 36 of the support section 20 is located lower than the underside 50 of the floor element 18. Furthermore, the receiving surface 36 can also be arranged lower than the sill 26 or its sill paneling 28. A distance AB between the support surface 36 and the underside 50 of the floor element 18 can be from 2 to 12 millimeters, preferably from 4 to 8 millimeters.

[0026] The support sections 20 or attachment skids are preferably constructed in one piece. It is further preferred that the support sections 20 be made of a plastic, in particular a thermoplastic, preferably polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) or polyamide (PA) or polymer blends. The recesses 46 in the support sections 20 can either be produced during the casting of the support section 20 or can be created from a support section 20 by material-removing processes (e.g., milling).

Claims

[1] Battery frame (10) for a vehicle battery (16) of an electrically driven vehicle (40) with a receiving space (14) for the vehicle battery (16), two supports (12) extending laterally along the receiving space (14) and designed to be connected to a frame component (24) of the vehicle (40), and at least two support sections (20), wherein at least one support section (20) is attached to the underside of each carrier (12), and wherein the support sections (20) have a support surface (36) on which the battery frame (10) can be supported on a base, characterized bythat the support sections (20) extend along the entire length of the respective carrier (12), that in each support section (20) at least one recess (46) is formed which forms a receptacle for a car jack (34, 48), and that the recess (46) at the level of the support surface (36) has a clear width which is smaller than the width of the support section (20) in the region of the recess (46). [2] Battery frame (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the recess (46) has a concave shape when viewed from below. [3] Battery frame (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that it has a base element (18) connected to the supports (12) and arranged below the receiving space (14), wherein the support surface (36) of the support sections (20) is arranged lower than the underside (50) of the base element (18), in particular a distance (AB) between the support surface (36) and the underside (50) of the base element (18) is from 2 to 12 millimeters, preferably from 4 to 8 millimeters. [4] Battery frame (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the support sections (20) are formed in one piece. [5] Battery frame (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the support sections (20) are made of a plastic, in particular of a thermoplastic, preferably polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) or polyamide (PA) or polymer blends. [6] Motor vehicle (40) with an electric drive, at least one vehicle battery (16) and a battery frame (10) according to one of the preceding claims. [7] Motor vehicle (40) according to claim 6, characterized by that the support surface (36) of the support sections (20) is arranged lower than a side sill (26) and / or a sill paneling (28) of the vehicle body. [8] Motor vehicle (40) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by that the battery frame (10) is connected to the vehicle body in such a way that the motor vehicle (40) can be raised or lowered by placing a lifting tool (32, 34, 48) on a recess (46) of a support section (20) or on the support sections (20).

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