BATTERY PROTECTION STRUCTURE OF A VEHICLE

Abstract

Battery protection structure of a vehicle (1), comprising: a battery pack (50) comprising several battery modules (11, 12, 13, 14) and a battery housing (20) for storing the several battery modules (11, 12, 13, 14), and a vehicle body (2) on which the battery pack (50) is mounted, characterized in that: an air inlet (21, 22) which introduces air into the interior is provided in a side end section (50A) in a predetermined direction of the battery pack (50); an inlet channel (60) which forms an inlet path (60B) for introducing air drawn in from an air inlet (60A) arranged in a side section of the vehicle body (2) to the air inlet (21, 22) on one side of the battery pack (50) in the predetermined direction; the inlet channel (60) a first inlet channel (61) extending from the side section to a central section in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle body (2), and a second inlet channel (62) which is connected to the first inlet channel (61) and supplies air taken in by the first inlet channel (61) to the interior of the battery pack (50) through the air inlet (21, 22); the second intake port (62) having a first connection section (62A) which is connected to the side end section (50A) in the predetermined direction of the battery pack (50), a second connecting section (62B) which is spaced apart from the first connecting section (62A) in the vehicle width direction and is connected to the side end section (50A) in the predetermined direction of the battery pack (50), and a curved section (62C) that connects the first connecting section (62A) and the second connecting section (62B) and is curved such that it projects in the predetermined direction in the top view; and the curved section (62C) forms a front space (S1) of the curved section, i.e. a space through which the vehicle body (2) is viewed from above, between the curved (62C) section and the side end section (50A) in the predetermined direction of the battery pack (50).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery protection structure of a vehicle. [Background of the technology]

[0002] In certain cases, a battery in a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle, is housed in a trunk in the rear section of the vehicle. One such conventional technique is known, as described in JP6303030B2. In this technique, a battery module, located in a battery storage compartment on the rear floor, is cooled by air drawn from the vehicle interior. The air (exhaust air) released into the battery storage compartment after cooling is diverted into an internal exhaust duct, which returns the exhaust air to the vehicle interior through a partition separating the battery storage compartment from a rear seat compartment. A trunk exhaust duct then releases the exhaust air into the trunk. Consequently, the technique described in JP6303030B2 can mitigate the effects of the exhaust air heat on the occupants. [Summary of the invention][Technical problem]

[0003] However, with the conventional technique described in JP6303030B2, if the trunk in the rear section of the vehicle cannot be made sufficiently large, the space between the battery module and a wall surface of the trunk becomes narrow. Therefore, if an external impact affects the vehicle, the battery can be indirectly affected by the structure of the battery's peripheral components.

[0004] The present invention was developed with regard to the foregoing and aims to provide a battery protection structure for a vehicle that can favorably cool a battery module and protect a battery pack in the event of a rear-end collision of the vehicle, even in a case where the battery pack is installed in a confined space. [Solution to the task]

[0005] The present invention relates to a battery protection structure for a vehicle, comprising a battery pack having several battery modules and a battery housing for storing the several battery modules, and a vehicle body on which the battery pack is mounted, characterized in that an air inlet for introducing air into the interior is provided in a side end section in a predetermined direction of the battery pack; an inlet channel, forming an inlet path for introducing air drawn in from an air inlet arranged in a side section of the vehicle body, is provided on one side of the battery pack in the predetermined direction;the inlet channel has a first inlet channel extending from the side section to a central section in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle body, and a second inlet channel connected to the first inlet channel, which supplies air taken in by the first inlet channel to the interior of the battery pack through the air inlet; the second inlet channel has a first connecting section connected to the side end section in the predetermined direction of the battery pack, a second connecting section spaced apart from the first connecting section in the vehicle width direction and connected to the side end section in the predetermined direction of the battery pack, and a curved section connecting the first connecting section and the second connecting section, and curved such that it projects in the predetermined direction in the top view;and the curved section forms a front space of the curved section, i.e., a space through which the vehicle body is viewed from above, between the curved section and the side end section in the predetermined direction of the battery pack. [Pre-section effect of the invention]

[0006] As described above, according to the present invention it is possible to cool a battery module cost-effectively and to protect a battery pack in the event of a rear-end collision of the vehicle, even in a case where the battery pack is installed in a confined space. [Brief description of the characters] [ Fig. 1] Fig. Figure 1 is a top view of a trunk in a rear section of a vehicle comprising a battery protection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [ Fig. 2] Fig. Figure 2 is a top view of the trunk in the rear section of the vehicle including the battery protection structure according to the embodiment of the present invention, wherein a spare tire has been removed. [ Fig. 3] Fig. Figure 3 is a top view of the trunk in the rear section of the vehicle including the battery protection structure according to the embodiment of the present invention, wherein the spare tire and an upper housing have been removed. [ Fig. 4] Fig. Figure 4 is a rear view of the trunk in the rear section of the vehicle including the battery protection structure according to the embodiment of the present invention. [ Fig. 5] Fig. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the arrows VV in Fig. 2. [ Fig. 6] Fig. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along arrows VI-VI in Fig. 2. [ Fig. 7] Fig. Figure 7 is a perspective view of an inlet channel of the vehicle including the battery protection structure according to the embodiment of the present invention. [ Fig. 8] Fig. Figure 8 is a top view of the vehicle's inlet channel including the battery protection structure according to the embodiment of the present invention. [ Fig. 9] Fig. Figure 9 is a front view of the vehicle's intake duct including the battery protection structure according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Description of an embodiment]

[0007] A battery protection structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is a battery protection structure of a vehicle comprising a battery pack having several battery modules and a battery housing for storing the several battery modules, and a vehicle body on which the battery pack is mounted, characterized in that an air inlet introducing air into the interior is provided in a side end section in a predetermined direction of the battery pack; an inlet channel forming an inlet path for introducing air, which is drawn in from an air inlet arranged in a side section of the vehicle body, to the air inlet, is provided on one side of the battery pack in the predetermined direction;the inlet channel has a first inlet channel extending from the side section to a central section in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle body, and a second inlet channel connected to the first inlet channel, which supplies air taken in by the first inlet channel to the interior of the battery pack through the air inlet; the second inlet channel has a first connecting section connected to the side end section in the predetermined direction of the battery pack, a second connecting section spaced apart from the first connecting section in the vehicle width direction and connected to the side end section in the predetermined direction of the battery pack, and a curved section connecting the first connecting section and the second connecting section, and curved such that it projects in the predetermined direction in the top view;and the curved section forms a front space of the curved section, i.e., a space through which the vehicle body is viewed from above, between the curved section and the side-end section in the predetermined direction of the battery pack. As a result, the battery protection structure of a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention can favorably cool the battery module and protect the battery pack in the event of a rear-end collision of the vehicle, even in a case where the battery pack is installed in a confined installation space. [Version]

[0008] The following describes a battery protection structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. In the Fig. Numbers 1 through 9 represent the up-down, forward-backward, and left-right directions of a vehicle's battery protection structure installed within the vehicle. A direction perpendicular to the vehicle's forward-backward direction is the left-right direction, and the vertical direction of the vehicle's battery protection structure is the up-down direction.

[0009] The Fig. Figures 1 to 9 are drawings showing the battery protection structure of a vehicle in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] First, the configuration is described. In the Fig. 1, Fig. 4 and Fig. In Figure 5, a vehicle 1 comprises a vehicle body 2, and a rear seat 4 is provided in a rear section of the vehicle body 2. Additionally, the vehicle body 2 has a rear floor panel 2A, left and right side panels 2E and 2F, and a rear panel 2G behind the rear seat 4. A space above the rear floor panel 2A and surrounded by the rear seat 4, the side panels 2E and 2F, and the rear panel 2G forms a trunk. Accordingly, the rear floor panel 2A forms a section of the trunk floor.

[0011] A recess 2B is provided in the rear base plate 2A, and this recess 2B extends downwards. A battery pack 50 and a spare tire 5 are housed in the recess 2B. The battery pack 50 supplies power to a motor (not shown) of the vehicle 1. The spare tire 5 is attached to an upper section of the battery pack 50. A lower half of the spare tire 5 is accommodated in the recess 2B, extending upwards and downwards. The spare tire 5 is covered by a cover (not shown).

[0012] A section of an intake duct 60 is housed in recess 2B. The intake duct 60 draws in cooling air from the vicinity of a left end section inside the trunk and supplies the cooling air to the battery pack 50. (Battery pack)

[0013] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 The battery pack 50 has several battery modules 11, 12, 13, 14 and a battery housing 20 for receiving the several battery modules 11, 12, 13, 14.

[0014] Several cells are housed in an electrically connected state within the battery modules 11, 12, 13, and 14. A first air inlet 21 and a second air inlet 22, which introduce air into the interior, are provided in a rear end section 50A of the battery housing 20, which forms a housing for the battery pack 50. The rear end section 50A refers to an end section at the rear and corresponds to a lateral end section in a predetermined direction according to the present invention. It should be noted that the predetermined direction is not limited to the forward / reverse direction of the vehicle as exemplified in the embodiment and can be the vehicle width direction. Accordingly, the lateral end section in a predetermined direction is not limited to the end section at the rear of the vehicle and includes an end section in the vehicle width direction.In a case where the predetermined direction is the vehicle width direction, the position of the battery pack 50 relative to the vehicle 1 in the installed state is a position that can be obtained by rotating the battery pack 50 clockwise or counterclockwise by 90 degrees in the direction shown. Fig. The top view shown in 1 will be obtained.

[0015] The inlet duct 60 is located behind the battery pack 50. The inlet duct 60 is connected to the first air inlet 21 and the second air inlet 22. The inlet duct 60 forms an inlet path 60B, which directs the air drawn in by an air inlet 60A located in a side section of the vehicle body 2 to the first air inlet 21 and the second air inlet 22.

[0016] The battery housing 20 consists of a lower housing 30 and an upper housing 40. The lower housing 30 has the battery modules 11, 12, 13, 14 attached to it and covers the lower and side surfaces of the battery modules 11, 12, 13, 14. The upper housing 40 covers the upper surfaces of the battery modules 11, 12, 13, 14 and closes the lower housing 30 from above.

[0017] In the vehicle body 2, a lower housing mounting section 2C is arranged behind the lower housing 30, and the lower housing 30 is attached to the vehicle body 2 at the lower housing mounting section 2C.

[0018] In the vehicle body 2, an upper housing mounting section 2D is arranged behind the housing 40, and the upper housing 40 is attached to the vehicle body 2 at the upper housing mounting section 2D.

[0019] The spare tire 5 as a vehicle section is arranged above the battery pack 50, with a central axis 5A of the spare tire 5 running vertically.

[0020] A second bracket 82, which supports the spare tire 5, is provided on an upper surface of the battery pack 50, and the second bracket 82 is designed in an upward-projecting form. An upper end section of the second bracket 82 is connected to a central section of the spare tire 5.

[0021] In Fig. 6 are first reinforcement elements 71, which are paired in the vehicle width direction and extend in the forward / reverse direction of the vehicle, attached to a lower surface of the upper housing 40 by spot welding or similar.

[0022] In Fig. In section 3, the battery pack 50 has an air passage 51, 52 between adjacent battery modules 11, 12, 13, 14. The air guided through the inlet channel 60 flows through the air passages 51, 52. The air passages 51, 52 supply the air to the battery modules 11, 12, 13, 14.

[0023] In the Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 6 is the first reinforcing element 71 (see Fig. 6) along the air passage 51, 52 (see Fig. 3) between adjacent battery modules 11, 12, 13, 14 (see Fig. 2) ordered.

[0024] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. 6. The first brackets 81 are provided in an upper surface of the upper housing 40. The first bracket 81 is arranged in a position corresponding to the first reinforcing element 71. Two first brackets 81 are connected to a lower end section of the second bracket 82. The second bracket 82 connects a pair of the left and right first brackets 81 to each other and is attached to the upper housing 40 via the pair of first brackets 81.

[0025] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. 5 A third bracket 83 is provided in a front end section of the housing 30, and the third bracket 83 connects the lower housing 30 to the vehicle body 2. The battery pack 50 is connected to the vehicle body 2 via the third bracket 83 while it is stored in the recess 2B of the vehicle body 2. (Intake channel)

[0026] In Fig. 1. The inlet duct 60 has a first inlet duct 61 extending from a side section of the vehicle body 2 towards a central section in the width direction of the vehicle body 2, and a second inlet duct 62 connected to the first inlet duct 61, which directs the air received from the first inlet duct 61 into the interior of the battery housing 20. The first inlet duct 61 has an inlet blower 63 located near a right rear end section of the vehicle body 2, and the aforementioned rearward-facing air inlet 60A is provided in the inlet blower 63.

[0027] In Fig. 1 The second inlet channel 62 has a first connecting section 62A, which is connected to the rear end section 50A of the battery pack 50, and a second connecting section 62B, which is spaced apart from the first connecting section 62A in the vehicle width direction and is connected to the rear end section 50A of the battery pack 50. Additionally, the second inlet channel 62 has a curved section 62C, which connects the first connecting section 62A and the second connecting section 62B and is curved in plan view along an arc projecting towards the rear of the vehicle. Fig. 2 the curved section 62C forms a front space S1 of the curved section, i.e. a space through which the vehicle body 2 is viewed from above, between the curved section 62C and the rear end section 50A of the battery pack 50.

[0028] In the Fig. 7, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 The curved section 62C has a length in the upward-downward direction of the vehicle which gradually increases from both end sections towards the middle section of the curved section 62C in the vehicle width direction, and a thickness in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle which gradually decreases from both end sections towards the middle section of the curved section 62C in the vehicle width direction.

[0029] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, in the top view the curvature of a front surface 62X of the curved section 62C is set larger than the curvature of a rear surface 62Y of the curved section 62C.

[0030] In the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 the second inlet channel 62 has a bulged section 62D (in Fig. 7 (section enclosed by a dashed line) that bulges upwards at an upper section of an end section in the vehicle width direction of the second inlet channel 62, and a connecting section 62E that extends from the bulged section 62D to an end side in the vehicle width direction and to which the first inlet channel 61 is connected from above. A connecting section 61A in a downstream end section of the first inlet channel 61 is connected to the connecting section 62E.

[0031] In Fig. 1 The bulged section 62D has a vertical wall 62F shaped such that it faces the front in a position opposite the first connecting section 62A, and an inclined wall 62G facing the other end in the vehicle width direction and inclined such that it approaches the second connecting section 62B of the curved section 62C in the vehicle width direction as it extends downwards.

[0032] In Fig. 2 is the lower housing mounting section 2C, which attaches the lower housing 30 to the vehicle body 2, located in the front space S1 of the curved section.

[0033] In Fig. 2, a first inlet channel front chamber S2 is formed between the first inlet channel 61 and a rear surface of the battery pack 50, i.e., a space through which the vehicle body 2 is viewed from above. Then the upper housing mounting section 2D, which attaches the upper housing 40 to the lower housing 30, is arranged in the front chamber S1 of the curved section and the first inlet channel front chamber S2.

[0034] In Fig. In the second inlet channel 62, the curved section 62C is located below the spare tire 5, and a rear end section of the curved section 62C is located in the same position as, or in front of, a rear end section 5C of the spare tire 5 in the forward-reverse direction of the vehicle. Here, the rear end section 5C of the spare tire 5 refers to a rear end section in the forward-reverse direction of the vehicle of an outer circumferential edge 5B of the spare tire 5. Furthermore, a position in front of the rear end section 5C of the spare tire 5 in the forward-reverse direction of the vehicle refers to a position closer to the central axis of the spare tire 5 than the rear end section 5C.

[0035] If one, as in Fig. As shown in plan view, left and right intersecting sections PX, which intersect where the rear surface of the battery pack 50 and the outer circumferential edge 5B of the spare tire 5 intersect, and which defines an imaginary plane V passing through the central axis 5A of the spare tire 5 and extending in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle, the first air inlet 21 and the second air inlet 22 are each arranged closer to the left and right intersecting sections PX than to the imaginary plane V, and the first connecting section 62A and the second connecting section 62B of the second inlet duct 62, which are connected to the first air inlet 21 and the second air inlet 22, are arranged radially inside the outer circumferential edge 5B of the spare tire 5. Furthermore, a rear surface of the curved section 62C and a rear surface of the spare tire 5 are arranged such that they overlap in a top view.

[0036] In Fig. 1 The first air inlet 21 is positioned with respect to the imaginary plane V on one side in the vehicle width direction of the rear end section 50A of the battery pack 50, and the second air inlet 22 is positioned with respect to the imaginary plane V on the other side in the vehicle width direction of the rear end section 50A of the battery pack 50.

[0037] The first inlet channel 61 has a connecting section 61A, which is connected to an upstream end section of the second inlet channel 62. The connecting section 61A extends vertically higher than the central section of the spare tire 5 in the upward-downward direction, positioned within a side end section in the vehicle width direction of the spare tire 5 and at the front of the vehicle of the rear end section 5C of the spare tire 5 in the forward-backward direction. Additionally, a rear end section of the first inlet channel 61 and the rear end section 5C of the spare tire 5 are positioned in the same plane.

[0038] In particular, in Fig. 1, if a first imaginary line VL1 passes through a right end section of the spare tire 5 in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle, and a second imaginary line VL2 passes through the rear end section 5C of the spare tire 5, the connecting section 61A is arranged in a position inside (closer to the central axis 5A of the spare tire 5) the first imaginary line VL1 and in front of the second imaginary line VL2.

[0039] As described, in the battery protection structure of the embodiment, the second inlet channel 62 of the inlet channel 60 has the first connecting section 62A, which is connected to the rear end section 50A of the battery pack 50, and the second connecting section 62B, which is spaced apart from the first connecting section 62A in the vehicle width direction and is connected to the rear end section 50A of the battery pack 50.

[0040] In the event of a rear-end collision of vehicle 1 (hereinafter referred to as the time of the rear-end collision), depending on the state of the rear-end collision, a load in the direction of F1 (hereinafter also referred to as load F1) or a load in the direction of F2 (hereinafter also referred to as load F2) acts on a rear section of vehicle 1, as shown in Fig. Figure 1 shows the load F1 coming from directly behind, and load F2 coming from diagonally behind (in this embodiment, from the left rear). It is necessary to protect the battery pack 50 so that it is not deformed by such loads at the time of the rear-end collision of vehicle 1.

[0041] In this embodiment, the second inlet channel 62 connects the first connecting section 62A and the second connecting section 62B and has the curved section 62C, which is bent such that it projects towards the rear of the vehicle in plan view. The curved section 62C then forms the front space S1 of the curved section between the curved section 62A and the rear end section 50A of the battery pack 50, i.e., a space through which the vehicle body 2 is viewed from above.

[0042] As a result, at the time of a rear-end collision of the vehicle 1, the curved section 62C of the second inlet channel 62 can absorb the impact while deforming towards the front space S1 of the curved section.

[0043] Since the stresses in a rear-end collision of the vehicle 1 can concentrate on the curved section 62C, with the first connecting section 62A and the second connecting section 62B of the second inlet channel 62 serving as supports, it is also possible to elastically deform only the curved section 62C.

[0044] Additionally, if an external force large enough to exceed the yield strength (the limit of elastic deformation) acts on the curved section 62C, the curved section 62C will deform plastically and absorb the external force. In this way, the external force acting on the battery pack 50 can be mitigated. Furthermore, if the curved section 62C bends and breaks after plastic deformation, the external force acting on the battery pack 50 can be further reduced.

[0045] Thus, even if the battery pack 50 is installed in a confined space, the battery modules 11, 12, 13, 14 can be cooled effectively and the battery pack 50 can be protected in the event of a rear-end collision of the vehicle 1.

[0046] In the battery protection structure of the embodiment, both the first connecting section 62A and the second connecting section 62B are longer in the vehicle width direction than in the upward-downward direction of the vehicle.

[0047] As a result, the first connecting section 62A and the second connecting section 62B can absorb the impact at the time of a rear-end collision of vehicle 1 more in the vehicle width direction than in the upward-downward direction.

[0048] In the battery protection structure of the embodiment, the curvature of the front surface 62X of the curved section 62C is greater than the curvature of the rear surface 62Y of the curved section 62C, and the curved section 62C is longer in a middle section in the vehicle width direction of the curved section 62C in the upward / downward direction of the vehicle than at both end sections in the vehicle width direction of the curved section 62C.

[0049] As a result, the curved section 62C becomes thinner towards the center of the curved section 62C in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle and can therefore be more easily elastically deformed at the time of a rear-end collision of the vehicle 1 (see dashed lines in Fig. 8).

[0050] Furthermore, the impact at the time of a rear-end collision of vehicle 1 can be absorbed over a larger area because the central section of the curved section 62C is long in the upward / downward direction.

[0051] Since the front space S1 of the curved section, i.e. the space between the curved section 62C and the rear end section 50A of the battery pack 50, can be enlarged in front of the curved section 62C, a working space for mounting a battery pack 50 cover on a mounting section can also be ensured.

[0052] In the battery protection structure of the embodiment, the second inlet channel 62 has the curved section 62D, which bulges upwards at an upper section of an end section in the vehicle width direction of the second inlet channel 62, and the connecting section 62E, which extends from the curved section 62D to an end side in the vehicle width direction and to which the first inlet channel 61 is connected from above.

[0053] This makes it possible to increase the stiffness of the arched section 62D and to slightly deform the curved section 62C from the perimeter of the arched section 62D (see dashed lines in Fig. ).

[0054] Additionally, the air drawn from the first inlet channel 61 into the second inlet channel 62 is directed downwards along the curved section 62D in the second inlet channel 62. Therefore, the air can flow smoothly through the first connecting section 62A of the second inlet channel 62 into the battery housing 20 of the battery pack 50.

[0055] In the battery protection structure of the embodiment, the curved section 62D has the vertical wall 62F, which is formed in a position opposite the first connecting section 62A, and the inclined wall 62G, which faces the other end side in the vehicle width direction and is inclined such that it approaches the second connecting section 62B of the curved section 62C in the vehicle width direction as it extends downwards.

[0056] As a result, a section of the air flowing into the arched section 62D, as described in Fig. 7 Airflow indicated by arrows, flows downwards along a wall surface of the vertical wall 62F of the arched section 62D to be guided to the first connecting section 62A below the vertical wall 62F.

[0057] In the battery protection structure of the embodiment, the lower housing mounting section 2C, which attaches the lower housing 30 to the vehicle body 2, is arranged in the front space S1 of the curved section.

[0058] As a result, by working on the lower housing mounting section 2C through the front space of the curved section S1, it is possible to remove the battery pack 50 from the vehicle body 2 without having to remove the inlet duct 60.

[0059] In the battery protection structure of the embodiment, the front space S2 of the first inlet channel is formed between the first inlet channel 61 and the rear surface of the battery pack 50, i.e., a space through which the vehicle body 2 is viewed from above, and the upper housing mounting section 2D, which attaches the upper housing 40 to the lower housing 30, is arranged in the front space S1 of the curved section and the front space S2 of the first inlet channel.

[0060] As a result, by working on the upper housing mounting section 2D through the front space S1 of the curved section and the front space S2 of the first inlet channel, it is possible to remove the upper housing 40 from the lower housing 30 without removing the inlet channel 60 from the vehicle body 2.

[0061] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. All such modifications and their equivalents are to be included within the scope of the claims specified below. [List of reference symbols]

[0062] 1 ...vehicle, 2 ...vehicle body, 2A ...rear floor panel (vehicle body), 2C ...lower housing mounting section, 2D ...upper housing mounting section, 11 ...battery module, 20 ...battery housing, 21 ...first air intake (air intake), 22 ...second air intake (air intake), 30 ...lower housing, 40 ...upper housing, 50 ...battery pack, 60 ...intake duct, 60A ...air intake, 60B ...intake path, 61 ...first intake duct, 62 ...second intake duct, 62A ...first connecting section, 62B ...second connecting section, 62C ...curved section, 62D ...arched section, 62E ...connecting section, 62F ...vertical wall, 62G ...sloping wall, 62X ...front surface, 62Y ...rear surface, S1 ...front space of the curved section, S2 ...front space of the first inlet channel

Claims

[1] Battery protection structure of a vehicle (1), comprising: a battery pack (50) comprising several battery modules (11, 12, 13, 14) and a battery housing (20) for storing the several battery modules (11, 12, 13, 14), and a vehicle body (2) on which the battery pack (50) is mounted, characterized by , that: an air inlet (21, 22) which introduces air into the interior is provided in a side end section (50A) in a predetermined direction of the battery pack (50); an inlet channel (60) which forms an inlet path (60B) for introducing air drawn in from an air inlet (60A) arranged in a side section of the vehicle body (2) to the air inlet (21, 22) on one side of the battery pack (50) in the predetermined direction; the inlet channel (60) a first inlet channel (61) extending from the side section to a central section in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle body (2), and a second inlet channel (62) which is connected to the first inlet channel (61) and supplies air taken in by the first inlet channel (61) to the interior of the battery pack (50) through the air inlet (21, 22); the second intake channel (62) having a first connection section (62A) which is connected to the side end section (50A) in the predetermined direction of the battery pack (50), a second connecting section (62B) which is spaced apart from the first connecting section (62A) in the vehicle width direction and is connected to the side end section (50A) in the predetermined direction of the battery pack (50), and a curved section (62C) that connects the first connecting section (62A) and the second connecting section (62B) and is curved such that it projects in the predetermined direction in the top view; and the curved section (62C) forms a front space (S1) of the curved section, i.e. a space through which the vehicle body (2) is viewed from above, between the curved (62C) section and the side end section (50A) in the predetermined direction of the battery pack (50). [2] Battery protection structure of the vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that both the first connecting section (62A) and the second connecting section (62B) are longer in the vehicle width direction than in an up-down direction of the vehicle. [3] Battery protection structure of the vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that a curvature of a front surface (62X) of the curved section (62C) is greater than a curvature of a rear surface (62Y) of the curved section (62C), and that the curved section (62C) in an upward-downward direction of the vehicle is longer at a middle section in the vehicle width direction of the curved section (62C) than at both end sections in the vehicle width direction of the curved section (62C). [4] Battery protection structure of the vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the second inlet channel (62) a curved section (62D) that curves upwards at an upper section of an end section in the vehicle width direction of the second inlet channel (62), and has a connecting section (62E) that extends from the curved section (62D) to an end side in the vehicle width direction and to which the first inlet channel (61) is connected from above. [5] Battery protection structure of the vehicle (1) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the curved section (62D) a vertical wall (62F) which is formed in a position opposite the first connecting section (62A), and a sloping wall (62G) which is opposite another end side in the vehicle width direction and is inclined such that it approaches the second connecting section (62B) of the curved section (62C) in the vehicle width direction as it extends downwards. [6] Battery protection structure of the vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the battery housing (20) a lower housing (30) to which the battery modules (11, 12, 13, 14) are attached and which covers the lower and side surfaces of the battery modules (11, 12, 13, 14), and an upper housing (40) that covers the upper surfaces of the battery modules (11, 12, 13, 14), and a lower housing mounting section (2C) which attaches the lower housing (30) to the vehicle body (2) is located in the front space (S1) of the curved section. [7] Battery protection structure of the vehicle (1) according to claim 6, characterized by , that a front space (S2) of the first inlet channel, i.e. a space through which the vehicle body (2) is viewed from above, is formed between the first inlet channel (61) and a rear surface of the battery pack (50), and an upper housing mounting section (2D) which attaches the upper housing (40) to the lower housing (30), located in the front space (S1) of the curved section and the front space (S2) of the first inlet channel.

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