Motor vehicle structure and motor vehicle

Abstract

A motor vehicle structure is described, comprising a body, having at least one sill extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a battery pack, wherein the battery pack has a battery pack housing, wherein the battery pack housing is fixed to the sill, wherein a mounting rail is provided between the sill and the battery pack housing, wherein the mounting rail is arranged on the sill and wherein the battery pack housing is attached to the mounting rail, wherein the battery pack housing is arranged without contact with the sill.

Description

[0001] A motor vehicle structure and a motor vehicle are described.

[0002] Motor vehicle structures and motor vehicles of the type mentioned above are known in the state of the art.

[0003] Electric and hybrid vehicles require the installation of large-capacity batteries. These are typically configured in so-called battery packs, which have battery pack housings. For reasons of space and center of gravity, such battery packs are often located in the area of ​​the vehicle's underbody and must be secured there to structural components of the vehicle. It is possible to attach the battery packs to longitudinal and / or cross members. If, as is the case with some vehicles, cross members are not available, they must be attached to longitudinal members, particularly to sills.

[0004] From EP 2 468 609 B1, an energy absorbing and distributing side impact system for a vehicle is known, comprising a battery pack housing configured to accommodate a plurality of batteries, wherein the battery pack housing is adapted to be mounted between a first vehicle structural side part located adjacent to a first side of the vehicle and a second vehicle structural side part located adjacent to a second side of the vehicle, wherein a first side part of the battery pack housing can be mechanically coupled to the first vehicle structural side part and a second side part of the battery pack housing can be mechanically coupled to the second vehicle structural side part, characterized in that the battery pack housing is adapted to be mounted between a front vehicle suspension assembly and a rear vehicle suspension assembly,wherein the battery pack housing, when mounted, traverses the distance between the first vehicle structural side member and the second vehicle structural side member, wherein the battery pack housing further comprises a plurality of cross members integrated into the battery pack housing, wherein the plurality of cross members divide the plurality of batteries into battery groups, wherein each of the plurality of cross members extends from the first side member of the battery pack housing to the second side member of the battery pack housing, and wherein, when the battery pack housing is mounted, a side impact load impacting either the first side or the second side of the vehicle is transferred to at least one of the plurality of cross members.

[0005] However, due to tolerances and other factors, these conventional arrangements can sometimes be difficult to assemble and maintain. Furthermore, it is complex to incorporate fastening options such as threaded holes and the like into a vehicle structural part in mass production. Furthermore, removable fastening elements such as threads can fail during assembly, maintenance, and operation.

[0006] The task therefore arises of further developing motor vehicle structures and vehicles so that they are easier to manufacture and assemble and cheaper to maintain and repair.

[0007] The object is achieved by a motor vehicle structure according to claim 1 and a motor vehicle according to the independent claim 9. Further embodiments and developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] A motor vehicle structure is described, having a body, comprising at least one sill running in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a battery pack, wherein the battery pack has a battery pack housing, wherein the battery pack housing is fixed to the sill, wherein a fastening rail is provided between the sill and the battery pack housing, wherein the fastening rail is arranged on the sill and wherein the battery pack housing is fastened to the fastening rail, wherein the battery pack housing is arranged so as not to make contact with the sill.

[0009] An electric car's battery pack consists of several battery cells housed within the battery pack casing. The cells are typically grouped into modules, which are then connected to form a larger block. The capacity of the battery pack depends on the number of cells and modules. The cells are typically lithium-ion cells, as they have a high energy density and can therefore store a lot of energy in a small space.

[0010] The battery cells are also usually equipped with a cooling system to prevent overheating. The cooling system consists of a cooling circuit that runs through the battery pack casing and dissipates the heat.

[0011] The battery pack is connected to the vehicle's electric motor and supplies it with the energy needed to drive the vehicle.

[0012] A sill is a section of a motor vehicle's self-supporting body. It is located below the door sill, facing the direction of travel, on both sides of the vehicle, and extends between the front and rear wheel arches.

[0013] Rocker panels are located on both sides of the vehicle and are usually largely parallel. A corresponding battery pack can therefore be mounted on both sides—on the left and right side of the rocker panel, as seen from the direction of travel.

[0014] By providing a mounting rail, the battery pack is not secured directly to the sill, but rather by means of the mounting rail. Providing a mounting rail has several advantages over direct mounting of the battery pack. Firstly, it can compensate for tolerances, as both the battery pack and the sill can have tolerances. This means that the necessary manufacturing precision for this arrangement does not need to be as high as with direct mounting. Secondly, a fastening element can be provided on the mounting rail, so that in the event of damage to a fastening element, e.g.An internal thread on the mounting rail side means that replacing the relatively inexpensive mounting rail is sufficient, eliminating the need for expensive welding or drilling on the sill, which, if improperly executed, could compromise structural strength and potentially promote corrosion. Thirdly, the non-contact arrangement of the sill and battery pack proposed here can improve noise (NVH) behavior, as the likelihood of vibrations caused by impacting components is reduced.

[0015] In a first further embodiment, it can be provided that the sill is a one-piece, extruded extruded profile.

[0016] This allows for optimized space requirements, weight, stability, and manufacturing costs compared to multi-piece sills. Furthermore, the construction effort is reduced when using a mounting rail.

[0017] In a further further embodiment, it can be provided that the battery pack housing, fastening rail and sill have a plurality of connection areas spaced apart from one another, wherein the sill has recesses in the areas of the connection areas.

[0018] This allows the distance between the battery pack and the sill to be increased in the connection areas, reducing the risk of noise generated during operation due to vibrations. Furthermore, battery pack installation is made easier.

[0019] In a further further embodiment, it can be provided that the recesses are embossments, cutouts, punched-outs and / or holes.

[0020] Such recesses can be introduced into the sill after the basic profile has been manufactured, particularly when using an extruded profile, thereby optimising the precision of the device.

[0021] In a further further embodiment, it can be provided that the motor vehicle structure is free of cross members in the area of ​​the battery pack housing.

[0022] In this way, installation space can be saved and the size of the battery pack can be maximized, resulting in a greater range.

[0023] In a further further embodiment, it can be provided that the fastening rail is detachably inserted into the sill.

[0024] Compared to permanent connections between the mounting rail and the sill, it is therefore easier to replace the mounting rail with a new one if necessary, e.g. due to damage such as deformation or corrosion.

[0025] In a further further embodiment, it can be provided that the battery pack housing is suspended from the sill.

[0026] This allows for easy assembly and disassembly of the battery pack in the finished vehicle, which reduces maintenance costs.

[0027] In a further further embodiment, it can be provided that the fastening rail has at least one positioning structure for positioning the fastening rail relative to the sill.

[0028] Corresponding positioning structures can be projections or recesses, for example, grooves, wedges, cutouts, etc. The positioning structures can be self-aligning, for example, converging at an acute angle.

[0029] This allows the battery pack to be precisely aligned relative to the sill(s) and ensures that the mounting rail is securely positioned relative to the sill.

[0030] A first independent subject matter relates to a motor vehicle having a motor vehicle structure of the type described above.

[0031] Further advantages, features, and details will become apparent from the following description, which – where appropriate with reference to the drawings – describes at least one embodiment in detail. Identical, similar, and / or functionally equivalent parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0032] They show schematically: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a motor vehicle structure; Fig. 2 a sectional view through a section of the motor vehicle structure from Fig. 1; Fig. 3 an enlargement of a section of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 a sill of the vehicle structure with fastening rail, as well as Fig. 5 a fastening rail of the motor vehicle structure.

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a motor vehicle structure 2.

[0034] The motor vehicle structure 2 has a sill 4 and a battery pack 6. The sill 4 runs essentially parallel to a direction of travel x.

[0035] The battery pack 6 has a battery pack housing 8 in which a plurality of battery modules 10 are arranged. Furthermore, the battery pack housing 8 houses additional components, for example, parts of a temperature control device for heating and cooling the battery modules 10, in particular coolant lines, monitoring sensors, possibly charge management modules, safety shutdown devices, and the like.

[0036] Fig. 2 shows a sectional view through a section of the motor vehicle structure 2 from Fig. 1.

[0037] The sill 4 is designed as an extruded profile and has several chambers 12.1, 12.2, ..., 12.7 that run essentially parallel to one another.

[0038] A mounting rail 14 is inserted into the lower chamber 12.1, which is oriented toward the center of the vehicle. The battery pack 6 is suspended through cutouts 16 in the sill 4.

[0039] The battery pack 6 does not touch the sill 4. A circumferential air gap 18 is located between the battery pack housing 8 and the sill 4. A force path between the battery pack 6 and the sill 4 runs via the battery pack housing 8, fastening screws 20, fastening rail 14, and finally into the sill 4, thus always via the fastening rail 14.

[0040] Fig. 3 shows an enlarged section of Fig. 2.

[0041] A plurality of through-holes 22 are provided on the battery pack housing 8, wherein a conical positioning bevel 24 is formed around the through-hole 22 on an upper side of the battery pack housing 8, which bevel rests against the fastening rail 14.

[0042] The fastening screw 20, which projects through the through-hole 22 and rests against the battery pack housing 8 with a collar 25, engages with its Fig. 3 above into a matching internal thread of a nut 26 attached to the mounting rail 14. The threaded connection between nut 26 and mounting screw 20 is self-locking or self-securing.

[0043] The mounting rail 14 consists of a deep-drawn sheet metal strip and has a dome 28 protruding into the through-hole 22, which serves to position the mounting rail 14. The center 26 is positioned in the dome 28.

[0044] Fig. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the sill 4 with the chambers 12.1 to 12.4. The guide rail 14 (not shown) is inserted through an open end face of the sill 4.

[0045] Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the mounting rail 14.

[0046] In addition to several spaced-apart domes 28, which serve as fastening areas, two incisions 30 are provided, which are positioned on corresponding projections in the sill 4 and serve to align the fastening rail 14.

[0047] The mounting rail 14 is designed as a punched and deep-drawn sheet metal component.

[0048] Although the invention has been illustrated and explained in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exist. It is also clear that the embodiments mentioned by way of example are truly only examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope, possible applications, or configuration of the invention in any way.Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete terms, whereby the person skilled in the art, with knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, can make various changes, for example with regard to the function or the arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as a further explanation in the description. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 2 468 609 B1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle structure (2), with a body, having at least one sill (4) extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x) and a battery pack (6), wherein the battery pack (6) has a battery pack housing (8), wherein the battery pack housing (8) is fixed to the sill (4), characterized by that a fastening rail (14) is provided between the sill (4) and the battery pack housing (8), wherein the fastening rail (14) is arranged on the sill (4) and wherein the battery pack housing (8) is fastened to the fastening rail (14), wherein the battery pack housing (8) is arranged so as not to make contact with the sill (4). [2] Motor vehicle structure (2) according to claim 1, characterized by that the sill (4) is a one-piece, extruded extruded profile. [3] Motor vehicle structure (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the battery pack housing (8), fastening rail (14) and sill (4) have a plurality of connection areas spaced apart from one another, wherein the sill (4) has recesses (16) in the areas of the connection areas. [4] Motor vehicle structure (2) according to claim 3, characterized by that the recesses are embossments, cutouts, punched-out portions (16) and / or holes. [5] Motor vehicle structure (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the motor vehicle structure (2) is free of cross members in the area of ​​the battery pack housing (8). [6] Motor vehicle structure (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the fastening rail (14) is removably inserted into the sill (4). [7] Motor vehicle structure (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the battery pack housing (8) is suspended from the sill (4). [8] Motor vehicle structure (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the fastening rail (14) has at least one positioning structure (28) for positioning the fastening rail (14) relative to the sill (4). [9] Motor vehicle with a motor vehicle structure (2) according to one of the preceding claims.

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