Protective arrangement on the underside of a battery housing located below the floor structure of a motor vehicle body

Abstract

Protective arrangement on the underside of a battery housing (10) for an electric drive of a motor vehicle, arranged below a floor structure of a motor vehicle body, comprising a cover (14) which is attached to the underside in a central region (M) of the battery housing (10) by means of a plurality of fastening elements (44, 54), the cover (14) comprising at least one fastening rail (22) in the central region of the battery housing (10), to which respective cover elements (20) of the cover (14) are attached and which is supported on the floor structure of the motor vehicle body, characterized in that the cover (14) comprises two fastening rails (22) extending one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in the central region (M) and two fastening rails (24) extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle, to which two front cover elements (16) and two rear cover elements (18) are attached,wherein the mounting rails (22) extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle are subdivided from each other at the level of the mounting rails (24) and the two mounting rails (24) extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle are subdivided from each other by the mounting rails (22).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a protective arrangement on an underside of a battery housing arranged beneath a floor structure of a motor vehicle body according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] DE 10 2021 103 025 A1 discloses a battery support structure for a motor vehicle, in which transverse struts and longitudinal struts are arranged to support respective sliding plates. The arrangement of two longitudinal struts and three transverse struts forms a configuration designed to support three sliding plates arranged one behind the other.

[0003] Such a protective arrangement is already known from DE 10 2017 217 960 A1, comprising a large-format, one-piece cover plate which is attached on the outer circumference to side sills or cross members of a floor structure of the motor vehicle body and on the underside in a central area of ​​the battery housing.

[0004] DE 11 2018 002 641 T5, DE 10 2019 211 266 B4 and DE 10 2012 213 308 A1 also disclose further noteworthy support structures which reflect the state of the art for the protective arrangement according to the invention.

[0005] The cover plate is arranged at a distance below the battery housing in order to protect the battery housing and in particular the battery arranged within the battery housing for an electric drive of the motor vehicle from excessive damage or intrusion when driving over an obstacle such as a curb, a speed bump or the like.

[0006] In order for such a large cover plate to provide sufficient protection even in a central area, it must be extremely stable and therefore complex in terms of material and overall heavy.

[0007] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a protective arrangement of the type mentioned at the outset, by means of which the battery housing and in particular the battery arranged within the battery housing can be protected in a more efficient and lightweight manner from damage when driving over an obstacle.

[0008] This object is achieved according to the invention by a protective arrangement having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with favorable further developments are described in the dependent claims.

[0009] In order to create a protective arrangement on an underside of a battery housing arranged beneath a floor structure of a motor vehicle body for an electric drive of a motor vehicle, by means of which the battery housing and in particular the battery arranged within the battery housing can be protected in a more efficient and lightweight manner from damage when driving over an obstacle, a cover is provided according to the invention which comprises at least one fastening rail in the central region of the battery housing, to which respective cover elements of the cover are fastened and which is supported and fastened to the floor structure of the motor vehicle body by means of a plurality of fastening elements.

[0010] Accordingly, at least one fastening rail of the cover is supported at least indirectly, but preferably directly, beneath the battery housing in the central region of the battery housing and, bypassing the battery housing, against the floor structure of the motor vehicle body. By providing the fastening rail, a large-format cover, in particular a one-piece cover plate beneath the battery housing, can be dispensed with. In the event of a collision with an obstacle such as a speed bump, curb, or the like, the fastening rail assumes the function of absorbing forces and specifically transfers the forces to the floor structure of the motor vehicle body without causing damage to the battery housing and, in particular, to the battery located within the battery housing.

[0011] According to the invention, the cover comprises two fastening rails extending one behind the other in the central region of the vehicle's longitudinal direction, as well as two fastening rails extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle, to which two front cover elements and two rear cover elements are attached. It is provided that the fastening rails extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle are separated from one another at the level of the fastening rails, and the two fastening rails extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle are separated from one another by the fastening rails.

[0012] In the event of a severe impact, the mounting rail is preferably designed to be deformable to accommodate further deformation without causing excessive damage to the battery casing. Furthermore, the support of the mounting rail in the center area enables particularly favorable load distribution, allowing the cover to be designed with a very low weight.

[0013] The invention accordingly provides that the at least one fastening rail is arranged in the central region of the battery housing in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Due to its alignment in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the fastening rail is particularly well suited to absorbing forces occurring in the direction of travel during forward travel as a result of a collision with an obstacle. Furthermore, the support of the fastening rail in the central region enables particularly favorable load distribution, so that the cover as a whole can be designed to be very lightweight.

[0014] It is also advantageous if the cover extends over the entire length of the battery housing and comprises a plurality of, in particular two, mounting rails that extend one behind the other in the vehicle's longitudinal direction in the center of the battery housing. This results in a particularly good solution in terms of assembly technology.

[0015] It is further advantageous if the at least one fastening rail is attached to fastening elements, in particular fastening screws, which penetrate the battery housing in the central region and by means of which a housing lower part is secured to the floor structure of the vehicle body. Thus, the fastening elements already provided for securing the battery housing can have a dual function, namely the additional support of the respective fastening rail or the cover, bridging the battery housing.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one fastening rail is fastened to the associated fastening element, in particular the associated fastening screw, by means of a screw element. This enables particularly simple fixation of the fastening rail.

[0017] It is further advantageous if the at least one fastening rail is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic, which is reinforced with associated metal elements in the area of ​​the respective screw openings. This results in a particularly lightweight solution, with the fastening rail preferably being designed to be deformable in the event of a severe impact in order to provide further deformation without causing excessive damage to the battery housing.

[0018] A favorable development of the invention is characterized in that the at least one fastening rail has a ribbed structure on its side facing the battery housing. This ribbed structure can be deformed in the event of a significant impact, absorbing impact energy without causing excessive damage to the battery housing.

[0019] It is also advantageous if respective spacer elements are arranged between the at least one mounting rail and the battery housing. This allows for a load distribution of the forces introduced via the mounting rail into the battery housing in the event of a significant impact. Furthermore, the spacer elements can provide corrosion protection between the mounting rail and the cover as a whole, as well as the battery housing.

[0020] It is also advantageous if the cover elements can be secured to the at least one mounting rail in a form-fitting manner and by means of snap-in connections. This results in a particularly simple and stable attachment of the cover elements to the mounting rail.

[0021] Finally, it has proven advantageous if individual fabric layers are arranged on the underside of the at least one fastening rail. This allows the fastening rail to be designed to be particularly stable.

[0022] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawing(s). The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective specified combination, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0023] Showing: Fig. 1 a perspective view of the protective arrangement according to the invention on an underside of a battery housing arranged beneath a floor structure of a motor vehicle body for an electric drive of a motor vehicle with a cover divided into four cover elements in the present case, which is supported and fastened to the floor structure of the motor vehicle body by means of two fastening rails running in the vehicle longitudinal direction and by means of two fastening rails running in the vehicle transverse direction; Fig. 2 a sectional perspective view of one of the fastening rails running in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle for securing the cover elements on the underside of the battery housing; Fig. 3 a partial sectional view through the cover arranged below the lower housing part of the battery housing along a sectional plane running in the transverse direction of the vehicle or in the vertical direction of the vehicle; Fig. 4 a sectional view through the cover arranged below the lower part of the battery housing analogous to Fig. 3, wherein a screw is shown in section by means of which the fastening rail is fastened to a fastening screw by means of which the battery housing is fixed to the floor structure of the motor vehicle body; Fig. 5 a perspective bottom view of one of the cover elements fixed to the corresponding fastening rail running in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; Fig. 6 an exploded view of the protective arrangement and one of the fastening screws for fastening the battery housing to the underside of the base structure and to a fastening element that can be fastened to the underside of the lower part of the battery housing; and Fig. 7 Fig. 7 a partial sectional view of the fastening element attached to the underside of the lower part of the battery housing, analogous to Fig. 6, by means of which the respective cover elements can be fastened to the battery housing by means of a locking ring which can be plugged onto the fastening element.

[0024] In Fig. 1 shows a perspective bottom view of a protective arrangement on the underside of a battery housing 10 arranged beneath a floor structure of a motor vehicle body, of which a lower housing part 12 can be seen in the present case, which protective arrangement comprises a cover 14. This cover 14, arranged beneath the lower housing part 12 of the battery housing 10, serves, in a manner described in more detail below, in particular to protect the battery housing 10 when driving over or colliding with an obstacle, for example a curb, a speed bump, or an obstacle that is particularly large and extends over a considerable width. A forward direction of travel FR is indicated by a corresponding arrow.

[0025] The cover 14 on the underside of the lower housing part 12 of the battery housing 10 comprises four cover elements, namely two front cover elements 18 in the forward direction of travel FR and two rear cover elements 20 in the forward direction of travel FR. Furthermore, the cover 14 comprises two fastening rails 22 extending one behind the other in a central region M in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and two fastening rails 24 running in the transverse direction of the vehicle, wherein the fastening rails 22 running in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle are divided from one another approximately at the level of the fastening rails 24 and conversely the two fastening rails 24 running in the transverse direction of the vehicle are divided from one another by the fastening rails 22.

[0026] Furthermore, Fig. 1 that respective fastening flanges 26 are provided on the outer circumference of the lower housing part 12, by means of which the lower housing part 12 can be screwed to a non-recognizable upper housing part or to respective side sills and longitudinal members of a likewise non-recognizable floor structure of the body of the motor vehicle in order to form the self-contained battery housing 10, within which a battery or respective battery cells are arranged for supplying an electric drive of the motor vehicle with electrical energy.

[0027] Fig. 2 initially shows, in a perspective sectional view, one of the fastening rails 22 along a sectional plane running in the transverse direction or vertical direction of the vehicle, wherein it can be seen in particular that a plurality of fabric layers 28 made of a fiber material, for example fiberglass material, carbon fiber material, aramid or the like, are arranged on the underside of the fastening rail 22, i.e. on the underside facing the roadway. The fastening rail 22 is designed, for example, from a thermoplastic material with a fiber material, for example in the form of fabric mats or the like. The fabric layers 28 are inserted and connected to the plastic of the fastening rails 22 in a tool during the manufacture or primary shaping of the fastening rail 22.By selecting a suitable fiber-reinforced plastic or by selecting the fabric layers 28, the rigidity and the deformation capacity or the energy absorption capacity of the respective fastening rail 22 can be easily adjusted and adjusted.

[0028] Fig. 3 shows in a partial sectional view along a sectional plane running in the vehicle vertical direction or in the vehicle transverse direction the arrangement of one of the fastening rails running in the vehicle longitudinal direction according to Fig. 2 below the lower housing part 12 of the battery housing 10. Also visible are the laterally fastened or suspended front cover elements 18, which are supported on the upper side of the respective edge regions 30 of the fastening rail 22.

[0029] Analogous to Fig. 3 is in the Fig. 4 also shows the arrangement of the corresponding fastening rail 22 below the lower housing part 12 of the battery housing 10, but in the area of ​​a screw connection point, which in Fig. 1 and in the area of ​​which the fastening rail 22 is fixed on the underside of the lower housing part 12 of the battery housing 10. In total, three such screw connection points 32 are provided for each fastening rail running in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and two such screw connection points 32 are provided for each of the two fastening rails 24 running in the transverse direction of the vehicle.

[0030] As from Fig. 4, the lower housing part 12 of the battery housing 10 has a through-opening 34 into which a receiving pot 36 is inserted, which is supported by a collar 38 running around the outer circumference against an edge region 40 of the through-opening 34 of the lower housing part 12. The receiving pot 36 in turn has a through-opening 42 through which a relatively long fastening screw 44 passes, the head 46 of which is supported on a base 48 of the receiving pot 36. By means of this respective fastening screw 44, the lower housing part 12 and thus the battery housing 10 as a whole is screwed to a non-recognizable floor structure of the body of the motor vehicle.Accordingly, in the present case, a corresponding end 50 of the fastening screw 44 is screwed, for example, into a corresponding cross member of the fastening rail of the motor vehicle body using a corresponding screw receptacle, so that the housing lower part 12 or the battery housing 10 is connected to the vehicle body not only via the respective outer peripheral fastening flanges 26, but also in a central region M of the battery. This prevents, for example, excessive vibrations of the battery housing 10 or even distributes the considerable weight of, for example, approximately 300 kg of the battery evenly across the fastening rail of the motor vehicle body.

[0031] As seen in conjunction with Fig. 6 can be seen, which is analogous to Fig. 1 again shows the protective arrangement as well as the head 46 of the respective fastening screw 44. Within this head 46, a screw receptacle 52 is formed, into which a screw 54 is screwed. This screw 54 passes through a through-opening 56 of the fastening rail 22, so that by means of this screw 54, the fastening rail 22 is fixed to the fastening screw 44, which in turn bridges the battery housing 10 and is screwed into the floor structure of the body of the motor vehicle on the upper side of the battery housing 10.

[0032] Overall, this results in indirect support of the respective fastening rails 22 on the floor structure of the motor vehicle body, specifically by bridging the battery housing 10 by means of the respective fastening screw 44. In order to achieve particularly favorable fixation of the respective fastening rail 22, it has a metal element, for example a metal disk 58 for reinforcement, on the outer circumference of the through-opening 56, which was inserted into the tool during the manufacture of the fastening rail 22. In the assembled state, this metal disk 58 rests directly on the end face of the head 46 of the fastening screw 44.

[0033] In summary, the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 it can thus be seen that the fastening rail 22 and thus also the respective cover elements 18, 20 are held at a height distance below the lower housing part 12 of the battery housing 10 and supported on the floor structure of the motor vehicle body.

[0034] If, during a crossing, for example in the forward direction of travel FR, the protective arrangement or the cover 14 comes into contact with a corresponding obstacle, such as a curb, a speed bump, or the like, the corresponding accident forces are initially absorbed on a large scale by the respective fastening rail 22 and - via the respective fastening elements or fastening screws 44 - passed on to the floor structure of the motor vehicle body. Direct contact between the obstacle or the cover 14 and the fastening rail 22 and the cover elements 18, 20 and the lower housing part 12 is thus initially prevented. The composite material of the fastening rails 22, 24 is adapted to the permissible load spectrum of the battery by selecting an appropriate material and the fabric layers 28 to the respective requirements.

[0035] If, however, an overload occurs, for example, in the event of a significant or excessive collision of the cover 14 with an obstacle, the plastic deformation of the fastening rails 22, 24 is deliberately enabled to create additional deformation space. A corresponding rib structure 60 or similar energy absorption structure is arranged on the rear side of the fastening rails 22, 24, so that the ribs of the rib structure 60 can deform while absorbing energy.

[0036] The ribs of the rib structure 60 cooperate with respective spacer elements 62 in the form of pads or the like, which are arranged, for example, on the underside of the lower housing part 12 in the possible contact area with the ribs of the rib structure 60.

[0037] Fig. 5 shows a partial bottom view of the fastening rail 22, which has spaced-apart webs in the edge region 30, between which the cover elements 18, 20 are supported on the top and bottom, respectively. Respective locking openings 66 are arranged within the webs 64, wherein, when the respective cover element 18, 20 is pushed on, corresponding locking lugs 68 engage with these locking openings 66. Thus, the respective cover elements 18, 20 are easily supported on the respective fastening rail 22 in the vertical direction of the vehicle and secured against withdrawal in the transverse direction of the vehicle by means of the locking elements, namely the locking openings 66 and locking lugs 68. The cover elements 18, 20 themselves can also be made of a fiber-reinforced plastic.

[0038] Fig. 6 shows in an exploded view the protective arrangement analogous to Fig. 1, wherein in particular the shape of the head 46 of one of the fastening screws 44 can be seen, into which the screw 54 is screwed on the associated screw receptacle 52.

[0039] In addition, Fig. 6 a fastening element 70 can be seen separately, which - as can be seen from Fig. 7 in a partial sectional view - is arranged on the underside of the lower housing part 12. With a bolt 72, this fastening element 70 penetrates a through-opening 74 within the respective cover element 18, 20, wherein a retaining ring 76 can be pushed onto the bolt 72 from an underside, so that the respective cover element 18, 20 is held between the fastening element 70 and the retaining ring 76. This results in an additional favorable fixation of the cover elements 18, 20 in the central region M of the cover 14 or the battery housing 10. List of reference symbols 10 Battery housing 12 Lower housing part 14 Cover 18 Front cover elements 20 Rear cover elements 22 Mounting rail 24 mounting rails 26 Mounting flange 28 fabric layers 30 Marginal area 32 screw connection point 34 passage opening 36 receiving pot 38 collar 40 Marginal area 42 passage opening 44 fixing screw 46 head 48 Floor 50 End 52 screw holder 54 screw 56 passage opening 58 metal disc 60 rib structure 62 spacer element 64 bridge 66 locking opening 68 locking lug 70 Fastening element 72 bolts 74 passage opening 76 Retaining ring FR Forward direction M mid-range

Claims

[1] A protective arrangement on the underside of a battery housing (10) arranged beneath a floor structure of a motor vehicle body for an electric drive of a motor vehicle, comprising a cover (14) which is fastened to the underside in a central region (M) of the battery housing (10) by means of a plurality of fastening elements (44, 54), the cover (14) comprising at least one fastening rail (22) in the central region of the battery housing (10), to which respective cover elements (20) of the cover (14) are fastened and which is supported on the floor structure of the motor vehicle body, characterized byin that the cover (14) comprises two fastening rails (22) extending one behind the other in the central region (M) of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and two fastening rails (24) running in the transverse direction of the vehicle, to which two front cover elements (16) and two rear cover elements (18) are fastened, wherein the fastening rails (22) running in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle are divided from one another at the level of the fastening rails (24) and the two fastening rails (24) running in the transverse direction of the vehicle are divided from one another by the fastening rails (22). [2] Protective arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by that the cover (14) extends over the entire length of the battery housing (10) and comprises a plurality, in particular two, fastening rails (22) which extend one behind the other in the central region (M) of the battery housing (10) in the vehicle longitudinal direction. [3] Protective arrangement according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by that the at least one fastening rail (22) is fastened to fastening elements (70), in particular fastening screws (44), which penetrate the battery housing (10) in the central region (M) and by means of which a housing lower part (12) is fixed to the floor structure of the motor vehicle body. [4] Protective arrangement according to claim 3, characterized by that the at least one fastening rail (22) is fastened to the associated fastening element (70), in particular the associated fastening screw (54) (44), by means of a screw element. [5] Protective arrangement according to claim 4, characterized by that the at least one fastening rail (22) is formed from a fiber-reinforced plastic, which is reinforced in the region of respective screw openings (56) with associated metal elements (58). [6] Protective arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the at least one fastening rail (22) has a rib structure (60) on its side facing the battery housing (10). [7] Protective arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that respective spacer elements (62) are arranged between the at least one fastening rail (22) and the battery housing (10). [8] Protective arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cover elements (20) can be fixed to the at least one fastening rail (22) in a form-fitting manner and by means of snap-in connections (66, 68). [9] Protective arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that respective fabric layers (28) are arranged on an underside of the at least one fastening rail (22).

Images