VEHICLE

Abstract

A vehicle (900) comprises a vehicle body (910), a power storage device (1), and a cover member (230). The power storage device (1) comprises a power storage module (100) and a lower housing (220). The lower housing (220) comprises a first projection (224) projecting downward toward the cover member (230), the lower housing (220) being configured to support the power storage module (100). The cover member (230) comprises a second projection (233) projecting upward toward the lower housing (220).

Description

Background of the invention 1. Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle. 2. Description of the related prior art

[0002] JP 2021-138228 A discloses a vehicle equipped with a battery housing. The vehicle includes a protective element arranged outside the battery housing in a vehicle width direction. Summary of the invention

[0003] In JP 2021 - 138 228 A, the protective element mitigates a lateral impact on the battery casing, but there is room for improvement in mitigating or mitigating an impact or impact from below.

[0004] The present invention provides a vehicle capable of mitigating an impact from below.

[0005] A vehicle according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a vehicle body, a power storage device, and a cover member. The power storage device includes a power storage module and a lower case, the power storage device being fixed to a bottom portion of the vehicle body. The lower case includes at least a first projection projecting downward toward the cover member, the lower case being configured to support the power storage module. The cover member includes at least a second projection projecting upward toward the lower case, the cover member being configured to cover the power storage device from below and to cover the lower case from below.

[0006] In the vehicle according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, as described above, the lower case includes at least one first protrusion protruding downward toward the cover member, and the cover member includes at least one second protrusion protruding upward toward the lower case. As a result, both the first protrusion and the second protrusion serve as a buffer material from below, so that an impact from below on the power storage device can be effectively mitigated.

[0007] In the vehicle according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the at least one first protrusion may include a plurality of first protrusions arranged side by side with a first space between the first protrusions, and the at least one second protrusion may protrude at a position overlapping with the first space in an up-down direction. With such a configuration, interference between the first protrusions and the second protrusion can be suppressed.

[0008] In the vehicle according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the at least one second protrusion may include a plurality of second protrusions arranged side by side with a second space between the second protrusions, and the at least one first protrusion may protrude at a position overlapping with the second space in an up-down direction. With such a configuration, interference between the second protrusions and the first protrusion can be suppressed.

[0009] In the vehicle according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the at least one first protrusion may be fixed to the lower housing, and the at least one second protrusion may be fixed to the cover member. With such a configuration, the rigidity of the power storage device can be improved compared to a case where the first protrusion and the lower housing are separated from each other and the second protrusion and the cover member are separated from each other.

[0010] The vehicle according to the first aspect of the present disclosure may further include a first buffer member provided between the at least one first protrusion and the cover member, and a second buffer member provided between the at least one second protrusion and the lower case. With such a configuration, the first buffer member and the second buffer member can effectively mitigate the impact from below on the power storage device.

[0011] In the vehicle according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the first buffer member may be fixed to at least one of the at least one first protrusion and the cover member, and the second buffer member may be fixed to at least one of the at least one second protrusion and the lower case. Consequently, the first buffer member may be stably fixed between the first protrusion and the cover member. Furthermore, the second buffer member may be stably fixed between the second protrusion and the lower case.

[0012] In the vehicle according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the lower case may include a case body portion to which the at least one first projection is fixed, the cover member may include a cover body portion to which the at least one second projection is fixed, the at least one first projection includes a first flange portion fixed to the case body portion and a first projecting portion projecting downward from the first flange portion toward the cover member, and the at least one second projection includes a second flange portion fixed to the cover body portion and a second projecting portion projecting upward from the second flange portion toward the lower case.With such a configuration, the first flange portion is provided, which can increase the rigidity of the first protrusion, and the first protrusion can be easily fixed to the housing body portion. Furthermore, the second flange portion is provided, which can increase the rigidity of the second protrusion, and the second protrusion can be easily fixed to the cover body portion.

[0013] In the vehicle according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, at least a part of the first flange portion may overlap with at least a part of the second flange portion in an up-down direction. With such a configuration, the formation of a space (a space in which neither the first protrusion nor the second protrusion is arranged) between the first flange portion and the second flange portion in a direction in which the first protrusion and the second protrusion are arranged can be suppressed. Therefore, the transmission of the impact from below to the power storage module can be suppressed compared to a case where the space is formed.

[0014] In the vehicle according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, a lower end of the at least one first protrusion may be located below an upper end of the at least one second protrusion. With such a configuration, a height of the power storage device in the up-down direction can be reduced.

[0015] In the vehicle according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, each of the at least one first protrusion and the at least one second protrusion may be provided to extend in a front-to-back direction or a right-to-left direction of the vehicle body. With such a configuration, the first protrusion and the second protrusion can mitigate the impact from below on the power storage device over a relatively large area of ​​the bottom portion of the vehicle body.

[0016] According to the present disclosure, the impact from below on the power storage device can be mitigated with the lower case and the cover member. Short description of the figures

[0017] Features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like characters designate like elements, and wherein: Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle and a power storage device according to an embodiment; Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the power storage device according to the embodiment; Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a projection fixed to a lower case according to the embodiment; Fig. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a projection fixed to a partition plate according to the embodiment; and Fig. 5 is a partially enlarged view showing a detailed configuration near a projection in Fig. 2 shows. Detailed description of embodiments

[0018] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings to which reference is made below, like or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0019] An X direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction illustrated in this specification correspond to mutually orthogonal directions. For example, the X direction and the Y direction correspond to a forward-backward direction and a right-left direction of a vehicle 900, respectively, as described below. The Z direction is an up-down (vertical) direction. The X direction and the Y direction may correspond to the right-left direction and the forward-backward direction of the vehicle 900, respectively.

[0020] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of the vehicle 900 equipped with a power storage device 1 in the embodiment of the present disclosure. In Fig. 1 For the sake of simplicity, elements such as tires are not shown.

[0021] The vehicle 900 includes a vehicle body 910, the power storage device 1, and a partition plate 230. The power storage device 1 is fixed to the vehicle body 910. Specifically, the power storage device 1 is fixed to an underbody 911 of the vehicle body 910. The underbody 911 includes a right frame 911b and a left frame 911a. The power storage device 1 is fixed to the right frame 911b and the left frame 911a, for example, by a screw connection. The vehicle 900 includes, for example, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a battery electric vehicle (BEV), or a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). The underbody 911 and the partition plate 230 are examples of a "floor portion" and a "cover member," respectively, of the present disclosure.

[0022] The power storage device 1 is, for example, a device that stores power for driving the vehicle 900. The power storage device 1 comprises a plurality of power storage modules 100, a housing 200, a plurality of dampers or damping elements 300 ( Fig. 2) and a plurality of dampers 400 ( Fig. 2). The power storage modules 100 are housed in the housing 200. The damper 300 and the damper 400 are examples of a "first buffer element" and a "second buffer element," respectively, of the present disclosure.

[0023] The housing 200 includes an upper cover 210 and a lower housing 220. The upper cover 210 is provided to cover the power storage modules 100 from a Z1 side. The lower housing 220 supports the power storage modules 100 from a Z2 side.

[0024] The partition plate 230 is provided below the housing 200. The partition plate 230 is provided to cover the housing 200 (lower housing 220) from below.

[0025] A support portion 220b is provided on a side surface 220a of the lower case 220 on a Y1 side. The support portion 220b is fixed (attached) to the left frame 911a. In addition, although in Fig. 1, a support portion fixed (attached) to the right frame 911b is provided on a side surface of the lower case 220 on a Y2 side. Thus, the power storage device 1 is fixed to the underbody 911. The method for fixing the power storage device 1 to the underbody 911 is not limited to the above example.

[0026] The partition plate 230 is provided with a plurality of projections 233. Details of the projections 233 will be described below.

[0027] Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing the power storage device 1 in the embodiment of the present disclosure. The power storage modules 100 are stacked in the Z direction. Each of the power storage modules 100 includes a plurality of electrodes (e.g., bipolar electrodes) (not shown) stacked in the Z direction, and a separator (not shown) disposed between the electrodes. A current collector, a thermally conductive material, or the like (not shown) is disposed between the stacked power storage modules 100. Note that Y1 indicates a front side of a paper surface, and Y2 indicates a back side of the paper surface.

[0028] The upper cover 210 ( Fig. 1) includes a top cover body portion 211 and a connecting portion 212. The connecting portion 212 forms an end portion (end surface) on the Z2 side of the top cover 210. The connecting portion 212 is formed, for example, in a ring shape. The top cover body portion 211 is formed to protrude from an inner peripheral edge of the connecting portion 212 toward the Z1 side.

[0029] The lower housing 220 ( Fig. 1) comprises a lower housing body portion 221, a connecting portion 222, a pair of connecting portions 223 and a plurality of (three in Fig. 2) Protrusions 224. The lower housing 220 is formed from a steel plate (e.g., an iron plate). The protrusions 224 may be formed from a high-strength steel sheet. The lower housing body portion 221 and the protrusion 224 are examples of a "housing body portion" and a "first protrusion," respectively, in the present disclosure.

[0030] The connecting portion 222 is connected to the connecting portion 212 of the upper cover 210 by a screw or the like (not shown). This fixes the lower housing 220 to the upper cover 210. Similar to the connecting portion 212, the connecting portion 222 is formed, for example, in a ring shape.

[0031] The lower case body portion 221 is formed to be recessed from an inner peripheral edge of the connecting portion 222 toward the Z2 side. As a result, a receiving space for accommodating the power storage modules 100 is formed between the lower case body portion 221 and the upper cover body portion 211.

[0032] Specifically, the body portion 221 of the lower case includes a side portion 221a and a bottom portion 221b. The side portion 221a extends from the inner peripheral edge of the connecting portion 222 to the Z2 side. The side portion 221a is provided to surround the power storage modules 100 when viewed from the Z1 side. The bottom portion 221b is connected to a lower end portion of the side portion 221a. In other words, the side portion 221a extends from an outer peripheral edge of the bottom portion 221b to the Z1 side. The bottom portion 221b extends orthogonally to the Z direction.

[0033] The connecting portions 223 are connected to the connecting portions 232 (described below) of the partition plate 230 by a bolt or the like (not shown). In this way, the partition plate 230 is fixed to the lower case 220. One of the connecting portions 223 is provided on an X1 side of the body portion 221 of the lower case, and the other of the connecting portions 223 is provided on an X2 side of the body portion 221 of the lower case.

[0034] Each of the connecting portions 223 is disposed below the bottom portion 221b of the body portion 221 of the lower housing. That is, each of the connecting portions 223 forms an end portion (end surface) on the Z2 side of the lower housing 220. Each of the connecting portions 223 is connected to an outer peripheral edge of the connecting portion 222 through a coupling portion 225.

[0035] Each of the protrusions 224 is formed to protrude toward the partition plate 230 in a Z2-side direction (a bottom portion 231b described below). Each of the protrusions 224 is fixed to the body portion 221 of the lower case. Specifically, each of the protrusions 224 is fixed to a bottom surface 221c of the bottom portion 221b of the body portion 221 of the lower case. For example, each of the protrusions 224 is fixed to the bottom surface 221c by welding.

[0036] The partition plate 230 includes a partition plate body portion 231, a pair of connecting portions 232 and the projections 233 (two in Fig. 2). The partition plate body portion 231 connects the connecting portions 232 to each other. The partition plate 230 is formed from a steel plate (e.g., an iron plate). The projections 233 may be formed from a high-strength steel sheet. Furthermore, the partition plate body portion 231 and the projection 233 are examples of a "cover body portion" and a "second projection," respectively, in the present disclosure.

[0037] The connecting portions 232 are connected to the connecting portions 223 of the lower case 220 by a screw or the like (not shown). In this way, the partition plate 230 is fixed to the lower case 220. One of the connecting portions 232 is provided on the X1 side of the partition plate body portion 231, and the other of the connecting portions 232 is provided on the X2 side of the partition plate body portion 231.

[0038] The partition plate body portion 231 is formed to be recessed toward the Z2 side with respect to the connecting portions 232. As a result, a space is formed between the lower housing 220 (lower housing body portion 221) and the partition plate body portion 231, in which the projections 224 and the projections 233 are arranged.

[0039] Specifically, the partition plate body portion 231 includes a pair of side portions 231a and a bottom portion 231b. One of the side portions 231a extends from an end portion of the connecting portion 232 on the X1 side of the partition plate body portion 231 to the Z2 side. The other of the side portions 231a extends from an end portion of the connecting portion 232 on the X2 side of the partition plate body portion 231 to the Z2 side. The bottom portion 231b connects lower end portions of the side portions 231a to each other. The bottom portion 231b extends orthogonally to the Z direction.

[0040] In a power storage device according to the related art, a protective member or the like mitigates an impact from a side to the power storage device (power storage module), but there is room for improvement in mitigating an impact from below.

[0041] In the present embodiment, each of the protrusions 233 is formed to protrude in a Z1-side direction toward the lower case 220 (bottom portion 221b). That is, the protrusion 224 and the protrusion 233, whose protrusion directions are opposite to each other, are provided between the lower case 220 and the partition plate 230.

[0042] Each of the projections 233 is fixed to the partition plate body portion 231. Specifically, each of the projections 233 is fixed to an upper surface 231c of the bottom portion 231b of the partition plate body portion 231. For example, each of the projections 233 is fixed to the upper surface 231c by welding.

[0043] The protrusions 224 are arranged adjacent to each other in the X direction with a space S1 between them. The protrusions 233 are arranged adjacent to each other in the X direction with a space S2 between them. The space S1 and the space S2 are examples of a "first space" and a "second space" of the present disclosure, respectively.

[0044] Each of the protrusions 233 protrudes at a position overlapping with the space S1 in the Z direction. Specifically, a protruding portion 233b (described below) of each of the protrusions 233 penetrates the space S1 from the Z2 side.

[0045] A central protrusion 224 in the X direction among the three protrusions 224 protrudes at a position that overlaps with the space S2 in the Z direction. Specifically, a protruding portion 224b (described below) of the central protrusion 224 penetrates the space S2 from the Z1 side.

[0046] Each of the dampers 300 is disposed between the protrusion 224 and the partition plate 230 (bottom portion 231b). That is, the damper 300 is disposed between each of the protrusions 224 and the partition plate 230 (bottom portion 231b).

[0047] Each of the dampers 400 is disposed between the protrusion 233 and the lower housing 220 (bottom portion 221b). That is, the damper 400 is disposed between each of the protrusions 233 and the lower housing 220 (bottom portion 221b).

[0048] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of the protrusion 224 and the damper 300. The protrusion 224 is formed to extend in the Y direction. That is, the protrusion 224 is provided to extend in the right-left direction of the vehicle 900.

[0049] The projection 224 has a hat-shaped cross section along the X-direction, as shown in Fig. 2. Specifically, the projection 224 includes a pair of flange portions 224a and the protruding portion 224b. The protruding portion 224b is formed integrally (continuously) with each of the flange portions 224a. The flange portion 224a and the protruding portion 224b are examples of a "first flange portion" and a "first protruding portion," respectively, of the present disclosure.

[0050] Each of the flange portions 224a is fixed to the bottom surface 221c of the body portion 221 of the lower housing. Each of the flange portions 224a has a flat plate shape extending along the bottom surface 221c. That is, each of the flange portions 224a extends orthogonally to the Z direction.

[0051] The projecting portion 224b protrudes from the flange portions 224a toward the Z2 side to the partition plate 230 ( Fig. 1). The protruding portion 224b is arranged between the flange portions 224a in the X direction and is connected to each of the flange portions 224a. Specifically, one of the flange portions 224a is connected to an end portion on the X1 side of the protruding portion 224b. The other of the flange portions 224a is connected to an end portion on the X2 side of the protruding portion 224b.

[0052] The protruding portion 224b includes a pair of inclined portions 224c and a lower end portion 224d. One of the inclined portions 224c extends from an end portion on the X2 side of the flange portion 224a on the X1 side to the Z2 side. The other of the inclined portions 224c extends from an end portion on the X1 side of the flange portion 224a on the X2 side to the Z2 side. The lower end portion 224d corresponds to an example of a "lower end of a first protrusion" of the present disclosure.

[0053] The lower end portion 224d is provided at a lower end of the protruding portion 224b. Specifically, the lower end portion 224d connects lower end portions of the inclined portions 224c to each other.

[0054] The lower end portion 224d extends orthogonally to the Z direction. Furthermore, each of the inclined portions 224c extends such that it intersects the Z direction without being orthogonal to the Z direction. The lower end portion 224d is arranged at a position that does not overlap with the flange portions 224a (and the inclined portions 224c) when viewed from the Z2 side.

[0055] The damper 300 is fixed to the lower end portion 224d from the Z2 side. That is, the damper 300 is sandwiched between the lower end portion 224d and the partition plate 230 (bottom portion 231b ( Fig. 2)) provided.

[0056] The damper 300 extends in the Y direction along the protrusion 224 (lower end portion 224d). A width W1 of the damper 300 in the X direction is smaller than a width W2 of the lower end portion 224d in the X direction.

[0057] A width W3 of the protruding portion 224b in the X direction gradually decreases as the protruding portion 224b extends toward the Z2 side. A cross section ( Fig. 2) The protruding portion 224b along the X direction has a trapezoidal shape. A minimum value of the width W3 is equal to the width W2 of the lower end portion 224d.

[0058] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of the protrusion 233 and the damper 400. The protrusion 233 has the same shape (configuration) as the protrusion 224. The protrusion 233 is formed to extend in the Y direction. That is, the protrusion 233 is provided to extend in the right-left direction of the vehicle 900.

[0059] The projection 233 includes a pair of flange portions 233a and a protruding portion 233b. The protruding portion 233b is formed integrally with each of the flange portions 233a. The flange portion 233a and the protruding portion 233b are examples of a "second flange portion" and a "second protruding portion," respectively, of the present disclosure.

[0060] Each of the flange portions 233a is fixed to the upper surface 231c of the partition plate body portion 231. Each of the flange portions 233a has a flat plate shape extending along the lower surface 221c. That is, each of the flange portions 233a extends orthogonally to the Z direction.

[0061] The projecting portion 233b protrudes from the flange portions 233a in the direction of the Z1 side toward the lower housing 220 ( Fig. 1). The protruding portion 233b is arranged between the flange portions 233a in the X direction and is connected to each of the flange portions 233a. Specifically, one of the flange portions 233a is connected to an end portion on the X1 side of the protruding portion 233b. The other of the flange portions 233a is connected to an end portion on the X2 side of the protruding portion 233b.

[0062] The protruding portion 233b includes a pair of inclined portions 233c and an upper end portion 233d. One of the inclined portions 233c extends from an end portion on the X2 side of the flange portion 233a on the X1 side to the Z1 side. The other of the inclined portions 233c extends from an end portion on the X1 side of the flange portion 233a on the X2 side to the Z1 side. The upper end portion 233d corresponds to an example of a "second protrusion upper end" of the present disclosure.

[0063] The upper end portion 233d is provided at an upper end of the protruding portion 233b. Specifically, the upper end portion 233d connects upper end portions of the inclined portions 233c to each other.

[0064] The upper end portion 233d extends orthogonally to the Z direction. Furthermore, each of the inclined portions 233c extends such that it intersects the Z direction without being orthogonal to the Z direction. The upper end portion 233d is arranged at a position that does not overlap with the flange portions 233a (and the inclined portions 233c) when viewed from the Z1 side.

[0065] The damper 400 is fixed to the upper end portion 233d from the Z1 side. That is, the damper 400 is provided between the upper end portion 233d and the lower housing 220 (bottom portion 221b).

[0066] The damper 400 extends in the Y direction along the protrusion 233 (upper end portion 233d). A width W4 of the damper 400 in the X direction is smaller than a width W5 of the upper end portion 233d in the X direction.

[0067] A width W6 of the protruding portion 233b in the X direction gradually decreases as the protruding portion 233b extends to the Z1 side. A cross section ( Fig. 2) The protruding portion 233b along the X direction has a trapezoidal shape. A minimum value of the width W6 is equal to the width W5 of the upper end portion 233d.

[0068] Fig. 5 is a partially enlarged view of Fig. 2. The damper 300 includes a buffer layer 310, an adhesive layer 320, and an adhesive layer 330.

[0069] The buffer layer 310 is formed from a foaming material, such as a foam. The hardness of the damper 300 can be adjusted by adjusting a foaming rate in the buffer layer 310. For example, the buffer layer 310 is formed relatively soft when it is important to prevent abnormal noise from the damper 300. If it is also important to improve the rigidity of the damper 300, the buffer layer 310 is formed relatively stiff.

[0070] The adhesive layer 320 is formed on an upper surface of the buffer layer 310. Thus, the damper 300 (buffer layer 310) is fixed to the protrusion 224 (lower end portion 224d) by the adhesive layer 320.

[0071] The adhesive layer 330 is formed on a lower surface of the buffer layer 310. Thus, the damper 300 (buffer layer 310) is fixed to the partition plate 230 by the adhesive layer 330. Therefore, the projection 224 (lower end portion 224d) is fixed to the partition plate 230.

[0072] Both the adhesive layer 320 and the adhesive layer 330 may be formed from an adhesive material or an adhesive tape (double-sided adhesive tape). Furthermore, at least one of the adhesive layer 320 and the adhesive layer 330 may be configured such that the adhesive can be peeled off to remove the partition plate 230 from the lower case 220 during maintenance or the like. For example, at least one of the adhesive layer 320 and the adhesive layer 330 may be formed to be relatively thin.

[0073] The damper 400 has the same configuration as the damper 300. The damper 400 has a buffer layer 410, an adhesive layer 420, and an adhesive layer 430.

[0074] The buffer layer 410 is formed of a foaming material, such as a foam. The adhesive layer 420 is formed on a lower surface of the buffer layer 410. Thus, the damper 400 (buffer layer 410) is fixed to the protrusion 233 (upper end portion 233d) by the adhesive layer 420.

[0075] The adhesive layer 430 is formed on an upper surface of the buffer layer 410. As a result, the damper 400 (buffer layer 410) is fixed to the lower case 220 by the adhesive layer 430. Therefore, the protrusion 233 (upper end portion 233d) is fixed to the lower case 220. In order to detach or remove the partition plate 230 from the lower case 220 during maintenance or the like, at least one of the adhesive layer 420 and the adhesive layer 430 may be configured to allow the adhesive to be released. For example, at least one of the adhesive layer 420 and the adhesive layer 430 may be formed to be relatively thin.

[0076] The protrusion 224 has a height h1 in the Z direction. The damper 300 has a thickness t1 (for example, several mm) in the Z direction. The height h1 is greater than the thickness t1. The sum of the height h1 and the thickness t1 is equal to a distance D1 between the bottom portion 221b of the lower housing 220 and the bottom portion 231b of the partition plate 230.

[0077] The protrusion 233 has a height h2 in the Z direction. The damper 400 has a thickness t2 (for example, several mm) in the Z direction. The height h2 is greater than the thickness t2. The height h2 is equal to the height h1 of the protrusion 224. The thickness t2 is equal to the thickness t1 of the damper 300.

[0078] The lower end portion 224d of the protrusion 224 is located on the Z2 side with respect to the upper end portion 233d of the protrusion 233. Specifically, the lower end portion 224d (a lower surface of the lower end portion 224d) and the upper end portion 233d (an upper surface of the upper end portion 233d) are spaced apart from each other by a distance D2 in the Z direction. The distance D2 is greater than half the distance D1 between the bottom portion 221b of the lower housing 220 and the bottom portion 231b of the partition plate 230.

[0079] A part of the flange portion 224a of the projection 224 overlaps in the Z direction with a part of the flange portion 233a of the projection 233. The flange portion 224a includes an overlap portion 224e that overlaps the flange portion 233a in the Z direction. For the projection 224 located between the projections 233 in the X direction, the overlap portion 224e is provided at each of the flange portions 224a. For the other projections 224, the overlap portion 224e is provided only on the flange portion 224a on one side (the projection 233 side) in the X direction.

[0080] Furthermore, the flange portion 233a includes an overlap portion 233e that overlaps the flange portion 224a in the Z direction. The overlap portion 233e is provided at each of the flange portions 233a.

[0081] Both the overlap portion 224e and the overlap portion 233e have a width W11 in the X direction. The width W11 is greater than half of a width W12 of the flange portion 224a in the X direction (a width W13 of the flange portion 233a in the X direction). The width W12 and the width W13 are equal to each other.

[0082] Each of the flange portions 224a does not overlap in the Z direction with the projecting portion 233b ( Fig. 4) of the projection 233. Consequently, it is possible to suppress excessive reduction of a gap between the projection 224 and the projection 233 in the Z direction by overlapping the flange portion 224a and the projecting portion 233b in the Z direction.

[0083] Each of the flange portions 233a does not overlap in the Z direction with the projecting portion 224b ( Fig. 3) the projection 224. Thereby, it is possible to suppress excessive reduction of a gap between the projection 224 and the projection 233 in the Z direction by overlapping the flange portion 233a and the projecting portion 224b in the Z direction.

[0084] As can be seen from the above description, the above section 224b ( Fig. 3) of the projection 224 and the protruding section 233b ( Fig. 4) of the projection 233 do not match each other in the Z direction and are shifted or offset from each other in the X direction.

[0085] As described above, in the present embodiment, the lower case 220 includes the protrusion 224 protruding toward the partition plate 230 in the Z2 side direction. The partition plate 230 includes the protrusion 233 protruding toward the Z1 side of the lower case 220. As a result, both the protrusion 224 and the protrusion 233 function as a buffer member against the impact from below, so that the impact from below can be effectively mitigated compared to a case where neither the protrusion 224 nor the protrusion 233 is provided. This makes it possible to suppress the transmission of the impact to the power storage module 100.

[0086] In the embodiment, an example was described in which the protrusion 233 is arranged at a position that overlaps the space S1 between the protrusions 224 arranged in the X direction in the Z direction, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The protrusion 224 and the protrusion 233 may be arranged in the same area in the Z direction.

[0087] In the embodiment, an example in which the protrusions 224 and the protrusions 233 are provided was described, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The number of one or both of the protrusions 224 and the protrusions 233 may be one.

[0088] In the embodiment, an example in which the damper 300 is fixed to each of the protrusion 224 and the partition plate 230 was described, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The damper 300 may be fixed to only one of the protrusion 224 and the partition plate 230. Similarly, the damper 400 may be fixed to only one of the protrusion 233 and the lower housing 220.

[0089] In the embodiment, an example in which the protrusion 224 is fixed to the partition plate 230 by the damper 300 was described, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The protrusion 224 may be directly fixed to the partition plate 230 without using the damper 300. For example, the protrusion 224 may be directly bonded to the partition plate 230 by an adhesive material, or the protrusion 224 may be welded to the partition plate 230. Similarly, the protrusion 233 may be directly fixed to the lower case 220 without using the damper 400.

[0090] In the embodiment, an example was described in which the flange portions 224a are provided in pairs on the X1 side and the X2 side of the protruding portion 224b, respectively, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The protrusion provided on the lower case 220 may include a protruding portion and an annular flange portion provided to surround the protruding portion. Furthermore, the protrusion provided on the partition plate 230 side may be configured in the same way.

[0091] In the embodiment, an example in which a part of the flange portion 224a and a part of the flange portion 233a overlap in the Z direction was described, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. Each of the flange portion 224a and the flange portion 233a may completely overlap the other of the flange portion 224a and the flange portion 233a in the Z direction.

[0092] An example has been described in which both the protrusion 224 and the protrusion 233 extend in the right-left direction of the vehicle 900, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Both the protrusion 224 and the protrusion 233 may extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 900. Furthermore, the direction in which the protrusion 233 extends and the direction in which the protrusion 224 extends may intersect each other.

[0093] Furthermore, at least one of the projection 224 and the projection 233 may be divided into a plurality of parts in the direction in which the at least one of the projection 224 and the projection 233 extends. In this case, the damper 300 (400) may similarly be divided into a plurality of parts. Furthermore, a plurality of dampers may be provided side by side on a single projection. In this case, the dampers are preferably provided at least at both ends and the center of the projection in the direction in which the projection extends.

[0094] In the embodiment, an example in which the height h1 of the protrusion 224 and the height h2 of the protrusion 233 are the same was described, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The height h1 and the height h2 may be different from each other.

[0095] In the embodiment, an example was described in which the protrusion 224 is a separate member from the lower case body portion 221, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The protrusion 224 may be formed integrally with the lower case body portion 221. For example, the lower case body portion may be deformed to form the protrusion. Furthermore, the protrusion 233 may be formed integrally with the partition plate body portion 231 in the same manner. For example, the partition plate body portion may be deformed to form the protrusion.

[0096] In the embodiment, an example was described in which the cross section of both the protrusion 224 and the protrusion 233 along the X direction has a hat shape, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the cross section of the protrusion 224 and / or the protrusion 233 along the X direction may have a rectangular shape, and a recess may be formed in a part of the protruding portion.

[0097] In the embodiment, an example was described in which each of the flange portions 224a does not overlap the protruding portion 233b of the protrusion 233 in the Z direction, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The flange portion 224a may overlap the protruding portion 233b in the Z direction. Furthermore, the flange portion 233a may similarly overlap the protruding portion 224b of the protrusion 224 in the Z direction.

[0098] The configurations of the embodiment and the various modification examples can be combined with each other.

[0099] The embodiment disclosed herein is merely illustrative and not restrictive in any respect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims rather than by the foregoing description of the embodiment, and is intended to include all modifications within the range of equivalence to the terms of the claims. 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] JP 2021 - 138 228 A [0002, 0003]

Claims

[1] Vehicle (900), comprising: a vehicle body (910); a power storage device (1); and a cover element (230), wherein: the power storage device (1) comprises a power storage module (100) and a lower case (220), wherein the power storage device (1) is fixed to a bottom portion (911) of the vehicle body (910); the lower housing (220) comprises at least one first projection (224) projecting downwardly toward the cover member (230), the lower housing (220) being configured to support the power storage module (100); and the cover member (230) comprises at least one second projection (233) which projects upwardly toward the lower housing (220), wherein the cover member (230) is configured to cover the power storage device (1) from below and to cover the lower housing (220) from below. [2] Vehicle (900) according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one first projection (224) comprises a plurality of first projections (224) arranged side by side, wherein a first space (S1) is arranged between the first projections (224); and the at least one second projection (233) projects at a position overlapping with the first space (S1) in an up-down direction. [3] Vehicle (900) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the at least one second projection (233) comprises a plurality of second projections (233) arranged side by side, wherein a second space (S2) is arranged between the second projections (233); and the at least one first projection (224) projects at a position overlapping with the second space (S2) in an up-down direction. [4] Vehicle (900) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the at least one first projection (224) is fixed to the lower housing (220); and the at least one second projection (233) is fixed to the cover element (230). [5] Vehicle (900) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a first buffer element (300) provided between the at least one first projection (224) and the cover element (230); and a second buffer element (400) provided between the at least one second projection (233) and the lower housing (220). [6] Vehicle (900) according to claim 5, wherein: the first buffer element (300) is fixed to at least one of the at least one first projection (224) and the cover element (230); and the second buffer element (400) is fixed to at least one of the at least one second projection (233) and the lower housing (220). [7] Vehicle (900) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the lower housing (220) comprises a housing body portion (221) to which the at least one first projection (224) is fixed; the cover element (230) comprises a cover body portion (231) to which the at least one second projection (233) is fixed; which comprises at least one first projection (224) a first flange portion (224a) which is fixed to the housing body portion (221), and a first projecting portion (224b) projecting downward from the first flange portion (224a) toward the cover member (230); and which comprises at least one second projection (233) a second flange portion (233a) fixed to the cover body portion (231), and a second projecting portion (233b) projecting upward from the second flange portion (233a) toward the lower housing (220). [8] The vehicle (900) according to claim 7, wherein at least a part of the first flange portion (224a) overlaps at least a part of the second flange portion (233a) in an up-down direction. [9] The vehicle (900) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a lower end (224d) of the at least one first projection (224) is disposed below an upper end (233d) of the at least one second projection (233). [10] The vehicle (900) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the at least one first projection (224) and the at least one second projection (233) is provided to extend in a front-to-back direction or a right-to-left direction of the vehicle body (910).

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