vehicles

Abstract

An EA element is positioned below a side frame and extends along its length. The EA element has a length in the vehicle's lateral direction that is longer than the length of the side frame in the same direction. It comprises an outer section positioned on the outside of the side frame in the vehicle's lateral direction and an inner section positioned on the inside of the side frame in the same direction. A side guard is positioned within a step of the inner section, and a projecting wall of the side guard overlaps the side frame in the vehicle's lateral direction. A second transverse element is positioned between the right and left EA elements. At the moment of impact, the side frame comes into contact with the projecting wall, thus preventing significant deformation of the side frame.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the invention

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

[0002] The unexamined Japanese patent application disclosure no. 2021-17181 (JP 2021-17181 A) discloses a support device for a vehicle battery that suspends a battery pack from a ladder frame of a vehicle. In JP 2021-17181 A, the battery pack is arranged between a right and a left side frame, which form the ladder frame. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In the event of a side collision, the side frame can deform inwards. If the battery pack is positioned between the right and left side frames, as in JP 2021-17181 A, a significant load can be placed on the battery pack at the point of severe inward deformation of the side frame.

[0004] The present disclosure aims to prevent a side frame from being severely deformed at the time of a side collision of a vehicle.

[0005] A vehicle of the present disclosure is a vehicle comprising a pair of side frames extending in a vehicle front-to-rear direction. The vehicle comprises: a pair of first elements arranged beneath the side frames, each first element extending along a corresponding side frame and each having a length in the vehicle lateral direction that is longer than the length of the corresponding side frame in the vehicle lateral direction; and a transverse element arranged between the first elements, the transverse element extending in the vehicle lateral direction. The first elements each comprise an outer section positioned on an outer side in the vehicle lateral direction of the corresponding side frame, and an inner section positioned on an inner side in the vehicle lateral direction of the corresponding side frame.The inner side section includes an overlapping section that overlaps the corresponding side frame in the vehicle lateral direction.

[0006] In this design, the vehicle comprises the side frames, which extend in the front-to-rear direction. The first elements are positioned beneath the side frames. Each of the first elements has a length in the vehicle's lateral direction that is longer than the length of the side frame in the same direction and extends along the side frame. The vehicle also includes the transverse element, which is positioned between the first elements and extends in the vehicle's lateral direction. The first element comprises the outer section, which is positioned on the outside of the side frame in the vehicle's lateral direction, and the inner section, which is positioned on the inside of the side frame in the vehicle's lateral direction. The inner section of the first element includes the overlapping section, which overlaps the side frame in the vehicle's lateral direction.

[0007] For example, if a side panel of the vehicle collides with a pole or similar object, the outer section of the first element, which extends along the side frame, comes into contact with the pole. As the pole comes into contact, the outer section of the first element is deformed towards the inside of the vehicle, but the transverse element, which extends laterally across the vehicle, prevents the overlapping section from penetrating the vehicle's interior. The deformation of the outer section of the first element causes the pole to come into contact with the side frame. When the side frame is deformed towards the inside of the vehicle by the pole coming into contact with the vehicle, the side frame abuts the overlapping section of the first element. The transverse element prevents the overlapping section from penetrating the vehicle's interior, thus preventing further deformation of the side frame that is in contact with the overlapping section.This prevents the side frame from being severely deformed in the event of a side collision with the vehicle.

[0008] At least the outer surface section of each of the first elements can be designed as a shock absorption element that is intended to deform in order to absorb energy at the time of collision.

[0009] In this design, the shock-absorbing element can absorb the energy of the collision if the outer section of the first element deforms due to the pole coming into contact with the vehicle's interior. In this way, it is possible to reduce the amount of deformation on the vehicle's interior side frame caused by the pole coming into contact with the frame.

[0010] The overlap section can be designed as an element separate from each of the first elements.

[0011] In this configuration, the overlap section is designed from an element separate from the first element, which improves the stiffness of the overlap section and better prevents deformation of the side frame.

[0012] The vehicle may also include a battery pack. The battery pack may be located between the side frames.

[0013] This design prevents severe deformation of the side frame and reduces the collision load on the battery pack in a vehicle where the battery packs are mounted between the side frames during a side collision.

[0014] The battery pack can include a housing that contains a battery. The housing can comprise an upper and a lower housing, and flange sections provided on the circumferential edge sections of the upper and lower housings can be joined to create a housing space for the battery. The overlap section can be positioned between the flange sections and the corresponding side frame in the vehicle's lateral direction.

[0015] In this design, the overlap section between the side frame and the flange sections of the housing is positioned laterally to the vehicle. At the moment of a side collision, the side frame comes into contact with the overlap section, thus limiting further deformation of the vehicle interior. This prevents the side frame from coming into contact with the flange sections and deforming them. Furthermore, it reduces the load exerted on the flange sections, even if the side frame does come into contact with the frame.

[0016] The present disclosure makes it possible to prevent the side frame from being severely deformed at the time of a side collision of the vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Features, advantages, and the technical and industrial significance of embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same symbols denote the same elements and in which: Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic design view of a body structure of a vehicle according to the present embodiment; Fig. 2A is an explanatory view of a battery pack assembly that is mounted on a chassis frame; Fig. 2B is an explanatory view of the battery pack assembly, which is attached to the chassis frame; Fig. 3A is an explanatory view of a structure for mounting the battery pack assembly to the chassis frame; Fig. 3B is an explanatory view of the structure of mounting the battery pack assembly to the chassis frame; Fig. 4 is a view that shows a IV-IV section of Fig. 3B represents; Fig. 5A is an explanatory view of the deformation of a side frame during the lateral impact of a vehicle on a pole; Fig. 5B is an explanatory view of the deformation of the side frame during the lateral impact of the vehicle on the pole; Fig. 5C is an explanatory view of the deformation of the side frame when the vehicle collides laterally with the pole; and Fig. Figure 6 is an explanatory view of an EA element in a change example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION EXAMPLES

[0018] An embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are identified by the same reference symbols and the description is not repeated. The dimensional ratios (length, width, thickness, and the like) in the drawings do not represent the actual dimensions.

[0019] Furthermore, the arrows Fr, Rr, Up, Lw, L, R in the drawings used in the following description indicate directions using the vehicle as a reference. Arrow Fr means "forward," arrow Rr means "backward," arrow Up means "upward," arrow Lw means "downward," arrow L means "left," and arrow R means "right."

[0020] Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic design view of a body structure of a vehicle V according to the present embodiment. The vehicle V of the present embodiment is an electrified vehicle, such as a battery electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle that can be driven by a motor. The body structure of the vehicle V is a so-called frame structure, and the body 1 is mounted on a chassis frame 2. In the present embodiment, the chassis frame 2 is a so-called perimeter frame or ladder frame and comprises a pair of right and left side frames 21. A battery pack assembly 3, a suspension (not shown), a drive motor (not shown), and the like are attached to the chassis frame 2.

[0021] Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B are explanatory views of the battery pack assembly 3, which is attached to the chassis frame 2. Fig. 2A represents battery pack assembly 3, and Fig. Figure 2B is a schematic exploded view of the battery pack assembly 3. The battery pack assembly 3 comprises a battery pack 30, a pair of shock-absorbing elements (energy absorption (EA)) 40 (40a, 40b), a pair of side protection devices 41 (41a, 41b), and a lower pack element 50. The battery pack 30 includes a housing 31 in which a battery module is housed, and the housing 31 is formed from an upper housing 32 and a lower housing 33. The EA elements 40 each extend in the vehicle front-to-rear direction. The EA elements 40 comprise a left EA element 40a, which is located on the left side of the battery pack 30, and a right EA element 40b, which is located on the right side of the battery pack 30. The side protection devices 41 extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.The side protection devices 41 are arranged between the battery pack 30 and the EA elements 40 and comprise a left side protection device 41a, which is arranged on the left side of the battery pack 30, and a right side protection device 41b, which is arranged on the right side of the battery pack 30.

[0022] The lower part of the package 50 comprises one element 51 extending in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, four first transverse elements 52 (52a to 52d) extending in the side direction of the vehicle (right-to-left direction), and four second transverse elements 53 (53a to 53d) extending in the lateral direction of the vehicle. The first transverse elements 52 (52a to 52d) are longer in the lateral direction of the vehicle than the second transverse elements 53 (53a to 53d). It should be noted that the number of first transverse elements 52 and the number of second transverse elements 53 can be any number.

[0023] As seen through the long-stroke double-short-stroke lines of Fig. As indicated in Figure 2B, the EA elements 40 and the side guards 41 are attached to the housing 31 (the lower housing 33) by a fastening device (screw and nut) not shown. At this point, the left side guard 41a is attached to the housing 31 together with the left EA element 40a, and the right side guard 41b is attached to the housing 31 together with the right EA element 40b. It should be noted that in Fig. 2B To avoid the complexity of the drawings, the fastening sections (common fastening sections) of the EA elements 40 and the side protection devices 41 on the housing 31 are shown as four sections; however, the number of fastening sections may, for example, exceed 20. As indicated by the dashed lines in Fig. As indicated in Figure 2B, the lower element 50 of the package is attached to the housing housing 31 (the lower housing 33) by a fastening element not shown. Fig. To avoid the complexity of the drawings, the fastening sections (common fastening sections) of the lower element 50 of the package on the lower housing 31 are shown as six sections in Figure 2B, but the number of fastening sections may exceed, for example, 20.

[0024] As described above, the in Fig. 2A The battery pack assembly 3 is designed such that the EA elements 40, the side protection devices 41 and the lower element 50 are attached (assembled) to the housing housing 31.

[0025] Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B are explanatory views of a structure for mounting the battery pack assembly 3 on the chassis frame 2. Fig. 3A is a view of the assembly of the battery pack assembly 3 with the chassis frame 2, and Fig. 3B represents the chassis frame 2 after the battery pack assembly 3 has been mounted on it. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3A, the chassis frame 2 comprises the side frames 21, which extend in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. The side frames 21 comprise a left side frame 21a and a right side frame 21b. The side frames 21 (21a, 21b) are connected to one another by a plurality of transverse elements 22. In the present embodiment, the transverse frames 22 are assembled in a front section and a rear section of the vehicle, and no transverse frame is positioned at a location where the battery pack assembly 3 is to be mounted.

[0026] As seen through the dotted lines of Fig. As indicated in 3A, the battery pack assembly 3 is attached to the side frame 21 (21a, 21b) by an element not shown. As shown in the dashed lines of Fig. As indicated in Figure 3A, for example, the first transverse elements 52 (52a to 52d) of the lower element 50 of the battery pack are attached to the side frames 21 (21a, 21b). Furthermore, the EA elements 40 (40a, 40b) are attached to the side frames 21 (21a, 21b), as indicated by the long dashed double short dash lines of Fig. 3A indicated. At this point, the EA elements 40 (40a, 40b) can be attached to the side frame 21 (21a, 21b) via fastening clips 60. It should be noted that in Fig. 3A To avoid complexity in the drawings, typical sections for fastening are shown (the dashed dash-dotted lines and the long-dash double-short-dash lines). For example, all first transverse elements 52 (52a to 52d) are fastened to the side frames 21 (21a, 21b), and sections not shown are also fastened to the side frames 21 (21a, 21b) of the EA elements 40 (40a, 40b).

[0027] When the battery pack assembly 3 is mounted on the chassis frame 2, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3B, the battery pack 30 is located between the left side frame 21a and the right side frame 21b.

[0028] Fig. 4 is a view that shows a IV-IV section of Fig. Figure 3B represents the battery pack 30. A battery cell (individual battery) 35 is housed in the housing 31 of the battery pack 30. The battery cell 35 can be, for example, a lithium-ion battery or a nickel-hydrogen battery. A plurality of battery cells 35 are housed in the housing 31 in the manner of an assembled battery (battery module), in which the battery cells 35 are connected in series or parallel. As shown in an A-section magnification view, the housing 31 is formed from the upper housing 32 and the lower housing 33. A flange section 32a is formed in a circumferential edge section of the upper housing 32. A flange section 33a is formed in a circumferential edge section of the lower housing 33.The housing 31 is formed by joining the flange section 32a and the flange section 33a, with a sealing element being wedged between the flange section 32a and the flange section 33a.

[0029] The left EA element 40a is arranged under the left side frame 21a and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction along the left side frame 21a (see Fig. 3B). The length (width) of the left EA element 40a in the vehicle lateral direction is longer than the length (width) of the left side frame 21a in the vehicle lateral direction. The left EA element 40a comprises an outer section Ot, which is positioned on the outside in the vehicle lateral direction (left direction) of the left side frame 21a, and an inner section In, which is positioned on the inside in the vehicle lateral direction (center direction) of the left side frame 21a.

[0030] The right EA element 40b is located below the right side frame 21b and extends along the right side frame 21b in the vehicle front-to-rear direction. The length (width) of the right EA element 40b in the vehicle lateral direction is longer than the length (width) of the right side frame 21b in the vehicle lateral direction. The right EA element 40b comprises an outer section Ot, which is positioned on the outer side in the vehicle lateral direction (the right direction of travel) of the right side frame 21b, and an inner section In, which is positioned on the inner side in the vehicle lateral direction (the center direction of travel) of the right side frame 21b.

[0031] The EA elements 40 (40a, 40b) are made, for example, of an aluminum alloy and each have a ladder-like cross-sectional structure that can be deformed to absorb collision energy. Steps are formed above the inner sections of the EA elements 40 (40a, 40b) to accommodate the side protection devices 41 (41a, 41b). The steps extend in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. The side protection devices 41 (41a, 41b) are arranged in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle along the steps formed in the inner sections. The side protection devices 41 (41a, 41b) each have a rectangular tube shape with a closed cross-section and each include a projecting wall 41T that extends upwards from the vehicle. The projecting walls 41T extend to positions that overlap the side frames 21 (21a, 21b) in the vehicle lateral direction (vehicle right-left direction).The projecting walls 41T are each positioned between the flange sections 32a, 33a of the housing housing 31 and the side frames 21 (21a, 21b) in the vehicle lateral direction and each extend in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0032] The second transverse element 53b is arranged between the left EA element 40a and the left side protection device 41a, and between the right EA element 40b and the right side protection device 41b. The second transverse element 53b transfers a lateral collision load (side collision input) applied by the side collision of the vehicle V to the EA element 40 (40a, 40b) and the side protection device 41 (41a, 41b) to the opposite side of the collision. This prevents the EA element 40 (40a, 40b) and the side protection device 41 (41a, 41b) from being deformed inwards in the lateral direction towards the vehicle on the side of the collision. Other second transverse elements 53 (53a, 53c, 53d) are also arranged in a similar manner.

[0033] It should be noted that the EA element 40 (40a, 40b), the outer side section Ot, and the inner side section In of the present embodiment each correspond to the examples of a “first element,” an “outer side section,” and an “inner side section” of the present disclosure. The projecting wall 41T of the side protection device 41 (41a, 41b) corresponds to an example of an “overlap section” of the present disclosure. The second transverse element 53 corresponds to an example of a “transverse element” within the meaning of the present disclosure.

[0034] Fig. 5A, Fig. 5B and Fig. 5C are explanatory views of the deformation of the side frame 21 during the lateral collision of the vehicle V with a pole P. Fig. 5A to Fig. 5C represents an example of a side collision on the left side of vehicle V. Fig. Figure 5A is a view depicted immediately before the collision of vehicle V with pole P by a side collision. When vehicle V collides with pole P, as shown in Figure 5A, the vehicle V is struck by pole P. Fig. As shown in Figure 5B, the outer surface section Ot of the left EA element 40a is deformed to absorb the energy of the collision. At this point, the second transverse element 53 transfers the lateral collision load (lateral collision action) applied to the left EA element 40a and the left side protection device 41a to the side opposing the side collision (the side of the right side frame 21b). In this way, the inward deformation (ingression) of the left EA element 40a and the left side protection device 41a in the vehicle lateral direction is prevented, and the collision load is prevented from being introduced from the left EA element 40a and the left side protection device 41a into the battery pack 30 (the housing 31).

[0035] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5C, when the pole P penetrates the vehicle V until it comes into contact with it, the left side frame 21a is displaced (deformed) inwards in the lateral direction of the vehicle to abut the projecting wall 41T of the left side guard 41a. The second transverse element 53 prevents the inward deformation (entry) of the left side guard 41a in the lateral direction of the vehicle, thus preventing further deformation (entry) of the left side frame 21a, which is abutting the projecting wall 41T. In this way, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle V, the left side frame 21a is prevented from being severely deformed. Furthermore, a collision load is prevented from being transferred from the left side frame 21a to the battery pack 30. It should be noted that the same applies in the event of a side collision on the right side of the vehicle V.

[0036] In the present embodiment, the projecting wall 41T of the side protection device 41 (41a, 41b) is arranged in the lateral direction of the vehicle between the flange sections 32a, 33a of the housing 31 and the side frame 21 (21a, 21b). At the moment the vehicle V comes into contact with the housing 31, the side frame 21 (21a, 21b) comes into contact with the projecting wall 41T, thus preventing further deformation of the vehicle interior. In this way, the contact of the side frame 21 (21a, 21b) with the flange sections 32a, 33a can be limited, and deformation of the flange sections 32a, 33a can be prevented. This ensures the tightness of the housing 31. Example of a modification

[0037] Fig. Figure 6 is an explanatory view of an EA element 45 in an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 6 corresponds to the A-section magnification view of Fig. 4 in the embodiment mentioned above. In the embodiment mentioned above, the step for receiving the side protection device 41 is formed above the inner section In of the EA element 40, and the side protection device 41, including the projecting wall 41T, is arranged along the step in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. The EA element 45 of the modified example is an element into which the EA element 40 and the side protection device 41 are integrated.

[0038] According to Fig.6. The EA element 45 is arranged below the side frame 21 and extends along the side frame 21 in the vehicle front-to-rear direction. The length (the width) of the EA element 45 in the vehicle lateral direction is longer than the length (the width) of the side frame 21 in the vehicle lateral direction. The EA element 45 comprises an outer section Ot, which is positioned on the outer side of the side frame 21 in the vehicle lateral direction, and an inner section In, which is positioned on the inner side of the side frame 21 in the vehicle lateral direction (the vehicle centerline). A projecting wall 45T, extending towards the top of the vehicle, is formed in the inner section In of the EA element 45. The projecting wall 45T extends to a position where it overlaps the side frame 21 in the vehicle lateral direction (right-to-left direction of the vehicle).The projecting wall 45T is positioned between the flange sections 32a, 33a of the housing housing 31 and the side frame 21 in the vehicle lateral direction.

[0039] In this modification example as well, the second transverse element 53 prevents deformation (entry) of the EA element 45 to the inside in the vehicle's lateral direction, thus preventing further deformation (entry) of the side frame 21, which abuts the projecting wall 45T, at the time of the lateral collision. This prevents the side frame 21 from being severely deformed at the time of a lateral collision of the vehicle V.

[0040] The embodiment disclosed here is illustrative and not limiting in every respect. The scope of this disclosure is not defined by the description of the above embodiment, but by the appended claims. The scope of this disclosure is intended to include all modifications within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] JP 2021-17181 A [0002, 0003]

Claims

[1] Vehicle comprising a pair of side frames extending in a vehicle front-to-rear direction, wherein the vehicle has: a pair of first elements arranged beneath the side frames, each first element extending along a corresponding side frame and each having a length in a vehicle lateral direction that is longer than the length of the corresponding side frame in the vehicle lateral direction; and a transverse element arranged between the first elements, wherein the transverse element extends in the lateral direction of the vehicle, wherein: the first elements each comprise an outer section, positioned on an outer side in the vehicle's lateral direction from the corresponding side frame, and an inner section, positioned on an inner side in the vehicle's lateral direction from the corresponding side frame; and The inner side section includes an overlap section that overlaps the corresponding side frame in the vehicle lateral direction. [2] Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein at least the outer surface section of each of the first elements is designed from a shock absorption element which is to be deformed to absorb energy at the time of a collision. [3] Vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the overlap section is designed from an element that is separate from each of the first elements. [4] Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a battery pack, wherein the battery pack is arranged between the side frames. [5] Vehicle according to claim 4, wherein: the battery pack includes a housing that contains a battery; the housing enclosure comprises an upper enclosure and a lower enclosure, and flanged sections, provided on circumferential edge sections of the upper enclosure and the lower enclosure, are joined together to provide a housing space for the battery; and the overlap section between the flange sections and the corresponding side frame is positioned in the vehicle lateral direction.

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