Pack for storing electric energy or gas, and motor vehicle provided with such a pack

Abstract

A pack (4), for storing electric energy or gas, has a containment structure (13) defining an internal housing adapted to contain electrical storage modules or gas tanks; by means of connecting devices (8, 25) the containment structure (13) can be fixed to a motor vehicle (1), in a hanging position below a floor (3); the containment structure (13) extends along a longitudinal direction (A), which is horizontal and, in use, corresponds to a travel direction of the motor vehicle (1), and on each of the two opposite sides it is provided, respectively, with at least two deformable elements (32), which are longitudinally spaced apart from each another and project outwards along respective axes (B) which are horizontal and orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (A), so as to absorb energy in case of accident with lateral impact.

Description

[0001] "PACK FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY OR GAS , AND MOTOR VEHICLE PROVIDED WITH SUCH A PACK"

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This Patent Appl ication claims priority from Italian Patent Application No . 102022000025965 filed on December 19 , 2022 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .

[0004] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0005] The present invention relates to a pack for storing electric energy or gas .

[0006] In particular, the present invention refers to a protection system aimed at protecting the internal parts of such pack when the latter is mounted below a floor of a motor vehicle , in case of accidents with lateral impacts , for example accidents against a lateral post .

[0007] PRIOR ART

[0008] As is known, in the automotive field, in electric or hybrid thermal-electric traction motor vehicles , the need is felt to protect the batteries which are intended for storing and supplying electric energy for the traction, in particular in order to prevent risks of fires . For such purpose , the batteries are formed by several storage modules which are all housed together in a suitable containment structure . The latter protects the storage modules on all sides , i . e . is practically composed of a sort of box, which can then be fixed to bodywork elements of the motor vehicle .

[0009] When designing electric and hybrid motor vehicles , in order to limit as much as possible the variations in the bodywork with respect to the motor vehicles with thermal engine already present on the market , there is the opportunity to provide for the mounting of the battery pack as additional component below the floor , anyway trying to keep the height from the ground of such component at a level suf ficiently high for preventing interference in case of bumps or steps .

[0010] Within the scope of this situation, with battery pack arranged below the floor, the need is felt to guarantee a suitable safety level in case of accidents of the motor vehicle with lateral impacts , in particular with impacts of the motor vehicle against a lateral post .

[0011] In fact , the battery pack generally has a relatively large width in hori zontal direction, transversal to the travel direction of the motor vehicle , i . e . is relatively near the body sides of the motor vehicle , therefore it is very likely that it will be af fected by a lateral impact . On the other hand, it is necessary to prevent deformations to the storage modules which are arranged in the containment structure , since such deformations can lead to a more or less fast progres sive degradation of the characteristics of the batteries , with consequent risks of internal short circuits and thus risks of fires .

[0012] Furthermore , the same need is felt also in the fuel cell supply, since the packs housing the hydrogen tanks can run similar risks of fire in case of accidents with lateral impacts when they are mounted as additional component below the floor of the motor vehicle .

[0013] In order to satis fy these needs and thus prevent deformations on the internal parts of the pack where electric energy or hydrogen is stored, it is suitable to provide for systems which locally sti f fen the motor vehicle and / or protect the area below the floor where such pack is mounted . However, it is al so suitable to exploit the characteristics of the bodywork o f the motor vehicles already on the market , without having to necessarily carry out a re-designing, as mentioned above . In other words , the need is felt to limit as much as possible the modifications to the bodywork, yet trying to obtain an ef fective solution from the point of view of the lateral impact .

[0014] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The obj ect of the present invention is thus to provide a pack for storing electric energy or gas , which allows satis fying the above-mentioned needs in a simple and cost- ef fective manner .

[0016] According to the present invention, a pack for storing electric energy or gas is provided, as defined in claim 1.

[0017] The present invention further relates to a motor vehicle provided with the pack for storing electric energy or gas, mounted below a floor, as defined in claim 6.

[0018] Preferred embodiments of the invention are then defined in the other dependent claims.

[0019] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] For a better understanding, the invention will now be described in the following, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting example embodiment thereof, and wherein:

[0021] Figure 1 partly illustrates, in a bottom and rear perspective, a motor vehicle provided with a preferred embodiment of the pack for storing electric energy or gas, according to the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 is a different perspective view, on an enlarged scale, relative to a detail of Figure 1; and

[0023] Figure 3 shows a further cutaway detail, according to a vertical section plane briefly identified by section line III-III in Figure 2.

[0024] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0025] In Figure 1, reference numeral 1 indicates, as a whole, a motor vehicle (partly illustrated) , comprising a bodywork 2, which has a floor 3 defining a platform or lower wall of a passenger compartment and / or a load compartment (not illustrated) . In the speci fic case , the motor vehicle 1 is a so-called commercial vehicle , for example a van, therefore the floor 3 defines the platform or the bottom wall of the rear load compartment .

[0026] The motor vehicle 1 extends along a longitudinal direction A, corresponding to the travel direction, and further comprises a pack 4 for storing electric energy . The pack 4 is also commonly indicated as "battery pack" .

[0027] The pack 4 is arranged below the floor 3 and is fixed to the bodywork 2 , according to coupling modes known to the persons skilled in the art , so as to remain hanging to the bodywork 2 .

[0028] In particular, the bodywork 2 comprises two side members 5 , substantially parallel to the direction A, and a plurality of cross members , not illustrated, spaced apart from each other along the direction A and having opposite ends which are fixed to the side members 5 : the pack 4 is fixed to the side members 5 by means of respective series of vertical pins or blocks 8 (visible in Figure 3 ) so as to remain hanging to the side members 5 . The vertical pins or blocks 8 of each series , i . e . on each side of the bodywork 2 , are spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the direction A.

[0029] Downwards , the pack 4 can directly face the road surface on which the motor vehicle 1 travels, or can be covered by a protection skin (not illustrated) fixed to the bodywork 2.

[0030] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the pack 4 comprises a plurality of storage modules, not illustrated, and an external containment structure or box 13 which defines an internal housing where such storage modules are arranged. The structure 13 extends along the direction A and, in particular, is symmetrical with respect to a vertical middle plane on which the direction A lies. More in particular, with reference to the section of Figure 3, the structure 13 comprises : an upper wall 14, facing the floor 3; a lower wall 15, facing downwards, i.e. opposite the wall 14; a frame 16, which extends between the walls 14 and 15 along the perimeter of the internal housing.

[0031] Preferably, the structure 13 further comprises two longitudinal supporting elements 17, which are parallel to the direction A and are fixed to respective sides of the frame 16. In particular, the vertical blocks or pins 8, mentioned above, are fixed to the longitudinal supporting elements 17. More in particular, the latter are defined by metal section elements, which in cross-section have a tubular shape, i.e. a closed section.

[0032] With reference to Figure 1, besides the two sides where the longitudinal supporting elements 17 are provided, the structure 13 has a front end part 23 and a rear end part 24 , which are arranged along the direction A in positions opposite each other, and preferably they too are fixed to the bodywork 2 ( for example to the above-mentioned cross members , so as to remain hanging to the latter ) by means of further vertical pins or blocks 25 .

[0033] For example , the parts 23 and / or 24 are shaped so as to be tapered towards the longitudinal ends of the motor vehicle 1 .

[0034] According to an aspect of the present invention, on each of the two sides or body sides , the motor vehicle 1 comprises a protection system 30 for protecting the structure 13 and thus the internal storage modules , from possible deformations which could be caused by accidents of the motor vehicle with lateral impacts .

[0035] In particular, the protection system 30 comprises deformable elements 32 , which are carried by the structure 13 and are arranged along each side of the structure 13 , in positions longitudinally spaced apart from each other . This arrangement which integrates the deformable elements 32 in the pack 4 , besides not altering the characteristics of the bodywork 2 , is particularly advantageous because the deformable elements 32 continue to carry out their protection and absorption function towards the structure 13 , also when the pack 4 possibly shi fts from its original position during the accident , exactly because the structure 13 and the deformable elements 32 tend to shi ft together .

[0036] In particular, the deformable elements 32 are designed so as to plastically deform for absorbing kinetic energy when a stress directed along respective axes B, hori zontal and orthogonal to the direction A, exceeds a given threshold; more in particular, the deformable elements 32 are metal box elements , for example made of steel .

[0037] For example , the deformable elements are identical to each other, as to structure , shape and dimensions .

[0038] With reference to Figure 2 , the deformable elements 32 have respective base portions 33 fixed to the sides of the structure 13 , for example by means of welding, and proj ect along the respective axes B with respect to the structure 13 . In the particular illustrated example , the base portions 33 are fixed to the longitudinal supporting elements 17 , i . e . to the components of the structure 13 which, in turn, are fixed to the bodywork 2 : this arrangement keeps in a relatively firm position not only the structure 13 , but also the deformable elements 32 , with respect to the bodywork 2 during a possible accident .

[0039] According to a variation not illustrated, on each side of the structure 13 , the longitudinal supporting element 17 could be shaped / structured so as to include a plurality of proj ections , each defining a respective deformable element , instead of providing elements 32 and 14 which are defined by pieces distinct from each other .

[0040] The example of the accompanying figures indicates that each side of the structure 13 is provided with a row composed of five deformable elements 32 ; however, the number of deformable elements 32 for each side could be di f ferent , as a function of the particular application, for example as a function of the length of the pack 4 . In order to guarantee a certain uni formity in the absorption of the impact , it is anyway indispensable that at least two deformable elements 32 are provided, spaced apart from each other, for each of the two sides of the structure 13 .

[0041] Advantageously, the shape of each deformable element 32 is tapered along the corresponding axis B, going from the corresponding base portion 33 towards the tip, i . e . outwards . For example , the shape is substantially of the truncated cone or truncated pyramid type . Such type of shape allows an energy absorption which progressively grows as the axial plastic deformation of the deformable element 32 increases , going from the tip towards the base portion 33 .

[0042] Still with reference to Figure 2 , for each of the body sides of the motor vehicle 1 , the protection system 30 comprises a respective reinforcing bar 40 , which extends parallel to the direction A and is carried in a fixed position from the bodywork 2 , in a position which i s aligned with and directly facing the deformable elements 32 along the axes B . In particular, on each side of the motor vehicle 2 , the tips or ends of the deformable elements 32 are axially spaced apart from the corresponding reinforcing bar 40 , for example for guaranteeing easiness in mounting the components ; in this manner, in fact , the installation of the reinforcing bars 40 is independent of the installation of the pack 4 .

[0043] In particular, on each side of the motor vehicle 1 , the entity of the distances or gaps between the tips of the deformable elements 32 and the reinforcing bar 40 is the same , unless there are dimensional and mounting tolerances , and is roughly established by design based on the transversal bulks at disposal below the floor 2 , based on the response promptness that one desires to assign to the protection system 30 in case of lateral impact and based on the tolerances that one desires to assign in the mounting of the components .

[0044] Preferably, with reference to Figure 3 , each reinforcing bar 40 is arranged exactly along a respective body side of the motor vehicle 1 , below a corresponding sill 42 of the bodywork 2 . In particular, each reinforcing bar 40 is fixed to the corresponding sill 42 by means of a series of vertical pins or blocks 44 , longitudinally spaced apart from each other.

[0045] More preferably, each reinforcing bar 40 comprises at least two section elements 40a and 40b, parallel to each other, side-by-side, and fixed to each other for example by means of welding. Specifically, each of the section elements 40a and 40b has, in cross-section, a tubular shape, i.e. a closed section. In particular, the element 40a is fixed to the corresponding sill 42 by means of the vertical pins or blocks 44 and directly faces the tips of the deformable elements 32, whereas the element 40b projects from the element 40a laterally outwards. More in particular, the element 40b has a lower rigidity, and thus a greater deformability, with respect to those of the element 40a, in case of impact in direction parallel to the axes B, so as to further improve the energy absorption attitude of the protection system 30.

[0046] According to variations not illustrated, the shape and the dimensions of the structure 13 could be different from what shown by way of example, so as to adapt to a different number of storage modules and / or to a different number of battery cells and / or so as to adapt to different bulks at disposal below the floor 3.

[0047] Furthermore, the above-described teachings also apply to packs designed and built to accommodate hydrogen tanks, or more in general gas tanks. Also in this case, the shape and the dimensions of the structure 13 can be di f ferent from those shown, or anyway di f ferent from the typical ones provided for the battery packs .

[0048] Based on the foregoing, it is evident that the protection system 30 is relatively simple to manufacture , as it is possible to add it on motor vehicles of normal production without intervening in a consistent manner on the bodywork 2 , which was originally designed for uses that did not provide the pack 4 .

[0049] In fact , essentially, it is necessary to only add the reinforcements defined by the two bars 40 , besides providing the suitable coupling systems for fixing the pack 4 to the bodywork 2 . In fact , the fact of mounting the deformable elements 32 directly on the pack 4 simpl i fies the interventions on the bodywork 2 . Moreover , for providing the deformable elements 32 , also the mounting operations are relatively simple , as it is possible to assemble the structure 13 on a mounting line which is completely separate from those where the motor vehicle 1 is equipped, instead of directly operating below the floor 3 . Only at the end of the assembling of the pack 4 , the latter is mounted ( together with the deformable elements 32 ) below the floor 3 .

[0050] The protection system 30 is then extremely ef fective , despite its simplicity, as it allows absorbing in an optimal manner the energy due to the lateral impact in case of accident and thus preventing the deformations to the structure 13 , at least up to a given impact level . For such purpose , the bars 40 can be designed and built in a dedicated manner, without having to alter the other parts of the bodywork 2 .

[0051] Based on the foregoing, it is finally evident that modi fications and variations can be made to the protection system 30 , to the pack 4 and to the motor vehicle 1 , described above with reference to the accompanying figures , which do not depart from the scope of protection of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims .

[0052] In particular, the number, the shape , the materials , the production and fixing techniques of the deformable elements 32 and o f the reinforcing bars 40 could be di f ferent from what indicated by way of example .

Claims

CLAIMS1.- A pack (4) for storing electric energy or gas, the pack comprising:- a containment structure (13) defining an internal housing adapted to contain electrical storage modules or gas tanks;- connecting devices (8,25) for fixing, in use, said containment structure (13) to a motor vehicle (1) , below a floor (3) of said motor vehicle (1) ; wherein the containment structure (13) extends along a longitudinal direction (A) , which is horizontal and, in use, corresponds to a travel direction of said motor vehicle (1) , and wherein said containment structure (13) comprises two sides, arranged on opposite sides of said longitudinal direction (A) ; characterised by comprising, on each of said sides, at least two deformable elements (32) longitudinally spaced apart from each other and projecting outwards from said containment structure (13) along respective axes (B) which are horizontal and orthogonal to said longitudinal direction (A) .2.- The pack according to claim 1, wherein said deformable elements (32) are plastically deformable elements.3.- The pack according to claim 2, wherein said deformable elements (32) are metal box elements.4.- The pack according to claim 3, wherein said deformable elements have a tapered shape along said axes (B) , goingfrom the containment structure (13) towards an outer end of said deformable elements.5.- The pack according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said deformable elements (32) have the same structure, dimensions and shape.6.- A motor vehicle comprising- a passenger compartment and / or a load compartment;- a floor (3) defining a platform or lower wall of said passenger compartment and / or load compartment;- a bodywork ( 2 ) ;- a pack (4) for storing electric energy or gas, wherein said pack (4) is fixed to said bodywork (2) so as to be hung in a fixed position to said bodywork (2) and below said floor (3) , and wherein said pack (4) is defined according to any one of the preceding claims;- on each side of the motor vehicle, a respective reinforcing bar (40) fixed to said bodywork (2) in a position which is substantially parallel to said longitudinal direction (A) and is aligned with and faces said deformable elements (32) along said axes (B) .7.- The motor vehicle according to claim 6, wherein said reinforcing bars (40) are arranged along respective body sides of the motor vehicle (1) .8.- The motor vehicle according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said reinforcing bars (40) are spaced apart from saiddeformable elements (32) along said axes (B) .9.- The motor vehicle according to any one of claims 6 to8, wherein each of said reinforcing bars (40) comprises a first and a second element (40a, 40b) , parallel to each other and side-by-side; and wherein said first element (40a) is fixed to said bodywork (2) and faces said deformable elements (32) , and said second element (40b) projects from said first element (40a) laterally outwards.10.- The motor vehicle according to claim 9, wherein said second element (40b) has a greater deformability than said first element (40a) in case of stresses directed parallel to said axes (B) .

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