Traction battery mounting frame and frame member
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- GB · GB
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- JAGUAR LAND ROVER LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-01
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a traction battery mounting frame member. Aspects of the invention relate to a traction battery mounting frame member, to a traction battery mounting frame, and to a vehicle. BACKGROUND It is known to provide a vehicle having a traction battery mounting frame for housing a traction battery. Such frames are typically integrated into the vehicle’s chassis or body structure to provide support for the battery. A problem with such known arrangements, is that, in the event of a vehicular impact, particularly a side-impact or an offset frontal impact, a wheel of the vehicle can be forced inwards towards the traction battery. This can cause damage to the mounting frame and the battery itself. This problem is particularly magnified for larger vehicles requiring larger traction batteries and hence larger mounting frames. To accommodate these larger batteries, the mounting frame may be extended forward in the vehicle, placing the mounting frame adjacent the wheels of the vehicle.. It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a traction battery mounting frame member, a traction battery mounting frame, and a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims. According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a traction battery mounting frame member for a vehicle. The traction battery mounting frame member comprises a guiding portion, wherein in the event of an impact, the guiding portion is configured to engage a wheel of the vehicle, such that the guiding portion directs the wheel away from the vehicle. Advantageously, the traction battery mounting frame member reduces damage to internal components of the vehicle by directing the wheel away from the vehicle in the event of a vehicular impact, particularly a side-impact or an offset frontal impact. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a traction battery mounting frame member for a vehicle. The traction battery mounting frame member comprises a first portion defining a part of a wheel well and a second portion extending from the first portion. The second portion is configured to be coupled to a sill of the vehicle such that the second portion extends in a direction parallel to the sill of the vehicle. The first portion comprises a guiding portion, wherein in the event of an impact, the guiding portion is configured to engage a wheel of the vehicle, such that the guiding portion directs the wheel away from the vehicle. Advantageously, the traction battery mounting frame member provides structural support for a traction battery within a vehicle whilst also reducing damage to internal components of a vehicle by directing the wheel away from the vehicle in the event of an impact. In an embodiment, the second portion may extend in a direction parallel to the sill of the vehicle. It will be appreciated that this may be understood to mean the second portion extends along a longitudinal axis of the sill. In other embodiments, the second portion may extend along the length of the sill, or may be described as being 1 oriented to extend longitudinally with respect to the vehicle. Advantageously, the traction battery mounting frame member directs load toward the sill in the event of a vehicular impact, and thus away from other components of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the guiding portion directs the wheel away from the vehicle in the event of an impact. It will be understood that this describes moving the wheel away from an internal area of the vehicle. For example, the guiding portion may be configured to direct the wheel outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. In other embodiments, the guiding portion may direct the wheel in a lateral direction away from the vehicle body, for example, the guiding portion may cause the wheel to decouple in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Advantageously, the traction battery mounting frame member reduces damage to internal components of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the guiding portion of the first portion may be adjacent to the second portion of the traction battery mounting frame member. Advantageously, in the event of a front-to-rear impact, the transfer of a force from the first portion of the traction battery mounting frame member to the second portion of the traction battery mounting frame member takes place such that the force is transferred, desirably, to a sill of the vehicle. The second portion of the traction battery mounting frame member provides support to the guiding portion of the first portion to improve the effectiveness of the traction battery mounting frame member's ability to transfer a load to the sills of a vehicle in the event of an impact. In an embodiment, the guiding portion may be substantially arcuate and extends away from a longitudinal axis of the first portion. Advantageously, the substantially arcuate shape of the guiding portion enhances the redirection of the wheel away from the vehicle in the event of an impact. The design of the traction battery mounting frame member provides a smoother and more controlled deflection trajectory for the wheel. The curvature of the substantially arcuate guiding portion also distributes impact forces of the wheel more evenly, reducing stress concentrations and thereby improving the structural integrity of the traction battery mounting frame member. In an embodiment, the first portion may include a main body having a main body depth and the guiding portion may include a guiding portion depth. The guiding portion depth may be smaller than the main body depth. In some embodiments, the main body of the first portion may include a main body upper surface and a main body lower surface, wherein the main body upper surface and the main body lower surface are separated by the main body depth. In an embodiment, the guiding portion of the first portion includes a guiding portion upper surface and a guiding portion lower surface, wherein the guiding portion upper surface and the guiding portion lower surface are separated by the guiding portion depth. Advantageously, the guiding portion depth being smaller than the first portion depth enables the weight and material usage of the traction battery mounting frame member to be reduced without compromising the traction battery mounting frame member's ability to direct the wheel away from the vehicle in the event of an impact. In this way, the performance of the traction battery mounting frame member is improved without unduly adding to the weight of the vehicle and / or increasing the manufacturing costs. In an embodiment, the first portion may be angularly disposed with respect to the second portion. Advantageously, the first portion extends in a first direction away from the sills of the vehicle thereby providing room to accommodate a wheel well. The angled junction between the first portion and the second portion enhances the traction battery mounting frame member's ability to direct the wheel away from the vehicle. In an embodiment, the first portion may be disposed at an angle from 100 degrees to 170 degrees with respect to the second portion. In some embodiments, the first portion may be disposed at an angle from 100 degrees to 150 degrees with respect to the second portion. In some embodiments, the first portion may be disposed at an angle from 100 degrees to 140 degrees with respect to the second portion. In some embodiments, the first portion may be disposed at an angle from 120 degrees to 170 degrees with respect to the second portion. In some embodiments, the first portion may be disposed at an angle from 120 degrees to 150 degrees with respect to the second portion. In some embodiments, the first portion may be disposed at an angle from 120 degrees to 140 degrees with respect to the second portion. In some embodiments, the first portion may be disposed at an angle from 130 degrees to 170 degrees with respect to the second portion. In some embodiments, the first portion may be disposed at an angle from 130 degrees to 150 degrees with respect to the second portion. In some embodiments, the first portion may be disposed at an angle from 130 degrees to 140 degrees with respect to the second portion. In some embodiments, the first portion may be disposed at an angle 135 degrees with respect to the second portion. Advantageously, this angular range provides a balance in the wheel well area geometry between providing clearance for the wheel well and effectively transferring impact loads to the vehicle sill. In an embodiment, the first portion may include a first end and an opposing second end, and the second portion of the traction battery mounting frame member may extend from the second end of the first portion of the traction battery mounting frame member, such that in the event of an impact, the first portion may be configured to direct load to the second portion via the second end of the first portion. Advantageously, this configuration desirably allows for energy distribution in the event of an impact, directing load from the centre of the vehicle towards the sills of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the first portion and the second portion may be unitary. In some embodiments, the first portion and the second portion may be formed as a single body. In some embodiments, the first portion and the second portion may be integrally formed. Advantageously, the unitary configuration of the first portion and the second portion of the traction battery mounting frame member results in increased structural integrity by removing potential weak points from a joining region between the first and second portions, as well as eliminating the need for fasteners, welds, or other joins or connections between the first portion and the second portion of the traction battery mounting frame member. In an embodiment, the traction battery mounting frame member may be a hollow cast member. Advantageously, the hollow cast structure of the traction battery mounting frame member enables the weight and material costs of the traction battery mounting frame member to be reduced, while retaining its structural strength, as well as facilitating the integration of channels in the member, e.g. for cabling or piping. In an embodiment, the traction battery mounting frame member may include a connecting portion, wherein the connecting portion is configured to enable connection of a component of a vehicle crash structure to the traction battery mounting frame member. In an embodiment, the connecting portion is configured to enable connection of a load bearing element of the vehicle crash structure to the traction battery mounting frame member. Advantageously, the traction battery mounting frame member may be utilised as part of a load path to direct load towards the sills of the vehicle and away from important vehicle components in the event of a vehicular impact. In an embodiment, the first portion may include an aperture. The aperture may define a conduit configured to receive one or more of cables or wiring or piping. Advantageously, the aperture of the first portion of the traction battery mounting frame member enables efficient routing of cables, wiring, or piping, such as high-voltage cables or coolant tubing for the traction battery. Additionally, by positioning the aperture in the first portion of the traction battery mounting frame member, potential damage to the cables, wiring and piping is reduced, since this portion of the traction battery mounting frame member is less likely to be impacted in the event of an impact. This ensures uninterrupted performance of important vehicle systems, such as power supply and cooling mechanisms, even in the event of an impact. In an embodiment, the first portion may include a protrusion. The protrusion may be configured to rupture a tyre of the wheel in the event of an impact. In some embodiments, the protrusion is configured to rupture and / or tear and / or penetrate and / or puncture the tyre of the wheel in the event of an impact. Advantageously, the protrusion helps to rapidly deflate the tyre of the wheel, reducing the risk of uncontrolled vehicle movement and reducing the damage to vehicle components in the event of an impact. According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a traction battery mounting frame configured to house a traction battery within a vehicle, wherein the traction battery mounting frame comprises the traction battery mounting frame member as defined above. Advantageously, by integrating the traction battery mounting frame member into a traction battery mounting frame, the traction battery mounting frame can extend further forward or rearward within a vehicle since the traction battery mounting frame member accommodates a part of the wheel well. Thus, the traction battery mounting frame may house larger traction batteries, able to provide a larger capacity energy store for the vehicle. In an embodiment, the traction battery mounting frame member may be a first traction battery mounting frame member and the traction battery mounting frame may include a second traction battery mounting frame member. The second traction battery mounting frame member may be a traction battery mounting frame member as defined above, wherein in the event of an impact, the first traction battery mounting frame member may be configured to direct a first wheel of the vehicle away from the vehicle and the second traction battery mounting frame member may be configured to direct a second wheel of the vehicle away from the vehicle. The first and second traction battery mounting frame members may be substantially mirror images of each other. Advantageously, the first and second traction battery mounting frame members are able to direct two different wheels, for example wheels on either side of the vehicle or wheels at opposite ends of the vehicle, away from the vehicle in the event of an impact. In this way, damage to vehicle components across a front or rear or side of the vehicle in the event of an impact is reduced. In an embodiment, the second traction battery mounting frame member may include a first portion defining part of a second wheel well and a second portion extending from the first portion. The second portion may be configured to be coupled to a sill of the vehicle such that the second portion extends in a direction parallel to the sill of the vehicle. The first portion comprises a guiding portion, wherein in the event of an impact, the guiding portion may be configured to engage a second wheel of the vehicle, such that the guiding portion directs the second wheel away from the vehicle. Advantageously, the second traction battery mounting frame member provides structural support for a traction battery within a vehicle whilst also reducing damage to internal components of a vehicle by directing the second wheel away from the vehicle in the event of an impact. In embodiments of the invention, the second traction battery mounting frame member may include any combination of the features of the traction battery mounting frame member as described above. In an embodiment, the first traction battery mounting frame member is configured to direct a first wheel of the vehicle away from the vehicle in a first direction and the second traction battery mounting frame member is configured to direct a second wheel of the vehicle away from the vehicle in a second direction. Advantageously, each of the first traction battery mounting frame member and the second traction battery mounting frame member are direct a first wheel and a second wheel away from the vehicle in different directions away from a centre of the vehicle, thus limiting damage to vehicle components at the centre of the vehicle in the event of an impact. In an embodiment, the traction battery mounting frame may include a side wall, wherein the traction battery mounting frame member may form at least a part of the side wall of the traction battery mounting frame. Advantageously, by forming at least a part of the side wall, the traction battery mounting frame member is integrally incorporated into a perimeter of the frame, contributing to overall structural rigidity and ensuring an effective load path towards the side of the vehicle during an impact event. In an embodiment, the side wall is a first side wall of the traction battery mounting frame. The traction battery mounting frame may include a second side wall, for example wherein the first traction battery mounting frame member forms at least a part of the first side wall of the traction battery mounting frame and the second traction battery mounting frame member forms at least a part of the second side wall of the traction battery mounting frame. In some embodiments, the first side wall is opposite to the second side wall. In some embodiments, the first side wall extends in a direction that is parallel to a direction in which the second side wall extends. In some embodiments, the traction battery mounting frame includes a transverse member which extends between the first side wall and the second side wall. In some embodiments, the transverse member defines an end wall of the traction battery mounting frame. In some embodiments, the traction battery mounting frame comprises a third traction battery mounting frame member and a fourth traction battery mounting frame member, wherein in the event of an impact, the third traction battery mounting frame member is configured to direct a third wheel of the vehicle away from the vehicle in a third direction and the fourth traction battery mounting frame member is configured to direct a fourth wheel of the vehicle away from the vehicle in a fourth direction. Advantageously, the first, second, third and fourth traction battery mounting frame members are able to direct each wheel of a vehicle away from the vehicle in the event of an impact. In this way, damage to vehicle components at a front, rear and side of the vehicle is reduced in the event of an impact. In an embodiment, the third traction battery mounting frame member forms at least a part of one of the first side wall and the second side wall and the fourth traction battery mounting frame member forms at least a part of the other of the first side wall and the second side wall. Advantageously, by forming at least a part of the side wall, each of the first, second, third and fourth traction battery mounting frame members are integrally incorporated into a perimeter of the frame, contributing to overall structural rigidity and ensuring an effective load path towards the sides of the vehicle during an impact event. According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising the traction battery mounting frame member as defined above and according to a preceding aspect of the invention, or the traction battery mounting frame as defined above and according to a preceding aspect of the invention. Advantageously, by incorporating the traction battery mounting frame member or traction battery mounting frame into the vehicle, damage to internal components of the vehicle may be reduced by directing the wheel of the vehicle away from the vehicle in the event of an impact. Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and / or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1A illustrates a plan view of a traction battery mounting frame according to an example of the invention; FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of the traction battery mounting frame of FIG. 1A; FIG. 1C illustrates a partial perspective view of the traction battery mounting frame of FIG. 1B including a traction battery mounting frame member according to an example of the invention; FIG. 1D illustrates a plan view of the part of the traction battery mounting frame as shown in FIG. 1C; FIG. 2A illustrates a vehicle including a traction battery mounting frame having a traction battery mounting frame member in accordance with an example of the invention; and FIG. 2B illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the vehicle of FIG. 2A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION A traction battery mounting frame 100 and traction battery mounting frame members 102,104 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to the accompanying FIG. 1Ato FIG. 1D. As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the traction battery mounting frame 100 is installed in a vehicle 200. A traction battery mounting frame 100 according to an example of the invention will be described with particular reference to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. As shown in FIG. 1A, the traction battery mounting frame 100 is generally rectangular in shape having a first side wall 106, an opposing second side wall 108, a first end wall 110 and an opposing second end wall 112. The first side wall 106 extends in a direction parallel to a direction in which second side wall 108 extends. The first end wall 110 extends in a direction parallel to a direction in which the second end wall 112 extends. Each of the first side wall 106 and the second side wall 108 extend in directions perpendicular to the directions in which the first end wall 110 and the second end wall 112 extend. The first side wall 106, the second side wall 108, the first end wall 110 and the second end wall 112 thus form a generally rectangular perimeter 114. The perimeter 114 defines a cavity 116 that is configured to house a traction battery (not shown), in use. The traction battery mounting frame 100 has a longitudinal axis 118 extending along a length of the traction battery mounting frame 100. That is, the first side wall 106 and the second side wall 108 extend in directions that are generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 118, and the first end wall 110 and the second end wall 112 extend in directions that are generally transverse to the longitudinal axis 118. The traction battery mounting frame 100 includes a first corner portion 120 positioned between the first side wall 106 and the first end wall 110. The traction battery mounting frame 100 includes a second corner portion 124 positioned between the second side wall 108 and the first end wall 110. The first corner portion 120 extends from the first side wall 106 toward the longitudinal axis 118 of the traction battery mounting frame 100. The second corner portion 124 extends from the second side wall toward the longitudinal axis 118 of the traction battery mounting frame 100. The first end wall 110 is thus shorter that the second end wall 112. In the described examples, the first end wall 110 is provided at a front portion 128 of the traction battery mounting frame 100 and the second end wall 112 is provided at a rear portion 130 of the traction battery mounting frame 100. The traction battery mounting frame 100 comprises a plurality of frame members that define the perimeter 114 formed by the first side wall 106, the second side wall 108, the first end wall 110, the second end wall 112, the first corner portion 120 and the second corner portion 124. The plurality of frame members include a first elongate side member 132 and an opposing second elongate side member 134, a first transverse member 136 and an opposing second transverse member 138, a traction battery mounting frame member 102 and a second traction battery mounting frame member 104. More specifically, the first elongate side member 132 and a part of the first traction battery mounting frame member 102 form the first side wall 106. Similarly, the second elongate side member 134 and a part of the second traction battery mounting frame member 104 form the second side wall 108. The first transverse member 136 forms the first end wall 110 and the second transverse member 138 forms the second end wall 112. The traction battery mounting frame member 102 and the second traction battery mounting frame member 104 are positioned at the first corner portion 120 and the second corner portion 124 of the traction battery mounting frame 100, respectively. A traction battery mounting frame member, in particular, the first traction battery mounting frame member 102 shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, will now be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 1C to FIG. 2B. The traction battery mounting frame member 102 comprises a first portion 140 that defines part of a wheel well 210 of a vehicle 200, and a second portion 142 that extends from the first portion 140 and is configured to be coupled to a sill 212 of the vehicle 200 such that the second portion 142 extends in a direction parallel to the sill 212 of the vehicle 200. The first portion 140 of the traction battery mounting frame member 102 includes a guiding portion 144. The guiding portion 144 is configured such that, in the event of an impact, the guiding portion engages a wheel 204 of the vehicle and directs the wheel 204 away from the vehicle 200. With particular reference to FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D, the traction battery mounting frame member 102 includes an inner side 146 and an opposing outer side 148, a connecting portion 150, and a number of apertures 152 extending from the inner side 146 to the outer side 148 of the traction battery mounting frame member 102. The inner side 146 faces the cavity 116 of the traction battery mounting frame 100 and the outer side faces away from the cavity 116, in use. The first portion 140 of the traction battery mounting frame member 102 includes a first end 154 and a second end 156, a main body 158, a first portion longitudinal axis 160 and the guiding portion 144. The main body 158 has a main body upper surface 162 and an opposing main body lower surface 164 separated by a main body depth 166. The second portion 142 of the traction battery mounting frame 102 includes a first end 178, a second end 180 and a second portion longitudinal axis 182. The second portion 142 extends from the second end 156 of the first portion 140 in a direction that is parallel to the sill of the vehicle, in other words, the second portion 142 extends from the first portion 140 in a direction that is parallel to the longitudinal axis 118 of the traction battery mounting frame 100 as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. The first portion 140 is angularly disposed with respect to the second portion 142, that is, the first portion longitudinal axis 160 of the first portion 140 meets the second portion longitudinal axis 182 of the second portion 142 at an angle 184. The angle 184 may be from 110 degrees to 160 degrees. In the example shown in FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D, the angle 184 is approximately 135 degrees. The first end 154 of the first portion 140 is configured to be coupled to the first transverse member 136 of the traction battery mounting frame 100, while the second end 180 of the second portion 142 is configured to be coupled to the first elongate side member 132 of the traction battery mounting frame 100, in use. The second portion 142 also includes a receiving aperture 186, for example a threaded hole, configured to receive a fastener for coupling the second portion 142 to the sill of the vehicle, in use. The guiding portion 144 includes a protrusion 168, a lip 170, a guiding portion upper surface 172 and an opposing guiding portion lower surface 174. The guiding portion upper surface 172 and the guiding portion lower surface 174 are separated by a guiding portion depth 176. The guiding portion depth 176 is less than the main body depth 166. In this example, the guiding portion depth 176 is around half the main body depth 166. Advantageously, the weight and material usage of the traction battery mounting frame member 102 is thus reduced without compromising on the ability of traction battery mounting frame member 102 to direct the wheel 204 away from the vehicle 200 in the event of an impact. The protrusion 168 is configured to extend outwards from guiding portion 144 in a direction generally perpendicular to the first portion longitudinal axis 160. That is, the protrusion 168 juts out of the guiding portion 144 away from the cavity 116, in use. The guiding portion 144 extends from the main body 158 of the first portion 140 adjacent to the second portion 142. That is the lip 170 of the guiding portion is adjacent the second portion 142. The guiding portion 144 is substantially arcuate, and extends away from the first portion longitudinal axis 160 and terminates at the lip 170 as shown in FIG. 1D. In other words, the guiding portion 144 forms a slope that curves away from the first portion longitudinal axis 160 of the first portion 140. The connecting portion 150 extends upwardly from the main body upper surface 162. The aperture 152 is configured to extend from the inner side 146 of the traction battery mounting frame member 102 to the outer side 148 and defines a conduit configured to receive one or more cables or wiring or piping, for example, high voltage cables or coolant for a traction battery housed within the traction battery mounting frame 100. FIG. 2A illustrates a vehicle 200 including a traction battery mounting frame 100 according to an example of the present invention. The vehicle 200 has a front (or forward facing) portion 206 which faces in the direction of forward movement of the vehicle 200 and a rear (or rearward facing) portion 208 of the vehicle 200 which faces in the direction of rearward movement of the vehicle 200. The vehicle 200 has a first front wheel 204 within a wheel well 210, an opposing second front wheel (not shown) within a wheel well (not shown), a first rear wheel 218 within a wheel well 220 and an opposing second rear wheel (not shown) within a wheel well (not shown). The vehicle has sills 212 that extend along each side of the vehicle 200. The sills 212 extend parallel to the ground between the front wheel wells 210 and the rear wheel wells 220. A dash panel plane 202 of the vehicle 200 is defined between the first and second front wheels, and a passenger compartment 222, of the vehicle. The first end wall 110 of the traction battery mounting frame 100 is closer to a front (or forward facing) portion 206 of the vehicle 200 than a rear (or rearward facing) portion 208 of the vehicle 200 in which the traction battery mounting frame 100 is installed. The second end wall 112 of the traction battery mounting frame 100 is closer to the rear (or rearward facing) portion 208 of the vehicle 200 than the front (or forward facing) portion 206 of the vehicle 200 in which the traction battery mounting frame 100 is installed. In order to accommodate a larger traction battery within the vehicle 200, the traction battery mounting frame 100 is configured such that a part of the traction battery mounting frame 100 extends forward of the dash panel plane 202 of the vehicle 200, such that the first end wall 110 of the traction battery mounting frame 100 is positioned between a first wheel 204 and a second wheel (not shown) on the opposite side of the vehicle 200. The first traction battery mounting frame member 102 is positioned adjacent a first wheel 204 of the vehicle 200, such that the traction battery mounting frame member 102 defines a part of a wheel well 210. Similarly, the second traction battery mounting frame member 104 is positioned adjacent the second wheel (not shown) of the vehicle 200, such that the second traction battery mounting frame member 104 defines a part of a wheel well (not shown) on the opposite side of the vehicle 200. Advantageously, the first traction battery mounting frame member 102 accommodates and / or provides space for a first wheel envelope 224 of the first wheel 204. Similarly, the second traction battery mounting frame member 104 accommodates and / or provides space for a second wheel envelope (not shown) of the second wheel on the other side of the vehicle 200. FIG. 2B shows a cross section of the traction battery mounting frame member 102 when installed in a vehicle 200. The traction battery mounting frame member 102 is coupled to a sill 212 of the vehicle 200 via a fastener 214, for example a threaded fastener, configured to be received in the receiving aperture 186 of the second portion 142, for example a complementary threaded hole. As shown in FIG. 2B, the traction battery mounting frame member 102 is a hollow cast member, that is, the traction battery mounting frame member 102 is formed from (e.g. rectangular) hollow sections 216. Advantageously, this structure enables the weight and material costs of the traction battery mounting frame member 102 to be reduced, whilst retaining the required mechanical properties, for example structural strength, as well as facilitating the integration of channels via the hollow sections 216 for cabling or piping. In the event of an impact, the wheel 204 moves in the vehicle 200 to engage the outer side 148 of the traction battery mounting frame member 102, i.e. the guiding portion 144 of the first portion 140 of the traction battery mounting frame member 102. Since the wheel 204 is coupled to a vehicle body structure (not shown) of the vehicle 200, the wheel 204 to moves inwards towards a centre of the vehicle 200 in the event of an impact. Advantageously, the guiding portion 144 is positioned and configured to engage the wheel 204 of the vehicle 200 and direct it away from the vehicle 200. The wheel 204 engages the guiding portion 144 of the first portion 140 of the traction battery mounting frame member 102 is guided along the guiding portion 144 towards the lip 170 of the guiding portion 144, reducing the risk and / or extent of damage to the internal components of the vehicle 200. In the event of a larger impact, the force of the wheel 204 engaging the guiding portion 144 may cause the wheel 204 to disconnect from the vehicle 200, thereby advantageously protecting other components of the vehicle 200. With particular reference to FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D, the arcuate shape of the guiding portion 144 of the traction battery mounting frame member 102 acts as a slope to guide the wheel 204 of the vehicle 200 towards the lip 170 of the guiding portion 144 and away from the vehicle 200 in the event of an impact. Further advantageously, as a tyre of the wheel 204 moves along the guiding portion 144, the protrusion 168 of the guiding portion 144 acts to puncture the tyre, thus rapidly deflating the tyre of the wheel 204, reducing the risk of uncontrolled vehicle movement and further reducing damage to other vehicle components in the event of an impact. The connecting portion 150 is configured to connect the traction battery mounting frame member 102 to another vehicle component, for example, a load bearing element of a vehicle crash structure (not shown). The main body 158 of the first portion 140 is substantially linear and extends between the first transverse member 136 and the second portion of the traction battery mounting frame member 102, in use. Advantageously, in the event of an impact, the first portion 140 is configured to direct load from its first end 154 and / or from the connecting portion 150 to the second portion 142 via the second end 156 of the first portion 140. This reduced the transfer of load in the event of an impact, by directing load from the centre of the vehicle 200 towards the sills 212 of the vehicle 200. The structure and components of the second traction battery mounting frame member 104 are substantially the same as those of the first traction battery mounting frame member 102. In use, the first end of the first portion of the second traction battery mounting frame member 104 is coupled to a second end of the first transverse member 136, and the second end of the second portion of the second traction battery mounting frame member 104 is coupled to the second elongate side member 134 and a sill on an opposing side of the vehicle to the first traction battery mounting frame member 102. Advantageously, the first traction battery mounting frame member 102 and the second traction battery mounting frame member 104 are able to direct two different wheels, for example a first wheel 204 and a second wheel (not shown) on opposite sides of the vehicle 200, away from the vehicle 200 in the event of an impact. In this way, damage to vehicle components across the front portion 206or rear portion 208 of the vehicle 200 in the event of an impact is reduced. In the examples described above, the traction battery mounting frame 100 includes a first traction battery mounting frame member 102 positioned between the first elongate side member 132 and the first transverse member 136, and a second traction battery mounting frame member 104 positioned between the second elongate side member 134 and the first transverse member 136. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, that a traction battery mounting frame may include a third traction battery mounting frame member positioned between the first elongate side member 132 and the second transverse member 138 and a fourth traction battery mounting frame member positioned between the second elongate side member 134 and the second transverse member 138. In this way, traction battery mounting frame 100 is configured to direct each wheel of the vehicle 200 away from the vehicle 200 in the event of an impact, thus reducing damage to components at a front and rear of the vehicle 200. In the described examples, the guiding portion lower surface 174 is on substantially the same plane as the main body lower surface 164. It will be appreciated that the guiding portion 144 may be positioned at any distance between the main body upper surface 162 and the main body lower surface 164. For example, the guiding portion 144 may be positioned such that the guiding portion upper surface 172 is on the same plane as the main body upper surface 162. In the examples described above, the first portion 140 and the second portion 142 of the traction battery mounting frame member 102 are unitary. In other words the first portion 140 and the second portion 142 are formed integrally as one body, that is the first portion 140 and the second portion 142 are manufactured as one member. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, that the first portion 140 and the second portion 142 may be separate members, such that the second end 156 of the first portion 140 is coupled to the first end 154 of the second portion 142 by any appropriate coupling mechanism. It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.
Claims
1. A traction battery mounting frame member for a vehicle, the traction battery mounting frame member comprising:a first portion defining part of a wheel well and comprising a main body having a main body depth;5 anda second portion extending from the first portion, wherein the second portion is configured to be coupled to a sill of the vehicle such that the second portion extends in a direction parallel to the sill of the vehicle,wherein the first portion further comprises a guiding portion, the guiding portion having a guiding10 portion depth which is smaller than the main body depth, and wherein in the event of an impact, theguiding portion is configured to engage a wheel of the vehicle, such that the guiding portion directs the wheel away from the vehicle.
2. The traction battery mounting frame member of claim 1, wherein the guiding portion of the first portion15 is adjacent to the second portion of the traction battery mounting frame member.
3. The traction battery mounting frame member of claim 1 or 2, wherein the guiding portion is substantiallyarcuate and extends away from a longitudinal axis of the first portion.
4. The traction battery mounting frame member of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first portion is angularly disposed with respect to the second portion.
5. The traction battery mounting frame member of claim 4, wherein the first portion is disposed at an angle from 100 degrees to 170 degrees with respect to the second portion.
6. The traction battery mounting frame member of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first portion comprises:a first end; andan opposing second end,30 wherein the second portion of the traction battery mounting frame member extends from thesecond end of the first portion of the traction battery mounting frame member, such that in the event of an impact, the first portion is configured to direct load to the second portion via the second end of the first portion.35 7. The traction battery mounting frame member of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first portion andthe second portion are unitary.
8. The traction battery mounting frame member of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the traction battery mounting frame member is formed from hollow sections.
9. The traction battery mounting frame member of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first portion comprises an aperture, andwherein the aperture defines a conduit configured to receive one or more of cables or wiring or piping.
10. The traction battery mounting frame member of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first portion 5 comprises a protrusion, wherein the protrusion is configured to rupture a tyre of the wheel in the eventof an impact.
11. A traction battery mounting frame configured to house a traction battery within a vehicle, wherein the traction battery mounting frame comprises the traction battery mounting frame member of any one of10 claims 1 to 10.
12. The traction battery mounting frame of claim 11, wherein the traction battery mounting frame member is a first traction battery mounting frame member and the traction battery mounting frame comprises a second traction battery mounting frame member, wherein the second traction battery mounting frame15 member is a traction battery mounting frame member as defined by any one of claims 1 to 10,wherein in the event of an impact, the first traction battery mounting frame member is configured to direct a first wheel of the vehicle away from the vehicle and the second traction battery mounting frame member is configured to direct a second wheel of the vehicle away from the vehicle.
13. The traction battery mounting frame of claim 11 or 12 comprising a side wall, wherein the traction battery mounting frame member forms at least a part of the side wall of the traction battery mounting frame.
14. A vehicle comprising the traction battery mounting frame member of any one of claims 1 to 10, or the traction battery mounting frame of any one of claims 11 to 13.13 04 26A