Replaceable battery fixing structure and battery electric vehicle

Abstract

To provide a replaceable battery fixing structure which easily mounts / dismounts a replaceable battery and improves fixing force to fix the replaceable battery.SOLUTION: A replaceable battery fixing structure 100 comprises: a housing 40; a lid 50 which opens / closes an opening 42B of the housing 40; and a fixing mechanism 60 which fixes the lid 50 to the housing 40. The housing 40 includes a first inclined surface 48 with which an upper corner part 72A of the replaceable battery 70 contacts at an upper deep part of an inner part 42A. The lid 50 includes a plurality of second inclined surfaces 53 with which a lower corner part 75 of a proximal end 70B of the replaceable battery 70 contacts. The first inclined surface 48 inclines in a lower direction as going to the deep side, and the second inclined surface 53 inclines toward the front side as going to the lower side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing structure for a replaceable battery and a structure for a battery-electric vehicle equipped with a replaceable battery. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery-powered vehicle equipped with replaceable batteries that can be easily attached, detached, and replaced. Patent Document 1 also discloses a configuration in which multiple replaceable batteries are housed within the vehicle housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-539061 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When multiple replaceable batteries are housed in a vehicle housing, the batteries must be secured to the housing. In cases where the batteries are inserted horizontally into the housing, the batteries are often secured horizontally with bolts or other fasteners.

[0005] In this case, the fixing force at the top and bottom of the replaceable battery is weak, and the battery may not be fixed securely. Also, fixing the battery with bolts takes time, which can lengthen the time it takes to change the battery.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to facilitate the attachment and detachment of a replaceable battery and to improve the fixing strength of the replaceable battery. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The replaceable battery fixing structure of the present disclosure is a housing that accommodates a plurality of replaceable batteries therein, the housing having an opening for inserting the plurality of replaceable batteries into the interior, a lid that opens and closes the opening, and a fixing mechanism that fixes the lid to the housing, wherein the housing has a plurality of first fixing surfaces at the top inner part of the interior that abut against upper corners of the distal ends of each of the replaceable batteries when inserted into the interior, and the lid has a closing surface that closes the opening, and when the opening is closed, the replaceable batteries inserted into the interior are fixed to the housing. the lower part of the closing surface has a plurality of second fixing surfaces that abut the lower corners of the proximal ends of the replaceable batteries, each of the first fixing surfaces inclining downward as it goes toward the back of the interior, and each of the second fixing surfaces inclining toward the front of the interior as it goes downward, and when the lid is fixed to the housing by the fixing mechanism, each of the first fixing surfaces presses the upper corners of the distal ends of each of the replaceable batteries in a diagonally downward direction toward the front, and each of the second fixing surfaces presses the lower corners of the proximal ends of each of the replaceable batteries in a diagonally downward direction toward the back.

[0008] This allows the replaceable battery to be secured both vertically and in the insertion direction into the housing. Furthermore, multiple batteries can be secured to the housing using a common securing mechanism. This makes it easier to install and remove the replaceable battery, and improves the securing force of the replaceable battery.

[0009] The replaceable battery fixing structure of the present disclosure may include either or both of a plurality of first elastic members attached to the upper corners of the distal end of each replaceable battery and abutting each of the first fixing surfaces, and a plurality of second elastic members attached to the lower corners of the proximal end of each replaceable battery and abutting each of the second fixing surfaces.

[0010] This can further improve the fixing strength of the replaceable battery and also prevent the replaceable battery from shifting out of position relative to the housing due to vibration.

[0011] In the replaceable battery fixing structure disclosed herein, the fixing mechanism comprises a hook provided on the side of the housing, an operating lever rotatably attached to the outer surface of the lid, and a link connected to the operating lever on the operating end side of the center of rotation of the operating lever, and when the opening of the housing is closed by the lid, the tip of the link can be engaged with the hook and the operating lever can be rotated toward the lid, thereby pulling the hook forward and fixing the lid to the housing.

[0012] In this way, the fixing mechanism does not have a structure that includes bolt fastening, which makes it easy to attach and detach the replaceable battery, thereby reducing the time required to attach and detach the replaceable battery to and from the battery-powered vehicle.

[0013] The battery electric vehicle of the present disclosure comprises a vehicle body, and a housing attached to the vehicle body and accommodating a plurality of replaceable batteries therein, the housing having an opening for inserting the plurality of replaceable batteries into the interior, a lid for opening and closing the opening, and a fixing mechanism for fixing the lid to the housing, the housing being attached to the vehicle body so that the opening faces a side of the vehicle, the plurality of replaceable batteries are inserted into the interior from the opening along the vehicle width direction, and the housing has a plurality of first fixing surfaces at the top inner part of the interior against which upper corners of the distal ends of each of the replaceable batteries abut when inserted into the interior, and the lid is fixed to the opening The housing has a closing surface that closes the opening, and a plurality of second fixing surfaces at the bottom of the closing surface that abut against the lower corners of the proximal ends of each of the replaceable batteries inserted into the interior when the opening is closed, each of the first fixing surfaces inclining downward as it approaches the back of the interior, and each of the second fixing surfaces inclining toward the front of the interior as it approaches the bottom, and when the lid is fixed to the housing by the fixing mechanism, each of the first fixing surfaces presses the upper corners of the distal ends of each of the replaceable batteries diagonally downward toward the front, and each of the second fixing surfaces presses the lower corners of the proximal ends of each of the replaceable batteries diagonally downward toward the back.

[0014] This allows the replaceable battery to be secured both in the insertion direction and vertically into the housing at the same time. Furthermore, multiple replaceable batteries can be secured to the housing using a common securing mechanism. This makes it easier to install and remove replaceable batteries in a battery-electric vehicle, and improves the securing force of the replaceable batteries. Furthermore, the replaceable batteries can be installed and removed from the side of the battery-electric vehicle.

[0015] In the battery-electric vehicle of the present disclosure, the lid is rotatably attached around a rotation axis attached to the vehicle body along the lower edge of the opening of the housing, and the fixing mechanism includes a hook provided on the upper part of the side of the housing, an operating lever rotatably attached to the outer surface of the lid, and a link connected to the operating lever on the operating end side of the rotation center of the operating lever, and when the opening of the housing is closed with the lid, the tip of the link can be engaged with the hook and the operating lever can be rotated toward the lid, thereby pulling the hook forward and fixing the lid to the housing.

[0016] In this way, the fixing mechanism does not have a structure that includes bolt fastening, which makes it easy to attach and detach the replaceable battery, thereby reducing the time required to attach and detach the replaceable battery to and from the battery-powered vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The present disclosure makes it possible to easily attach and detach a replaceable battery and improve the fixing strength of the replaceable battery. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a right side view of an electric vehicle equipped with a replaceable battery fixing structure according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional elevation view of an electric vehicle equipped with a replaceable battery fixing structure according to an embodiment, taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3]3 is a cross-sectional view of the housing and the replaceable battery of the replaceable battery fixing structure of the embodiment, showing a detail of part B shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the housing, the lid, and the replaceable battery of the replaceable battery fixing structure of the embodiment, showing a detail of part C shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] 1 is a plan view showing a fixing mechanism of a replaceable battery fixing structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The replaceable battery fastening structure 100 of the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that FR, UP, and RH shown in each drawing respectively indicate the front, upper, and right sides of an electric vehicle 200 equipped with the replaceable battery fastening structure 100. The opposite directions of FR, UP, and RH indicate the rear, lower, and left sides. Hereinafter, when the terms front-to-rear, left-to-right, and up-to-down are used in the description, they refer to the front-to-rear direction of the electric vehicle 200, the left-to-right direction of the left-to-right, and the up-to-down direction of the up-to-down direction, unless otherwise specified. Note that the electric vehicle 200 is a battery electric vehicle that runs by driving an electric unit (not shown) with power supplied from a replaceable battery 70 charged by an external power source.

[0020] First, with reference to Figure 1, the configuration of the vehicle body 30 of an electric vehicle 200 equipped with a replaceable battery fixing structure 100 will be described. The vehicle body 30 includes a frame 10, a front compartment 31, a cab 32, and a deck 33. The electric vehicle 30 is a frame-type electric truck.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the frame 10 is a ladder-shaped skeletal member comprised of side rails 11, first to fifth cross members 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, and first and second battery supports 17 and 18. The first to fifth cross members 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 are longitudinal members extending in the left-right direction and are suspended between the left and right side rails 11. The first and second battery supports 17 and 18 are longitudinal members suspended between the left and right side rails 11 between the cab 32 and the third cross member 14.

[0022] A front suspension bracket 21 is attached to the outer side of the side rail 11, in the vehicle width direction, between the first cross member 12 and the second cross member 13 at the front of the vehicle. A suspension device (not shown) for a front wheel 35 is attached to the front suspension bracket 21. A front compartment 31 is also located above the space between the first cross member 12 and the second cross member 13. A suspension device (not shown) for a rear wheel 36 is also attached between the third cross member 14 and the fourth cross member 15 at the rear of the vehicle.

[0023] A front cab mount bracket 22 is attached to the outer side of the side rail 11 behind the second cross member 13 in the vehicle width direction. A front cab mount 27 that supports the front of the cab 32 is attached above the front cab mount bracket 22. A rear cab mount bracket 23 is attached to the side rail 11 behind the front cab mount 27. A rear cab mount 28 that supports the rear of the cab 32 is attached above the rear cab mount bracket 23. In addition, a first deck mount 24, a second deck mount 25, and a third deck mount 26 are attached to the top of the side rail 11 behind the rear cab mount bracket 23. The first to third deck mounts 24, 25, and 26 support the deck 33.

[0024] Next, the replaceable battery fixing structure 100 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. As shown in Figure 1, the replaceable battery fixing structure 100 includes a housing 40, a lid 50, and a fixing mechanism 60.

[0025] 1 and 2, housing 40 accommodates replaceable battery 70 in interior 42A, which is charged by an external power source and supplies power to an electric drive unit (not shown). Housing 40 includes housing main body 41, opening 42B, front flange 43, rear plate 45, receptacle connector 46, and rear bracket 47.

[0026] The housing body 41 is a longitudinal member with a rectangular, closed cross section. The housing body 41 is attached to the vehicle body 30 so that the opening 42B faces the right side of the electric vehicle 200. The right end of the housing body 41 forms a square opening 42B. The left end of the housing body 41 is closed by a back plate 45. The housing body 41 accommodates three replaceable batteries 70 in the interior 42A. The replaceable batteries 70 are inserted from the openings 42B into the interior 42A along the vehicle width direction. In the following description, the side where the openings 42B are located will be referred to as the front side of the housing 40, and the opposite side will be referred to as the rear side of the housing 40. Furthermore, the insertion end of the replaceable battery 70 when inserted into the interior 42A will be referred to as the distal end 70A, and the opposite side will be referred to as the proximal end 70B. The proximal end 70B is the end where the replaceable battery 70 is pulled out from the interior 42A.

[0027] A front flange 43 is attached to the periphery of the opening 42B of the housing main body 41. The front flange 43 includes an upper flange 43A and a lower flange 43B. Gaskets 44 are attached to the outside of the upper flange 43A and the outside of the lower flange 43B. The rear plate 45 is a plate member that closes the rear side of the housing main body 41. A receptacle 46 to which a connector 78 of the replaceable battery 70 is connected is attached to the center of the rear plate 45. The receptacle 46 is connected to an electric unit (not shown). A rear bracket 47 is attached to the upper rear portion of the interior 42A of the housing main body 41. Details of the rear bracket 47 will be explained later with reference to FIG. 3.

[0028] The replaceable battery 70 is a longitudinal member with a rectangular cross section. The replaceable battery 70 includes a battery body 71 made up of multiple battery cells, a casing 72 that houses the battery body 71, a connector 78, and a front portion 73. The connector 78 is provided at the distal end 70A of the replaceable battery 70. A first elastic member 76 is attached to an upper corner 72A of the distal end 70A of the replaceable battery 70. The first elastic member 76 is made of, for example, rubber or resin. Details of the upper corner 72A and the first elastic member 76 will be explained later with reference to Figure 3, along with the detailed structure of the rear bracket 47.

[0029] A front portion 73 is attached to the proximal end 70B of the replaceable battery 70. The front portion 73 includes a handle 74 and a lower corner 75. The handle 74 is located at the top of the front portion 73. The handle 74 is the portion that is gripped when pulling the replaceable battery 70 out of the housing 40. The lower corner 75 is located at the bottom of the front portion 73. The lower corner 75 is the portion that is located near the bottom of the opening 42B when the replaceable battery 70 is inserted into the interior 42A of the housing 40. A second elastic member 77 is attached to the front side of the lower corner 75. The second elastic member 77 is made of, for example, rubber or resin. The lower corner 75 and the second elastic member 77 will be described in detail later with reference to Figure 4.

[0030] Lid 50 is rotatably attached to vehicle body 30 by hinge 55 attached to vehicle body 30 along the lower side of opening 42B of housing 40. Lid 50 rotates around rotation axis 56 of hinge 55 to open and close opening 42B, as shown by arrow 91 in Fig. 2 and arrow 92 in Fig. 4. The lid 50 shown by dashed lines in Fig. 2 shows a state in which lid 50 is open, and the lid 50 shown by solid lines shows a state in which lid 50 closes opening 42B.

[0031] The lid 50 is composed of an outer plate 51 and an inner plate 52. The peripheral edges of the inner plate 52 and outer plate 51 overlap to form a lid flange 54. The lid flange 54 includes an upper lid flange 54A and a lower lid flange 54B. When the lid 50 closes the opening 42B, the lid flange 54 sandwiches the packing 44 between itself and the front flange 43 of the housing 40. An annular bead 51B is provided on the inner periphery of the lid flange 54 of the outer plate 51. The bead 51B has a groove-shaped cross-section that protrudes outward.

[0032] 4, hinge 55 is composed of a base 57 fixed onto bracket 19 attached to right side rail 11, a rotation shaft 56 attached to base 57, and a hinge plate 58 attached so as to be rotatable around rotation shaft 56. Hinge plate 58 is fixed to the outer surface of bead 51B on the lower edge of lid 50. As a result, lid 50 is attached so as to be rotatable around rotation shaft 56 of hinge 55 attached to vehicle body 30, and opens and closes opening 42B.

[0033] When the lid 50 closes the opening 42B, the inner surface 52A of the inner plate 52 of the lid 50 faces the opening 42B and forms a closing surface that closes the opening 42B. A lower portion of the inner surface 52A is provided with a plurality of second inclined surfaces 53 that are set at the lower corners 75 of the plurality of replaceable batteries 70 and come into contact with the second elastic members 77 when the lid 50 closes the opening 42B. Details of the second inclined surfaces 53 will be described later with reference to Figure 4, along with the detailed structures of the lower corners 75 and the second elastic members 77.

[0034] A fixing mechanism 60 for fixing the lid 50 to the housing 40 is provided on the upper part of the outer plate 51 of the lid 50. Details of the fixing mechanism 60 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0035] Next, the rear bracket 47 of the housing 40, the upper corner portion 72A of the replaceable battery 70, and the first elastic member 76 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0036] 3, rear bracket 47 is attached to the rear portion of upper plate 41A of housing main body 41. Rear bracket 47 is a mountain-shaped folded plate member and has a first inclined surface 48 that slopes downward toward the rear of housing 40.

[0037] The upper corner 72A of the replaceable battery 70 is the upper corner of the distal end 70A of the casing 72. A first elastic member 76 is attached to the upper corner 72A. The upper surface 76A of the first elastic member 76 slopes downward toward the distal end 70A of the replaceable battery 70. The upper surface 76A of the first elastic member 76 is parallel to the first inclined surface 48 of the rear bracket 47. As shown by the hollow arrow in Figure 3, when the replaceable battery 70 is inserted into the interior 42A of the housing 40, the upper surface 76A of the first elastic member 76 abuts against the first inclined surface 48 of the rear bracket 47. The first inclined surface 48 then secures the upper corner 72A of the replaceable battery 70 to the housing main body 41. Therefore, the first inclined surface 48 is a first fixing surface that fixes the upper corner 72A of the replaceable battery 70 to the housing main body 41 when the replaceable battery 70 is inserted into the interior 42A of the housing 40.

[0038] When three replaceable batteries 70 are housed in the housing main body 41, as in the replaceable battery fixing structure 100 of this embodiment, a total of three rear brackets 47 are provided, one for each replaceable battery 70.

[0039] Next, the detailed structures of the second inclined surface 53 of the lid 50, the lower corner 75 of the replaceable battery 70, and the second elastic member 77 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4 , the second elastic member 77 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is fixed to the lower corner 75 so that its front surface 77A slopes downward toward the user. A second inclined surface 53, which slopes downward toward the user, is disposed at the bottom of the inner surface 52A of the lid 50. When the lid 50 closes the opening 42B, the second inclined surface 53 abuts against the front surface 77A of the second elastic member 77. The second inclined surface 53 then secures the lower corner 75 of the replaceable battery 70 to the housing main body 41. Therefore, the second inclined surface 53 is a second securing surface that secures the lower corner 75 to the housing main body 41 when the lid 50 closes the opening 42B.

[0041] Furthermore, when three replaceable batteries 70 are accommodated in the housing main body 41, as in the replaceable battery fixing structure 100 of this embodiment, the lid 50 is provided with a total of three second inclined surfaces 53, one for each replaceable battery 70.

[0042] Next, the fixing mechanism 60 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The fixing mechanism 60 is composed of a base 61, a hook 64, an operating lever 63, and a link 65. As shown in FIG. 5, the hook 64 is attached to the side surface 41C of the housing main body 41. The hook 64 is a folded plate member with a U-shaped engaging claw 64A formed at its tip. The base 61 is attached to the outer surface 51A of the outer plate 51 of the lid 50. The base 61 includes a fixed portion 61A fixed to the outer surface 51A of the outer plate 51 and a guide groove 61B that guides the link 65. The operating lever 63 is rotatably attached around a rotating shaft 62 attached to the fixed portion 61A. Here, the center of the rotating shaft 62 constitutes the rotation center of the operating lever 63. The link 65 is rotatably attached to a hole 63B that is closer to the operating end 63A than the rotating shaft 62.

[0043] Next, we will explain how to close the lid 50 and secure the replaceable battery 70. When the lid 50 is closed, the engaging claw 64A of the hook 64 protrudes outside the lid 50 through the through-hole 59 provided in the lid 50. Then, the tip of the link 65 is engaged with the engaging claw 64A of the hook 64, and the operating end 63A of the operating lever 63 is rotated toward the lid 50 as indicated by arrow 93 in FIG. 5. Then, the link 65 moves, guided by the guide groove 61B, and pulls the engaging claw 64A of the hook 64 forward as indicated by arrow 94 in FIG. 5. This crushes the packing 44 between the lid flange 54 of the lid 50 and the front flange 43 of the housing 40, and the lid 50 closes the opening 42B. When the operating lever 63 is rotated until it is parallel to the outer panel 51 of the lid 50, the link 65 holds the hook 64 in the pulled-up position. In this way, when the lid 50 is closed, the lid 50 presses the replaceable batteries 70 toward the back of the housing 40 as indicated by the outline arrows in Figures 3, 4, and 5. In the case where three replaceable batteries 70 are housed in the housing main body 41, as in the replaceable battery fixing structure 100 of this embodiment, when the lid 50 is closed, the lid 50 presses all three replaceable batteries 70 toward the back of the housing 40 at the same time.

[0044] As shown by the hollow arrow in Figure 3, when the replaceable battery 70 is pressed toward the back of the housing 40, the first elastic member 76 attached to the upper corner 72A of the replaceable battery 70 abuts against the first inclined surface 48 of the rear bracket 47. A first securing force F is then applied to the upper corner 72A via the first elastic member 76 in a direction perpendicular to the first inclined surface 48. The first securing force F presses the upper corner 72A of the replaceable battery 70 diagonally downward toward the front. As a result, a horizontal force F1 pressing the replaceable battery 70 toward the front and a downward force F2 pressing the replaceable battery 70 downward are applied to the replaceable battery 70.

[0045] 4, when the lid 50 closes the opening 42B, the second inclined surface 53 of the lid 50 abuts against the second elastic member 77. A second securing force G is applied to the lower corner 75 of the replaceable battery 70 via the second elastic member 77 in a direction perpendicular to the second inclined surface 53. The second securing force G presses the lower corner 75 of the replaceable battery 70 diagonally downward toward the rear. As a result, a horizontal force G1 pressing the replaceable battery 70 toward the rear and a downward force G2 pressing the replaceable battery 70 downward are applied to the replaceable battery 70.

[0046] When the lid 50 closes the opening 42B, the replaceable battery 70 is fixed between the rear bracket 47 and the lid 50 by horizontal forces F1 and G1. The replaceable battery 70 is also fixed between the bottom plate 41B of the housing body 41 and the first and second inclined surfaces 48 and 53 by downward forces F2 and G2.

[0047] As explained above, the replaceable battery fixing structure 100 can simultaneously fix the replaceable battery 70 in the insertion direction and in the vertical direction into the housing 40. This improves the fixing force of the replaceable battery 70. Furthermore, by fixing the common lid 50 to the housing 40 with the fixing mechanism 60, three replaceable batteries 70 can be fixed to the housing 40 at once, shortening the time required to install and remove the replaceable batteries 70 from the electric vehicle 200.

[0048] Furthermore, the fixing mechanism 60 is made up of the base 61, hook 64, operating lever 63, and link 65, and does not require bolt fastening, making it easy to attach and detach the replaceable battery 70. This also reduces the time required to attach and detach the replaceable battery 70 to and from the electric vehicle 200.

[0049] Furthermore, the replaceable battery fixing structure 100 is provided with the first elastic member 76 and the second elastic member 77, which further improves the fixing force of the replaceable battery 70. It is also possible to prevent the replaceable battery 70 from shifting position relative to the housing 40 due to vibration.

[0050] Furthermore, in the electric vehicle 200, the housing 40 is attached to the vehicle body 30 so that the opening 42B faces the side of the vehicle, so that the replaceable battery 70 can be attached and detached from the side of the electric vehicle 200.

[0051] In the above description, the replaceable battery 70 is described as having a first elastic member 76 at the upper corner 72A and a second elastic member 77 at the lower corner 75. However, the battery may include only one of the first elastic member 76 and the second elastic member 77. If the upper corner 72A does not include the first elastic member 76, the first inclined surface 48 of the rear bracket 47 abuts against the upper corner 72A. The upper corner 72A may be configured to be parallel to the first inclined surface 48, similar to the upper surface 76A of the first elastic member 76. Similarly, if the lower corner 75 does not include the second elastic member 77, the front surface of the lower corner 75 may be configured to be parallel to the second inclined surface 53, similar to the front surface 77A of the second elastic member 77.

[0052] In the above description, the lid 50 is described as being rotatably attached to the vehicle body 30 by the hinge 55, but this is not limiting. For example, the lid 50 may be configured to be detachable from the housing 40 without being attached to the vehicle body 30. In this case, the fixing mechanisms 60 may be disposed on the top and bottom of the lid 50.

[0053] Furthermore, in the replaceable battery fixing structure 100 described above, the housing main body 41 is attached to the vehicle body 30 so that the opening 42B is on the right side of the electric vehicle 200, but this is not limiting. For example, the housing main body 41 may be mounted on the vehicle body 30 so that the opening 42B is on the left side of the electric vehicle 200. The housing main body 41 may also be attached to the vehicle body 30 so that the opening 42B is on the rear of the electric vehicle 200. In this case, the replaceable battery 70 is inserted in the fore-and-aft direction of the electric vehicle 200.

[0054] In the above description, the electric vehicle 200 is described as a frame-type electric truck including the frame 10, the front compartment 31, the cab 32, and the deck 33, but is not limited to this. The electric vehicle 200 may be a frame-type SUV or an electric vehicle having a monocoque body. The electric vehicle 200 may also be a bus or the like, or a light van. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10 Frame, 11 Side rail, 12-16 Cross member, 17, 18 Battery support, 19 Bracket, 21 Front suspension bracket, 22 Front cab mount bracket, 23 Rear cab mount bracket, 24-26 Deck mount, 27 Front cab mount, 28 Rear cab mount, 30 Body, 31 Front compartment, 32 Cab, 33 Deck, 35 Front wheel, 36 Rear wheel, 40 Housing, 41 Housing body, 41A Upper plate, 41B Bottom plate, 41C Side, 42A Interior, 42B Opening, 43 Front flange, 43A Upper flange, 43B Lower flange, 44 Gasket, 45 Rear plate, 46 Receptacle connector, 47 Rear bracket, 48 First inclined surface, 50 Lid, 51 Outer plate, 51A Outer surface, 51B Bead, 52 Inner plate, 52A inner surface, 53 second inclined surface, 54 lid flange, 54A lid upper flange, 54B lid lower flange, 55 hinge, 56 rotating shaft, 57 base, 58 hinge plate, 59 through hole, 60 fixing mechanism, 61 base, 61A fixing portion, 61B guide groove, 62 rotating shaft, 63 operating lever, 63A operating end, 63B hole, 64 hook, 64A engaging claw, 65 link, 70 replaceable battery, 70A distal end, 70B proximal end, 71 battery body, 72 casing, 72A upper corner portion, 73 front portion, 74 handle, 75 lower corner portion, 76 first elastic member, 76A upper surface, 77 second elastic member, 77A front surface, 78 connector, 100 replaceable battery fixing structure, 200 Electric vehicle.

Claims

1. a housing for accommodating a plurality of replaceable batteries therein, the housing having an opening for inserting the plurality of replaceable batteries therein; a lid for opening and closing the opening; a fixing mechanism for fixing the lid to the housing, The housing includes: a plurality of first fixing surfaces at an upper inner portion of the interior against which upper corners of the distal ends of the replaceable batteries abut when the replaceable batteries are inserted into the interior; the lid has a closing surface that closes the opening, and a plurality of second fixing surfaces that abut against lower corners of proximal ends of the replaceable batteries inserted inside the lid when the opening is closed, below the closing surface; Each of the first fixing surfaces is inclined downward toward the depth of the interior, Each of the second fixing surfaces is inclined downward toward the front of the interior, When the lid is fixed to the housing by the fixing mechanism, Each of the first fixing surfaces presses the upper corner of the distal end of each of the replaceable batteries in a downward and forward direction; each second fixing surface presses the lower corner portion of the proximal end of each replaceable battery in a diagonally downward direction; A replaceable battery fixing structure characterized by the above.

2. The replaceable battery fixing structure according to claim 1, a plurality of first elastic members attached to the upper corners of the distal end of each of the replaceable batteries and abutting against the respective first fixing surfaces, and a plurality of second elastic members attached to the lower corners of the proximal end of each of the replaceable batteries and abutting against the respective second fixing surfaces, or both; A replaceable battery fixing structure characterized by the above.

3. The replaceable battery fixing structure according to claim 1 or 2, The fixing mechanism includes: a hook provided on a side surface of the housing; an operating lever rotatably attached to the outer surface of the lid; a link connected to the operating lever at a position closer to the operating end than the rotation center of the operating lever, When the opening of the housing is closed by the lid, the tip of the link is engaged with the hook, and the operating lever is rotated toward the lid, thereby pulling the hook forward and fixing the lid to the housing. A replaceable battery fixing structure characterized by the above.

4. A battery electric vehicle, The car body and a housing attached to the vehicle body and accommodating a plurality of replaceable batteries therein, the housing having an opening for inserting the plurality of replaceable batteries therein; a lid for opening and closing the opening; a fixing mechanism for fixing the lid to the housing, The housing includes: The vehicle is attached to the vehicle body so that the opening faces the side of the vehicle, and the plurality of replaceable batteries are inserted into the interior of the vehicle from the opening along the vehicle width direction, a plurality of first fixing surfaces at an upper inner portion of the interior against which upper corners of the distal ends of the replaceable batteries abut when the replaceable batteries are inserted into the interior; the lid has a closing surface that closes the opening, and a plurality of second fixing surfaces that abut against lower corners of proximal ends of the replaceable batteries inserted inside the lid when the opening is closed, below the closing surface; Each of the first fixing surfaces is inclined downward toward the depth of the interior, Each of the second fixing surfaces is inclined downward toward the front of the interior, When the lid is fixed to the housing by the fixing mechanism, Each of the first fixing surfaces presses the upper corner of the distal end of each of the replaceable batteries in a downward and forward direction; each second fixing surface presses the lower corner portion of the proximal end of each replaceable battery in a diagonally downward direction; A battery-electric vehicle characterized by:

5. 5. The battery electric vehicle according to claim 4, the lid is attached to be rotatable around a rotation shaft attached to the vehicle body along a lower side of the opening of the housing, The fixing mechanism includes: a hook provided on an upper portion of a side surface of the housing; an operating lever rotatably attached to the outer surface of the lid; a link connected to the operating lever at a position closer to the operating end than the rotation center of the operating lever, When the opening of the housing is closed by the lid, the tip of the link is engaged with the hook, and the operating lever is rotated toward the lid, thereby pulling the hook forward and fixing the lid to the housing. A battery-electric vehicle characterized by:

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