Side structure of electric vehicle

Abstract

This protects the battery pack, which is installed on the lower side of the floor, from impact loads. [Solution] The side structure of the electric vehicle includes a side member positioned outside the battery pack, a side sill positioned outside the side member, and a battery mount member joined to the lower part of the side member for suspending the battery pack. The battery mount member extends downward from the lower surface of the side member and also extends in the front-rear direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a side structure of an electric vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] An electric vehicle has a battery pack disposed below a floor panel that constitutes a floor portion of the vehicle, as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. Also, in this example, a driving electric motor is disposed on the vehicle front side of the battery pack.

[0003] In addition, in order to extend the cruising range of the electric vehicle, the battery pack is required to have a larger capacity. As a result, the battery pack tends to be enlarged. As the battery pack becomes larger, the ratio of the space occupied by the battery pack in the space below the floor portion increases.

[0004] Also, in an electric vehicle, it is necessary to secure a space for disposing the battery pack below the floor panel. In the structure of the above example, the floor panel is disposed above side members disposed on both sides in the vehicle width direction. The battery pack is disposed below the floor panel and between the side members on both sides.

[0005] The side members in the above example are members for ensuring vehicle body rigidity, and for example, strength capable of withstanding an impact load acting on the vehicle body due to a side collision, a front collision, etc. is required. In order to set the dimension of the battery pack in the vehicle width direction as large as possible, the outer portion of the battery pack in the vehicle width direction and the inner portion of the side member in the vehicle width direction are arranged to be closer to each other.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The sides of the underside of the vehicle body must have a certain level of strength against impact loads such as side collisions, and these sides must be equipped with a structure that absorbs the impact caused by such impacts. For example, the structure that absorbs the impact load absorbs the impact load by deforming the side of the vehicle body. Therefore, the side of the vehicle body must be provided with a stroke for deformation.

[0008] However, when attempting to provide an impact-absorbing structure on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of a highly rigid side member, the structure in the above example has limited space on the outer side of the side member in the vehicle width direction, making it difficult to secure sufficient stroke for the side of the vehicle body to deform in order to absorb the impact. Therefore, in the structure in the above example, there was room for improvement in effectively absorbing impact loads from side collisions, etc., in the space on the outer side of the battery pack in the vehicle width direction at the lower side of the vehicle body.

[0009] The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and its objective is to provide a side structure for an electric vehicle that can install a battery pack in a limited space below the vehicle floor and protect the battery pack from impact loads. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve the above objective, the electric vehicle side structure according to the present invention includes a battery pack disposed on the lower side of the floor portion of the vehicle, a side member disposed on the lower side of the floor portion and on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the battery pack and extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a side sill disposed at a distance from the outside in the vehicle width direction of the side member and extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The electric vehicle side structure has a battery mount member joined to the lower part of the side member and for suspending the battery pack, the battery mount member extending downward from the lower surface of the side member and extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, a battery pack can be installed in the limited space below the vehicle floor and protected from impact loads. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the side structure of the electric vehicle according to the present invention, as seen from above the floor portion of the electric vehicle. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the left side of the electric vehicle with the side body outer panel attached, seen from below the vehicle. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a bottom view of the side structure of the electric vehicle, as seen from below the vehicle. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the battery mount member and battery suspension bracket, etc., as seen from the underside of the vehicle. [Figure 5] This is an enlarged bottom view showing the battery pack removed from Figure 3. [Figure 6] Figure 3 is a perspective view of section AA as seen from the rear of the vehicle. [Figure 7] Figure 5 is an end view taken along the BB arrow, with the battery pack and battery suspension bracket added for clarity. [Figure 8] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the BB arrow, with the battery suspension bracket added for illustration. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the side structure of the electric vehicle according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings (Figures 1 to 8). In the figures, the direction of arrow Fr indicates the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In the description of the embodiment, "front (front end) and rear (rear end)" correspond to the front and rear of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction. Also, arrows R and L indicate the right and left sides when the occupant is looking forward of the vehicle. Also, arrow U indicates the upward direction in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0014] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the side structure of the electric vehicle in this embodiment has a battery pack 10 located below the floor. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the side structure includes a side member 20, a side sill 40, a battery mount member 30, a battery suspension bracket 35, and cross members 71 and 75. In this embodiment, the battery mount member 30 extends downward from the lower surface of the side member 20 and also extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The components constituting the lower structure of this embodiment will be described below.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the battery pack 10 is a heavy object located below the floor panel 17 that constitutes the floor of the vehicle. A detailed explanation of the structure of the battery pack 10 will be omitted, but the external shape of the battery pack 10 is roughly rectangular, and it has a top surface 11, left and right side walls 12, a bottom surface 13, a front wall 14, and a rear wall 15 (Figures 3 and 4). The battery pack 10 is suspended from a vehicle body component such as a side member 20, for example, via a battery mount member 30 and a battery suspension bracket 35. The configuration in which the battery pack 10 is attached will be explained later.

[0016] The side members 20 are highly rigid components that make up the vehicle body frame and are made of metal. As shown in Figure 3, the side members 20 are arranged in pairs on both outer sides in the width direction of the vehicle at the bottom of the vehicle and extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In this example, they are arranged along the left and right side walls 12 of the battery pack 10, with a gap between them in the width direction of the battery pack 10. In the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the front part of the side members 20 is positioned further forward than the front wall 14 of the battery pack 10, and the rear part of the side members 20 is positioned further rearward than the rear wall 15 of the battery pack 10.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the side member 20 has a U-shaped cross-sectional shape that opens upward of the vehicle. That is, the side member 20 has an inner wall portion 21, an outer wall portion 22, and a bottom surface portion 23, and the bottom surface portion 23 has a substantially rectangular horizontal plane extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. The inner wall portion 21 projects upward from the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the bottom surface portion 23 and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. An inner flange portion 21a that projects inward in the vehicle width direction is provided at the upper end of the inner wall portion 21. The outer wall portion 22 projects upward from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the bottom surface portion 23 and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. An outer flange portion 22a that projects outward in the vehicle width direction is provided at the upper end of the outer wall portion 22. The inner flange portion 21a and the outer flange portion 22a are joined to the lower surface of the floor panel 17 by spot welding.

[0018] Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, an upper reinforcing plate 25 and a lower reinforcing plate 26 are provided inside the side member 20. The upper reinforcing plate 25 has a flat portion 25a extending in the vehicle front-rear direction and flange portions 25b that project upward from both ends in the vehicle width direction of the flat portion 25a. The flange portions 25b on both sides are joined to the inner wall portion 21 and the outer wall portion 22 of the side member 20, respectively. The flat portion 25a of the upper reinforcing plate 25 is disposed at a distance below the floor panel 17. The lower reinforcing plate 26 has a flat portion 26a and flange portions 26b, similar to the upper reinforcing plate 25a, as shown in FIGS. |6 to 8. The flat portion 26a of the lower reinforcing plate 26 is joined to the bottom surface portion 23 of the side member 20. Further, the flange portions 26b of the lower reinforcing plate 26 are joined to the inner wall portion 21 and the outer wall portion 22 of the side member 20.

[0019] Next, the cross members will be described. The cross members 71 and 75 are members having high rigidity that constitute the vehicle body skeleton and are formed of a metal material. The cross members 71 and 75 in the present embodiment have a first cross member 71 and a second cross member 75 disposed on the vehicle rear side of the first cross member 71. Note that the cross members 71 and 75 are not limited to the first cross member 71 and the second cross member 75.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 5, the first cross member 71 has a first center member 72 and a first extension member 73. The first center member 72 is a member extending in the vehicle width direction and has a U-shaped cross section that opens upward. Further, front flange portions 72f and rear flange portions 72r are provided at the upper ends of the front portion and the rear portion of the first center member 72, respectively. The front flange portions 72f and the rear flange portions 72r are joined to the lower surface of the floor panel 17 by spot welding.

[0021] The first extension member 73 is a member extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the outer side portion of the first center member 72 in the vehicle width direction. The outer side portion of the first center member 72 and the inner side portion of the first extension member 73 may be joined by, for example, spot welding. Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the lower surface portion 73a of the first extension member 73 is inclined downward toward the vehicle from the middle portion in the vehicle width direction as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction. Further, a vertical flange portion 73b protruding upward from the vehicle is provided at the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the lower surface portion 73a. The vertical flange portion 73b is joined to the inner wall portion 21 of the side member 20 by spot welding. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a flange 31a provided on a battery mount member 30 described later is joined to the outer side portion in the vehicle width direction of the lower surface portion 73a by spot welding.

[0022] Although not shown in the drawings for the sake of simplicity, a flange portion protruding forward is provided at the end in the vehicle width direction of the front wall of the first extension member 73, and a flange portion protruding rearward is provided at the end in the vehicle width direction of the rear wall. These flange portions are joined to the inner wall portion 21 of the side member 20 by spot welding in the same manner as the vertical flange portion 73b.

[0023] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the first extension member 73, like the first central member 72, has a U-shaped cross-section that opens upward, and a front flange portion 73f and a rear flange portion 73r are provided at the upper ends of the front and rear portions, respectively. The front flange portion 73f and the rear flange portion 73r are joined to the inner flange portion 21a of the side member 20 by spot welding.

[0024] The second cross member 75, like the first cross member, has a second central member 76 and a second extension member 77, as shown in Figure 5. The second central member 76, like the first central member 72, extends in the vehicle width direction and is joined to the lower surface of the floor panel 17. The second extension member 77 is a member that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the outer part of the second central member 76 in the vehicle width direction, and the outer part of the second central member 76 and the inner part of the second extension member 77 may be joined, for example, by spot welding.

[0025] The outer portion of the second extension member 77 in the vehicle width direction is joined to a hanger member 82, etc. The hanger member 82 is a member provided on the side member 20. A trailing arm (not shown) is connected to the hanger member 82. In this example, as shown in Figures 6 and 8, the hanger member 82 is a member that extends downward from the lower surface of the side member 20 to the vehicle, and is a highly rigid member made of metal. A load is applied to the hanger member 82 via the trailing arm. Therefore, the hanger member 82 has the rigidity to withstand the load.

[0026] Next, the battery mount members 30 will be described. In this embodiment, two battery mount members 30 are arranged along the bottom surface 23 of the side member 20, spaced apart from each other in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. Each battery mount member 30 is made of a metal material and has high rigidity. Each battery mount member 30 is a member that extends in the vehicle's longitudinal direction and is joined to the lower part of the side member 20.

[0027] In other words, the battery mount member 30 in this embodiment is positioned below the side member 20. Together with the side member 20, the battery mount member 30 can be configured to form a vehicle frame with high rigidity. Furthermore, by arranging the side member 20 and the battery mount member 30 vertically, they have a predetermined vertical length (height) and act as a protective wall extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, protecting the outside of the battery pack 10 in the vehicle width direction.

[0028] The structure of the battery mount member 30 will now be described. As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the battery mount member 30 has an inner wall portion 31, an outer wall portion 32, and a bottom portion 33, and, like the side member 20, has a U-shaped cross-section.

[0029] The upper part of the inner wall portion 31 of the battery mount member 30 is joined to the inner wall portion 21 of the side member 20 by spot welding. Similarly, the upper part of the outer wall portion 32 of the battery mount member 30 is joined to the outer wall portion 22 of the side member 20 by spot welding. As a result, the battery mount member 30 and the bottom portion 23 of the side member 20 form a closed cross-sectional structure in cross-section. This improves rigidity and allows the battery pack 10 to be suspended stably.

[0030] As shown in Figure 5, the intermediate portion of the inner wall 31 of the battery mount member 30 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction is provided with a flange 31a that is joined to the first cross member 71. The flange 31a is joined to the lower surface of the first cross member 71 by spot welding. By joining the first cross member to the battery mount member 30 and, as described above, to the side member 20, it is possible to construct a vehicle body frame with high rigidity.

[0031] As shown in Figures 4 and 8, closing portions 34 are provided at the front and rear ends of the battery mount member 30. The closing portion 34 is plate-shaped and is joined to the inner wall portion 31, the outer wall portion 32, and the bottom surface portion 33 of the battery mount member 30. Furthermore, a flange is provided at the upper end of the closing portion 34, and this flange is joined to the bottom surface portion 23 of the side member 20. As a result, a closed space is formed inside the battery mount member 30, and a closed cross-sectional structure is formed in the planar cross-section of the battery mount member 30, making it possible to ensure high rigidity of the battery mount member 30.

[0032] Next, the side sill 40 of this embodiment will be described. The side sill 40 is located below the door opening 27 provided on the side of the vehicle, extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and, like the side member 20, constitutes the vehicle body frame. The front part of the side sill 40 may bulge inward and be joined to the inner part of the side member 20 in the vehicle width direction. As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the side sill 40 has a lower inner panel 41, an upper inner panel 45, an inner reinforcement 60, and an upper outer panel 50. The side sill 40 also has an outer part that is located on the outermost side of the vehicle. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the outer part of the side sill 40 is made up of a part of the side body outer panel 28 that constitutes the outermost part of the vehicle. The outer part of the side sill 40 may be arranged to cover the lower inner panel 41 and the upper inner panel 45 from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 and 6, the upper outer panel 50 extends horizontally in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the upper surface of the upper outer panel 50 functions as a footrest when occupants get in and out of the door opening 27. In this embodiment, the battery pack 10 is mounted on the lower side of the floor, and the floor is set slightly higher, so the upper outer panel 50 is effective as a footrest. Although not shown, a bead may be provided on the upper surface of the upper outer panel 50 as an anti-slip measure, for example. In this case, the bead may be formed to extend in the vehicle width direction, or it may be formed to extend at a slight incline with respect to the vehicle width direction. A door rail 55 on which a sliding door (not shown) runs is joined to the lower surface of the upper outer panel 50.

[0034] An upper flange portion 51 projecting upward is provided on the inner side of the upper surface of the upper outer panel 50 in the vehicle width direction. The upper flange portion 51 is joined to the outer wall portion 22 of the side member 20 by spot welding. In addition, a rear flange portion 52 projecting upward is provided at the rear end of the upper surface of the upper outer panel 50. For example, as shown in Figures 6 and 8, the rear flange portion 52 is joined to the side panel 16 located on the outside of the upper floor panel 18, for example, by spot welding. In this example, the cushion portion of the rear seat (not shown) is installed on the upper floor panel 18.

[0035] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the upper inner panel 45 is a panel that covers the door rail 55 from the inside in the vehicle width direction and from the lower side of the vehicle. The upper inner panel 45 has a bottom surface portion 46, an inner wall portion 47, an upper flange portion 47a, and an outer wall portion 48. The bottom surface portion 46 is positioned below the lower surface of the upper outer panel 50 with a gap between them. The bottom surface portion 46 is approximately horizontal and extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The bottom surface portion 46 is positioned below the door rail 55 with a gap between them and the door rail 55, covering the door rail 55 from below.

[0036] The inner wall portion 47 extends upward from the inside in the vehicle width direction of the bottom surface portion 46 to the lower surface of the upper outer panel 50. The inner wall portion 47 is positioned at a distance from the inside in the vehicle width direction of the door rail 55, and is positioned to cover the door rail 55 from the inside in the vehicle width direction. The upper flange portion 47a is the portion that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the inner wall portion 47 and is joined to the lower surface of the upper outer panel 50 by spot welding. For example, the lower arm provided at the bottom of the sliding door is positioned in the space formed by the upper outer panel 50, the inner wall portion 47 of the upper inner panel 45, and the bottom surface portion 46, and travels on the door rail 55.

[0037] The outer wall portion 48 of the upper inner panel 45 is a wall portion that extends downward from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the bottom surface portion 46. As shown in Figure 6, a stepped portion 48a is provided in the middle of the outer wall portion 48 in the vehicle vertical direction. The lower side of the stepped portion 48a is positioned further outward in the vehicle width direction compared to the upper side of the stepped portion 48a. By providing the stepped portion 48a, it is possible to improve the rigidity in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The outer wall portion 48 located below the stepped portion 48a is joined to the lower inner panel 41, for example, by spot welding.

[0038] Next, the lower inner panel 41 will be described. As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the lower inner panel 41 is a panel positioned below the upper inner panel 45. The lower inner panel 41 has an outer wall portion 42, an inclined surface portion 43, and an inner wall portion 44. The outer wall portion 42 is a side wall facing outward in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The upper part of the outer wall portion 42 of the lower inner panel 41 is joined to the lower part of the outer wall portion 48 of the upper inner panel 45 by spot welding on the inside.

[0039] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the inclined surface portion 43 of the lower inner panel 41 is the part that extends downward from the lower end of the outer wall portion 42 in the vehicle width direction, sloping downward from the vehicle. The inner wall portion 44 is a side wall that extends downward from the inner end of the inclined wall portion in the vehicle width direction. In the vehicle width direction, the inner wall portion 44 of the lower inner panel 41 is located below the door rail 55.

[0040] Next, the inner reinforcement panel 60 will be described. The inner reinforcement panel 60 is a component located on the inside of the lower inner panel in the vehicle width direction, and is formed from a metal material. In this embodiment, the inner reinforcement 60 is configured to connect the upper inner panel 45 and the battery mount member 30.

[0041] The inner reinforcement panel 60 of this embodiment has a flat portion 61 extending in the vehicle width direction, and a vertical wall portion 62 projecting upward from the inner end of the flat portion 61 in the vehicle width direction and extending along the vehicle's longitudinal direction. In addition, a projection portion 63 is provided at the front of the outer portion of the flat portion 61 in the vehicle width direction, projecting outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0042] The upper surface of the flat portion 61 of the inner reinforcement panel 60 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is joined to the lower surface of the bottom portion 46 of the upper inner panel 45 by spot welding. In addition, the vertical wall portion 62 of the inner reinforcement panel 60 is joined to the outer wall portion 32 of the battery mount member 30 by spot welding. It is preferable that the rigidity of the inner reinforcement panel 60 in the vehicle width direction be set lower than the rigidity of the battery mount member 30 and the side member 20 in the vehicle width direction.

[0043] Here, we will describe the configuration in which the battery pack 10 is suspended from the vehicle body. The battery pack 10 is suspended from the vehicle body, such as the side member 20, via the battery mount member 30 and the battery suspension bracket 35. As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the battery suspension bracket 35 is suspended from the bottom surface 33 of the battery mount member 30 via a connecting member 38a and is positioned below the bottom surface 33 of the battery mount member 30.

[0044] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the battery suspension bracket 35 of this embodiment is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped member extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and is arranged along the side wall portion 12 of the battery pack 10. As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the battery suspension bracket 35 has an upper member 36 and a lower member 37.

[0045] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the upper member 36 has an upper surface portion 36a, an inner wall portion 36b, and an outer flange portion 36c. The upper surface portion 36a is positioned below the lower surface of the bottom surface portion 33 of the battery mount member 30, with a gap between them. The outer flange portion 36c is the portion that protrudes upward from the outer end of the upper surface portion 36a in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The inner wall portion 36b is a wall portion that extends downward from the inner end of the upper surface portion 36a in the vehicle width direction, and is positioned below the side wall portion 12 of the battery pack 10, with a gap between it and the side wall portion 12 in the vehicle width direction.

[0046] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the lower member 37 has a bottom surface portion 37a, an outer wall portion 37b, and an inner flange portion 37c. The bottom surface portion 37a is positioned below the upper surface portion 36a of the upper member 36, with a gap between them. The outer wall portion 37b is a wall portion that extends upward from the outer end of the bottom surface portion 37a in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, in the vehicle width direction, the outer wall portion 37b is positioned slightly inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer wall portion 32 of the battery mount member 30 and below the bottom surface portion 33 of the battery mount member 30.

[0047] Furthermore, the upper part of the outer wall portion 37b of the lower member 37 protrudes above the upper surface portion 36a and is joined to the outer flange portion 36c by spot welding. The inner flange portion 37c is the part that protrudes downward from the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the bottom surface portion 37a and extends in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The lower part of the inner wall portion 36b of the upper member 36 is joined to the inner flange portion 37c by spot welding.

[0048] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6 to 8, the battery suspension bracket 35 is provided with a plurality of outer connecting portions 35a and a plurality of inner connecting portions 35b. As shown in Figures 32 to 4, the plurality of outer connecting portions 35a are located outside the center of the battery suspension bracket 35 in the vehicle width direction and are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction (vehicle front-rear direction) of the battery suspension bracket 35. The outer connecting portions 35a are connected to the bottom surface portion 33 of the battery mount member 30 via connecting members 38a.

[0049] Multiple inner connecting portions 35b are arranged inward from the vehicle width center of the battery suspension bracket 35, along the longitudinal direction (vehicle front-rear direction) of the battery suspension bracket 35, and spaced apart from each other. The inner connecting portions 35b are preferably arranged inside the outer connecting portions 35a. The inner connecting portions 35b are the parts that connect to the protruding portion 12a that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the side wall portion 12 of the battery pack 10, and the protruding portion 12a and the inner connecting portion 35b are connected by a connecting member 38b. The protruding portion 12a may also have a structure that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the side wall portion 12 and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0050] As described above, the battery pack 10 is suspended from the battery suspension bracket 35 via a connecting member 38b, and the battery suspension bracket 35 is connected to the battery mount member 30 via a connecting member 38a.

[0051] In the side structure of this embodiment, the battery pack 10 is positioned on the vehicle side of the side member 20 and the battery mount member 30. For example, when subjected to an impact load such as a side collision, it is necessary to suppress the intrusion of the impacting object into the battery pack 10. In this embodiment, the highly rigid side member 20 and battery mount member 30 are positioned on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the battery pack 10. Therefore, the impact load can be stably received by the highly rigid members.

[0052] For example, an impact load caused by a side collision is first applied to the outer end of the side sill 40 in the vehicle width direction (for example, the lower part of the side body outer panel 28). A portion of the impact load applied to the side sill 40 is absorbed by the side sill 40 deforming inward in the vehicle width direction. For example, a portion of the impact energy is converted into deformation energy. For example, a portion of the impact load may be absorbed by the deformation of the inner reinforcement 60, which is joined to the outer wall portion 32 of the battery mount member 30, so as to be crushed.

[0053] For example, when an impact load is applied to the inner reinforcement panel 60, the inner reinforcement panel 60 deforms in a way that it collapses in the vehicle width direction while resisting the impact load. The impact energy applied to the inner reinforcement panel 60 is converted into deformation energy as the inner reinforcement panel 60 deforms and collapses. As a result, a portion of the impact load is absorbed by the inner reinforcement panel 60.

[0054] In this embodiment, the side sill 40 has a structure capable of absorbing impact, thereby reducing the impact load transmitted to the battery mount member 30. That is, the impact energy of the impact load input to the battery mount member 30 is reduced because the components constituting the side sill 40 (for example, the inner reinforcement panel 60) absorb the impact load. Furthermore, since the battery mount member 30 has higher rigidity than the inner reinforcement panel 60, it is able to withstand the impact load with reduced impact energy. Therefore, according to the above configuration of this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the impact load transmitted to the rear of the battery pack 10, and the battery pack 10 can be protected from impact loads.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the side sill 40 is positioned on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the battery mount member 30. Moreover, in a side view, the side sill 40 and the battery mount member 30 are positioned to overlap. When subjected to an impact load due to a side collision, the impact load can be received by the side sill 40 before being transmitted to the battery mount member 30.

[0056] As described above, since the side sill 40 is provided with an impact-absorbing structure, a portion of the impact load acting in the vehicle width direction is absorbed by the side sill 40. As a result, the impact load transmitted to the battery mount member 30 is mitigated, and therefore, in the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the transmission of impact load to the battery pack 10.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the upper part of the battery mount member is joined to the lower part of both sides of the side member, and the outer part of the first cross member in the vehicle width direction is joined to the inner part of the side member in the vehicle width direction.

[0058] The upper ends of the inner wall portion 31 and outer wall portion 32 of the battery mount member 30 are positioned on the inner wall portion 21 and outer wall portion 22 of the side member 20, and the inner wall portions 21 and 31 are joined to each other, and further, the outer walls 22 and 32 are joined to each other. As a result, the inner wall portion 21 and outer wall portion 22 of the side member 20 are substantially extended downward.

[0059] As described above, since the battery mount member 30 is joined to the side member 20, the impact load transmitted from the side sill 40 can be received by the side member 20 and the battery mount member 30. Furthermore, as described above, since the outer wall portion 22 of the side member 20 is extended downward, the area of ​​the outer wall portion is substantially increased, allowing the load to be received over a wider area. As a result, the load can be distributed effectively.

[0060] Furthermore, since the side member 20 is longer in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle than the battery mount member 30, the load applied to the battery mount member 30 is transmitted to the side member 20, making it possible to effectively transmit the load to the front and rear of the vehicle, thereby effectively distributing the load.

[0061] Furthermore, the first cross member 71 supports the side member 20 and the battery mount member 30, and the load applied from the inner reinforcement panel 60 to the side member 20 and the battery mount member 30 can be transmitted to the first cross member 71. As a result, the load is effectively distributed, and the load applied to the battery pack 10 is suppressed.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when viewed from the side, the battery mount member is positioned to overlap a portion of the battery pack. In addition, a battery suspension bracket 35 is provided at the lower part of the battery mount member, and the lower end of the battery pack is positioned lower on the vehicle side than the lower end of the battery mount member.

[0063] For example, the impact load from a side collision is transmitted to the battery mount member 30 as described above. A portion of the load transmitted to the battery mount member 30 is transmitted upward toward the side member 20, and a portion of that load is transmitted downward toward the battery suspension bracket 35 via a connecting member or the like. In this embodiment, the battery pack 10 is suspended below the battery mount member 30. That is, the position where the battery pack 10 is suspended (for example, the position of the protrusion 12a) is below the battery mount member 30. Therefore, with respect to the load transmitted from the battery mount member 30 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, the transmitted load is reduced because the suspension position described above is shifted downward.

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inner portion of the battery mount member 30 in the vehicle width direction is inclined outward in the vehicle width direction as it extends downward from the lower end of the side member 20 towards the vehicle. That is, the inner wall portion 31 of the battery mount member 30 is inclined outward in the vehicle width direction as it extends downward towards the vehicle. As a result, when a load moving from the outside to the inside in the vehicle width direction is transmitted to the battery mount member 30, it can be effectively transmitted, for example, to the lower surface portion 71a of the first cross member 71 via the flange 31a. In addition, by providing the inclination, it is possible to ensure a deformation stroke even when the battery mount member 30 deforms inward towards the vehicle, thereby suppressing the transmission of load to the battery pack 10.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the side sill 40 has an upper outer panel 50 extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, a bottom surface portion 46 of an upper inner panel 45 positioned at a distance below the upper outer panel 50, and an inner wall portion 47 extending upward from the inner end of the bottom surface portion 46 in the vehicle width direction and joined to the lower surface of the upper outer panel 50. Also, as shown in Figures 4 and 6 to 8, an opening 49 is provided on the outer side of the side sill 40 in the vehicle width direction, opening in the vehicle width direction and extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The upper outer panel 50 is positioned above the opening 49, and the bottom surface portion 46 of the upper inner panel 45 is positioned below the opening 49. A door rail 55 is attached to the lower surface of the upper outer panel 50 located on the outer side of the inner wall portion 46 in the vehicle width direction, and the inner reinforcement panel 60 is positioned on the inside of the opening 49 in the vehicle width direction, along the longitudinal direction of the opening 49.

[0066] As described above, the side sill 40 of this embodiment is provided with an opening 49, which reduces its rigidity. However, since the door rail 55 is positioned along the longitudinal direction of the opening 49, rigidity can be ensured near the opening 49. Furthermore, since the inner reinforcement panel 60 is positioned along the longitudinal direction (vehicle front-rear direction) of the door rail 55 and the opening 49, the inner reinforcement panel 60 can effectively absorb impact loads in the easily deformable parts of the side sill 40.

[0067] In this embodiment, side brackets 81 are positioned behind the inner reinforcement panel 60 at a distance from each other. The side brackets 81 are plate-shaped members that are joined to the inner wall portion 47 of the upper inner panel 45 of the side sill 40, the inner wall portion 44 of the lower inner panel 41, and the outer wall portion 84 of the hanger member 82.

[0068] Since the side bracket 81 has lower rigidity than the vehicle frame and hanger member 82, it can deform to absorb impact loads from side collisions. Furthermore, because the side bracket 81 is joined to the hanger member 82, its rigidity can be set to be high in the vertical direction of the vehicle. Therefore, the side bracket 81 can be used as a contact point for jacking up the vehicle.

[0069] The description of this embodiment is illustrative for explaining the present invention and does not limit the invention as described in the claims. Furthermore, the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the technical scope described in the claims.

[0070] For example, in this embodiment, the inner reinforcement panel 60 has a plate-shaped planar portion 61 that extends continuously in the vehicle direction, but it is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of plates, each shorter in length in the vehicle longitudinal direction than the planar portion 61 of this embodiment, may be arranged at intervals from each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0071] In this embodiment, the upper outer panel 50 constituting the side sill 40 functions as a footrest when an occupant gets in and out of the door opening 27, as described above. Therefore, for example, the structure of the side sill 40 in this embodiment is effective for vehicles with a high floor. For example, in vehicles having a so-called cab-over structure in which the front seats (driver's seat and passenger seat) are located above the electric motor, the structure of the side sill 40 in this embodiment is effective as a countermeasure against side collisions. Furthermore, even in vehicles where the electric motor is located below the front seats, for example, a space R (Figure 1) is provided below the front seats and above the front of the battery pack 10, and any device can be placed there, the structure of the side sill 40 in this embodiment is effective as a countermeasure against side collisions. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] 10 Battery Packs 11 Top part 12 Side wall section 13 Bottom part 14 Front wall 15 Rear wall 16 Side Panels 17 Floor Panel 18 Rear floor panel 20 Side Members 20a Reinforcement plate 20b Reinforcement Plate 21 Inner wall section 21a Inner flange portion 22 Exterior wall 22a Outer flange portion 23 Bottom part 25 Upper reinforcement plate 25a Flat part 25b Flange section 26 Lower reinforcement plate 26a Flat part 26b Flange section 27 Door opening 28 Side Body Outer Panel 30 Battery Mount Members 31 Inner wall section 31a Flange 32 Exterior wall 33 Bottom part 34 Closing part 35 Battery suspension bracket 36 Upper member 36a Top part 36b Inner wall 36c Outer flange section 37 Lower part 37a Bottom part 37b Exterior wall 37c Inner flange section 40 Side Sill 41 Lower Inner Panel 42 Exterior wall 43 Slope section 44 Inner wall section 45 Upper Inner Panel 46 Bottom part 47 Inner wall section 47a Upper flange portion 48 Exterior wall 48a Stepped section 49 Opening 50 Upper Outer Panels 51 Upper flange section 52 Rear flange section 55 Door rails 60 Inner Reinforcement Panel 61 Plane part 62 Vertical wall section 63 Protrusion 71. First Crossmember 72 First Central Member 72f Front flange section 72r Rear flange section 73 First Extension Member 73a Bottom part 73b Vertical flange section 73f Front flange section 73r Rear flange section 75. Second Crossmember 76 Second Central Member 77 Second Extension Member 81 Side Bracket 82 Hanger components 84 Exterior wall R space part

Claims

1. The battery pack is located on the lower side of the vehicle's floor, Below the floor portion, a side member is positioned on the outside of the battery pack in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, The side sill is positioned at a distance from the outer side of the side member in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction, A side structure of an electric vehicle having, The side member is joined to the lower part and has a battery mount member for suspending the battery pack, The side structure of an electric vehicle is characterized in that the battery mount member extends downward from the lower surface of the side member and extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

2. The side sill is positioned on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the battery mount member. The side structure of an electric vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, when viewed from the side, the side sill and the battery mount member are arranged to overlap.

3. The upper part of the battery mount member is joined to the lower part of both sides of the side member. A side structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that a cross member extending in the vehicle width direction is arranged on the underside of the floor portion, and the outer portion of the cross member in the vehicle width direction is joined to the inner portion of the side member in the vehicle width direction.

4. In a side view, the battery mount bracket member is positioned to overlap a portion of the battery pack. A battery suspension bracket for suspending the battery pack is provided at the lower part of the battery mount member. The side structure of an electric vehicle according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the lower end of the battery pack is positioned lower on the vehicle side than the lower end of the battery mount member.

5. The side structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the inner portion of the battery mount member in the vehicle width direction is inclined outward in the vehicle width direction as it extends downward from the lower end of the side member towards the vehicle.

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