vehicle

Abstract

This suppresses excessive deformation of the side frame during a vehicle's side collision. [Solution] The EA member 40 is positioned below the side frame 21 and extends along the side frame 21. The EA member 40 has a length in the vehicle lateral direction that is longer than the length of the side frame 21 in the vehicle lateral direction and includes an outer part Ot located laterally outward from the side frame 21 and an inner part In located laterally inward from the side frame 21. A side protector 41 is positioned at the step of the inner part In, and the protruding wall 41T of the side protector 41 overlaps with the side frame 21 in the vehicle lateral direction. A second cross member 53 is positioned between the left and right EA members 40. When a side impact occurs, the side frame 21 comes into contact with the protruding wall 41T, so that the side frame does not deform significantly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to vehicles.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-17181 (Patent Document 1) discloses a support device for a vehicle battery that suspends a battery pack on a ladder frame of a vehicle. In this Patent Document 1, the battery pack is disposed between left and right side frames that constitute the ladder frame.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a vehicle is side-collided, the side frame may deform inwardly of the vehicle. When the battery pack is disposed between the left and right side frames as in Patent Document 1, a large load may be applied to the battery pack when the side frame is largely deformed inwardly.

[0005] An object of this disclosure is to suppress large deformation of the side frame when the vehicle is side-collided.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The vehicle of this disclosure is a vehicle having a pair of side frames extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The vehicle comprises a pair of first members positioned below the pair of side frames and extending along the side frames, with a length in the lateral direction of the vehicle being longer than the lateral length of the side frames, and a cross member positioned between the pair of first members and extending in the lateral direction of the vehicle. The first members include an outer portion located laterally outward from the side frames and an inner portion located laterally inward from the side frames, the inner portion having a lap portion that overlaps with the side frames in the lateral direction of the vehicle.

[0007] According to this configuration, the vehicle comprises a pair of side frames extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A pair of first members are positioned below the pair of side frames. The pair of first members have a length in the lateral direction of the vehicle that is longer than the lateral length of the side frames and extend along the side frames. The vehicle comprises a cross member positioned between the pair of first members and extending in the lateral direction of the vehicle. The first member includes an outer portion located laterally outward from the side frames and an inner portion located laterally inward from the side frames. The inner portion of the first member has a lap portion that overlaps with the side frames in the lateral direction of the vehicle.

[0008] For example, if the side of a vehicle collides with a pole or the like, the outer part of the first member, which extends along the side frame, comes into contact with the pole. Due to the contact with the pole, the outer part of the first member deforms inward, but the cross member, which extends laterally across the vehicle, prevents the overlapping portion from intruding inward. Due to the deformation of the outer part of the first member, the pole comes into contact with the side frame. As the side frame deforms inward due to the contact with the pole, the side frame comes into contact with the overlapping portion of the first member. Since the overlapping portion is prevented from intruding inward by the cross member, further deformation of the side frame that has come into contact with the overlapping portion is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress large deformation of the side frame during a side collision of a vehicle.

[0009] Preferably, at least the outer portion of the first member may be composed of an impact-absorbing member that absorbs collision energy by deforming.

[0010] With this configuration, when the outer part of the first member deforms inward due to contact with the pole, the impact energy can be absorbed by the impact absorbing member. This reduces the amount by which the side frame deforms inward due to contact with the pole.

[0011] Preferably, the overlapping portion may be composed of a separate component from the first component.

[0012] With this configuration, by constructing the overlapping section from a separate component from the first component, it becomes easier to increase the rigidity of the overlapping section, and deformation of the side frame can be more effectively suppressed.

[0013] Preferably, the vehicle further comprises a battery pack, which is located between a pair of side frames.

[0014] This configuration allows for the suppression of significant deformation of the side frames during a side collision in a vehicle equipped with a battery pack between the side frames, thereby reducing the impact load on the battery pack.

[0015] Preferably, the battery pack includes a housing case for housing the batteries. The housing case includes an upper case and a lower case, and the housing space for the batteries is formed by joining flange portions formed on the periphery of the upper case and the lower case. The lap portion is located between the flange portion and the side frame in the lateral direction of the vehicle.

[0016] According to this configuration, the wrap portion is disposed between the flange portion of the housing case and the side frame in the vehicle width direction. When the vehicle is side-impacted, the side frame abuts against the wrap portion, preventing further deformation toward the inside of the vehicle. As a result, it is possible to prevent the side frame from abutting against the flange portion and suppress deformation of the flange portion. Further, even when the side frame abuts against the flange portion, the load applied to the flange portion can be reduced.

[0017] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the side frame from being greatly deformed during a side impact of the vehicle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a schematic configuration diagram of the body structure of the vehicle according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] (A) and (B) are diagrams for explaining a battery pack assembly attached to the chassis frame. [Figure 3] (A) and (B) are diagrams for explaining the mounting structure of the battery pack assembly to the chassis frame. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing the IV-IV cross section of FIG. 3(B). [Figure 5] (A), (B), and (C) are diagrams for explaining the deformation of the side frame when the vehicle side-impacts a pole. [Figure 6] It is a diagram for explaining the EA member in the modification.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated. The dimensional relationships (length, width, thickness, etc.) in each figure do not reflect the actual dimensional relationships.

[0020] In addition, the arrows Fr, Rr, Up, Lw, L, and R in the figures used in the following description indicate directions with respect to the vehicle. Arrow Fr indicates "forward", arrow Rr indicates "rearward", arrow Up indicates "upward", arrow Lw indicates "downward", arrow L indicates "leftward", and arrow R indicates "rightward".

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the body structure of a vehicle V according to the present embodiment. The vehicle V of the present embodiment is, for example, an electric vehicle such as an electric car or a hybrid car that can be driven by a motor. The body structure of the vehicle V is a so-called frame structure, and the body 1 is mounted on the chassis frame 2. In the present embodiment, the chassis frame 2 is a so-called perimeter frame or a ladder frame and has a pair of left and right side frames 21. A battery pack assembly 3, a suspension (not shown), a driving motor (not shown), etc. are attached to the chassis frame 2.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the battery pack assembly 3 attached to the chassis frame 2. FIG. 2(A) shows the battery pack assembly 3, and FIG. 2(B) is a schematic exploded view of the battery pack assembly 3. The battery pack assembly 3 includes a battery pack 30, a pair of shock absorption members (EA (Energy Absorption) members 40 (40a, 40b)), a pair of side protectors 41 (41a, 41b), and an under-pack member 50. The battery pack 30 includes a housing case 31 that houses battery modules, and the housing case 31 is composed of an upper case 32 and a lower case 33. The EA member 40 extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. The EA member 40 includes a left-side EA member 40a disposed on the left side of the battery pack 30 and a right-side EA member 40b disposed on the right side of the battery pack 30. The side protector 41 extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. The side protector 41 is located between the battery pack 30 and the EA member 40 and includes a left-side side protector 41a disposed on the left side of the battery pack 30 and a right-side side protector 41b disposed on the right side of the battery pack 30.

[0023] The lower pack member 50 includes a longitudinal member 51 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, four first cross members 52 (52a to 52d) extending in the lateral direction (left-right direction of the vehicle), and four second cross members 53 (53a to 53d) extending in the lateral direction of the vehicle. The first cross members 52 (52a to 52d) are longer in the lateral direction of the vehicle compared to the second cross members 53 (53a to 53d). The number of first cross members 52 and second cross members 53 may be any number.

[0024] As shown by the dashed line in Figure 2(B), the EA member 40 and the side protector 41 are fixed to the housing case 31 (lower case 33) by fastening members (bolts / nuts) not shown. In this case, the left side protector 41a is fastened together with the left EA member 40a to the housing case 31, and the right side protector 41b is fastened together with the right EA member 40b to the housing case 31. Note that in Figure 2(B), to avoid complexity in the drawing, only four fastening points (co-fastening points) between the EA member 40 and the side protector 41 and the housing case 31 are shown, but the number of fastening points may exceed, for example, 20. Also, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 2(B), the pack lower member 50 is fixed to the housing case 31 (lower case 33) by fastening members not shown. In Figure 2(B), to avoid complexity in the drawing, six fastening points (shared fastening points) between the EA member 40 and the housing case 31 of the side protector 41 are shown, but the number of fastening points may exceed, for example, 20.

[0025] As described above, the battery pack assembly 3 shown in Figure 2(A) is formed when the EA member 40, side protector 41, and pack lower member 50 are fixed (assembled) to the housing case 31.

[0026] Figure 3 illustrates the mounting structure of the battery pack assembly 3 on the chassis frame 2. Figure 3(A) shows the assembly of the battery pack assembly 3 on the chassis frame 2, and Figure 3(B) shows the chassis frame 2 after the battery pack assembly 3 has been mounted. As shown in Figure 3(A), the chassis frame 2 includes side frames 21 that extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The side frames 21 include a left side frame 21a and a right side frame 21b. The pair of side frames 21 (21a, 21b) are connected by a plurality of cross frames (cross members) 22. In this embodiment, the plurality of cross frames 22 are located at the front and rear of the vehicle, and no cross frames are located at the position where the battery pack assembly 3 is mounted.

[0027] As shown by the dashed line in Figure 3(A), the battery pack assembly 3 is fastened to the side frame 21 (21a, 21b) by fastening members (not shown). For example, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 3(A), the first cross members 52 (52a~52d) of the pack lower member 50 are fastened to the side frame 21 (21a, 21b). Also, as shown by the double-dash line in Figure 3(A), the EA members 40 (40a, 40b) are fastened to the side frame 21 (21a, 21b). In this case, the EA members 40 (40a, 40b) may be fastened to the side frame 21 (21a, 21b) via the mounting bracket 60. Note that in Figure 3(A), representative fastening locations (dashed and double-dash lines) are shown to avoid complexity in the drawing. For example, all first cross members 52 (52a to 52d) are fastened to the side frames 21 (21a, 21b), and in the EA members 40 (40a, 40b), parts not shown are also fastened to the side frames 21 (21a, 21b).

[0028] Once the battery pack assembly 3 is mounted to the chassis frame 2, the battery pack 30 is positioned between the left side frame 21a and the right side frame 21b, as shown in Figure 3(B).

[0029] Figure 4 shows the IV-IV cross-section of Figure 3(B). The housing case 31 of the battery pack 30 houses battery cells (single cells) 35. The battery cells 35 may be, for example, lithium-ion batteries or nickel-metal hydride batteries. Multiple battery cells 35 are housed in the housing case 31 in the form of a battery pack (battery module) connected in series or parallel. As shown in the enlarged view of part A, the housing case 31 consists of an upper case 32 and a lower case 33. A flange portion 32a is formed on the periphery of the upper case 32. A flange portion 33a is formed on the periphery of the lower case 33. The housing case 31 is formed by joining the flange portions 32a and 33a with a sealing member sandwiched between them.

[0030] The left EA member 40a is positioned below the left side frame 21a and extends along the left side frame 21a in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (see Figure 3(B)). The lateral length (width) of the left EA member 40a is longer than the lateral length (width) of the left side frame 21a. The left EA member 40a comprises an outer portion Ot located laterally outward (towards the left of the vehicle) than the left side frame 21a, and an inner portion In located laterally inward (towards the center of the vehicle) than the left side frame 21a.

[0031] The right-side EA member 40b is positioned below the right-side frame 21b and extends along the right-side frame 21b in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The lateral length (width) of the right-side EA member 40b is longer than the lateral length (width) of the right-side frame 21b. The right-side EA member 40b includes an outer portion Ot located laterally outward (towards the right of the vehicle) than the right-side frame 21b, and an inner portion In located laterally inward (towards the center of the vehicle) than the right-side frame 21b.

[0032] The EA members 40 (40a, 40b) are formed from, for example, an aluminum alloy and have a ladder-shaped cross-sectional structure that absorbs collision energy through deformation. A step is formed above the inner part In of the EA members 40 (40a, 40b) to receive the side protectors 41 (41a, 41b). This step extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The side protectors 41 (41a, 41b) are positioned in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the step formed in the inner part In. The side protectors 41 (41a, 41b) are rectangular pipes with a closed cross-section and are equipped with a protruding wall 41T that extends upward over the vehicle. The protruding wall 41T protrudes to a position where it overlaps with the side frame 21 (21a, 21b) in the lateral direction (left-right direction of the vehicle). The protruding wall 41T is located in the lateral direction of the vehicle between the flange portions 32a, 33a of the housing case 31 and the side frame 21 (21a, 21b), and extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0033] The second cross member 53b is positioned between the left EA member 40a and left side protector 41a and the right EA member 40b and right side protector 41b. The second cross member 53b transmits the side impact load (side impact input) applied to the EA members 40 (40a, 40b) and side protectors 41 (41a, 41b) by a side impact from the vehicle V to the opposite side impact side. This suppresses the inward displacement of the EA members 40 (40a, 40b) and side protectors 41 (41a, 41b) on the side impact side in the lateral direction of the vehicle. The other second cross members 53 (53a, 53c, 53d) are positioned similarly.

[0034] In this embodiment, the EA member 40 (40a, 40b), the outer part Ot, and the inner part In correspond to examples of the "first member," "outer part," and "inner part" of this disclosure. The protruding wall 41T of the side protector 41 (41a, 41b) corresponds to an example of the "lap part" of this disclosure. The second cross member 53 corresponds to an example of the "cross member" of this disclosure.

[0035] Figure 5 illustrates the deformation of the side frame 21 when vehicle V collides with pole P. Figures 5(A) to 5(C) show examples of side collisions on the left side of vehicle V. Figure 5(A) shows the moment immediately before vehicle V collides with pole P due to a side collision. When vehicle V collides with pole P, as shown in Figure 5(B), the outer part Ot of the left EA member 40a deforms and absorbs the collision energy. At this time, the second cross member 53 transmits the side collision load (side collision input) applied to the left EA member 40a and the left side protector 41a to the opposite side collision side (right side frame 21b side). This suppresses the inward displacement (intrusion) of the left EA member 40a and the left side protector 41a in the lateral direction of the vehicle, and prevents the collision load from being input from the left EA member 40a and the left side protector 41a to the battery pack 30 (housing case 31).

[0036] As shown in Figure 5(C), when the pole P penetrates until it contacts the left side frame 21a, the left side frame 21a is displaced (deformed) inward in the lateral direction of the vehicle and contacts the protruding wall 41T of the left side protector 41a. Since the displacement (penetration) of the left side protector 41a inward in the lateral direction of the vehicle is suppressed by the second cross member 53, further deformation (penetration) of the left side frame 21a that has contacted the protruding wall 41T is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress large deformation of the left side frame 21a during a side collision of the vehicle V. In addition, it is possible to suppress the application of a collision load from the left side frame 21a to the battery pack 30. The same applies in the case of a side collision on the right side of the vehicle V.

[0037] In this embodiment, the protruding wall 41T of the side protector 41 (41a, 41b) is positioned between the flange portions 32a, 33a of the housing case 31 and the side frame 21 (21a, 21b) in the lateral direction of the vehicle. When the vehicle V is struck from the side, the side frame 21 (21a, 21b) comes into contact with the protruding wall 41T, preventing further deformation inward of the vehicle. This prevents the side frame 21 (21a, 21b) from coming into contact with the flange portions 32a, 33a, thereby preventing deformation of the flange portions 32a, 33a and ensuring the sealing (airtightness) of the housing case 31.

[0038] (modified version) Figure 6 illustrates the EA member 45 in a modified example. Figure 6 corresponds to an enlarged view of part A in Figure 4 of the above embodiment. In the above embodiment, a step is formed above the inner part In of the EA member 40 to receive the side protector 41, and the side protector 41 having a protruding wall 41T is arranged along this step in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The modified EA member 45 integrates the EA member 40 and the side protector 41.

[0039] Referring to Figure 6, the EA member 45 is positioned below the side frame 21 and extends along the side frame 21 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The lateral length (width) of the EA member 45 is longer than the lateral length (width) of the side frame 21. The EA member 45 includes an outer portion Ot located laterally outward from the side frame 21 and an inner portion In located laterally inward (towards the center of the vehicle) from the side frame 21. A protruding wall 45T extending upward from the vehicle is integrally formed on the inner portion In of the EA member 45. The protruding wall 45T protrudes to a position where it overlaps with the side frame 21 in the lateral direction (left-right direction of the vehicle). In the lateral direction of the vehicle, the protruding wall 45T is located between the flange portions 32a, 33a of the housing case 31 and the side frame 21.

[0040] In this modified example, the EA member 45 is prevented from being displaced (inserted) inward in the lateral direction of the vehicle by the second cross member 53, so that further deformation (insertion) of the side frame 21 that comes into contact with the protruding wall 45T during a side collision is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress large deformation of the side frame 21 during a side collision of the vehicle V.

[0041] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than by the description of the embodiments above, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0042] 1 Body, 2 Chassis frame, 21 Side frame, 21a Left side frame, 21b Right side frame, 22 Cross frame, 3 Battery pack assembly, 30 Battery pack, 31 Housing case, 32 Upper case, 32a Flange section, 33 Lower case, 33a Flange section, 35 Battery cell, 40 EA member, 40a Left EA member, 40b Right EA member, 41 Side protector, 41a Left side protector, 41b Right side protector, 41T Protruding wall, 50 Pack lower member, 51 Front / rear direction member, 52 First cross member, 53 Second cross member, In Inner part, Ot Outer part, V Vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle having a pair of side frames extending in the front-rear direction, A pair of first members are positioned below the pair of side frames, extending along the side frames and having a length in the vehicle's lateral direction that is longer than the vehicle's lateral length of the side frames, A cross member is positioned between the pair of first members and extends in the lateral direction of the vehicle, The first member includes an outer portion located laterally outward from the side frame and an inner portion located laterally inward from the side frame. The vehicle wherein the inner portion has a lap portion that overlaps with the side frame in the lateral direction of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein at least the outer portion of the first member is made of an impact-absorbing member that absorbs collision energy by deforming.

3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the wrap portion is composed of a separate member from the first member.

4. Equipped with an additional battery pack, The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the battery pack is positioned between the pair of side frames.

5. The battery pack includes a housing case for housing the batteries, The aforementioned housing case includes an upper case and a lower case, and the housing space for the battery is formed by joining flange portions formed on the peripheral edges of the upper case and the lower case. The vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the wrap portion is located between the flange portion and the side frame in the lateral direction of the vehicle.

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