Battery pack protection structure

Abstract

To provide a battery pack protection structure that can protect the connection between the battery pack and the exhaust duct, as well as the inside of the battery pack, from impacts during frontal or side collisions of a vehicle. [Solution] The battery connection portion 21 is made of an L-shaped resin having a first extension portion 21A that extends forward and is connected to the battery pack 10, and a second extension portion 21B that extends from the rear end of the first extension portion 21A in one direction in the vehicle width direction. The second extension portion 21B is positioned on the other side of one end of the bracket 30 in the vehicle width direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a protection structure for a battery pack.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a technique in which a smoke exhaust passage is provided in a power storage device, this smoke exhaust passage is connected to a smoke exhaust duct, and a ventilation passage communicating with the outside of the vehicle is formed inside the smoke exhaust duct. In Patent Document 1, the power storage device is provided on the upper surface of the floor panel. Further, the power storage device includes a battery case, a plurality of unit cells, and a duct, and the plurality of unit cells and the duct are arranged inside the battery case. Further, the smoke exhaust duct is connected to the right end of the duct located outside the battery case.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional technology described in Patent Document 1, the battery pack may be damaged by the impact during a vehicle collision. That is, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, since the connection portion between the smoke exhaust duct and the battery case is arranged at the right end (vehicle side end) of the duct, there is a risk that the connection portion and the inside of the battery case will be damaged during a frontal collision or a side collision of the vehicle.

[0005] The present invention has been made paying attention to the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a protection structure for a battery pack that can protect the connection portion between the battery pack and the smoke exhaust duct and the inside of the battery pack from the impact during a frontal collision or a side collision of the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention relates to a protective structure for a battery pack in a vehicle, comprising: a floor panel constituting the floor surface of the passenger compartment; a battery pack positioned below the front seat on one side in the vehicle width direction of the upper surface of the floor panel; a bracket covering the battery pack and fixed to the floor panel; an exhaust port formed on one side of the bracket in the vehicle width direction of the floor panel and communicating with the outside of the passenger compartment below the floor panel; a battery connection portion connected to the rear surface of the battery pack; an exhaust port connection portion connected to the exhaust port; and a hose portion connecting the battery connection portion and the exhaust port connection portion, wherein the smoke exhaust duct discharges gas generated by the battery pack to the outside of the passenger compartment, wherein the battery connection portion is made of L-shaped resin having a first extension portion that extends forward and is connected to the battery pack, and a second extension portion that extends from the rear end of the first extension portion in one direction in the vehicle width direction, and the second extension portion is positioned on the other side of one end of the bracket in the vehicle width direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery pack protection structure that can protect the connection between the battery pack and the exhaust duct, as well as the inside of the battery pack, from impacts during frontal and side collisions of a vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a plan view of a vehicle equipped with a battery pack protection structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a battery pack and cover equipped with a protective structure for a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a battery pack equipped with a protective structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]Figure 4 is a plan view of a battery pack and cover equipped with a battery pack protection structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a rear view of a battery pack and cover equipped with a protective structure for a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a plan view of a battery pack and a smoke exhaust duct equipped with a battery pack protection structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a battery pack and exhaust duct equipped with a battery pack protection structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A battery pack protection structure according to one embodiment of the present invention is a battery pack protection structure in a vehicle comprising: a floor panel constituting the floor surface of the passenger compartment; a battery pack positioned below the front seat on one side in the vehicle width direction of the upper surface of the floor panel; a bracket covering the battery pack and fixed to the floor panel; an exhaust port formed on one side of the bracket in the vehicle width direction on the floor panel and communicating with the outside of the passenger compartment below the floor panel; a battery connection portion connected to the rear surface of the battery pack; an exhaust port connection portion connected to the exhaust port; and a hose portion connecting the battery connection portion and the exhaust port connection portion, wherein the battery connection portion is made of L-shaped resin having a first extension portion that extends forward and is connected to the battery pack, and a second extension portion that extends from the rear end of the first extension portion in one direction in the vehicle width direction, and the second extension portion is positioned on the other side of one end of the bracket in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the battery pack protection structure according to one embodiment of the present invention can protect the connection between the battery pack and the exhaust duct, as well as the inside of the battery pack, from impacts during frontal or side collisions of the vehicle. [Examples]

[0010] The following describes a battery pack protection structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 7 show the battery pack protection structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. In Figures 1 to 7, the directions indicated by up, down, right, and left are the directions as viewed from the driver's seat.

[0011] First, let's explain the configuration. In Figure 1, vehicle 1 has a body 2. The body 2 has a floor panel 3, and the floor panel 3 constitutes the floor surface of the passenger compartment 8.

[0012] A floor tunnel 4 extending in the longitudinal direction is provided in the center of the floor panel 3 in the vehicle width direction. The floor tunnel 4 protrudes upward in a trapezoidal shape. Left and right side sills 9L and 9R extending in the longitudinal direction are provided at both ends of the floor panel 3 in the vehicle width direction.

[0013] The floor panel 3 is provided with seat cross members 5 and 6 that extend in the vehicle width direction. The seat cross members 5 and 6 support the front seats 7 via seat rails (not shown).

[0014] The seat cross members 5 and 6 are connected to the floor tunnel 4 and the left and right side sills 9L and 9R, respectively, and protrude upward in a trapezoidal shape. The seat cross member 6 is located behind the seat cross member 5.

[0015] The right front seat 7 is located on one side (the right side) of the upper surface of the floor panel 3 in the vehicle width direction. The right side (the right side) of the upper surface of the floor panel 3 in the vehicle width direction refers to the portion of the floor panel 3 enclosed by the floor tunnel 4 and the right side sill 9R. The battery pack 10 is located on the upper surface of the floor panel 3 below the front seat 7.

[0016] The battery pack 10 is disposed between the front and rear seat cross members 5 and 6. The battery pack 10 is a battery pack formed by combining a plurality of battery modules each consisting of a plurality of cells not shown. The battery pack 10 supplies power of, for example, 48 V to electrical components and a motor not shown in the vehicle 1.

[0017] An exhaust port 3A (see FIG. 4) is formed in the floor panel 3. The exhaust port 3A communicates with the outside of the vehicle body below the floor panel 3. The exhaust port 3A is formed in the vicinity of one side surface (right side surface) in the vehicle width direction of the bracket 30 in the floor panel 3.

[0018] In FIG. 3, the battery pack 10 is covered with the bracket 30. The bracket 30 is fixed to the floor panel 3.

[0019] In FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5, the battery pack 10 covered with the bracket 30 is further covered with a resin cover 40.

[0020] In FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the bracket 30 has a front surface 31 covering the front surface of the battery pack 10, a rear surface 32 covering the rear surface of the battery pack 10, a left side surface 33 covering the left side surface of the battery pack 10, a right side surface 34 covering the right side surface of the battery pack 10, an upper surface 35 covering the upper surface of the battery pack 10, and a bottom surface 36 covering the bottom surface of the battery pack 10.

[0021] Further, the bracket 30 has a front leg portion 37 fixed to the upper surface of the seat cross member 5, a rear leg portion 38 fixed to the upper surface of the floor panel 3 in the vicinity behind the battery pack 10, and a left leg portion 39 fixed to the upper surface of the floor panel 3 in the vicinity to the left of the battery pack 10.

[0022] Further, the bracket 30 has a lower bracket 30A covering the bottom surface and the lower portion of the side surface of the battery pack 10, and an upper bracket 30B covering the upper surface and the upper portion of the side surface of the battery pack 10 and overlapping with the lower bracket on the side surface of the battery pack 10.

[0023] In Figure 3, a smoke exhaust duct 20 is connected to the battery pack 10, and the smoke exhaust duct 20 discharges the gas generated by the battery pack 10 to the outside of the vehicle. The smoke exhaust duct 20 has a battery connection part 21 connected to the rear of the battery pack 10, an exhaust port connection part 22 connected to the exhaust port 3A, and a hose part 23 connecting the battery connection part 21 and the exhaust port connection part 22. The battery connection part 21 and the exhaust port connection part 22 are made of hard resin, and the hose part 23 is made of rubber.

[0024] The hose section 23 extends from the battery connection section 21 along the rear surface 32 of the bracket 30 in one direction in the vehicle width direction, curves at one end of the bracket 30 in the vehicle width direction, extends forward of the vehicle, and is then connected to the exhaust port connection section 22.

[0025] In Figures 2, 4, and 5, the bracket 30 and the smoke exhaust duct 20 are covered from above and from the side by the cover 40.

[0026] The front surface 41 of the cover 40 covers the bracket 30 from the front and is opposed to the front surface 31 of the bracket 30 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

[0027] The rear surface 42 of the cover 40 covers the bracket 30 from the rear and faces the rear surface 32 of the bracket 30 and the exhaust duct 20 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0028] The left side surface 43 of the cover 40 covers the bracket 30 from the left and is opposite the left side surface 33 of the bracket 30 in the vehicle width direction.

[0029] The right side surface 44 of the cover 40 covers the bracket 30 from the right and is opposite the right side surface 34 of the bracket 30 in the vehicle width direction.

[0030] The upper surface 45 of the cover 40 covers the bracket 30 from above and faces the upper surface 35 of the bracket 30 and the exhaust duct 20 in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0031] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the portion of the upper surface 45 of the cover 40 near the left end is fixed to the portion of the upper surface 35 of the bracket 30 near the left end by a clip 51. The portion of the upper surface 45 of the cover 40 near the right end is fixed to the portion of the upper surface 35 of the bracket 30 near the right end by a clip 52. Furthermore, the portion of the front surface 41 of the cover 40 near the right end forms a projection 47 that protrudes forward, and this projection 47 covers the front leg portion 37 of the bracket 30 from above. A triangular projection (not shown) is formed on the inner surface of the front end of the projection 47, which engages with the front end of the front leg portion 37, and the projection 47 of the cover 40 is locked by the front leg portion 37. In this way, the cover 40 is fixed to the bracket 30 at three points.

[0032] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the battery connection portion 21 is made of an L-shaped resin having a first extension portion 21A that extends forward and is connected to the battery pack 10, and a second extension portion 21B that extends from the rear end of the first extension portion 21A in one direction in the vehicle width direction. The second extension portion 21B is positioned on the other side of one end of the bracket 30 in the vehicle width direction.

[0033] In other words, the second extension portion 21B is positioned to the left of position P1 on the right side surface 34, which is one end of the bracket 30 in the vehicle width direction.

[0034] The exhaust port 3A is located on one side (the right side) of the bracket 30 in the vehicle width direction on the floor panel 3, and is formed between the front end and the rear end of the bracket 30.

[0035] More specifically, the exhaust port 3A is located to the right of position P1 of the right side surface 34 of the bracket 30 in the vehicle width direction, and is formed in the vehicle longitudinal direction between the front end position P3 where the front surface 31 of the bracket 30 is located and the rear end position P2 where the rear surface 32 is located.

[0036] The exhaust duct 20 extends horizontally from the second extension portion 21B toward one side in the vehicle width direction, and curves toward the front of the vehicle at one end of the bracket 30 in the vehicle width direction and is connected to the exhaust port 3A.

[0037] In Figures 3 and 5, the exhaust port connection portion 22 is positioned below the bottom surface 36 of the bracket 30 in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0038] In Figures 6 and 7, the hose portion 23 has a bulging portion 23A that bulges toward the corner portion 30D formed by the rear surface 32 of the bracket 30 and one side surface (right side surface 34) in the vehicle width direction. A strip-shaped sealing member 24 made of an elastic material is sandwiched between the bulging portion 23A and the corner portion 30D. As the sealing member 24, for example, a sponge-like foamed resin, rubber, elastomer, etc. can be used.

[0039] In Figures 3 and 7, a stepped portion 30C is formed at the corner 30D of the bracket 30 due to the overlap of the lower bracket 30A and the upper bracket 30B. The sealing member 24 is positioned at the corner 30D so as to straddle the stepped portion 30C.

[0040] In this way, the sealing member 24, which is made of an elastic material, is fixed in position by being sandwiched between the bulging portion 23A and the corner portion 30D. Furthermore, the sealing member 24 that is positioned to straddle the stepped portion 30C is fixed in position by being locked to the stepped portion 30C. The sealing member 24 is fixed to the bulging portion 23A by adhesive in order to stabilize its position and to reliably prevent it from falling off.

[0041] As described above, in this embodiment, the battery connection portion 21 is made of an L-shaped resin having a first extension portion 21A that extends forward and is connected to the battery pack 10, and a second extension portion 21B that extends from the rear end of the first extension portion 21A in one direction in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the second extension portion 21B is positioned on the other side of one end of the bracket 30 in the vehicle width direction.

[0042] As a result, the first extension portion 21A and the second extension portion 21B are bent in an L-shape, making the battery connection portion 21 more compact, and allowing the battery pack 10 to be placed in the narrow space below the front seat 7.

[0043] Furthermore, by positioning the second extension portion 21B to the other side of one end of the bracket 30 in the vehicle width direction, the entire battery connection portion 21 fits into the space behind the bracket 30. This prevents damage to the resin battery connection portion 21 during frontal collisions or side collisions from the right, and prevents damage to the inside of the battery pack 10 connected to the battery connection portion 21. As a result, the battery pack 10 can be protected from impact during frontal and side collisions of the vehicle 1.

[0044] In this embodiment, the exhaust port 3A is formed on one side of the bracket 30 in the vehicle width direction on the floor panel 3, between the front and rear ends of the bracket 30. The exhaust duct 20 extends horizontally from the second extension portion 21B toward one side in the vehicle width direction, curves forward at one end of the bracket 30 in the vehicle width direction, and connects to the exhaust port 3A. The hose portion 23 is made of rubber.

[0045] As a result, because the hose section 23 is made of rubber, it can function as a cushioning material when it is located near the exterior side of the battery pack 10 during a side collision, thereby reducing the impact on the battery pack 10. In addition, by providing the exhaust port 3A in a position that overlaps with the battery pack 10 when viewed from the side from the outside of the vehicle, the surface area of ​​the hose section 23 located near the exterior side of the battery pack 10 is increased, allowing it to function as a cushioning material even more effectively.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the exhaust port connection portion 22 is made of resin and is positioned below the bottom surface 36 of the bracket 30 in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0047] As a result, the rigid resin exhaust port connection part 22 is positioned below the bottom surface 36 of the bracket 30, which prevents the exhaust port connection part 22 from directly hitting the battery pack 10 during a side collision of the vehicle 1, thereby preventing damage to the battery pack 10.

[0048] In this embodiment, the hose portion 23 has a bulging portion 23A that bulges toward the corner portion 30D formed by the rear surface 32 of the bracket 30 and one side surface in the vehicle width direction, and an elastic sealing member 24 is sandwiched between the bulging portion 23A and the corner portion 30D.

[0049] This allows the position of the hose section 23 relative to the bracket 30 to be fixed, ensuring that the hose section 23 functions reliably as a cushioning material. It also suppresses noise caused by vibrations of the hose section 23 and prevents damage to the hose section 23 due to friction with the bracket 30. Furthermore, by providing a bulge 23A on the hose section 23, it becomes easier to position the sealing member 24, increasing the contact area with the bracket 30.

[0050] In this embodiment, the bracket 30 includes a lower bracket 30A that covers the bottom and lower sides of the battery pack 10, and an upper bracket 30B that covers the top and upper sides of the battery pack 10 and overlaps with the lower bracket on the sides of the battery pack 10. A stepped portion 30C is formed at the corner 30D due to the overlap of the lower bracket 30A and the upper bracket 30B, and the sealing member 24 is positioned at the corner 30D so as to straddle the stepped portion 30C.

[0051] As a result, the sealing member 24 is locked into the stepped portion 30C of the corner portion 30D of the bracket, thereby fixing the position of the sealing member 24 and stabilizing the positions of the sealing member 24 and the hose portion 23.

[0052] In this embodiment, the sealing member 24 is fixed to the bulging portion 23A by adhesive.

[0053] As a result, the sealing member 24 is fixed to the bulging portion 23A by adhesive, thereby fixing the position of the sealing member 24. This stabilizes the positions of the sealing member 24 and the hose portion 23, and reliably prevents the sealing member 24 from falling off.

[0054] While embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. All such modifications and equivalents are intended to be included in the following claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 1 vehicle 3 Floor Panels 3A Exhaust port 7 Front Seats 8 Cabin 10 Battery Packs 20 Smoke exhaust duct 21 Battery connection 21A 1st extension section 21B 2nd extension section 22 Exhaust port connection 23 Hose section 23A Bulge 24 sealing member 30 brackets 30A Lower bracket 30B Upper bracket 30C Step part 30D corner 32 Rear 34 Right side (one side in the width direction of the vehicle) 36 Bottom P1 Position (position of one end in the vehicle width direction) P2 rear end position P3 front end position

Claims

1. The floor panel that makes up the floor surface of the vehicle interior, On one side of the upper surface of the floor panel in the vehicle width direction, a battery pack is positioned below the front seat, A bracket that covers the battery pack and is fixed to the floor panel, An exhaust port is formed on one side of the bracket in the vehicle width direction of the floor panel, and communicates with the outside of the vehicle compartment below the floor panel, A protective structure for a battery pack in a vehicle, comprising a battery connection portion connected to the rear surface of the battery pack, an exhaust port connection portion connected to the exhaust port, and a hose portion connecting the battery connection portion and the exhaust port connection portion, and an exhaust duct for discharging gas generated by the battery pack to the outside of the vehicle compartment, The battery connection portion is made of L-shaped resin and has a first extension portion that extends forward and is connected to the battery pack, and a second extension portion that extends from the rear end of the first extension portion in one direction in the vehicle width direction. The battery pack protection structure is characterized in that the second extension portion is positioned on the other side of one end of the bracket in the vehicle width direction.

2. The exhaust port is formed on one side of the bracket in the vehicle width direction on the floor panel, between the front end and the rear end of the bracket. The exhaust duct extends horizontally from the second extension toward one side in the vehicle width direction, curves toward the front of the vehicle at one end of the bracket in the vehicle width direction, and is connected to the exhaust port. The battery pack protection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the hose portion is made of rubber.

3. The battery pack protection structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the exhaust port connection portion is made of resin and is positioned below the bottom surface of the bracket in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

4. The hose portion has a bulging portion that protrudes toward the corner formed by the rear surface of the bracket and one side surface in the vehicle width direction. The battery pack protection structure according to claim 3, characterized in that a sealing member made of an elastic material is sandwiched between the bulging portion and the corner portion.

5. The bracket comprises a lower bracket that covers the bottom and lower sides of the battery pack, and an upper bracket that covers the top and upper sides of the battery pack and overlaps with the lower bracket on the sides of the battery pack. A step is formed at the corner due to the overlap between the lower bracket and the upper bracket. The protective structure for a battery pack according to claim 4, characterized in that the sealing member is arranged in the corner so as to straddle the stepped portion.

6. The protective structure for a battery pack according to claim 4, characterized in that the sealing member is fixed to the bulging portion by adhesive.

Images