Vehicles and on-board battery devices

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle and an in-vehicle battery device that can prevent the side wall of the battery case from coming into contact with the battery module. [Solution] The vehicle includes a battery device installed at the bottom of the vehicle body, and a door pocket located on the side of the vehicle body opposite the battery device in the vehicle width direction, which houses the lower roller of the sliding door when closed. The battery device includes a battery case having a side wall, a battery module housed inside the battery case, and a battery frame housed inside the battery case and interposed between the battery module and the side wall. The side wall has an inner surface facing the inside of the battery case and an outer surface facing the outside of the battery case. In at least the portion of the side wall facing the door pocket in the vehicle width direction, the outer surface is inclined to approach the inner surface from bottom to top, and a gap is provided between the inner surface and the battery frame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle and an on-vehicle battery device.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a structure in which a door pocket for accommodating a lower roller of a slide door is provided adjacent to a battery case installed on the bottom surface of a vehicle body (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The lower roller of the slide door is formed with high mechanical strength to support the relatively heavy slide door. For this reason, when a side impact load is input to the vehicle, the lower roller may move toward the center side of the vehicle together with the wall defining the door pocket, and may collide with the side wall of the battery case. If the side wall of the battery case deforms inward of the case or collapses, the side wall may come into contact with the battery module located inside the case.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle and an on-vehicle battery device capable of suppressing contact of the side wall of the battery case with the battery module.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] A vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention includes a battery device installed at the bottom of the vehicle body, and a door pocket provided on the side of the vehicle body at a position facing the battery device in the vehicle width direction, which houses the lower roller of a sliding door when closed. The battery device includes a battery case having a side wall, a battery module housed inside the battery case, and a battery frame housed inside the battery case and interposed between the battery module and the side wall. The side wall has an inner surface facing the inside of the battery case and an outer surface facing the outside of the battery case. In at least the portion of the side wall facing the door pocket in the vehicle width direction, the outer surface is inclined to approach the inner surface from bottom to top, and a gap is provided between the inner surface and the battery frame. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the side wall of the battery case from coming into contact with the battery module. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a part of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, specifically the floor portion. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view showing a rail section arranged in the space of a door pocket according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a support member slidably attached to the rail section. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an example configuration of a battery device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the internal configuration of the battery device shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the internal configuration of a battery device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the understructure of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]Figure 7 schematically shows the energy absorption by the side wall portion when a side impact load is applied from the right side of the vehicle toward the inward direction in the vehicle width direction in the understructure of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following description will explain a vehicle and an on-board battery device according to an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the drawings. In each figure, FR and RR indicate the front and rear of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, respectively. LH and RH indicate the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction, respectively. UP and DN indicate the top and bottom of the vehicle in the vertical direction, respectively. The side of the vehicle center in the vehicle width direction is also called the inside in the vehicle width direction, and the opposite side in the vehicle width direction is also called the outside in the vehicle width direction. In the following description, the front and rear of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction, and the top and bottom of the vehicle in the vertical direction may also be simply referred to as "vehicle front," "vehicle rear," "vehicle left," "vehicle right," "top," and "bottom," respectively. Elements having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0010] The vehicle substructure according to this embodiment can be applied to a vehicle driven by, for example, an electric motor (not shown). The vehicle also has a sliding door (see Figure 6, described later) located on its side. By opening and closing the sliding door, the vehicle's entrance and exit can be opened or closed. Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a part of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, specifically the floor section 1. As shown in Figure 1, the floor section 1 comprises, for example, a floor panel 2, a cross member 10, side members 20a, 20b, and side sill inners 30a, 30b.

[0011] The floor panel 2 is a component that constitutes the floor of the vehicle's passenger compartment. A battery device 60 (an example of the "battery device" of the present invention) is mounted below the floor panel 2 (i.e., at the bottom of the vehicle body). The battery device 60 is a power source that supplies power for driving the vehicle. The floor panel 2 is a panel material made of metal such as iron or steel, or resin. The floor panel 2 separates the inside of the vehicle's passenger compartment from the outside. In Figure 1, the central part of the floor panel 2 in the vehicle width direction, and a predetermined area near it, are formed by bending upwards to form a convex portion 3. The convex portion 3 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0012] A cross member 10, which constitutes part of the vehicle's body frame, may be attached to the floor panel 2. The cross member 10 extends from the left edge of the upper surface 2a of the floor panel 2 to the right edge of the upper surface 2a of the vehicle. The cross member 10 is joined to the upper surface 2a of the floor panel 2 using joining means such as welding. The cross member 10 is made of a metal such as iron or steel.

[0013] The vehicle's body frame members include side members 20a and 20b, and side sill inners 30a and 30b. The side members 20a and 20b are members attached to the underside of the floor panel 2. The side members 20a and 20b are joined to the underside of the floor panel 2 using joining means such as welding. Side member 20a is attached to the area of ​​the underside of the floor panel 2 that is to the right of the protrusion 3. Side member 20b is attached to the area of ​​the underside of the floor panel 2 that is to the left of the protrusion 3. The side members 20a and 20b are made of metal such as iron or steel.

[0014] The side sill inners 30a and 30b are components attached to the outer edges of the floor panel 2 in the vehicle width direction. Side sill inner 30a is attached to the right-side edge of the floor panel 2. Side sill inner 30b is attached to the left-side edge of the floor panel 2. The side sill inners 30a and 30b are joined to the floor panel 2 using joining means such as welding. The side sill inners 30a and 30b are made of metal such as iron or steel.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, a predetermined range of the side sill inners 30a and 30b in the vehicle's longitudinal direction is curved so as to be convex inward in the vehicle's width direction, and door pockets 40a and 40b are provided therein. That is, door pockets 40a and 40b are formed on the sides of the bottom of the vehicle body. Door pocket 40a is formed in the side sill inner 30a, and door pocket 40b is formed in the side sill inner 30b. Each of the door pockets 40a and 40b has a wall portion that defines space S1.

[0016] The structure of the floor section 1 is not limited to the illustrated example; for example, only one of the door pockets 40a and 40b may be formed. That is, the vehicle to which the technology of the present invention is applied may be a vehicle to which sliding doors are attached to the right side and the left side of the vehicle, or a vehicle to which sliding doors are attached to either one of them.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the door pocket 40a comprises a vertical wall portion 41 and an upper wall portion 42 as wall portions. The vertical wall portion 41 defines the inner side of the space S1 in the vehicle width direction. The upper wall portion 42 defines the upper side of the space S1. The lower side of the space S1 is defined by the portion of the floor panel 2 that is located outside the vertical wall portion 41 in the vehicle width direction. The door pocket 40b has the same configuration as the door pocket 40a.

[0018] A space S1 defined by the wall portion of the door pocket 40a accommodates a support member 50 (see FIG. 2 described later) that supports the lower portion of the sliding door of the vehicle when the sliding door is closed. Further, at least a part of a rail portion 52 (see FIG. 2 described later) that supports the support member 50 is disposed in the space S1. The space S1 defined by the wall portion of the door pocket 40b is also the same as the space S1 of the aforementioned door pocket 40a; for example, at least a part of the rail portion 52 is disposed therein, and the support member 50 is accommodated therein when the sliding door is closed.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the rail portion 52 disposed in the space S1 of the door pocket according to the embodiment of the present invention, and the support member 50 slidably attached to the rail portion 52. As shown in FIG. 2, the rail portion 52 includes a rail 53 on which a lower roller 51 of the support member 50 is slidably disposed. On the outer side of the support member 50 in the vehicle width direction, an inner portion of the sliding door in the vehicle width direction is fixed using a fastener such as a bolt. Further, the support member 50 includes the lower roller 51 disposed inside the rail 53. Therefore, the support member 50 is movable along the rail 53. In a state where the sliding door closes the entrance / exit (that is, when the sliding door is closed), the lower roller 51 is positioned at an end portion of the rail 53 on the front side of the vehicle as illustrated in FIG. 2. At this time, the support member 50 is accommodated in the space S1. In the state where the support member 50 is accommodated in the space S1, the support member 50 faces the battery device 60 in the vehicle width direction.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a battery device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration example of the battery device shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing an internal configuration example of a battery device 60 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the battery device 60 includes a lower case 61 (which is an example of the "battery case" in the present invention) and an upper cover 62. The lower case 61 is a member that forms a lower portion of the battery device 60. The lower case 61 is a bottomed box-shaped member opened at an upper side of a vehicle, and has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. The lower case 61 includes a plate 68 as a bottom portion on which members and the like incorporated in the battery device 60 can be arranged. The plate 68 may be a flat surface, or may have irregularities according to the shape of members and the like incorporated in the battery device 60.

[0021] The lower case 61 and the plate 68 are made of a metal such as aluminum (Al) or an Al alloy, for example. For example, the lower case 61 and the plate 68 are formed by extrusion or casting of Al. The upper cover 62 is a member that forms an upper portion of the battery device 60, and is a panel material having a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. The upper cover 62 is made of a metal such as iron, for example. The upper cover 62 and the lower case 61 are fastened at their peripheral edges using a fastener (not shown) such as a bolt. By closing the upper opening of the lower case 61 with the upper cover 62, the interior of the battery device 60 is hermetically sealed.

[0022] A battery module 63 is arranged at a bottom portion of the lower case 61. The battery module 63 is a modular component in which battery cells (not shown) are arranged. A wiring member (not shown) such as a bus bar that electrically connects the battery modules 63 to each other is disposed inside the battery device 60.

[0023] The structure of the battery cell is not particularly limited. For example, a battery cell may be constructed by covering a plurality of electrically connected laminate cells (not shown) with a metal outer casing. A laminate cell may be constructed by sealing a power generation element, in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are stacked with a separator, together with an electrolyte, in a laminate film. The battery cell may be a lithium-ion secondary battery.

[0024] A battery frame 65 is positioned at the bottom of the lower case 61. The battery frame 65 is positioned adjacent to the side of the battery module 63. There may or may not be a gap between the battery module 63 and the battery frame 65. The battery frame 65 is made of a metal such as Al or an Al alloy. For example, the battery frame 65 is formed by extrusion of Al.

[0025] The battery device 60 may include electronic equipment 66. For example, the electronic equipment 66 is positioned above the battery module 63 via a bracket 67. The electronic equipment 66 may also be an auxiliary device having a junction box, disconnect switch, relay, controller for managing the capacity, voltage, temperature, etc., of the battery module 63.

[0026] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the understructure of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, Figure 6 shows a cross-section of the understructure of the vehicle, including the battery device 60, cut by a plane parallel to the vehicle width direction and perpendicular to the vehicle's longitudinal direction. Although Figure 6 shows an example of the configuration on the right side of the vehicle, at least the battery device 60 and the mounting portion 69 described later have the same configuration on the left side of the vehicle as on the right side.

[0027] As shown in Figure 6, the battery unit 60 is mounted below the floor panel 2 (see Figure 1). For example, mounting portions 69 are provided on the lower left side (not shown) and the lower right side of the lower case 61, and these mounting portions 69 are fixed to the side members 20a (see Figure 1) and 20b, respectively. For example, they are fixed by fastening the mounting portions 69 to the side members 20a and 20b using fasteners 71 such as bolts.

[0028] As shown in Figure 6, the side wall portion 611 of the lower case 61 has an inner surface 6111 facing inward from the lower case 61 and an outer surface 6112 facing outward from the lower case 61. Of the side wall portion 611, at least in the portion facing the door pockets 40a and 40b in the vehicle width direction, the outer surface 6112 is inclined to approach the inner surface 6111 as it goes from bottom to top (i.e., it approaches the inside in the vehicle width direction as it goes upward). In other words, of the side wall portion 611, at least in the portion facing the door pockets 40a and 40b in the vehicle width direction, the outer surface 6112 is inclined with respect to the vehicle's vertical direction, and the outer surface 6112 is inclined to face upward. In addition, of the side wall portion 611, at least in the portion facing the door pockets 40a and 40b in the vehicle width direction, a gap S2 is provided between the inner surface 6111 and the battery frame 65.

[0029] For example, the cross-sectional shape obtained by cutting the side wall portion 611 with a plane parallel to the vehicle width direction and perpendicular to the vehicle's longitudinal direction has a trapezoidal shape with an inclined outer surface 6112. The inclination is with respect to the vehicle's vertical direction, and is such that it faces upwards. On the other hand, the inner surface 6111 of this trapezoid does not have to be inclined. The inner surface 6111 may be a plane parallel to the vehicle's vertical direction.

[0030] In the vehicle width direction, a gap S2 is provided between the inner surface 6111 of the side wall 611 and the battery frame 65. The length d1 of this gap S2 in the vehicle width direction is shorter than the height h1 of the side wall 611 in the vehicle vertical direction. Also, the battery frame 65 is shorter in height than the side wall 611. If the height of the battery frame 65 in the vehicle vertical direction is h2, then h1 > h2.

[0031] (Effects of the embodiment) As described above, the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a battery device 60 installed at the bottom of the vehicle body, and door pockets 40a and 40b provided on the side of the bottom of the vehicle body at a position facing the battery device 60 in the vehicle width direction, and which house the lower roller 51 of the sliding door when closed. The battery device 60 includes a lower case 61 having a side wall portion 611, a battery module 63 housed inside the lower case 61, and a battery frame 65 housed inside the lower case 61 and interposed between the battery module 63 and the side wall portion 611. The side wall portion 611 has an inner surface 6111 facing inward from the lower case 61 and an outer surface 6112 facing outward from the lower case 61. Of the side wall portion 611, at least in the portion facing the door pockets 40a and 40b in the vehicle width direction, the outer surface 6112 is inclined to approach the inner surface 6111 as it goes from bottom to top. Furthermore, in that portion, a gap S2 is provided between the inner surface 6111 and the battery frame 65.

[0032] Figure 7 schematically shows the energy absorption by the side wall portion when a side impact load is applied from the right side of the vehicle toward the inward direction in the vehicle width direction in the understructure of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 7, when a side impact load is applied from the side of the vehicle toward the inward direction in the vehicle width direction, the side wall portion 611 can absorb energy by tilting and deforming toward the inward direction in the vehicle width direction while reducing the gap S2. This increases the energy absorption margin when a side impact load is applied.

[0033] Furthermore, since the outer surface 6112 of the side wall portion 611 is inclined, it becomes easier to release the lateral impact load from the door pocket upward. For example, suppose the lower case 61, including the side wall portion 611, is made of Al or an Al alloy for the purpose of weight reduction, and a lateral impact load is input from the right side of the vehicle, causing the relatively rigid lower roller 51 to come into contact with the side wall portion 611 together with the wall portion of the door pocket 40a (for example, the vertical wall portion 41). Even in such a case, the outer surface 6112 of the side wall portion 611 can deflect the lower roller 51 and the wall portion of the door pocket 40a upward. The lateral impact load can be released upward, and the amount of deformation of the side wall portion 611 can be kept low.

[0034] In this way, when a lateral impact load is applied to the battery device 60, the gap S2 between the side wall 611 and the battery frame 65 absorbs the energy, and the inclination of the outer surface 6112 allows the lateral impact load to escape upward, thereby preventing the side wall 611 from contacting the battery module 63. Since this is not reinforcement with additional parts, the battery module 63 can be protected while keeping the mass increase to a minimum.

[0035] Furthermore, the battery frame 65 is lower in height than the side wall 611. This allows for increased tilting deformation of the side wall 611 when a side impact load is applied from the side of the vehicle in the width direction. This allows for further energy absorption. The energy absorption margin when a side impact load is applied can be further increased.

[0036] An embodiment of the present invention provides an on-board battery device 60 mounted on the bottom of a vehicle body, facing in the vehicle width direction the door pockets 40a and 40b that house the lower roller 51 of the sliding door when closed, and comprising a lower case 61 having a side wall portion 611, a battery module 63 housed inside the lower case 61, and a battery frame 65 housed inside the lower case 61 and interposed between the battery module 63 and the side wall portion 611. The side wall portion 611 has an inner surface 6111 facing inward from the lower case 61 and an outer surface 6112 facing outward from the lower case 61. In at least the portion of the side wall portion 611 facing the door pockets 40a and 40b in the vehicle width direction, the outer surface 6112 is inclined to approach the inner surface 6111 as it moves from bottom to top. Furthermore, in this portion, a gap S2 is provided between the inner surface 6111 and the battery frame 65.

[0037] According to this design, when a lateral impact load is applied to the battery device 60, the gap S2 between the side wall 611 and the battery frame 65 absorbs the energy, and the inclination of the outer surface 6112 allows the lateral impact load to escape upward, thereby preventing the side wall 611 from contacting the battery module 63. Since this is not reinforcement with additional parts, it is possible to protect the battery module 63 while keeping the mass increase to a minimum.

[0038] (Other embodiments) As described above, the present invention has been described by embodiments, but the descriptions and drawings that constitute part of this disclosure should not be understood as limiting the invention. Various alternative embodiments and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. For example, Figure 6 or 7 shows the case where the inclination of the outer surface 6112 of the side wall portion 611 is straight, but this inclination may include a curve. Also, the inclination of the outer surface 6112 may be provided only on the upper part of the side wall portion 611 facing the door pocket.

[0039] Thus, this technology naturally includes various embodiments not described herein. Within the scope of the embodiments described above, at least one of various omissions, substitutions, and modifications of the components can be made. Furthermore, the effects described herein are merely illustrative and not limiting, and other effects may also exist. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1...Floor section, 2...Floor panel, 2a...Top surface, 3...Protruding section, 10...Cross member, 20a...Side member, 20b...Side member, 30a, 30b...Side sill inner, 40a, 40b...Door pocket, 41...Vertical wall section, 42...Upper wall section, 50...Support member, 51...Lower roller, 52...Rail section, 53...Rail, 60...Battery device, 61...Lower case, 62...Upper cover, 63...Battery module, 65...Battery frame, 66...Electronic equipment, 67...Bracket, 68...Plate, 69...Mounting section, 71...Fastener, 611...Side wall section, 6111...Inner surface, 6112...Outer surface, S1...Space, S2...Gap

Claims

1. The battery unit is installed at the bottom of the vehicle body, The vehicle body side is provided at a position opposite the battery device in the vehicle width direction, and includes a door pocket in which the lower roller of the sliding door is housed when closed, The aforementioned battery device A battery case having side walls, A battery module housed inside the aforementioned battery case, The battery case is housed inside the battery case and has a battery frame interposed between the battery module and the side wall portion, The aforementioned side wall portion is The inner surface of the aforementioned battery case facing inward, The battery case has an outer surface facing outwards, Of the aforementioned side wall portion, at least the portion facing the door pocket in the vehicle width direction, A vehicle in which the outer surface is inclined to approach the inner surface from bottom to top, and a gap is provided between the inner surface and the battery frame.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the battery frame is lower in height than the side wall portion.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the battery case is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

4. An on-board battery device mounted on the underside of the vehicle body, facing the door pocket in the vehicle width direction, where the lower roller of the sliding door is housed when closed, A battery case having side walls, A battery module housed inside the aforementioned battery case, The battery case is housed inside the battery case and has a battery frame interposed between the battery module and the side wall portion, The aforementioned side wall portion is The inner surface of the aforementioned battery case facing inward, The battery case has an outer surface facing outwards, Of the aforementioned side wall portion, at least the portion facing the door pocket in the vehicle width direction, An in-vehicle battery device wherein the outer surface is inclined to approach the inner surface from bottom to top, and a gap is provided between the inner surface and the battery frame.

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