Vehicle battery case

Abstract

To provide a battery case capable of improving durability to side collision.SOLUTION: Left and right side frames 15 of a battery case 10 comprise: a side wall part 32 which is provided at a side facing the other side wall part, and an EA part 31 provided at a side opposite to the facing side. The EA part 31 comprises: an EA upper plate part 311 and an EA lower plate part 312 whose upper face and lower face are plate-shaped parts which are at a right angle in a vertical direction and which are mutually separated in the vertical direction. The side wall part 32 comprises; a first rib shaped part 325 and a second rib shaped part 326 whose upper face and lower face are plate-shaped parts which are at a right angle in the vertical direction and which are mutually separated in the vertical direction. An extension line L1 of a center line in the thickness direction of the EA upper plate part 311 passes inside of the first rib shaped part 325 and an extension line L2 of a center line of the EA lower plate part 312 in the thickness direction passes inside of the second rib shaped part 326.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery case for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] A battery case that houses the battery of an electric vehicle (EV, PHV (plug-in hybrid vehicle), HV (hybrid vehicle), etc.) is disposed, for example, in the lower part of the vehicle, between the rocker panels. Furthermore, in an electric vehicle, it is required that the battery be protected in the event of a side collision. For this reason, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle lower part configuration in which impact absorbing parts are provided on the inside of the left and right rocker panels in the vehicle width direction. The battery case is disposed between these impact absorbing parts. With such a configuration, the energy of a side collision can be absorbed by the impact absorbing parts provided on the rocker panels, thereby reducing the impact on the battery housed in the battery case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-110003 A Summary of the Invention

[0004] (Problem to be solved by the invention) However, in the vehicle lower structure disclosed in Patent Document 1, if the shock absorbing portion of the rocker panel is deformed so as to move inward in the vehicle width direction due to a side collision, the shock absorbing portion may come into contact with the side wall of the battery case, causing an impact on the battery. Also, if the side wall of the battery case is deformed, the deformed side wall of the battery case may collide with the battery and damage the battery. Thus, the vehicle lower structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 may not be able to adequately protect the battery in the event of a side collision.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a battery case that can improve the effect of protecting a battery from a side collision.

[0006] (Means for solving the problem) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a battery case for a vehicle, comprising: two side frames spaced apart in a first direction and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the side frames being capable of housing a battery therebetween; and, a bottom plate member having one end in the first direction joined to one of the two side frames and the other end in the first direction joined to the other of the two side frames, and having one surface in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction on which a battery can be placed; It has The two side frames each have an energy absorbing portion having a space formed therein, and a side wall portion provided on a proximate side that is closer to the other side frame than the energy absorbing portion and having a space formed therein, The energy absorbing portion is The third direction a first plate-shaped portion and a second plate-shaped portion spaced apart from each other and extending in the first direction and the second direction, The side wall portion is a third plate-shaped portion extending in a direction intersecting the first direction and in the second direction, the third plate-shaped portion being joined to the proximal end portions of the first plate-shaped portion and the second plate-shaped portion; A fourth plate-shaped portion extending in a direction intersecting the first direction and in the second direction and disposed on the proximal side of the third plate-shaped portion at a distance from the third plate-shaped portion; The proximal end of the proximal end portion of the first and second directions is four The end portion of the plate-shaped portion is connected to the proximal end portion. three A first rib-shaped portion and a second rib-shaped portion connected to the plate-shaped portion; It has When viewed in the second direction, an extension line of a center line in a thickness direction of the first plate-shaped portion passes through an interior of the first rib-shaped portion, and an extension line of a center line in a thickness direction of the second plate-shaped portion passes through an interior of the second rib-shaped portion. Cage , a distance in the third direction from a joint between the bottom plate member and the side wall portion to the first rib portion is greater than a distance from the joint between the bottom plate member and the side wall portion to the second rib portion, The first rib-shaped portion has a thickness greater than a thickness of the first plate-shaped portion.

[0007] According to the present invention, the rigidity of the side frame can be increased. Specifically, when an external force is applied to the energy absorbing portion from the outside in the second direction due to a side impact or the like, the external force is transmitted to the side wall portion through the first plate-shaped portion and the second plate-shaped portion of the energy absorbing portion. Since an extension line of the center line in the thickness direction of the first plate-shaped portion passes through the inside of the first rib-shaped portion and an extension line of the center line in the thickness direction of the second plate-shaped portion passes through the inside of the second rib-shaped portion, the external force transmitted to the side wall portion through the first plate-shaped portion and the second plate-shaped portion is directly received by the first rib-shaped portion and the second rib-shaped portion of the side wall portion. Therefore, deformation of the side wall portion can be prevented or suppressed compared to a configuration in which the first rib-shaped portion and the second rib-shaped portion are not provided. That is, the rigidity of the side frame can be increased.

[0009] Also, With this configuration, the energy absorbing portion is more easily deformed than the side wall portion. Therefore, when an external force is applied to the energy absorbing portion, which pushes it toward the adjacent side, the energy absorbing portion deforms to absorb the energy of the external force and prevents or suppresses deformation of the side wall portion due to the external force. Therefore, damage to the battery arranged between the two side frames can be prevented or suppressed.

[0010] The side wall portion further includes a third rib-shaped portion provided so as to connect the first rib-shaped portion and the second rib-shaped portion. The following configuration can be applied.

[0011] By further providing the side wall portion with the third rib-shaped portion, the rigidity of the side wall portion can be increased and the amount of energy absorption can be increased.

[0012] one end of the third rib-shaped portion is connected to a joining portion between the first rib-shaped portion and the third plate-shaped portion, The other end of the third rib-shaped portion is connected to a joining portion between the second rib-shaped portion and the fourth plate-shaped portion. The following configuration can be applied.

[0013] With this configuration, when an external force is applied that brings the energy absorption portion closer to the other side frame (closer to the housed battery), the third rib-shaped portion can prevent or suppress deformation of the side wall portion such that it falls toward the battery.

[0014] The thickness of the second rib-like portion is thinner than the thickness of the first rib-like portion. The following configuration can be applied.

[0015] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent or suppress deformation of the side wall portion so as to collapse toward the area where the battery is accommodated. That is, when a force is applied to the side wall portion from the energy absorbing portion, the second rib-shaped portion, which is thinner than the first rib-shaped portion, is more likely to deform than the first rib-shaped portion. Then, when the second rib-shaped portion is deformed so as to be crushed in the first direction and the first rib-shaped portion is not deformed, or when the deformation amount of the second rib-shaped portion in the first direction is larger than the deformation amount of the first rib-shaped portion in the first direction, the end portion of the side wall portion farther from the bottom plate member is deformed so as to collapse toward the opposite side of the two side frames facing each other. That is, in a configuration in which a battery is accommodated between two side frames, the side wall portion is deformed so as to collapse in a direction away from the battery.

[0016] The two side frames are extruded members made of a metal material, and the side wall portion and the energy absorbing portion are integrally connected. The following configuration can be applied.

[0017] According to this configuration, since no clearance is provided between the side wall portion and the energy absorbing portion, the dimension in the first direction between the side wall portion and the energy absorbing portion can be increased. Therefore, the amount of energy absorbed by the side wall portion and the energy absorbing portion can be increased. In addition, since no process or member is required for joining the side wall portion and the energy absorbing portion, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0018] A plurality of crosses are disposed between the two side frames, each having a plate-like portion extending in the first direction and the second direction, and an end portion in the first direction faces the third plate-like portion of each of the two side frames or contacts the third plate-like portion; When viewed in the second direction, a center line in the thickness direction of the first rib-shaped portion passes through the inside of the plate-shaped portions of the multiple crosses. There are, Toi

[0019] With this configuration, when the side wall portion deforms and comes into contact with the cloth, the force transmitted from the first rib portion of the side wall portion to the cloth can be received by the plate portion of the cloth, thereby increasing the rigidity of the battery case.

[0020] The thickness of the plate-shaped portion of the cloth is greater than the thickness of the first rib-shaped portion. The following configuration can be applied.

[0021] With this configuration, the rigidity of the cloth can be increased, and therefore the rigidity of the battery case can be further increased. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the configuration of a battery case according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the configuration of the battery case according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a battery is housed therein. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the battery case according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the cross. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a battery case according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the following description, a battery case 10 for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be abbreviated as "battery case 10". In the following description, the directions used for the battery case 10 and each member forming the battery case 10 are based on the direction when the battery case 10 is assembled to the vehicle (i.e., the direction of the vehicle). In each drawing, the front side of the battery case 10 is indicated by an arrow Fr, the rear side is indicated by an arrow Rr, the upper side is indicated by an arrow Up, the lower side is indicated by an arrow Dw, the right side is indicated by an arrow R, and the left side is indicated by an arrow L.

[0024] The battery case 10 is used to house a battery mounted in an electric vehicle (such as an EV, a PHV (plug-in hybrid vehicle), or a HV (hybrid vehicle)). The battery case 10 is disposed on the floor of the vehicle (under the seat).

[0025] First, the overall configuration of the battery case 10 will be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the battery case 10. Fig. 2 is a view showing the configuration of the battery case 10, showing a state in which a battery module 50 is housed. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the battery case 10, as viewed from below.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the battery case 10 has a lower panel 11, a heat sink 12, a front frame 13, a rear frame 14, two left and right side frames 15, a plurality of crosses 16, a plurality of cross support members 17, a plurality of lower frames 18, and a share panel 19. The battery case 10 has a substantially quadrilateral shape when viewed in the vertical direction, and has a box-like configuration with a bottom that opens on the upper side. Specifically, the lower panel 11, the heat sink 12, the lower frame 18, and the share panel 19 form the "bottom of the box," and the front frame 13, the rear frame 14, and the left and right side frames 15 form the "side walls of the box." In addition, the front frame 13, the rear frame 14, and the left and right side frames 15 form a substantially quadrilateral frame body having an opening on the inner periphery side when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0027] The upper surface side of the lower panel 11 and the area surrounded by the front frame 13, the rear frame 14, and the left and right side frames 15 (i.e., inside the opening of the frame formed by the front frame 13, the rear frame 14, and the left and right side frames 15) is the area capable of accommodating the battery module 50. The two left and right side frames 15 are disposed on both the left and right outer sides of the area capable of accommodating the battery module 50 with their longitudinal directions parallel to the front-rear direction. That is, the left and right side frames 15 are disposed spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, which is an example of the first direction, and extend in the front-rear direction, which is an example of the second direction. For convenience of explanation, the sides of the left and right side frames 15 that are closer to each other (the sides of the area capable of accommodating the battery module 50) are referred to as "nearby sides". The multiple crosses 16 are disposed side by side in the front-rear direction with their longitudinal directions parallel to the left-right direction. The end faces of the crosses 16 in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) are adjacent to and face the near side surfaces of the left and right side frames 15 (i.e., the mutually opposing faces of the left and right side frames 15; more specifically, the near faces of the side wall inner peripheral plate portions 321). However, the end faces of the crosses 16 in the longitudinal direction may be in contact with the side frames 15.

[0028] Next, each component of the battery case 10 will be described.

[0029] The lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12 are examples of bottom plate members, and are both plate-shaped members that are substantially quadrilateral when viewed in the vertical direction. The lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12 have substantially the same shape and dimensions when viewed in the vertical direction. The lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12 are formed, for example, from an aluminum plate.

[0030] The lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12 have extensions 111, 121 extending forward at the left-right center of the front end (front side) thereof. The extension 111 of the lower panel 11 has two supply and discharge parts 112. These two supply and discharge parts 112 are holes that communicate the inside and outside of a temperature control path 20 provided between the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12. The temperature control path 20 is a path through which a temperature control fluid (e.g., water) for adjusting the temperature of the battery module 50 can flow. The temperature control fluid can be supplied to the temperature control path 20 and discharged from the temperature control path 20 via these two supply and discharge parts 112.

[0031] The heat sink 12 is provided with a path wall portion 122 that forms the temperature adjustment path 20. The path wall portion 122 is a recess that is open on the upper side, and is formed by press working. Therefore, the path wall portion 122 bulges downward.

[0032] The heat sink 12 is overlapped and joined to the lower side of the lower panel 11. When the heat sink 12 and the lower panel 11 are joined to each other, a path wall portion 122 formed in the heat sink 12 is covered by the lower panel 11. Therefore, a temperature control path 20 through which a temperature control fluid can flow is formed between the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12 (in other words, inside the laminate of the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12).

[0033] The front frame 13, the rear frame 14, and the left and right side frames 15 are all hollow, long rod-shaped members. The front frame 13, the rear frame 14, and the left and right side frames 15 are made of extruded aluminum.

[0034] The front frame 13 and the rear frame 14 are arranged parallel to each other in the front-rear direction with their long lengths parallel to the left-right direction (vehicle width direction). First joint surfaces 131, 141 to which the lower panel 11 (a laminate of the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12) is joined, and second joint surfaces 132, 142 to which the share panel 19 is joined are formed in the lower parts of the front frame 13 and the rear frame 14. The first joint surfaces 131, 141 and the second joint surfaces 132, 142 are both flat surfaces that are long in the left-right direction and face downward at a right angle to the up-down direction.

[0035] The first joint surfaces 131, 141 and the second joint surfaces 132, 142 of the front frame 13 and the rear frame 14 are shifted from each other in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction, and do not overlap each other when viewed in the up-down direction. The second joint surfaces 132, 142 of the front frame 13 and the rear frame 14 are located below the first joint surfaces 131, 141. Specifically, a protruding portion protruding downward is provided on the lower surface of the front frame 13 and the rear frame 14 so as to extend in the left-right direction along the side opposite to the side where the front frame 13 and the rear frame 14 face each other. The lower surface of the part that is not the protruding portion is the first joint surface 131, 141, and the lower surface of the protruding portion is the second joint surface 132, 142. In the front frame 13, the first joint surface 131 is located rearward of the second joint surface 132, and in the rear frame 14, the first joint surface 141 is located forward of the second joint surface 142. That is, the first joint surfaces 131, 141 are located closer to the inner periphery of the quadrilateral frame formed by the front frame 13, the rear frame 14, and the left and right side frames 15 than the second joint surfaces 132, 142. In addition, the second joint surfaces 132, 142 are located lower than the first joint surfaces 131, 141.

[0036] A recess 133 is provided at the bottom of the front frame 13 to avoid interference with the lower panel 11 and the extensions 111, 121 of the heat sink 12. The recess 133 is open at the bottom so that the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12 can be attached from the underside of the front frame 13.

[0037] The left and right side frames 15 are arranged parallel to each other in the left-right direction with their long lengths parallel to the front-rear direction. The left and right side frames 15 have an energy absorbing section 31 (hereinafter, referred to as "EA section 31") in which a space is formed inside, and a side wall section 32 located on one side of the EA section 31 (specifically, on the opposing side of the left and right side frames 15) in which a space is formed inside. A first joint surface 151 to which the lower panel 11 (a laminate of the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12) is joined and a second joint surface 152 to which the share panel 19 is joined are provided on the lower part of the side wall section 32 of the left and right side frames 15. The first joint surface 151 and the second joint surface 152 are both flat surfaces that are long in the front-rear direction and face downward at a right angle to the up-down direction. The configuration of the left and right side frames 15 will be described in detail later.

[0038] The multiple crosses 16 have the function of increasing the rigidity of the battery case 10. The crosses 16 receive a load in the left-right direction in the event of a side collision or the like, and thereby prevent or suppress the side frame 15 from deforming and coming into contact with the battery module 50. Each of the multiple crosses 16 is a long rod-shaped member, and may be made of, for example, an aluminum extrusion. The multiple crosses 16 extend in a rod shape along the upper surface of the lower panel 11 with their long lengths parallel to the left-right direction, and are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the cross 16. As shown in FIG. 4, the cross 16 has a substantially rectangular cross section (i.e., an open cross section) with an open lower end. That is, the cross 16 has a flat cross upper plate 161 extending in the front-rear and left-right directions, and flat cross front plate 162 and cross rear plate 163 extending downward from both ends of the cross upper plate 161 in the front-rear direction and extending in the left-right direction. The cross upper plate 161 is an example of a plate-shaped portion of the cross 16. Furthermore, flanges 164 extending in opposite directions in the front-rear direction are provided at the lower ends of the cross front plate 162 and the cross rear plate 163 over the entire length of the cross 16 in the longitudinal direction (i.e., the left-right direction). The lower surface of the flanges 164 is a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction (i.e., parallel to the upper surface of the lower panel 11).

[0040] The cross support members 17 are members for fixing both ends of each cross 16 in the longitudinal direction to the left and right side frames 15, respectively. For example, an aluminum extrusion material is used for the cross support members 17. The specific configuration of the cross support members 17 is not particularly limited. It is sufficient that each cross support member 17 is configured so that both ends of each cross 16 can be fixed to the left and right side frames 15, respectively.

[0041] The lower frame 18 is a long rod-shaped member. The lower frame 18 is made of an extruded aluminum material. The upper and lower surfaces of the lower frame 18 are flat surfaces perpendicular to the up-down direction and parallel to each other. In addition, a recess is provided on the upper surface side of the lower frame 18 to avoid interference with the path wall portion 122 of the heat sink 12. The cross-sectional shape of the lower frame 18 is not particularly limited.

[0042] The shear panel 19 is a plate-like member having a substantially quadrilateral shape when viewed from the top-bottom direction. For example, an aluminum plate is used for the shear panel 19. The front-rear and left-right dimensions of the shear panel 19 are greater than the front-rear and left-right dimensions of the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12 excluding the extensions 111 and 121, respectively.

[0043] Next, the assembly configuration of the battery case 10 will be described.

[0044] The longitudinal ends of the front frame 13 and the rear frame 14 and the longitudinal ends of the left and right side frames 15 are joined to each other. As a result, a substantially quadrilateral frame body having an opening on the inner periphery side when viewed in the vertical direction is formed. Then, inside the opening of this frame body, a plurality of crosses 16 are arranged with their longitudinal directions oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal directions of the front frame 13 and the rear frame 14. Therefore, the longitudinal end faces of each cross 16 face closely to the left and right side frames 15. Then, both ends of each cross 16 are joined to the left and right side frames 15 via cross support members 17.

[0045] The lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12 are disposed below the front frame 13, the rear frame 14, and the left and right side frames 15. At this time, the outer peripheries of the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12 overlap the undersides of the first joint surfaces 131, 141, and 151 of the front frame 13, the rear frame 14, and the left and right side frames 15. The outer peripheries of the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12 are then joined to the first joint surfaces 131, 141, and 151 of the front frame 13, the rear frame 14, and the left and right side frames 15. Furthermore, the flange portions 164 of the cross 16 and the lower panel 11 are joined.

[0046] A plurality of lower frames 18 are disposed below the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12. Specifically, the plurality of lower frames 18 are disposed spaced apart from one another in the front-to-rear direction with their longitudinal directions parallel to the longitudinal directions of the front frame 13 and the rear frame 14. The upper end portion (upper surface) of each lower frame 18 is joined to the lower surface of the heat sink 12.

[0047] A shear panel 19 is disposed below the lower panel 11, the heat sink 12, the left and right side frames 15, and the plurality of lower frames 18. The outer periphery of the shear panel 19 overlaps the lower sides of the second joining surfaces 132, 142, 152 of the front frame 13, the rear frame 14, and the left and right side frames 15. The lower end (lower surface) of each lower frame 18 contacts the upper surface of the shear panel 19. The outer periphery of the shear panel 19 is joined to the second joining surfaces 152 of the front frame 13, the rear frame 14, and the left and right side frames 15. The lower end of each lower frame 18 is joined to the shear panel 19.

[0048] The members that form the battery case 10 are joined together by laser welding, for example.

[0049] Next, a detailed description will be given of the configuration of the side frame 15 and the relationship between the side frame 15 and other members. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the battery case 10 cut along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

[0050] 5, the left and right side frames 15 have an EA section 31 and a side wall section 32. The EA section 31 is located on one side of the side wall section 32 (specifically, the side opposite to the area capable of accommodating the battery module 50; in other words, on the outer periphery side of the frame formed by the front frame 13, the rear frame 14, and the left and right side frames 15). The EA section 31 and the side wall section 32 are integrally connected.

[0051] The EA section 31 has a hollow rod-like configuration that is long in the front-rear direction. The EA section 31 is configured to absorb the energy of an impact caused by a side collision or the like by deforming when a side collision or the like occurs, thereby reducing the impact on the battery module 50. As shown in Fig. 5, the EA section 31 has an EA upper plate section 311 that is an example of a first plate-shaped section, an EA lower plate section 312 that is an example of a second plate-shaped section, and a plurality of EA vertical plate sections 313 (five in Fig. 6).

[0052] The EA upper plate portion 311 and the EA lower plate portion 312 are flat plate-like portions extending in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The EA upper plate portion 311 and the EA lower plate portion 312 are spaced apart in the up-down direction, which is an example of a third direction. The EA upper plate portion 311 and the EA lower plate portion 312 are provided with bolt insertion holes 153 through which bolts 51 for bolting the EA portion 31 to a rocker panel 52 of a vehicle are inserted. The bolt insertion holes 153 are through holes that penetrate the EA upper plate portion 311 and the EA lower plate portion 312 in the up-down direction. The multiple EA vertical plate portions 313 are flat plate-like portions extending in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. The multiple EA vertical plate portions 313 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The upper ends of the multiple EA vertical plate portions 313 are connected to the EA upper plate portion 311, and the lower ends of the multiple EA vertical plate portions 313 are connected to the EA lower plate portion 312. The cross-sectional shape of the EA portion 31 taken along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction is a rectangle that is long in the left-right direction and has approximately horizontal upper and lower surfaces.

[0053] The side wall portion 32 is provided closer to the EA portion 31. The side wall portion 32 has a vertically elongated cross section cut along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The side wall portion 32 has a hollow rod-like configuration that is long in the front-rear direction. The side wall portion 32 has a side wall inner peripheral plate portion 321 that is an example of a fourth plate-shaped portion, a side wall outer peripheral plate portion 322 that is an example of a third plate-shaped portion, a side wall upper plate portion 323, a side wall lower plate portion 324, a first rib-shaped portion 325, a second rib-shaped portion 326, and a third rib-shaped portion 327.

[0054] The sidewall inner peripheral plate portion 321 and the sidewall outer peripheral plate portion 322 are plate-like portions extending in a direction intersecting the left-right direction (for example, the up-down direction) and in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the lower portion of the sidewall inner peripheral plate portion 321 (specifically, the portion below the first rib-shaped portion 325 described later) has a flat plate-like configuration extending in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction, and the upper portion of the sidewall inner peripheral plate portion 321 (the portion above the first rib-shaped portion 325) has a flat plate-like configuration extending in a direction inclined with respect to the up-down direction and in the front-rear direction. The sidewall outer peripheral plate portion 322 has a flat plate-like configuration extending in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. The sidewall inner peripheral plate portion 321 and the sidewall outer peripheral plate portion 322 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The sidewall inner peripheral plate portion 321 is located closer to the sidewall outer peripheral plate portion 322 (closer to the area in which the battery module 50 is accommodated). Furthermore, the side wall outer circumferential plate portion 322 is integrally connected to one of the left and right ends of the EA upper plate portion 311 and the EA lower plate portion 312 of the EA portion 31 (ends close to the opposing sides of the two side frames 15).

[0055] The sidewall upper plate portion 323 and the sidewall lower plate portion 324 are plate-shaped portions extending in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction. The sidewall upper plate portion 323 and the sidewall lower plate portion 324 are spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction. The sidewall upper plate portion 323 is a portion provided to connect the upper end (upper edge) of the sidewall inner peripheral plate portion 321 and the upper end (upper edge) of the sidewall outer peripheral plate portion 322. The sidewall lower plate portion 324 is a portion provided to connect the lower end (lower edge) of the sidewall inner peripheral plate portion 321 and the lower end (lower edge) of the sidewall outer peripheral plate portion 322.

[0056] A first joint surface 151 and a second joint surface 152 are provided on the lower portion of the side wall portion 32 of the side frame 15. The first joint surface 151 and the second joint surface 152 are each configured as a plane that is long in the front-rear direction and faces downward at a right angle to the up-down direction. The first joint surface 151 and the second joint surface 152 are located at different positions in the up-down direction, and the second joint surface 152 is located lower than the first joint surface 151. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the lower surface of a portion (a part of a second rib-shaped portion 326 described later) extending from the lower end of the side wall inner peripheral plate portion 321 of the side frame 15 to the opposite side from the near side, and the lower surface of a plate-shaped extension portion 328 extending from the lower end of the side wall inner peripheral plate portion 321 to the near side form an integrally connected plane. This integrally connected plane is the first joint surface 151. The second bonding surface 152 is provided on the side of the side wall outer peripheral plate portion 322 relative to the first bonding surface 151 and below the first bonding surface 151 .

[0057] The first rib-shaped portion 325, the second rib-shaped portion 326, and the third rib-shaped portion 327 are provided inside the side wall portion 32 of the side frame 15 (the area surrounded by the side wall inner circumferential plate portion 321, the side wall outer circumferential plate portion 322, the side wall upper plate portion 323, and the side wall lower plate portion 324).

[0058] The first rib-shaped portion 325 and the second rib-shaped portion 326 are flat portions extending in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. One end (the end on the proximal side, the end on the L side in FIG. 5) of the first rib-shaped portion 325 and the second rib-shaped portion 326 in the left-right direction is connected to the sidewall inner peripheral plate portion 321, and the end (the end on the R side in FIG. 5) opposite to the one end is connected to the sidewall outer peripheral plate portion 322. In other words, the first rib-shaped portion 325 and the second rib-shaped portion 326 are provided inside the sidewall portion 32 so as to connect the sidewall inner peripheral plate portion 321 and the sidewall outer peripheral plate portion 322. The first rib-shaped portion 325 and the second rib-shaped portion 326 are vertically spaced apart from each other (they are located at different vertical positions), and the second rib-shaped portion 326 is located below the first rib-shaped portion 325.

[0059] 5, a part of the lower surface of the second rib-shaped portion 326 forms the first bonding surface 151. However, the lower surface of the second rib-shaped portion 326 and the first bonding surface 151 may be separate surfaces. For example, the lower surface of the second rib-shaped portion 326 may be located below the first bonding surface 151, and the upper surface of the second rib-shaped portion 326 may be located above the first bonding surface 151.

[0060] The first rib-like portion 325 is located above the laminate of the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12. On the other hand, the vertical positions of the second rib-like portion 326 are the same (or approximately the same) as the vertical positions of the laminate of the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12. Therefore, the vertical distance from the joint (first joint surface 151) between the laminate of the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12 and the side wall portion 32 to the first rib-like portion 325 is greater than the vertical distance (0 or approximately 0 in this embodiment) from the joint between the laminate of the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12 and the side wall portion 32 to the second rib-like portion 326. Note that the first rib-like portion 325 and the second rib-like portion 326 may be located above the laminate of the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12 in the vertical direction. Even in this case, the vertical distance from the joint (first joint surface 151) between the laminate of the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12 and the side wall portion 32 to the first rib-shaped portion 325 is greater than the vertical distance from the joint between the laminate of the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12 and the side wall portion 32 to the second rib-shaped portion 326.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 5, in a cross section cut by a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction, an extension line L of a center line in the thickness direction of the EA upper plate portion 311 (a center line relative to the upper and lower surfaces of the EA upper plate portion 311. Note that this center line is actually a plane extending in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction) is 1 (Hereinafter referred to as “first reference line L 1 ") passes between the upper and lower surfaces of the first rib-shaped portion 325 of the side wall portion 32 (i.e., inside the first rib-shaped portion 325). Similarly, in a cross section cut by a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction, the center line L 2An extension line of the center line of the upper and lower surfaces of the EA lower plate portion 312 (hereinafter, the “second reference line L 2 ") passes between the upper and lower surfaces of the second rib-shaped portion 326 (i.e., inside the second rib-shaped portion 326). In other words, the first rib-shaped portion 325 and the EA upper plate portion 311 have portions which overlap each other in a left-right view. Similarly, the second rib-shaped portion 326 and the EA lower plate portion 312 have portions which overlap each other in a left-right view.

[0062] This configuration can increase the rigidity of the side frame 15. Specifically, when an external force from the outside to the inside in the vehicle width direction (a force from the right side to the left side in FIG. 5) is applied to the EA portion 31 due to a side collision or the like, the external force is transmitted to the side wall portion 32 through the EA upper plate portion 311 and the EA lower plate portion 312. 1 passes through the inside of the first rib-shaped portion 325, and the second reference line L 2 passes through the inside of the second rib-shaped portion 326, an external force transmitted to the side wall portion 32 via the EA upper plate portion 311 and the EA lower plate portion 312 is directly received by the first rib-shaped portion 325 and the second rib-shaped portion 326 of the side wall portion 32. The first rib-shaped portion 325 and the second rib-shaped portion 326 extend in a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the external force acts, and are therefore unlikely to be deformed by the external force. For this reason, deformation of the side wall portion 32 can be prevented or suppressed compared to a configuration in which the first rib-shaped portion 325 and the second rib-shaped portion 326 are not provided. In other words, the rigidity of the side frame 15 can be increased.

[0063] Furthermore, because the lower surface of the second rib-shaped portion 326 is part of the first joint surface 151, the second rib-shaped portion 326 is directly joined to the laminate of the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12. Therefore, an external force applied to the second rib-shaped portion 326 can be received directly (i.e., without passing through other members, etc.) by the laminate of the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12 and the lower frame 18. Therefore, the rigidity of the battery case 10 can be increased compared to a configuration in which the second rib-shaped portion 326 is not directly joined to the laminate of the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12.

[0064] The thickness t of the first rib portion 325 of the side wall portion 32 1 is the thickness t of the EA upper plate portion 311 U 3. The first rib-shaped portion 325 is thicker than the first rib-shaped portion 325 of the side wall portion 32. With this configuration, the rigidity of the first rib-shaped portion 325 of the side wall portion 32 can be made higher than the rigidity of the EA upper plate portion 311, so that the rigidity of the side wall portion 32 can be made higher than that of the EA portion 31. Therefore, when a side impact or the like occurs and a force in the left-right direction is applied to the EA portion 31, the EA portion 31 can absorb the energy while preventing or suppressing the deformation of the side wall portion 32. Therefore, with this configuration, the impact applied to the battery module 50 can be reduced, and the deformation of the side wall portion 32 can be prevented or suppressed by preventing or suppressing the deformation of the side wall portion 32, so that the battery module 50 can be prevented or suppressed from being damaged by the deformed side wall portion 32. The first rib-shaped portion 325 is located above the laminate of the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12, and the lower frame 18. With this configuration, the force transmitted from the EA upper plate portion 311 to the first rib-shaped portion 325 is not directly transmitted to the laminate of the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12, and the lower frame 18. In other words, the force transmitted from the EA upper plate 311 to the first rib-shaped portion 325 cannot be directly received. For this reason, in order to increase the rigidity of the side wall 32, it is preferable to increase the rigidity of the first rib-shaped portion 325. In this embodiment, the thickness t 1 The thickness t of the EA upper plate 311 U By making the side wall portion 32 thicker than the first portion, the rigidity of the side wall portion 32 can be increased.

[0065] The thickness t of the first rib portion 325 1 is the thickness t of the second rib-like portion 326 2 With this configuration, deformation of the side wall portion 32 so as to collapse toward the battery module 50 in the event of a side collision or the like is prevented or suppressed. Specifically, the thickness t 2 is the thickness t of the first rib-like portion 325 1If the thickness of the second rib-shaped portion 326 is thinner than the thickness of the first rib-shaped portion 325, when an external force toward the center in the left-right direction is applied to the sidewall portion 32 through the EA portion 31, the second rib-shaped portion 326 is more likely to deform so as to be crushed in the left-right direction than the first rib-shaped portion 325. If the second rib-shaped portion 326 is deformed so as to be crushed in the left-right direction while the first rib-shaped portion 325 is not deformed, or if the amount of deformation of the second rib-shaped portion 326 when it is deformed so as to be crushed in the left-right direction is greater than the amount of deformation of the first rib-shaped portion 325, the sidewall portion 32 is deformed so that its upper portion falls toward the outer periphery (the side opposite to the side where the battery module 50 is accommodated). This makes it possible to prevent or suppress the sidewall portion 32 from coming into contact with the battery module 50.

[0066] The thickness t of the second rib-shaped portion 326 of the side wall portion 32 2 is the thickness t of the EA lower plate portion 312 D With this configuration, deformation of the side wall portion 32 so as to collapse toward the battery module 50 in the event of a side collision or the like is prevented or suppressed. Specifically, the thickness t 2 is the thickness t of the EA lower plate portion 312 D If the second rib-shaped portion 326 is thinner than the first rib-shaped portion 326, when an external force is applied to the side wall portion 32 through the EA portion 31, the side wall portion 32 is easily deformed so as to be crushed in the left-right direction together with the EA portion 31. When the second rib-shaped portion 326 is deformed so as to be crushed, the upper portion of the side wall portion 32 is deformed so as to fall toward the outer periphery side (the side opposite to the side where the battery module 50 is housed). Therefore, it is possible to prevent or suppress the side wall portion 32 from coming into contact with the battery module 50.

[0067] The upper and lower surfaces of the third rib-shaped portion 327 are inclined in the vertical and horizontal directions. Specifically, the upper and lower surfaces of the third rib-shaped portion 327 are inclined such that the near-side end is located lower than the end on the opposite side of the near-side. The near-side end of the third rib-shaped portion 327 is connected to the joint between the sidewall inner peripheral plate portion 321 and the second rib-shaped portion 326. The end on the opposite side to the near-side end is connected to the joint between the sidewall outer peripheral plate portion 322 and the first rib-shaped portion 325. In other words, the third rib-shaped portion 327 is provided so as to connect the "joining point between the sidewall inner peripheral plate portion 321 and the second rib-shaped portion 326" and the "joining point between the sidewall outer peripheral plate portion 322 and the first rib-shaped portion 325."

[0068] The third rib-shaped portion 327 can further increase the rigidity of the side wall portion 32. That is, since the third rib-shaped portion 327 can absorb energy by deforming, the side wall portion 32 having the third rib-shaped portion 327 can increase the energy that the side wall portion 32 can absorb. As a result, the impact applied to the battery module 50 can be reduced.

[0069] Furthermore, when a force is applied to the EA portion 31 from the outside in the vehicle width direction toward the center, the third rib-shaped portion 327 can prevent or suppress deformation of the side wall portion 32 so as to collapse toward the battery module 50. That is, when a force is applied to the EA portion 31 from the outside in the vehicle width direction (the side opposite to the proximal side) toward the center in the vehicle width direction (the proximal side), a force is applied to the side wall portion 32 so as to approach the battery module 50 via the EA portion 31. On the other hand, the side wall portion 32 is joined to the lower panel 11 (a laminate of the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12) and the share panel 19 at the first joint surface 151 and the second joint surface 152 located below the first rib-shaped portion 325, respectively. Therefore, the force acts to rotate the side wall portion 32 in a direction to collapse toward the battery module 50 about the first joint surface 151 and the second joint surface 152. And, since the third rib-shaped portion 327 is provided so as to straddle "the joining portion between the first rib-shaped portion 325 and the sidewall outer peripheral plate portion 322" and "the joining portion between the second rib-shaped portion 326 and the sidewall inner peripheral plate portion 321", the force is parallel or approximately parallel to the surface direction of the third rib-shaped portion 327, and the third rib-shaped portion 327 is unlikely to be deformed by the force. Therefore, with this configuration, it is possible to prevent or suppress deformation of the sidewall portion 32 so as to collapse toward the battery module 50.

[0070] Furthermore, since the proximal end of the third rib-shaped portion 327 is located in the vicinity of the first joint surface 151 (specifically, directly above the first joint surface 151), the force applied to the third rib-shaped portion 327 can be transmitted to the laminate of the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12. That is, the force applied to the third rib-shaped portion 327 can be received by the laminate of the lower panel 11 and the heat sink 12. Therefore, deformation of the battery case 10 can be prevented or suppressed. That is, the rigidity of the battery case 10 can be increased.

[0071] The thickness t of the third rib portion 327 3 is the thickness t of the first rib-like portion 325 1 In this configuration, the thickness t of the second rib-like portion 326 is smaller than the thickness t 2is the thickness t of the first rib-like portion 325 1 For the same reason as in the configuration in which the thickness t of the third rib-shaped portion 327 is thinner than 3 is the thickness t of the second rib-like portion 326 2 or the thickness t of the second rib-like portion 326 2 The thickness t of the third rib-like portion 327 is thicker than that of the third rib-like portion 3 and the thickness t of the second rib-like portion 326 2 and the thickness t of the first rib-like portion 325 is equal to 1 If the thickness t of the third rib-shaped portion 327 is smaller than 3 is the thickness t of the second rib-shaped portion 326 2 If the thickness is larger, when a force is applied to the EA portion 31 from the outside toward the center in the vehicle width direction, the second rib-shaped portion 326 is most likely to be deformed to be crushed, the third rib-shaped portion 327 is next most likely to be deformed to be crushed after the second rib-shaped portion 326, and the first rib-shaped portion 325 is least likely to be deformed. Therefore, when a force is applied to the EA portion 31 from the outside toward the center in the vehicle width direction, the side wall portion 32 is deformed so that its upper portion falls toward the outer periphery. Therefore, contact of the side wall portion 32 with the battery module 50 can be prevented or suppressed.

[0072] Next, the relationship between the cross 16 and the side frame 15 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, in a cross section cut by a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction, 1passes inside the cross upper plate portion 161 (between the upper surface and the lower surface of the cross upper plate portion 161). With this configuration, when the side frame 15 deformed by a side impact or the like comes into contact with the cross 16, the force transmitted from the first rib-shaped portion 325 of the side frame 15 can be received by the cross upper plate portion 161. The cross upper plate portion 161 extends in a direction substantially parallel to the acting direction of the external force transmitted from the first rib-shaped portion 325, and is therefore unlikely to be deformed by this external force. Therefore, deformation of the cross 16 can be prevented or suppressed, and deformation of the side frame 15 can be suppressed, so that contact of the side frame 15 with the housed battery module 50 can be prevented or suppressed. That is, the resistance of the battery case 10 to a side impact can be improved.

[0073] Furthermore, the inside of the cross upper plate portion 161 is aligned along the first reference line L 1 With this configuration, the height of the cross 16 can be made lower than the side wall upper plate portion 323 of the side frame 15. Therefore, with this configuration, the battery case 10 can be made smaller in vertical dimension and lighter in weight while improving the resistance of the battery case 10 to side collisions.

[0074] Furthermore, the thickness t of the cross upper plate portion 161 c is the thickness t of the first rib-like portion 325 1 With this configuration, the rigidity of the cross 16 can be increased, so that even if a side collision or the like occurs and the side frame 15 is deformed, the effect of preventing or suppressing the deformed side frame 15 from contacting the battery module 50 can be enhanced. Furthermore, because the rigidity of the cross 16 can be increased, deformation of the lower panel 11 joined to the cross 16 and the share panel 19 (i.e., the bottom of the battery case 10) joined to the lower panel 11 via the lower frame 18 can be prevented or suppressed. Therefore, the rigidity of the battery case 10 can be increased.

[0075] The side frame 15 is formed by extrusion molding. That is, the EA portion 31 and the side wall portion 32 are integrally formed. With this configuration, the amount of energy absorption can be increased compared to a configuration in which the EA portion 31 and the side wall portion 32 are separate members. That is, if the EA portion 31 and the side wall portion 32 are separate members, a clearance is required between the EA portion 31 and the side wall portion 32 for assembly. This clearance does not contribute to energy absorption. On the other hand, if the EA portion 31 and the side wall portion 32 are integrally formed, no clearance is required between the EA portion 31 and the side wall portion 32. Therefore, the EA portion 31 and the side wall portion 32 can be made larger by the dimension corresponding to this clearance. Therefore, the amount of energy absorption can be increased. Furthermore, if the EA portion 31 and the side wall portion 32 are integrally formed, the number of parts of the battery case 10 can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the EA portion 31 and the side wall portion 32 are separate members, and the number of assembly steps can be reduced. Furthermore, the process and members (bolts, nuts, etc.) for joining the EA portion 31 and the side wall portion 32 are not required.

[0076] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0077] For example, the cross-sectional shape of the side frame 15 is not limited to the shapes shown in the drawings. In addition, inside the side wall portion 32, other rib-shaped portions may be provided in addition to the first rib-shaped portion 325, the second rib-shaped portion 326, and the third rib-shaped portion 327. In addition, the number of EA vertical plate portions 313 is not particularly limited.

[0078] In addition, in the above embodiment, the side frame 15 is an aluminum extrusion material, but the material of the side frame 15 is not limited to aluminum. Various metal extrusion materials can be used for the side frame 15 of the battery case 10 of the present invention.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the battery case 10 is in the shape of a box with an opening at the top, but is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the battery case 10 may have a lid, and the top of the opening may be closed by the lid.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the members are joined by laser welding, but the method of joining the members is not limited to laser welding. For example, the members may be joined by friction stir welding (FSW). [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 10...battery case, 11...lower panel, 12...heat sink, 13...front frame, 14...rear frame, 15...side frame, 19...share panel, 50...battery module, 31...energy absorption portion of side frame, 311...EA upper plate portion, 312...EA lower plate portion, 313...EA vertical plate portion, 32...side wall portion of side frame, 321...side wall inner peripheral plate portion, 322...side wall outer peripheral plate portion, 323...side wall upper plate portion, 324...side wall lower plate portion, 325...first rib-shaped portion, 326...second rib-shaped portion, 327...third rib-shaped portion, 328...extension portion

Claims

1. Two side frames spaced apart in a first direction and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the two side frames being capable of housing a battery therebetween; a bottom plate member having one end in the first direction joined to one of the two side frames and the other end in the first direction joined to the other of the two side frames, and having one surface in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction on which a battery can be placed; It has The two side frames each have an energy absorbing portion having a space formed therein, and a side wall portion provided on a proximate side that is closer to the other side frame than the energy absorbing portion and having a space formed therein, the energy absorbing portion has a first plate-shaped portion and a second plate-shaped portion that are spaced apart from each other in the third direction and extend in the first direction and the second direction, The side wall portion is a third plate-shaped portion extending in a direction intersecting the first direction and in the second direction, the third plate-shaped portion being joined to the proximal end portions of the first plate-shaped portion and the second plate-shaped portion; A fourth plate-shaped portion extending in a direction intersecting the first direction and in the second direction and disposed on the proximal side of the third plate-shaped portion at a distance from the third plate-shaped portion; a first rib-shaped portion and a second rib-shaped portion extending in the first direction and the second direction, the proximal end being connected to the fourth plate-shaped portion and the end opposite to the proximal end being connected to the third plate-shaped portion; It has When viewed in the second direction, an extension line of a center line in a thickness direction of the first plate-shaped portion passes through an interior of the first rib-shaped portion, and an extension line of a center line in a thickness direction of the second plate-shaped portion passes through an interior of the second rib-shaped portion, a distance in the third direction from a joint between the bottom plate member and the side wall portion to the first rib portion is greater than a distance from the joint between the bottom plate member and the side wall portion to the second rib portion, The thickness of the first rib-shaped portion is greater than the thickness of the first plate-shaped portion. Vehicle battery case.

2. A battery case for a vehicle as described in claim 1, The side wall portion further includes a third rib-shaped portion provided so as to connect the first rib-shaped portion and the second rib-shaped portion. Vehicle battery case.

3. A battery case for a vehicle as described in claim 2, one end of the third rib-shaped portion is connected to a joining portion between the first rib-shaped portion and the third plate-shaped portion, The other end of the third rib-shaped portion is connected to a joining portion between the second rib-shaped portion and the fourth plate-shaped portion. Vehicle battery case.

4. A battery case for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The thickness of the second rib-like portion is thinner than the thickness of the first rib-like portion. Vehicle battery case.

5. A battery case for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The two side frames are extruded members made of a metal material, and the side wall portion and the energy absorbing portion are integrally connected. Vehicle battery case.

6. A battery case for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A plurality of crosses are disposed between the two side frames, each having a plate-like portion extending in the first direction and the second direction, and an end portion in the first direction faces the fourth plate-like portion of each of the two side frames or contacts the fourth plate-like portion; When viewed in the second direction, a center line in the thickness direction of the first rib-shaped portion passes through the inside of the plate-shaped portions of the multiple crosses. There are, Vehicle battery case.

7. The vehicle battery case according to claim 6, The thickness of the plate-shaped portion of the cloth is greater than the thickness of the first rib-shaped portion. Vehicle battery case.

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