Support device for a vehicle battery pack

Abstract

To improve the mountability of on-vehicle equipment while enhancing the protection performance at a side collision, of a vehicle battery pack, and to suppress the weight increase of a support device.SOLUTION: A support device 1 for a vehicle battery pack 4 includes a battery side bracket 5, frame side brackets 6, and patterned openings 9. The battery side bracket 5 includes opposing plates 51 each opposing respectively battery side surfaces 41 and accommodates the battery pack 4 therein. The frame side bracket 6 connects the battery side bracket 5 and a side rail 21. The patterned opening portion 9 is formed with a plurality of holes 95 in the opposing plate 51 of the battery side bracket 5, an on-vehicle device 10 is mounted on the battery side bracket 5 through the plurality of holes 95, and the plurality of holes 95 is arranged in a predetermined pattern. The opposing plate 51 is formed in a wavy shape where convex portions 52 protruding outward in a vehicle width direction and bored by the plurality of holes 95, and concave portions 53 positioned inward in the vehicle width direction of the convex portions 52 are arranged alternately.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a support device for supporting a battery pack for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, from the viewpoint of reducing the environmental load, the development of electric vehicles such as electric cars and hybrid cars that run by supplying the power of a driving battery to a motor has been progressing. In recent years, the development of electric vehicles has also been carried out in the field of commercial vehicles such as trucks (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such electric commercial vehicles, from the viewpoint of cost reduction, the application of a general-purpose battery pack used for passenger cars has been considered.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, since a battery pack for a passenger car is assumed to be mounted inside a vehicle body, there is a problem that the load-bearing strength of its housing itself is relatively low. On the other hand, in a commercial vehicle such as a truck, a high impact load can be applied to a battery pack disposed below a ladder frame during a side collision, and thus a high load-bearing strength is required for a support device that supports the battery pack.

[0005] In general, in a vehicle equipped with a ladder frame, the space on the side (outer side in the vehicle width direction) of the ladder frame between the wheelbases is used as a mounting space for various in-vehicle devices such as a low-voltage battery and side sensors. On the other hand, when a battery pack is arranged below the ladder frame, the mounting space for in-vehicle devices is reduced by the battery pack, so there is a possibility that the mountability of in-vehicle devices may deteriorate.

[0006] Note that the physical size of the battery pack is determined according to the maximum charge capacity required for the vehicle, the shape of the battery cells, etc., and may be designed to protrude outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the ladder frame. In this case, considering the side impact safety of the battery pack, it is necessary to use a metal with relatively high rigidity such as steel to increase the rigidity of the support device, or to increase the plate thickness of the member covering the battery pack. As a result, the total weight of the support device increases, which may have an adverse effect on the cruising range and loading capacity of the electric truck.

[0007] The present invention was devised in view of the above problems, and one of its objectives is to provide a support device for a vehicle battery pack that can improve the protection performance of the vehicle battery pack during a side impact, improve the mountability of in-vehicle devices, and suppress an increase in the weight of the support device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above problems and can be realized as the following aspects or application examples. (1) The support device for a vehicle battery pack according to this application example is mounted below the side rails that make up the ladder frame of the vehicle, has a pair of battery side surfaces facing outward in the vehicle width direction, and the battery side surfaces are located outside the side rails in the vehicle width direction. The support device for a vehicle battery pack includes an opposing plate facing the battery side surface, a battery side bracket for housing the vehicle battery pack, a frame side bracket for connecting the battery side bracket and the side rail, and a pattern-shaped opening formed with a plurality of holes arranged in a predetermined pattern on the opposing plate of the battery side bracket, and the vehicle-mounted device is mounted on the battery side bracket through the holes. The opposing plate is formed in a wave shape in which convex portions protruding outward in the vehicle width direction and having the plurality of holes drilled therein and concave portions located inward in the vehicle width direction than the convex portions are alternately arranged.

[0009] According to such a support device for a vehicle battery pack, the impact load input from the outside in the vehicle width direction during a side collision is input to the in-vehicle device before being input to the battery side bracket. Therefore, the initial input of the impact load is absorbed by the in-vehicle device. As a result, the impact load transmitted to the battery side bracket is reduced, so the impact load transmitted to the vehicle battery pack through the battery side bracket is also reduced. Thus, the protection performance of the vehicle battery pack during a side collision can be enhanced. Also, a pattern-shaped opening with a plurality of holes is provided in the opposing plate of the battery side bracket. Thereby, a mounting space for the in-vehicle device is secured, and the mountability of the in-vehicle device can be improved. Furthermore, since the battery side bracket is lightened by the number of the plurality of holes formed, an increase in the weight of the support device can be suppressed. Also, by providing unevenness on the opposing plate and drilling a plurality of holes in the convex portions, the plate thickness of the opposing plate can be made thinner, and the side collision resistance can be ensured while achieving weight reduction. Also, by providing holes in the convex portions, it becomes easier to obtain a distance between the fasteners inserted through the holes and the vehicle battery pack, and deformation or damage of the vehicle battery pack due to contact with the fasteners can be prevented.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the protection performance of the vehicle battery pack in the event of a side collision, improve the mountability of in-vehicle equipment, and suppress an increase in the weight of the support device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

[0012] The following embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to exclude various modifications or applications of techniques not explicitly described in the embodiments. The configurations of the following embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, they can be selected or combined as needed.

[0013] [1. Configuration] [1-1. Overall structure] As shown in FIG. 1, a support device 1 for a vehicle battery pack according to this embodiment (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the support device 1) is mounted on an electric truck (vehicle) 3 having a ladder frame 2. The electric truck 3 is an electric vehicle (electric car, hybrid car) that runs by supplying power of a driving battery pack 4 (vehicle battery pack) to a motor (not shown).

[0014] Hereinafter, the front-rear direction of the electric truck 3 is also referred to as the vehicle length direction D1, and the left-right direction of the electric truck 3 is also referred to as the vehicle width direction D2. Also, the vertical direction orthogonal to both the front-rear direction and the left-right direction is also referred to as the vehicle height direction D3. In the drawings, the front is indicated by "FR", the rear is indicated by "RR", the left is indicated by "LH", the right is indicated by "RH", the upper is indicated by "UP", and the lower is indicated by "DW". Note that FIG. 1 shows the lower structure of the electric truck 3, and the upper structure (body) disposed above the ladder frame 2 is omitted.

[0015] The ladder frame 2 is a member forming the skeleton of the electric truck 3 and has high rigidity and strength. The ladder frame 2 includes a pair of side rails 21 extending in the vehicle length direction D1 and a plurality of cross members 22 extending in the vehicle width direction D2 and connecting the side rails 21 to each other. The pair of side rails 21 are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction D2. Each side rail 21 has a channel shape (U-shaped cross section) in which a pair of plate-shaped flange portions extend inward in the vehicle width direction D2 from the upper edge and the lower edge of a plate-shaped web portion along the vehicle length direction D1 and the vehicle height direction D3. The plurality of cross members 22 are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the vehicle length direction D1. Here, two cross members 22 respectively arranged at two positions, a position overlapping the battery pack 4 in the vehicle height direction D3 and a position behind the battery pack 4, are exemplified.

[0016] The battery pack 4 is, for example, a general-purpose high-voltage battery pack used in a passenger car. In the electric truck 3, the battery pack 4 is mounted below a pair of side rails 21 and protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction D2 from each side rail 21. Here, a box-shaped battery pack 4 is exemplified in which the dimension in the vehicle height direction D3 is smaller (thinner) than the dimensions in the vehicle length direction D1 and the vehicle width direction D2. However, the shape of the battery pack 4 is not particularly limited.

[0017] The battery pack 4 has a pair of battery side surfaces 41 facing outward in the vehicle width direction D2. The pair of battery side surfaces 41 are respectively located outside the pair of side rails 21 in the vehicle width direction D2. More specifically, the right battery side surface 41 is located on the right side of the right side rail 21, and the left battery side surface 41 is located on the left side of the left side rail 21.

[0018] Since the battery side surfaces 41 of the battery pack 4 are arranged outside the side rails 21 in the vehicle width direction D2 as described above, the dimension in the vehicle width direction D2 is ensured to be larger than the distance between the web portions of the side rails 21. As a result, the battery pack 4 has an increased capacity. Also, the battery pack 4 is preferably arranged over a wide range of the wheelbase (the distance between the front wheel axle and the rear wheel axle) in order to ensure the cruising range of the electric truck 3. In a relatively small (relatively short wheelbase) electric truck 3, one battery pack 4 can be arranged over substantially the entire wheelbase. In this case, the front wheels are arranged close to the front of the battery pack 4, and the rear wheels are arranged close to the rear of the battery pack 4.

[0019] Note that the size of the electric truck 3 and the number of battery packs 4 are not limited to the examples of this embodiment. In a relatively large (relatively long wheelbase) electric truck 3, a plurality of battery packs 4 may be provided side by side in the vehicle length direction D1. Also in this case, by arranging a plurality of battery packs 4 over a wide range of the wheelbase, the overall capacity of the battery packs 4 can be increased and the cruising range can be ensured.

[0020] The support device 1 connects the battery pack 4 to the side rail 21 and supports the battery pack 4. In other words, the battery pack 4 is supported by the side rail 21 via the support device 1. In the present embodiment, the support device 1 configured symmetrically (plane-symmetric) with respect to a vertical plane passing through the center in the vehicle width direction D2 and extending in the vehicle length direction D1 is exemplified.

[0021] The support device 1 includes a battery-side bracket 5 that houses the battery pack 4, and a frame-side bracket 6 that connects the battery-side bracket 5 and the side rail 21. The battery-side bracket 5 is an outer wall body disposed on the outer periphery of the battery pack 4 and has a function of protecting the battery pack 4 from impact loads. On the other hand, the frame-side bracket 6 extends outward and downward in the vehicle width direction D2 from the side rail 21 and has a function of suspending the battery pack 4 housed in the battery-side bracket 5 from the side rail 21.

[0022] The battery-side bracket 5 of the present embodiment has a pair of end cross members 7 disposed on the outer side (left and right) in the vehicle width direction D2 of the battery pack 4, and a pair of main brackets 8 disposed on the outer side (front and rear) in the vehicle length direction D1 of the battery pack 4. The battery-side bracket 5 is arranged so as to surround the battery pack 4 by these end cross members 7 and main brackets 8.

[0023] The pair of end cross members 7 are formed symmetrically with respect to each other with a vertical plane passing through the center in the vehicle width direction D2 and extending in the vehicle length direction D1 as a symmetry plane. The pair of main brackets 8 are also formed symmetrically with respect to each other with a vertical plane passing through the center in the vehicle length direction D1 and extending in the vehicle width direction D2 as a symmetry plane. As shown in FIG. 2, both the end cross member 7 and the main bracket 8 of the present embodiment are formed of steel plates and have a channel shape.

[0024] The end cross member 7 has a web portion 71 disposed along the battery side surface 41, and a pair of flange portions 72 projecting from the upper and lower edges of the web portion 71 toward the battery pack 4 side (inside in the vehicle width direction D2). In the end cross member 7 of the present embodiment, the web portion 71 is disposed at a distance (with a gap) from the battery side surface 41, so that a deformation allowance (absorption allowance of impact load) during a collision is ensured.

[0025] The battery side bracket 5 has a facing plate 51 facing the battery side surface 41. The web portion 71 of the end cross member 7 forms the facing plate 51 that faces the battery side surface 41 in the battery side bracket 5. In the present embodiment, since the web portion 71 of the end cross member 7 is separated from the battery side surface 41 as described above, the facing plate 51 is non-contact with the battery side surface 41. However, the facing plate 51 (the web portion 71 of the end cross member 7) may be disposed in a state of being in contact with the battery side surface 41.

[0026] The main bracket 8 has a web portion 81 disposed along the front surface 42 or the rear surface 43 of the battery pack 4, and a pair of flange portions 82 projecting from the upper and lower edges of the web portion 81 toward the battery pack 4 side (inside in the vehicle length direction D1). The flange portion 82 of the main bracket 8 is overlapped with the flange portion 72 of the end cross member 7 on the battery pack 4 side (inside in the vehicle height direction D3) than the flange portion 72 of the end cross member 7, and is coupled to the flange portion 72 of the end cross member 7 via a fixture or an arbitrary joining means (welding, adhesion, etc.) not shown.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the frame side bracket 6 is fixed to a portion where the upper flange portions 72 and 82 of the end cross member 7 and the main bracket 8 overlap each other. Further, the frame side bracket 6 is also fixed to the web portion of the side rail 21. Here, an example is shown in which two frame side brackets 6 are provided on each of the left and right sides (outside in the vehicle width direction D2 of each side rail 21) of the electric truck 3 (a total of four).

[0028] [1-2. Configuration of main part] On the opposing plate 51 (web portion 71) of the battery side bracket 5, a pattern-shaped opening 9 is provided. The pattern-shaped opening 9 is a portion where a plurality of holes 95 arranged in a predetermined pattern are formed, and it is a portion where the in-vehicle device 10 is to be attached. The "predetermined pattern" here means a pattern including "the arrangement shape of the holes 95 formed by spreading out a planar figure having at least one or more holes 95 without gaps". The "predetermined pattern" includes not only patterns including a periodic arrangement shape but also patterns including an aperiodic arrangement shape.

[0029] In any case, various in-vehicle devices 10 can be mounted on the battery side bracket 5 through the plurality of holes 95 provided in the pattern-shaped opening 9. The shape of the holes 95 can be arbitrarily set, and for example, it may be circular or rectangular. Further, the front end side and the rear end side of the opposing plate 51 of the present embodiment can be formed in a shape that is notched in a semi-circular shape in a side view, for example, in order to reduce the weight of the battery side bracket 5. In this case, the pattern-shaped opening 9 is arranged within a range sandwiched front and rear by these notches.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, on the opposing plate 51 (web portion 71), a convex portion 52 formed in a shape protruding outward in the vehicle width direction D2 and a concave portion 53 located inside the convex portion 52 in the vehicle width direction D2 are provided. The plurality of holes 95 described above are formed in the convex portion 52. The protruding shape of the convex portion 52 may have a polygonal cross-sectional shape or a curved cross-sectional shape. The protruding shape of the convex portion 52 shown in FIG. 3 has a trapezoidal (or rectangular) cross-sectional shape protruding outward in the vehicle width direction D2 with respect to the surface connected to the flange portion 72 of the opposing plate 51 (web portion 71).

[0031] Also, with reference to the portion of the convex portion 52 where the hole 95 is formed, the concave portion 53 is formed in a shape that is recessed inward in the vehicle width direction D2. The convex portion 52 and the concave portion 53 are arranged alternately. Therefore, the overall shape of the opposing plate 51 (web portion 71) is wavy. In other words, when the opposing plate 51 (web portion 71) is cut along the direction in which the convex portion 52 and the concave portion 53 are alternately arranged, the cross-sectional shape is like a waveform that vibrates in the vehicle width direction D2.

[0032] The overall shape of the convex portion 52 shown in FIG. 3 can be approximated to a ridge in which the protruding portion extends linearly along the vehicle length direction D1. Similarly, the overall shape of the concave portion 53 shown in FIG. 3 can be approximated to a groove in which the recessed portion extends linearly along the vehicle length direction D1. The extending directions of these convex portion 52 and concave portion 53 are parallel. Note that the arrangement position of the hole 95 can be set at any position on the surface of the convex portion 52. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the hole 95 is arranged in the planar portion of the convex portion 52 that is located most outward in the vehicle width direction D2. In this way, the entire planar portion where the hole 95 is drilled constitutes the pattern-shaped opening 9.

[0033] The layout of the holes 95 provided in the pattern-shaped opening 9 is illustrated in FIGS. 4(A) to (C) and FIG. 5. The axis C1 shown in these figures is the center line of the opposing plate 51 (web portion 71) that extends in the vehicle height direction D3 in a side view of the battery side bracket 5 (end cross member 7), and the axis C2 is the center line of the opposing plate 51 (web portion 71) that extends in the vehicle length direction D1.

[0034] Figures 4(A) and (B) show a side view of the battery-side bracket 5 (end cross member 7), in which a plurality of holes 95 arranged in a planar lattice pattern (e.g., square lattice pattern, rectangular lattice pattern, rhombic lattice pattern, etc.) are arranged symmetrically about the left and right and symmetrically about the top and bottom. The longitudinal pitch of the holes 95 is set to be the same as, or an integral multiple of, for example, the lateral pitch. Following this, the longitudinal pitch of the convex portions 52 (the dimension corresponding to the period of the unevenness) is also set to be the same as, or an integral multiple of, the longitudinal pitch of the holes 95. In Fig. 4(A), a square lattice pattern (or rectangular lattice pattern) arranged in 6 columns in the lateral direction and 4 rows in the longitudinal direction is arranged at a predetermined interval (e.g., the same as or an integral multiple of the lateral pitch dimension) in the vehicle length direction D1. In Fig. 4(B), the middle rows (the second and third rows from the top) are deleted from the pattern of the holes 95 in Fig. 4(A), and only the topmost row and the bottommost row are provided. These layouts are symmetric about the axis C1 and symmetric about the axis C2. Note that only the holes 95 in the middle rows may be omitted from the pattern of the holes 95 in Fig. 4(A), and the convex portions 52 where the middle rows were arranged may be left.

[0035] Fig. 4(C) shows a side view of the battery-side bracket 5 (end cross member 7), in which a plurality of holes 95 arranged in a rhombic lattice pattern are arranged symmetrically about the axis C1. Here, rows with the holes 95 arranged at a predetermined interval in the lateral direction are arranged in 4 rows in the longitudinal direction. The lateral positions of the holes 95 are set so as not to coincide with the lateral positions of the holes 95 included in the rows adjacent vertically. For example, the arrangement pattern of the holes 95 is in a staggered shape. Also, the longitudinal pitch of the holes 95 is set to be the same as, for example, the lateral pitch, and the diagonal pitch is set to a constant value.

[0036] FIG. 5 shows the arrangement of the holes 95 provided in the pattern-shaped opening 9 corresponding to the hole pattern 24 of the side rail 21. A predetermined hole pattern 24 (for example, a hole pattern 24 in a planar grid pattern) is formed on the web surface 23 of the side rail 21. The arrangement pitch (pitch in the vertical and horizontal directions) of the holes 95 is set to be the same as or an integral multiple of the arrangement pitch in the hole pattern 24. The layout of the holes 95 in the pattern-shaped opening 9 may exactly match or partially match the hole pattern 24 of the side rail 21. Also, the arrangement of the plurality of holes 95 may be set so as to correspond to the hole pattern 24 formed at a site located directly above the battery pack 4 on the web surface 23 of the side rail 21. For example, in a side view of the electric truck 3, the plurality of holes 95 may be formed in the pattern-shaped opening 9 in a layout such that the hole pattern 24 of the side rail 21 is directly moved vertically downward. Note that the specific positions and numbers of the holes 95 are not limited to only the above examples.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively, the pattern-shaped opening 9 may include welding bolts 91 and welding nuts 94 for attaching the in-vehicle device 10 to the battery side bracket 5 (end cross member 7). As shown in FIG. 6, the welding bolt 91 has a head 92 welded to the opposing plate 51 and a threaded portion 93 protruding outward from the head 92. Specifically, the welding bolt 91 is fixed to the opposing plate 51 in a state where the threaded portion 93 is inserted from the inner side in the vehicle width direction D2 with respect to the hole 95 penetrating the opposing plate 51 (web portion 71) of the battery side bracket 5. Preferably, the height H of the head 92 of the welding bolt 91 is set to be smaller than the protruding dimension P of the convex portion 52 shown in FIG. 6 (H < P). Thereby, it becomes difficult for the head 92 of the welding bolt 91 and the battery pack 4 to interfere with each other during a side collision of the vehicle. The threaded portion 93 of the welding bolt 91 is inserted into a through hole (not shown) formed in the in-vehicle device 10 (or its bracket or the like) and then fastened to the nut 14. Thereby, the in-vehicle device 10 is attached to the pattern-shaped opening 9 including the welding bolt 91.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 7, the welding nut 94 is welded to the opposing plate 51. Specifically, the welding nut 94 is fixed to the opposing plate 51 while being coaxially arranged with the hole 95. The welding nut 94 is fastened to a bolt 15 inserted from the outside in the vehicle width direction D2 into a through hole (not shown) formed in the in-vehicle device 10 (or its bracket or the like). Thereby, the in-vehicle device 10 is attached to the pattern-shaped opening 9 including the welding nut 94. Note that the length dimension L of the threaded portion of the bolt 15 is set to be sufficiently shorter than the distance (gap) S between the battery side surface 41 and the opposing plate 51 in order to prevent interference with the battery pack 4 (L < S). Preferably, the thickness T of the welding nut 94 is set to be smaller than the protruding dimension P of the convex portion 52 shown in FIG. 7 (T < P). Thereby, it becomes difficult for the welding nut 94 and the battery pack 4 to interfere with each other during a side collision of the vehicle. Note that it is also desirable to set the length dimension L of the threaded portion of the bolt 15 to be as short as possible while being a length that can be screwed with the welding nut 94.

[0039] The method of mounting the in-vehicle device 10 in the pattern-shaped opening 9 is not limited to the method using the welding bolt 91 and the welding nut 94 described above, and various known methods can be applied. For example, the in-vehicle device 10 may be mounted in the pattern-shaped opening 9 by ordinary bolts and nuts (not shown) that are not welded to the opposing plate 51. Alternatively, some in-vehicle devices 10 may be directly welded to the pattern-shaped opening 9.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle device 10 of the present embodiment includes a housing 12 provided with a charging port 11 for externally supplying power to the battery pack 4, and a sensor 13 for detecting an object outside in the vehicle width direction D2. Here, an example is shown in which the housing 12 is mounted in the left pattern-shaped opening 9 and the sensor 13 is mounted in the right pattern-shaped opening 9. Both the housing 12 and the sensor 13 are provided so as to protrude outside in the vehicle width direction D2 from the battery side bracket 5.

[0041] The housing 12, also called a CIB (Charge Inlet Box), is provided at a predetermined position where the charging port 11 can be accessed from the outside of the electric truck 3. In the housing 12, the charging port 11 is arranged to face the outside in the vehicle width direction D2. The sensor 13 is, for example, a radar or a camera applied to a technology (so-called blind spot assist) that detects an object existing in the blind spot of the electric truck 3 and notifies the driver. The sensor 13 is provided at a predetermined position where the blind spot becomes the detection range.

[0042] [2. Operations and Effects] (1) According to the support device 1 of the present embodiment, since the pattern-shaped opening 9 for mounting the in-vehicle device 10 is provided in the battery-side bracket 5, the impact load input from the outside in the vehicle width direction D2 at the time of a side collision is input to the in-vehicle device 10 before being input to the battery-side bracket 5. As a result, the initial input of the impact load can be absorbed by the in-vehicle device 10 before being absorbed by the battery-side bracket 5. As a result, the impact load transmitted to the battery-side bracket 5 can be reduced, so that the impact load transmitted to the battery pack 4 through the battery-side bracket 5 can also be reduced. Therefore, the protection performance of the battery pack 4 at the time of a side collision can be enhanced.

[0043] Further, in the electric truck 3, since the battery pack 4 is mounted below the side rail 21 and the battery side surface 41 is located outside the side rail 21 in the vehicle width direction D2, the capacity of the battery pack 4 can be increased. On the other hand, since the battery pack 4 protrudes outside the side rail 21 in the vehicle width direction D2, the mountability of the in-vehicle device 10 on the side rail 21 may decrease. In contrast, the opposing plate 51 of the battery-side bracket 5 is provided with the pattern-shaped opening 9 in which a plurality of holes 95 are formed. Thereby, a mounting space for the in-vehicle device 10 can be secured outside the battery-side bracket 5, and the mountability of the in-vehicle device can be improved. Further, since the battery-side bracket 5 is lightened by the amount of the plurality of holes 95 formed, an increase in the weight of the support device 1 can be suppressed.

[0044] In addition, a gap with a distance S is secured between the facing plate 51 of the battery-side bracket 5 (the web portion 71 of the end cross member 7) and the battery side surface 41. By providing such a gap, for example, interference between the fixtures (such as welding bolts 91 and welding nuts 94) of the in-vehicle device 10 and the battery pack 4 can be prevented, while ensuring the deformation allowance of the battery-side bracket 5 when it receives an impact during a side collision, and the shock absorption performance and the protection performance of the battery pack 4 can be further improved.

[0045] In addition, by alternately arranging the convex portions 52 and the concave portions 53 on the facing plate 51, the rigidity of the facing plate 51 is increased, so that the thickness of the facing plate 51 can be reduced. Therefore, while reducing the weight of the battery-side bracket 5, the side collision resistance can be ensured. Further, by providing holes 95 in the convex portions 52, it becomes easier to secure the distance between the fasteners (such as welding bolts 91 and welding nuts 94) inserted through the holes 95 and the battery pack 4, and deformation and damage of the battery pack 4 due to contact with the fasteners can be prevented. In particular, if the height H of the head 92 of the welding bolt 91 and the thickness T of the welding nut 94 are set to be less than the protruding dimension P of the convex portion 52, interference between the fastener and the battery pack 4 is preferably suppressed. Therefore, according to the support device 1 of the present embodiment, while enhancing the protection performance of the battery pack 4 during a side collision, the mountability of the in-vehicle device 10 can be improved, and an increase in the weight of the support device 1 can be suppressed.

[0046] [3. Others] The configuration of the battery-side bracket 5 described above is an example. The battery-side bracket 5 only needs to have at least a facing plate 51 facing the battery side surface 41 and be in a shape that accommodates the battery pack 4, and it may be formed of members other than the above-described end cross member 7 and main bracket 8. The configuration, arrangement, and number of the frame-side brackets 6 are not limited to the above examples. The same applies to the configuration, arrangement, and number of the convex portions 52 and the concave portions 53.

[0047] Figs. 8 and 9 are perspective views showing modified examples of the battery side bracket 5 (end cross member 7). The opposing plate 51 (web portion 71) shown in Fig. 8 has a convex portion 52 and a concave portion 53 extending along the vehicle height direction D3. In this example, a rectangular lattice pattern in which the holes 95 are arranged in three rows in the lateral direction and four rows in the longitudinal direction is arranged at a predetermined interval in the vehicle length direction D1. The plurality of holes 95 are arranged symmetrically left and right and symmetrically up and down in side view. Thus, even when the concavo-convex grooves are formed in the longitudinal direction, the rigidity of the opposing plate 51 can be increased, and the same operations and effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0048] The opposing plate 51 (web portion 71) shown in Fig. 9 has a first convex portion 54 extending in the vehicle length direction D1 and a second convex portion 55 extending in the vehicle height direction D3 as convex portions protruding outward in the vehicle width direction D2. Further, a third convex portion 56 is provided at the intersection of the first convex portion 54 and the second convex portion 55 in side view. The portion surrounded by the first convex portion 54 and the second convex portion 55 (the portion not belonging to either the first convex portion 54 or the second convex portion 55) becomes the concave portion 53. The plurality of holes 95 are formed, for example, in the third convex portion 56 and are arranged symmetrically left and right and symmetrically up and down in side view. Thus, even when the concavo-convex grooves intersect vertically and horizontally, the rigidity of the opposing plate 51 can be increased, and the same operations and effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0049] The specific structure of the pattern-shaped opening 9 is not limited to the above examples. The pattern-shaped opening 9 may include both the welding bolt 91 and the welding nut 94, or may include a structure other than the welding bolt 91 and the welding nut 94. The in-vehicle device 10 mounted on the pattern-shaped opening 9 is not limited to the above-described housing 12 and sensor 13, and various devices mounted on the electric truck 3 can be adopted. For example, the in-vehicle device 10 may include a low-voltage battery (not shown) for auxiliary equipment of the electric truck 3. Even when the in-vehicle device 10 includes such a low-voltage battery, according to the support device 1 and the electric truck 3, the protection performance of the battery pack 4 during a side collision can be enhanced while ensuring the mountability of the in-vehicle device 10 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.

[0050] As a specific example of the other in-vehicle device 10, a mounting device mounted on the electric truck 3 and an accessory device of the mounting device can be mentioned. The mounting device includes a refrigeration and freezing device, a power generation device, a lighting device, a water supply device, a shredder device, a waste storage device, a crane device, etc. The accessory devices include a motor, a compressor, a pump, wiring materials, pipe materials, a tool box, etc. By enabling such a mounting device and accessory devices to be mounted on the battery side bracket 5, for example, the same mounting device and accessory devices as those of an existing vehicle on which the battery pack 4 is not mounted can be attached at substantially the same position, and usability and convenience can be further enhanced.

[0051] Also, in an existing vehicle, a mounting device and accessory devices were attached via a relatively long bracket from the side rail 21. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the mounting device and accessory devices are attached to the opposing plate 51 (web portion 71 of the end cross member 7) of the battery side bracket 5 located outside the vehicle width direction D2 from the side rail 21, a bracket shorter than the conventional bracket suffices. Therefore, the bracket can be miniaturized, the vibration resistance can be improved, and the cost can be reduced. Note that the application target of the support device 1 is not limited to the above-mentioned electric truck 3. The support device 1 is applicable to various vehicles equipped with a ladder frame 2.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0052] 1 Support device (support device for battery pack) 2 Ladder frame 3 Electric truck (vehicle) 4 Battery pack (vehicle battery pack) 5 Battery side bracket 6 Frame side bracket 7 End cross member 8 Main bracket 9 Pattern-shaped opening 10 In-vehicle device 11 Charging port 12 Housing 13 Sensor 14 Nut 15 Bolt 21 Side Rail 22 Cross Member 23 Web Surface 24 Hole Pattern 41 Battery Side 42 Front Surface 43 Rear Surface 51 Opposing Plate 52 Protrusion 53 Recess 54 First Protrusion 55 Second Protrusion 56 Third Protrusion 71 Web Portion 72 Flange Portion 81 Web Portion 82 Flange Portion 91 Welding Bolt 92 Head 93 Threaded Portion 94 Welding Nut 95 Hole

Claims

1. A support device for a vehicle battery pack mounted below side rails constituting a ladder frame of a vehicle and having a pair of battery side surfaces facing outward in the vehicle width direction, comprising a battery side bracket having an opposing plate facing the battery side surface and accommodating the vehicle battery pack, a frame side bracket connecting the battery side bracket and the side rail, and in the opposing plate of the battery side bracket, a pattern-shaped opening formed with a plurality of holes through which in-vehicle devices are mounted on the battery side bracket and the plurality of holes are arranged in a predetermined pattern. The opposing plate is formed in a wavy shape with convex portions protruding outward in the vehicle width direction and having the plurality of holes drilled therein and concave portions located inward in the vehicle width direction than the convex portions arranged alternately. A support device for a vehicle battery pack, characterized in that.

2. The support device for a vehicle battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the convex portion is composed of a first convex portion extending in the vehicle length direction of the vehicle and a second convex portion extending in the vehicle height direction.

3. The support device for a vehicle battery pack according to claim 2, wherein a third convex portion protruding outward in the vehicle width direction than the first convex portion and the second convex portion is provided at an intersection of the first convex portion and the second convex portion.

4. The support device for a vehicle battery pack according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of holes are drilled in the third convex portion.

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