Support device for 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 made of an extruded material including a cavity 57 inside, and the plurality of holes 95 are provided so as to pass through the opposing plate 51 from the cavity 57 outward in a vehicle width direction.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 arranged 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 risk that the mountability of in-vehicle devices will 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 was made to solve at least some 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 outward in the vehicle width direction from the side rails. 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 made of an extruded material having a cavity inside, and the plurality of holes are provided so as to penetrate the opposing plate from the cavity toward the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[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, since the impact load transmitted to the battery side bracket is reduced, 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. In addition, a pattern-shaped opening formed 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 amount of the plurality of holes formed, an increase in the weight of the support device can be suppressed. Also, since the opposing plate is made of an aluminum extruded material having a plurality of cavities inside, weight reduction is easy and molding is also easy compared to the case of using steel materials. In addition, the cavity portion can function as a crushable zone during a side collision, reducing the initial collision energy and preventing deformation and damage of the vehicle battery pack.

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] 1 is a perspective view of a support device for a vehicle battery pack according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the structure of the support device of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an end cross member in the support device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2A to 2C are side views illustrating examples of hole patterns formed in the patterned openings of the end cross members in the support device of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] 2 is a left side view illustrating a side rail and an end cross member in the support device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method for mounting an in-vehicle device in the support device of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method for mounting an in-vehicle device in the support device of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the end cross member of FIG. 1. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the end cross member shown in FIG. 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[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 equipped with a ladder frame 2. The electric truck 3 is an electric vehicle (electric car, hybrid car) that runs by supplying power from a drive battery pack 4 (vehicle battery pack) to a motor (not shown).

[0014] Hereinafter, the longitudinal 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. The vertical direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal 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 by "RR," the left by "LH," the right by "RH," the top by "UP," and the bottom by "DW." Note that FIG. 1 shows the understructure of the electric truck 3, and the upper structure (body) located above the ladder frame 2 is omitted.

[0015] The ladder frame 2 is a member that forms the framework 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 spaced apart 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 and lower edges of a plate-shaped web portion that extends along the vehicle length direction D1 and the vehicle height direction D3. The multiple cross members 22 are arranged spaced apart from each other in the vehicle length direction D1. Here, two cross members 22 are shown as an example, one arranged at a position overlapping the battery pack 4 in the vehicle height direction D3, and the other arranged at a position rearward of the battery pack 4.

[0016] The battery pack 4 is, for example, a general-purpose high-voltage battery pack used in passenger cars. 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 beyond each side rail 21. Here, a box-shaped battery pack 4 is exemplified, whose dimension in the vehicle height direction D3 is smaller (thinner) than each dimension 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 that each face outward in the vehicle width direction D2. The pair of battery side surfaces 41 are each located further outward in the vehicle width direction D2 than the pair of side rails 21. More specifically, the right battery side surface 41 is located to the right of the right side rail 21, and the left battery side surface 41 is located to the left of the left side rail 21.

[0018] As described above, the battery side surface 41 of the battery pack 4 is disposed outward in the vehicle width direction D2 relative to the side rails 21, and therefore the dimension in the vehicle width direction D2 is ensured to be greater than the distance between the web portions of the side rails 21. This allows the battery pack 4 to have a large capacity. Furthermore, in order to ensure the cruising range of the electric truck 3, it is preferable that the battery pack 4 be disposed over a wide range of the wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear wheel axles). In a relatively small electric truck 3 (with a relatively short wheelbase), one battery pack 4 can be disposed over almost the entire wheelbase. In this case, the front wheels are disposed in close proximity to the front of the battery pack 4, and the rear wheels are disposed in close proximity to the rear of the battery pack 4.

[0019] The size of the electric truck 3 and the number of battery packs 4 are not limited to the examples shown in this embodiment. A relatively large electric truck 3 (having a relatively long wheelbase) may have multiple battery packs 4 arranged side by side in the vehicle length direction D1. In this case, too, by arranging multiple battery packs 4 over a wide range of the wheelbase, the overall capacity of the battery packs 4 can be increased, ensuring a sufficient cruising range.

[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 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 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 arranged along the battery side surface 41, and a pair of flange portions 72 that protrude from the upper and lower edges of the web portion 71 toward the battery pack 4 (inward in the vehicle width direction D2). In this embodiment, the end cross member 7 is arranged such that the web portion 71 is spaced apart (has a gap) from the battery side surface 41, thereby ensuring a deformation allowance (allowance for absorbing impact loads) during a collision.

[0025] The battery side bracket 5 has an opposing plate 51 (opposing portion) that faces the battery side surface 41. The web portion 71 of the end cross member 7 forms the opposing plate 51 that faces the battery side surface 41 on the battery side bracket 5. In this embodiment, as described above, the web portion 71 of the end cross member 7 is spaced apart from the battery side surface 41, so the opposing plate 51 is not in contact with the battery side surface 41. However, the opposing plate 51 (web portion 71 of the end cross member 7) may be positioned in contact with the battery side surface 41.

[0026] The main bracket 8 has a web portion 81 arranged along the front surface 42 or rear surface 43 of the battery pack 4, and a pair of flange portions 82 protruding from the upper and lower edges of the web portion 81 toward the battery pack 4 (inward in the vehicle length direction D1). The flange portions 82 of the main bracket 8 are overlapped on the battery pack 4 side (inward in the vehicle height direction D3) with respect to the flange portion 72 of the end cross member 7, and are joined to the flange portion 72 of the end cross member 7 via a fastener (not shown) or any joining means (welding, adhesive, etc.).

[0027] As shown in Fig. 1, the frame side bracket 6 is fixed to the portion where the upper flange portions 72, 82 of the end cross member 7 and the main bracket 8 overlap. 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 side of the electric truck 3 (outside the vehicle width direction D2 of each side rail 21) (four in total).

[0028] [1-2.Main part configuration] 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 mounted. The "predetermined pattern" referred to here means a pattern including "an array shape of holes 95 formed by laying out flat graphic shapes each having at least one or more holes 95 without gaps". The "predetermined pattern" includes not only patterns including periodic array shapes but also patterns including aperiodic array shapes.

[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 hole 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 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, the opposing plate 51 (web portion 71) is formed in an extruded shape having a cavity 57 inside. This cavity 57 is formed so as to cover the entire outer end portion in the vehicle width direction D2 of the battery side bracket 5 (end cross member 7), and functions as a crushable zone during a side impact. The cross-sectional shape of the peripheral wall surrounding the cavity 57 is preferably a closed cross-sectional shape, and more preferably a polygonal shape (for example, a rectangular shape or a trapezoidal shape). The extending direction (extrusion direction) of the cavity 57 is a direction along the vehicle length direction D1. The number of cavities 57 may be one or a plurality. Also, the composition of the opposing plate 51 is not limited, and for example, an aluminum alloy, a magnesium alloy, a steel material, ceramics, a synthetic resin, etc. can be used. The opposing plate 51 of the present embodiment is made of an extruded aluminum alloy material (aluminum extrusion material) that is advantageous in terms of formability, weight, and cost.

[0031] The plurality of holes 95 described above are provided so as to penetrate the facing plate 51 from the cavity 57 toward the outside in the vehicle width direction D2. In other words, the plurality of holes 95 are formed in the peripheral wall located on the outside in the vehicle width direction D2 among the peripheral walls surrounding the cavity 57. Also, the in-vehicle device 10 attached to the pattern-shaped opening 9 via the plurality of holes 95 is disposed on the outside in the vehicle width direction D2 than the cavity 57. Therefore, the cavity 57 is interposed between the in-vehicle device 10 and the battery pack 4. Accordingly, even if an external force acts on the in-vehicle device 10 during a side collision, the impact is buffered and absorbed by the deformation of the peripheral wall surrounding the cavity 57, and the protection performance of the battery pack 4 is improved.

[0032] Inside the cavity 57, a plate 58 to which fasteners (for example, welding bolts 91, welding nuts 94, etc.) for attaching the in-vehicle device 10 are fixed may be inserted. The plate 58 is formed with a plurality of plate holes 59 corresponding to the plurality of holes 95, and welding bolts 91 and welding nuts 94 are fixed inside each of the plate holes 59. Also, the lateral pitch of the plate holes 59 is set to be the same as the lateral pitch of the holes 95. By inserting the plate 58 into the cavity 57 so that the centers of the plate holes 59 and the holes 95 coincide, it becomes easy to attach nuts, bolts, etc. that are screwed with the welding bolts 91 and welding nuts 94 fixed to the plate 58.

[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 facing plate 51 (web portion 71) extending 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 facing plate 51 (web portion 71) extending in the vehicle length direction D1.

[0034] 4A and 4B show a side view of the battery-side bracket 5 (end cross member 7) in which a plurality of holes 95 are arranged in a planar grid pattern (e.g., a square grid, a rectangular grid, a diagonal grid, etc.) with left-right and top-bottom symmetry. The vertical pitch of the holes 95 is set, for example, to be the same as or an integer multiple of the horizontal pitch. In FIG. 4A, a square grid (or rectangular grid) pattern with six horizontal columns and four vertical rows is arranged at a predetermined interval (e.g., the same as or an integer multiple of the horizontal pitch) in the vehicle length direction D1. In FIG. 4B, the middle rows (the second and third rows from the top) have been deleted from the hole 95 pattern in FIG. 4A, leaving only the top and bottom rows. These layouts are left-right symmetrical about the axis C1 and top-bottom symmetrical about the axis C2.

[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 are arranged in a diagonal lattice pattern symmetrically about the axis C1. Here, four rows are arranged vertically, with the holes 95 arranged at a predetermined horizontal interval. The horizontal positions of the holes 95 are set so that they do not coincide with the horizontal positions of the holes 95 in adjacent rows above and below; for example, the arrangement pattern of the holes 95 is staggered. Furthermore, the vertical pitch of the holes 95 is set to the same as the horizontal 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 lattice shape) is formed on the web surface 23 of the side rail 21. The arrangement pitch (the 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 in the portion of the web surface 23 of the side rail 21 that is located directly above the battery pack 4. For example, in a side view of the electric truck 3, a 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 moved directly downward as it is. 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). FIG. 6 shows a state where the welding bolt 91 is fixed to the plate 58, and FIG. 7 shows a state where the welding nut 94 is fixed to the plate 58. As shown in FIG. 6, the welding bolt 91 has a head 92 welded to the plate 58 and a threaded portion 93 protruding outward from the head 92. Specifically, the welding bolt 91 is welded and fixed to the plate 58 in a state where the threaded portion 93 is inserted into the plate hole 59 from the inner side in the vehicle width direction D2. Further, this plate 58 is attached inside the cavity 57 so that the threaded portion 93 is inserted into the hole 95 from the inner side in the vehicle width direction D2. 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, etc.) and then fastened to the nut 14. Thereby, the in-vehicle device 10 is attached to the pattern-shaped opening 9.

[0038] 7, weld nut 94 is welded to plate 58. Specifically, weld nut 94 is fixed to plate 58 while being coaxially disposed with plate hole 59. Plate 58 is inserted into cavity 57 so that plate hole 59 and hole 95 are centered. The weld 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 on-vehicle device 10 (or its bracket, etc.). In this way, the on-vehicle device 10 is attached to the pattern opening 9 including the weld nut 94. Note that the length dimension L of the threaded portion of the bolt 15 fastened to the weld nut 94 is set to be sufficiently shorter than the inner dimension (gap) S of the cavity 57 (L <S)。

[0039] The method of mounting the on-vehicle devices 10 in the pattern openings 9 is not limited to the method using the weld bolts 91 and weld nuts 94 described above, and various known methods can be applied. For example, the on-vehicle devices 10 may be mounted in the pattern openings 9 using normal bolts and nuts (not shown) that are not welded to the plate 58. Alternatively, some of the on-vehicle devices 10 may be directly welded to the pattern openings 9.

[0040] 1, the in-vehicle device 10 of this embodiment includes a housing 12 provided with a charging port 11 for supplying power to the battery pack 4 from the outside, 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 patterned opening 9 and the sensor 13 is mounted in the right patterned opening 9. Both the housing 12 and the sensor 13 are provided to protrude outward in the vehicle width direction D2 beyond the battery-side bracket 5.

[0041] The housing 12 is also called a CIB (Charge Inlet Box), and is provided at a predetermined position where the charging port 11 is accessible from outside the electric truck 3. In the housing 12, the charging port 11 is arranged facing outward 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. Actions 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. Thereby, 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] In addition, 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, in the support device 1 of the present embodiment, since the opposing plate 51 is made of an aluminum extrusion material having a cavity 57 inside, it is easier to reduce the weight compared to the case where, for example, steel materials are used, and it is also advantageous in terms of molding and cost. Further, by providing a plurality of holes 95 so as to penetrate the opposing plate 51 from the cavity 57 toward the outside in the vehicle width direction D2, the installation position of the in-vehicle device 10 can be set outside the cavity 57 in the vehicle width direction D2. Thereby, the portion of the cavity 57 can be made to function as a crushable zone during a side collision, reducing the initial collision energy and preventing deformation and damage of the battery pack 4. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, when a bolt 15 having a length dimension L of the threaded portion sufficiently smaller than the inner dimension S of the cavity 57 is used, interference between the peripheral wall located inside in the vehicle width direction D2 of the peripheral wall surrounding the cavity 57 and the bolt 15 is prevented, and it becomes difficult for the bolt 15 and the battery pack 4 to come into contact. 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.

[0045] [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 an opposing plate 51 facing the battery side surface 41 and be shaped to accommodate the battery pack 4, and may be formed of members other than the end cross member 7 and the main bracket 8 described above. 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 cavity 57 and the plate 58.

[0046] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the battery-side bracket 5 (end cross member 7), and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view thereof. The opposing plate 51 (web portion 71) shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is made of an extruded material having a single cavity 57 therein. A plurality of holes 95 are formed in the peripheral wall surrounding the cavity 57, on the outer side in the vehicle width direction D2. A plate 58 inserted into the cavity 57 is perforated with a plurality of plate holes 59 arranged in the same layout as the plurality of holes 95. In this way, even if there is only one cavity 57 and one plate 58, the same functions and effects as those of the above embodiment can be achieved.

[0047] The specific structure of pattern opening 9 is not limited to the above example. Pattern opening 9 may include both weld bolt 91 and weld nut 94, or may include a structure other than weld bolt 91 and weld nut 94. The on-vehicle device 10 mounted in the patterned 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 used. For example, the on-vehicle device 10 may include a low-voltage battery (not shown) for an auxiliary device of the electric truck 3. Even when the on-vehicle device 10 includes such a low-voltage battery, the support device 1 and the electric truck 3 can ensure the mountability of the on-vehicle device 10 while improving the protection performance of the battery pack 4 in the event of a side collision, as in the above-described embodiment.

[0048] Specific examples of the other on-board equipment 10 include mounting devices mounted on the electric truck 3 and devices associated with the mounting devices. Mounting devices include refrigeration / freezing devices, power generation devices, lighting devices, water supply devices, shredder devices, waste storage devices, and cranes. Additionally, the associated devices include motors, compressors, pumps, wiring materials, piping materials, and toolboxes. By making it possible to mount such mounting devices and associated devices on the battery-side bracket 5, it becomes possible to mount the same mounting devices and associated devices as, for example, existing vehicles that do not have a battery pack 4 in approximately the same positions, thereby further improving usability and convenience.

[0049] In addition, in existing vehicles, mounting devices and ancillary devices are attached to the side rails 21 via relatively long brackets. However, in this embodiment, mounting devices and ancillary devices are attached to the opposing plate 51 (web portion 71 of the end cross member 7) of the battery-side bracket 5, which is located outside the side rails 21 in the vehicle width direction D2, so a bracket shorter than the conventional bracket is sufficient. Therefore, the bracket can be made smaller, vibration resistance can be improved, and costs can be reduced. The application of the support device 1 is not limited to the electric truck 3. The support device 1 can be applied to various vehicles that include a ladder frame 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 Support device (battery pack support device) 2 ladder frame 3 Electric trucks (vehicles) 4 Battery pack (vehicle battery pack) 5 Battery side bracket 6 Frame side bracket 7 End cross member 8 Main Bracket 9 Patterned openings 10 In-vehicle equipment 11 Charging port 12. Case 13 Sensors 14 Nut 15 Volts 21 Side rail 22 Cross member 23 Web page 24 Hole Pattern 41 Battery side 42 Front 43 Rear 51 Opposing plate 57 Cavity 58 Plate 59 Plate Hole 71 Web Department 72 Flange 81 Web Department 82 Flange part 91 Welding bolt 92 Head 93 Threaded part 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 each 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; in the opposing plate of the battery side bracket, a plurality of holes are formed, and in-vehicle devices are mounted on the battery side bracket through the holes, and a pattern-shaped opening in which the plurality of holes are arranged in a predetermined pattern; the opposing plate is made of an extruded material having a cavity inside; the plurality of holes are provided so as to penetrate the opposing plate from the cavity toward the outside in the vehicle width direction; a plate provided with a fastener is inserted into the cavity, and the plate is perforated with plate holes arranged in the same layout as the plurality of holes A support device for a vehicle battery pack, characterized in that.

2. The support device for a vehicle battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of the cavities are provided in the vehicle height direction of the vehicle.

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