Battery mounting structure for electric vehicle

Abstract

To provide a battery attachment structure of an electric vehicle which can absorb collision energy to protect a battery during a collision of the vehicle.SOLUTION: The invention relates to a battery attachment structure of an electric vehicle and includes: a battery case including a side case part formed with a recessed part recessed inward; and a battery connection member which is attached to a vehicle body and formed with an insertion part which is inserted into the recessed part and connected to the side case part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle, and more particularly to a battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle that can absorb collision energy and protect a battery during a vehicle collision. [Background technology]

[0002] Research into electric vehicles (EVs) is accelerating due to global exhaust gas regulations and demands for environmentally friendly vehicles. Electric vehicles use the electrical energy required for operation by charging a battery.

[0003] High-voltage battery cases in typical electric vehicles are often made of extruded aluminum to protect the battery during a collision. However, while extruded aluminum battery cases are excellent at absorbing collision energy, they can deform excessively during a collision, potentially damaging the battery and causing a fire.

[0004] Conversely, a battery case made of steel can reduce deformation during a collision, but it cannot adequately absorb the collision energy, which can lead to battery damage and fire.

[0005] The matters described in this background art section are prepared to enhance understanding of the background of the invention, and may include matters that are not prior art already known to those having ordinary skill in the art to which this technology pertains. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-201277 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention provides a battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle that can absorb collision energy and protect the battery during a vehicle collision. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a battery case including a side case portion having an inwardly recessed recess, and a battery connecting member that is mounted on a vehicle body and has an insertion portion that is inserted into the recess and connected to the side case portion.

[0009] The recess and the insertion portion are formed at an acute angle with respect to the insertion direction of the battery connecting member into the side case portion.

[0010] The recess and the insertion portion are capable of surface contact with each other.

[0011] At least one chamber is formed inside the battery connecting member.

[0012] An insert chamber is formed inside the insert.

[0013] The battery connecting member has a connecting hole formed therein for connecting to the vehicle body.

[0014] The battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a connection pipe inserted into the connection hole.

[0015] The recess and the insert can be bolted together.

[0016] The side case portion may include an outer panel in which the recess is formed, and an inner panel coupled to the outer panel.

[0017] The outer panel has an outer flange formed in a direction opposite to the direction in which the recess is formed, and the inner panel has an inner flange coupled to the outer flange.

[0018] The recess is capable of coming into contact with the inner panel.

[0019] The recess, the inner panel, and the insert can be connected by bolting.

[0020] The recess contacts the inner panel, and one end of the insertion portion is separated from the recess.

[0021] The recess and the inner panel can be connected by bolting.

[0022] The side case portion and the battery connecting member may be made of different materials.

[0023] The side case portion is made of a steel material, and the battery connecting member is made of an aluminum material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the vehicle crashes, the battery connecting member made of aluminum deforms to absorb the collision energy and protect the battery. According to the battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention, in the event of a vehicle collision, the battery case made of steel protects the battery, thereby reducing the risk of fire caused by battery damage. Other effects that can be obtained or are expected to be obtained by the embodiments of the present invention are directly or implicitly disclosed in the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention. In other words, various effects that are expected to be obtained by the embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the detailed description below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] The drawings are for reference only to the description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and the technical concept of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the drawings. [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a battery case including a battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a battery connecting member that can be applied to a battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a connection between a battery connecting member and a side case portion that can be applied to the battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery connecting member and an outer panel of a side case portion that can be applied to a battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an inner panel that can be applied to a battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a connection between an outer panel and an inner panel that can be applied to a battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a connection between an outer panel and an inner panel that can be applied to a battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to a modified embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout the specification.

[0027] In the drawings, the thickness of the various layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity. When a layer, film, region, plate, or other part is said to be "on" another part, this includes not only when it is directly on top of the other part, but also when there is another part in between. Conversely, when one part is said to be "directly above" another part, it means that there is no other part in between.

[0028] Throughout the specification, when a part "comprises" a certain element, this means that it can further include other elements, but not to the exclusion of other elements, unless otherwise specified.

[0029] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery case including a battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention taken along line II-II in FIG.

[0030] 1 and 2, a battery case 20 incorporating a battery includes an upper case portion 22, a lower case portion 24, and a side case portion 30 connected to a vehicle body 10. A battery connecting member 60 is attached between the vehicle body 10 and the side case portion 30.

[0031] The battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a side case part 30 having a recess 42 formed on its inside, and a battery connecting member 60 that is mounted on the vehicle body 10 and has an insertion part 62 that is inserted into the recess 42 and connected to the side case part 30.

[0032] The side case portion 30 and the battery connecting member 60 are formed from different materials. For example, the upper case portion 22, the lower case portion 24 and the side case portion 30 are made of a steel material, and the battery connecting member 60 is made of an aluminum material.

[0033] The side case 30 is made of, for example, a 100K-class high-strength steel plate, and the battery connecting member 60 is formed by extruding aluminum. Therefore, when an external impact occurs, the battery connecting member 60 breaks first, absorbing the impact and preventing damage to the battery case 20.

[0034] The recess 42 and the insertion portion 62 are formed at an acute angle (α) with respect to the insertion direction of the battery connecting member 60 into the side case portion 30. The recess 42 and the insertion portion 62 are capable of surface contact. The recess 42 and the insertion portion 62 are formed at an acute angle (α) with respect to the insertion direction of the battery connecting member 60, so that the battery connecting member 60 can be easily inserted into the recess 42, and the recess 42 and the insertion portion 62 can be firmly coupled through surface contact.

[0035] At least one chamber CH1, CH2, or CH3 is formed inside the battery connecting member 60. Although the drawings show three chambers CH1, CH2, and CH3, the number of chambers is not limited to this and various numbers of chambers may be formed. By forming chambers inside the battery connecting member 60, the weight of the battery connecting member 60 can be reduced.

[0036] An insert chamber 64 is formed inside the insert 62. Fastening to the recess 42, for example, bolting, is facilitated via the insert chamber 64, and the insert 62 can deform to absorb impact in the event of an external collision.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a battery connecting member applicable to the battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connection between the battery connecting member applicable to the battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention and a side case part.

[0038] 3 and 4, the battery connecting member 60 is formed with connection holes 66 for connection to the vehicle body 10. A plurality of connection holes 66 are formed along the longitudinal direction of the battery connecting member 60, and the battery connecting member 60 can be easily coupled to the vehicle body 10 through the connection holes 66.

[0039] The battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a connecting pipe 68 inserted into the connecting hole 66. The connecting pipe 68 makes the connection with the vehicle body 10 stronger.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery connecting member and an outer panel of a side case portion that can be applied to a battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] 4 and 5, the recess 42 and the insert 62 can be connected by bolting (B). The recess 42 and the insert 62 are made of different materials and can be firmly connected by bolting. Alternatively, the recess 42 and the insert 62 can be connected by welding.

[0042] The side case portion 30 may include an outer panel 40 having a recess 42 formed therein, and an inner panel 50 coupled to the outer panel 40 . The outer panel 40 has an outer flange 44 formed in the opposite direction to the direction in which the recess 42 is formed.

[0043] That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the battery connecting member 60 is connected to the outer panel 40. When connecting the battery connecting member 60 to the outer panel 40, a connecting tool T, such as a tool for bolting or welding, is used, and the outer flange 44 is formed in the opposite direction to the recess 42, i.e., toward the left side of the drawing, thereby preventing possible interference with the connecting tool T.

[0044] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an inner panel that can be applied to a battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, an inner flange 52 is formed on the inner panel 50 to be coupled to the outer flange 44, and the direction in which the inner flange 52 is formed is opposite to the direction in which the recess 42 is formed, similar to the direction in which the outer flange 44 is formed.

[0045] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connection between the outer panel and the inner panel that can be applied to the battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. The inner flange 52 and the outer flange 44 can be firmly joined by bolting (C) or welding, and a space is formed inside, reducing the weight and ensuring rigidity.

[0046] The recess 42 can come into contact with the inner panel 50, and in the event of an external impact, the impact transmitted from the battery connecting member 60 is transmitted to the outer panel 40 and the inner panel 50 simultaneously, thereby minimizing deformation of the outer panel 40 and the inner panel 50 due to the impact.

[0047] The recess 42, inner panel 50, and insertion portion 62 can be bolted together (D), and the battery connecting member 60, outer panel 40, and inner panel 50 are integrally connected, increasing rigidity against impact and minimizing deformation of the outer panel 40 and inner panel 50.

[0048] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connection between an outer panel and an inner panel that can be applied to a battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. In explaining the battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to the modified embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 8, for ease of understanding, the same reference numerals will be used for the same components as those in the battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 1 to 7 previously described.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 8, the battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to the modified embodiment of the present invention includes a side case portion 30a to which a battery connecting member 60 is attached. The side case portion 30a may include an outer panel 40a in which a recess 42a is formed, and an inner panel 50a coupled to the outer panel 40a.

[0050] The recess 42a contacts the inner panel 50a, and one end of the insertion portion 62 of the battery connecting member 60 is separated from the recess 42a. The recess 42a and the insert portion 62a can be connected by bolting (B).

[0051] The recess 42a and the insert 62a may be made of different materials and may be firmly joined by bolting, or may be joined by welding.

[0052] The recess 42a and the inner panel 50a can be bolted together (D). That is, the outer panel 40a and the inner panel 50a are integrally joined together, increasing rigidity against impact and minimizing deformation of the outer panel 40a and the inner panel 50a.

[0053] In addition, when the vehicle collides, the insertion portion 62 can deform due to a partial empty space between the inside of the recess 42a and the insertion portion 62, thereby absorbing the impact, and therefore deformation of the battery case 20 can be minimized.

[0054] According to the battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, it has been confirmed that the static deformation amount is improved by 42% compared to the existing structure under the same weight condition, and the total plastic moment is increased by 96%, thereby improving the battery protection effect in the event of a side collision.

[0055] According to the battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention, the possibility of a battery fire caused by deformation of the battery case can be reduced, thereby protecting passengers.

[0056] According to the battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention, weight and cost can be reduced by optimally using steel and aluminum materials.

[0057] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and includes all modifications that can be easily made by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains and that are recognized as equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 10: Body 20: Battery case 22: Upper case part 24: Lower case part 30, 30a: Side case part 40, 40a: Outer panel 42, 42a: recess 44: Outer flange 50, 50a: Inner panel 52: Inner flange 60: Battery connecting member 62: Insertion section 64: Insertion chamber 66: Connecting hall 68: Connecting pipe

Claims

1. a battery case including a side case portion having a recess formed on the inside; a battery connecting member attached to the vehicle body and having an insertion portion formed thereon that is inserted into the recess and connected to the side case portion, The side case portion includes an outer panel in which the recess is formed, and an inner panel coupled to the outer panel, an outer flange formed on the outer panel in a direction opposite to the direction in which the recess is formed, and an inner flange formed on the inner panel to be coupled to the outer flange.

2. 2. The battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the recess and the insertion portion are formed at an acute angle with respect to a direction in which the battery connecting member is inserted into the side case portion.

3. 3. The battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the recess and the insertion portion are in surface contact with each other.

4. 3. The battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein at least one chamber is formed inside the battery connecting member.

5. 5. The battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 4, wherein an insertion chamber other than the at least one chamber is formed inside the insertion portion.

6. 2. The battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the battery connecting member has a connecting hole formed therein for connecting to the vehicle body.

7. The battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising a connecting pipe inserted into the connecting hole.

8. 2. The battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the recess and the insertion portion are connected by bolting.

9. 2. The battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the recess contacts the inner panel.

10. 10. The battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the recess, the inner panel, and the insertion portion are connected by bolting.

11. The recessed portion is in contact with the inner panel, 2. The battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein one end of the insertion portion is separated from the recess.

12. 12. The battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the recess and the inner panel are connected by bolting.

13. 2. The battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the side case portion and the battery connecting member are made of different materials.

14. The side case portion is formed of a steel material, 14. The battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the battery connecting member is made of aluminum.

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