Side structure of the vehicle

Abstract

To obtain a vehicle side part structure which can inhibit a lower hinge of a slide door from interfering with a battery during a side collision of a vehicle even if the lower hinge is disposed at a position that overlaps with the battery in a side view.SOLUTION: A vehicle side part structure 10 includes: a battery 80 which is disposed at a vehicle lower side of a floor panel of a vehicle; and a lower hinge 30 which is provided at a lower part of a slide door 20 configured to open or close a side part of the vehicle and supports the slide door 20 slidably in a vehicle longitudinal direction and in which at least an inner portion 40 in a vehicle width direction is disposed at a position that overlaps with the battery 80 in a side view in a closed state of the slide door 20. A recessed part 84 having a size such that at least a part of the inner portion 40 in the vehicle width direction of the lower hinge 30 can be inserted is formed at a part of the battery 80 in which the inner portion 40 in the vehicle width direction of the lower hinge 30 faces in the vehicle width direction, in the closed state of the slide door 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle side structure.

Background Art

[0002] There has been conventionally known a vehicle in which a battery case accommodating a battery stack composed of a plurality of battery cells is disposed on the lower side of the vehicle of a floor panel, and slide doors for opening and closing both left and right sides are provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this vehicle, a lower hinge attached to the lower part of the slide door and supporting the slide door slidably in the vehicle longitudinal direction is disposed on the upper side of the vehicle than the battery case.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in order to expand the space inside the vehicle, the lower hinge of the slide door in the closed state may be disposed at a position overlapping the side part of the peripheral wall of the battery case in side view. In this case, at least the inner end portion of the lower hinge in the vehicle width direction faces the side part of the battery case in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, when the vehicle undergoes a side collision and the lower hinge is displaced inward in the vehicle width direction, at least the inner end portion of the lower hinge in the vehicle width direction interferes with (hits) the battery case, and there is a risk of damaging the battery case and further the battery stack (battery cells) as a battery accommodated in the battery case.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle side structure that can suppress interference between the lower hinge of a sliding door and the battery or battery case during a side collision, even if the lower hinge of the sliding door is positioned to overlap with the battery or battery case in a side view. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the vehicle side structure of the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a battery located on the lower side of the vehicle floor panel, and a lower hinge provided at the lower part of a sliding door that opens and closes the side of the vehicle, which supports the sliding door so as to be slidable in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and which, when the sliding door is closed, is positioned such that at least its inner portion in the vehicle width direction overlaps with the battery in a side view, wherein when the sliding door is closed, the inner portion of the lower hinge in the vehicle width direction has a recess formed in a part of the battery facing it in the vehicle width direction, the recess being large enough to allow at least a portion of the inner portion of the lower hinge in the vehicle width direction to be inserted.

[0007] According to the first embodiment of the invention, when the sliding door is closed, a recess is formed in a part of the battery opposite the lower hinge of the sliding door in the vehicle width direction, with the recess being large enough to accommodate at least a portion of the inner portion of the lower hinge in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, when the vehicle is involved in a side collision and the lower hinge of the sliding door is displaced inward in the vehicle width direction, at least a portion of the inner portion of the lower hinge in the vehicle width direction is accommodated in the recess. In other words, at least a portion of the inner portion of the lower hinge of the sliding door in the vehicle width direction is less likely to interfere with (or hit) the battery. Thus, according to the present invention, even if the lower hinge of the sliding door (inner portion in the vehicle width direction) is positioned to overlap with the battery in a side view, interference between the lower hinge (inner portion in the vehicle width direction) and the battery is suppressed during a side collision of the vehicle.

[0008] Furthermore, the vehicle side structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the vehicle side structure according to the first embodiment, wherein the height of the bottom surface in the recess is less than or equal to the height of the bottom surface of the lower hinge.

[0009] According to the second embodiment of the invention, the height of the bottom surface of the recess formed in part of the battery is set to be less than or equal to the height of the lower surface of the lower hinge. Therefore, when the vehicle is involved in a side collision and the lower hinge of the sliding door is displaced inward in the vehicle width direction, at least a portion of the inward portion of the lower hinge in the vehicle width direction is reliably housed in the recess, making it difficult for the collision load to be transmitted from the inward portion of the lower hinge in the vehicle width direction to the battery.

[0010] Furthermore, a third embodiment of the vehicle side structure according to the present invention is a vehicle side structure according to the second embodiment, wherein an impact absorbing member is fitted into the recess so as to fill the recess.

[0011] According to the third embodiment of the invention, an impact-absorbing member is fitted into a recess formed in a part of the battery so as to fill the recess. Therefore, when a vehicle collides with a side impact and the lower hinge of the sliding door is displaced inward in the vehicle width direction, at least a portion of the inward portion of the lower hinge in the vehicle width direction is absorbed by the impact-absorbing member. In other words, the impact load transmitted to the lower hinge inward in the vehicle width direction is absorbed by the impact-absorbing member.

[0012] Furthermore, a fourth aspect of the vehicle side structure according to the present invention is the vehicle side structure according to the third aspect, wherein a plurality of ribs are formed on the upper surface of the impact absorbing member in the direction of the vehicle width.

[0013] According to the fourth embodiment of the invention, a plurality of ribs are formed on the upper surface of the impact absorbing member, along the vehicle width direction. Therefore, when a vehicle collides with a side impact and the lower hinge of the sliding door is displaced inward in the vehicle width direction, at least a portion of the inward portion of the lower hinge in the vehicle width direction is more effectively absorbed by the impact absorbing member. In other words, the impact load transmitted to the lower hinge inward in the vehicle width direction is more effectively absorbed by the impact absorbing member.

[0014] Furthermore, a fifth embodiment of the vehicle side structure according to the present invention is a vehicle side structure according to any one of the first to fourth embodiments, wherein the battery is housed in a battery case.

[0015] According to the fifth embodiment of the invention, the battery is housed in a battery case. Therefore, when the vehicle is involved in a side collision and the lower hinge of the sliding door is displaced inward in the vehicle width direction, the battery case effectively prevents or suppresses interference (contact) between at least a portion of the inward portion of the lower hinge in the vehicle width direction and the battery.

[0016] Furthermore, the vehicle side structure according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle side structure according to the fifth aspect, wherein the battery case has a recess corresponding to the recess formed therein.

[0017] According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the battery case has a recess formed in it that corresponds to a recess formed in a part of the battery. Therefore, when the vehicle is involved in a side collision and the lower hinge of the sliding door is displaced inward in the vehicle width direction, at least a portion of the inward portion of the lower hinge in the vehicle width direction is accommodated within the recess of the battery case. In other words, at least a portion of the inward portion of the lower hinge of the sliding door in the vehicle width direction is less likely to interfere with (or hit) the battery case.

[0018] Furthermore, the seventh aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle side structure comprising: a battery case located on the lower side of the vehicle floor panel; and a lower hinge provided at the lower part of a sliding door that opens and closes the side of the vehicle, which supports the sliding door so as to be slidable in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, and which, when the sliding door is closed, is positioned such that at least its inner portion in the vehicle width direction overlaps with the battery case in a side view, wherein, when the sliding door is closed, a recess is formed in a part of the battery case facing the inner portion of the lower hinge in the vehicle width direction, the recess being large enough to allow at least a portion of the inner portion of the lower hinge in the vehicle width direction to be inserted.

[0019] According to the invention of the seventh aspect, in the closed state of the sliding door, a concave portion having a size into which at least a part of the inner portion in the vehicle width direction of the lower hinge of the sliding door can be inserted is formed in a part of the battery case facing in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, when the vehicle undergoes a side collision and the lower hinge of the sliding door is displaced inward in the vehicle width direction, at least a part of the inner portion in the vehicle width direction of the lower hinge is accommodated in the concave portion. That is, it becomes difficult for at least a part of the inner portion in the vehicle width direction of the lower hinge of the sliding door to interfere with the battery case (become difficult to hit). Thus, according to the present invention, even when the lower hinge (the inner portion in the vehicle width direction) of the sliding door is disposed at a position overlapping the battery case in a side view, interference of the lower hinge (the inner portion in the vehicle width direction) with the battery case during a side collision of the vehicle is suppressed.

Effect of the Invention

[0020] As described above, according to the present invention, even when the lower hinge of the sliding door is disposed at a position overlapping the battery or the battery case in a side view, interference of the lower hinge with the battery or the battery case during a side collision of the vehicle can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a schematic perspective view showing a side portion of a vehicle provided with a vehicle side portion structure according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a schematic front view showing a partial cross-sectionally enlarged vehicle side portion structure according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a schematic perspective view showing a battery constituting a vehicle side portion structure according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a schematic plan view showing a partially enlarged vehicle side portion structure according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a schematic front view showing a partially enlarged vehicle side portion structure according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a schematic plan view showing a partially enlarged vehicle side portion structure according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a schematic front view showing a partial enlargement of a vehicle side structure according to a second embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. For the sake of convenience of explanation, the arrow UP appropriately shown in each figure is the upward direction of the vehicle, the arrow FR is the forward direction of the vehicle, the arrow LH is the leftward direction of the vehicle, and the arrow RH is the rightward direction of the vehicle. Also, in the following description, when the directions of up and down, front and back, and left and right are described without special mention, they indicate up and down, front and back, and left and right in the vehicle. Further, the left - right direction is synonymous with the vehicle width direction.

[0023] <First Embodiment> First, the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle 12 equipped with a vehicle side structure 10 according to the first embodiment has a slide door 20 that opens and closes the side portion of the vehicle 12. The slide door 20 is provided slidably on both the left and right side portions of the vehicle 12, and is configured to be able to open and close the boarding and alighting opening (vehicle compartment) for passengers boarding and alighting from the rear seats of the vehicle 12.

[0024] The vehicle 12 is provided with an upper guide portion 14, a center guide portion 16, and a lower guide portion 56. The upper guide portion 14 is provided at the upper part of the vehicle 12 and extends in the front - rear direction. Also, the center guide portion 16 is provided at approximately the central portion in the up - down direction of the vehicle 12 and extends in the front - rear direction. Further, the lower guide portion 56, although will be described in detail later, is provided at the lower part of the vehicle 12 and extends in the front - rear direction.

[0025] An upper hinge 22 is attached to the upper part of the sliding door 20, and a guide roller 24 provided on this upper hinge 22 engages with the upper guide section 14. A center hinge 26 is attached to the approximately center of the sliding door 20 in the vertical direction, and a guide roller 28 provided on this center hinge 26 engages with the center guide section 16. Furthermore, a lower hinge 30 is attached to the lower part of the sliding door 20, and a guide roller 44 provided on this lower hinge 30 engages with the lower guide section 56.

[0026] As a result, the sliding door 20 is supported so that it can move in the front-rear direction relative to the vehicle 12. Note that in Figure 1, for the sake of explanation, the guide parts and guide rollers are drawn separately, but in reality, each guide roller is fitted into each guide part. The sliding door 20 is composed of a door outer panel 20A on the outside in the vehicle width direction and a door inner panel 20B on the inside in the vehicle width direction, and the peripheral edges of the door outer panel 20A and the door inner panel 20B are joined by hemming (see Figure 2).

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, a lower hinge 30 is attached to the lower part of the sliding door 20. The lower hinge 30 has a hinge body 32 that is roughly L-shaped when viewed from the front in the front-rear direction (hereinafter simply referred to as "front view"). The hinge body 32 is composed of a fixing portion 34 that extends vertically along the door inner panel 20B and a base support portion 36 that extends integrally inward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the fixing portion 34.

[0028] The fixing portion 34 is formed in a roughly hat-shaped cross-section with an open outer side in the vehicle width direction, and is fastened and fixed to the side of the door inner panel 20B facing in the vehicle width direction by bolts 68 and nuts 69. The base support portion 36 is formed in a roughly hat-shaped cross-section with an open lower side, and extends downward to the outer end in the vehicle width direction of step 54, which will be described later. Note that in Figure 4, the base support portion 36 is depicted as a roughly flat plate for the sake of simplicity.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, one end of the connecting member 38 is fixed to the inner end of the base support portion 36 in the vehicle width direction by a bolt 68 and a nut 69. The connecting member 38 is a substantially flat plate-shaped member that extends in the vehicle width direction with the vertical direction being the plate thickness direction, and the base portion 40, which is the inner part of the lower hinge 30 in the vehicle width direction, is attached to the other end of this connecting member 38 by a pin 39 so as to be able to swing vertically in the axial direction.

[0030] The base portion 40 extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the connecting member 38, and a pair of shaft portions 42 with the vertical direction as the axial direction are provided on the upper surface of the inward end 40A of the base portion 40 in the vehicle width direction. A guide roller 44 is rotatably attached to the upper end of each shaft portion 42, and each guide roller 44 fits between a pair of guide pieces 56A that constitute the lower guide portion 56.

[0031] Furthermore, the base portion 40 is provided with a shaft portion 46 whose axis is oriented in the left-right direction, and a road roller 48 is rotatably attached to the inner end of this shaft portion 46 in the vehicle width direction. The road roller 48 is in contact with the step under panel 52, which will be described later, and the lower hinge 30 is supported by the step under panel 52 via this road roller 48.

[0032] On the other hand, the vehicle 12 is equipped with a floor panel 50 that constitutes the floor surface of the passenger compartment. The floor panel 50 extends in the vehicle width direction and the front-rear direction with the vertical direction being the thickness direction, and a floor carpet 51 is laid on the upper surface of the floor panel 50. A step under panel 52 is provided between the floor panel 50 and the rocker 60, which will be described later.

[0033] In other words, the floor panel 50 and the rocker 60 are connected by the step under panel 52. The step under panel 52 has an upper flange portion 52A at its upper end that is bent along the lower surface of the floor panel 50, and this upper flange portion 52A is superimposed on the lower surface of the floor panel 50 and joined by welding or the like.

[0034] Furthermore, the step under panel 52 has a first vertical wall portion 52B that extends integrally downward from the upper flange portion 52A when viewed from the front, a first horizontal wall portion 52C that extends integrally outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the first vertical wall portion 52B, a second vertical wall portion 52D that extends integrally downward from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the first horizontal wall portion 52C, and a second horizontal wall portion 52E that extends integrally outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the second vertical wall portion 52D. The second horizontal wall portion 52E is then superimposed on the rocker inner panel 64, which will be described later, from above and joined by welding or the like.

[0035] Furthermore, a resin step 54 for passengers to get on and off is attached to the first side wall portion 52C of the step under panel 52. The step 54 is formed in a roughly "L" shape when viewed from the front, and the lower end of the step 54 is a fixed portion 54A that is bent along the first side wall portion 52C. This fixed portion 54A is fastened and secured to the first side wall portion 52C by bolts 68 and nuts 69.

[0036] Step 54 extends upward from the fixing portion 54A and further extends outward in the vehicle width direction. The step body 54B extending in the vehicle width direction is provided with reinforcing ribs 54C that extend along the front-rear direction. Multiple ribs 54C (five in the illustration) are provided, and each protrudes integrally upward from the step body 54B.

[0037] Furthermore, a lower guide section 56 is formed on the lower surface of the step body 54B. The lower guide section 56 includes a pair of left and right guide pieces 56A that protrude integrally downward from the step body 54B. The pair of guide pieces 56A extend in the front-rear direction along the step body 54B, and the guide roller 44 of the lower hinge 30 fits between the pair of guide pieces 56A. In other words, the lower guide section 56 guides the lower hinge 30 so that it can move in the front-rear direction.

[0038] Furthermore, a resin scuff plate 58 is provided above the step 54. The scuff plate 58 extends from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the floor panel 50 to the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the step body 54B and is attached to the step 54 by clips or the like (not shown). An opening and closing device 18 for the sliding door 20 is also attached to the step 54. The opening and closing device 18 is located on the upper surface of the first side wall 52C and includes components such as a motor and pulleys necessary for the automatic opening and closing of the sliding door 20.

[0039] Furthermore, a rocker 60, which has a closed cross-section structure and extends in the front-rear direction, is provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the battery case 70, which will be described later, and below the lower hinge 30. The rocker 60 is composed of a rocker outer panel 62 located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and a rocker inner panel 64 located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

[0040] The rocker outer panel 62 is formed in a roughly crank shape when viewed from the front. Specifically, the rocker outer panel 62 extends downward from the upper flange portion 62A at its upper end, and its lower part is bent inward in the vehicle width direction. The lower flange portion 62B then extends downward from its inward end in the vehicle width direction.

[0041] The rocker inner panel 64 is formed in a roughly hat-shaped cross-section that is open to the outside in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the front. Specifically, an upper flange portion 64A is formed at the upper end of the rocker inner panel 64, and this upper flange portion 64A is overlapped with the upper flange portion 62A of the rocker outer panel 62 and joined by welding or the like. A lower flange portion 64B is formed at the lower end of the rocker inner panel 64, and this lower flange portion 64B is overlapped with the lower flange portion 62B of the rocker outer panel 62 and joined by welding or the like. As a result, the rocker 60 has a closed cross-sectional structure.

[0042] Furthermore, a weatherstrip 66 is attached to the upper flange portions 62A and 64A that are joined together, and this weatherstrip 66 seals the space between them and the sliding door 20. In addition, a rocker molding 63 is attached to the outside of the rocker outer panel 62 in the vehicle width direction by clips or the like (not shown). The rocker molding 63 is made of resin and covers the lower part of the rocker outer panel 62 from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0043] A metal battery case 70 is positioned on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the base portion 40 of the rocker 60 and lower hinge 30, and below the floor panel 50, covering almost the entire area of ​​the floor panel 50 in a plan view. The battery case 70 is supported by side members, cross members, etc., which are not shown.

[0044] The battery case 70 is composed of a bottom wall 72, a peripheral wall 74, and a lid wall 76. Inside, it houses a battery stack 80 consisting of multiple battery cells 82 (see Figure 3), a wire harness, and a cooling device (both not shown). Power is supplied from the battery stack 80 to a drive motor (not shown). The battery stack 80 is composed of multiple battery cells 82 arranged in two layers, upper and lower (see Figure 3).

[0045] The bottom wall 72 of the battery case 70 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, with the vertical direction being the thickness direction, and a peripheral wall 74 is integrally erected on the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall 72. That is, the peripheral wall 74 is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape along the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall 72. The lid wall 76 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape corresponding to the outer shapes of the bottom wall 72 and the peripheral wall 74, with the vertical direction being the thickness direction, and the outer peripheral edge of the lid wall 76 is fastened to the upper surface of the peripheral wall 74 by bolts 68.

[0046] Furthermore, in the peripheral wall 74, the left and right side portions 74S located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction are formed as a closed cross-sectional structure when viewed from the front, and are divided into two closed cross-sections, upper and lower, by a flat plate-shaped partition wall 74A integrally provided in the approximate center in the vertical direction. In addition, an under cover 67 is provided on the lower side of this battery case 70, and both ends of the under cover 67 in the vehicle width direction are fastened to the step under panel 52 together with the step 54 by bolts 68 and nuts 69.

[0047] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, when the sliding door 20 is closed, the base support portion 36 and base portion 40 of the lower hinge 30 are positioned on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the battery case 70 when viewed from the front. In other words, when the sliding door 20 is closed, the base support portion 36 and base portion 40 of the lower hinge 30 are positioned to overlap with the side portion 74S of the battery case 70 that faces outward in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the vehicle width direction (hereinafter simply referred to as "side view").

[0048] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, on the upper part of the battery stack 80, on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and approximately in the center in the front-to-rear direction, some battery cells 82 are not provided, resulting in the formation of a rectangular recess 84 in both plan view and front view. Then, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, on the upper side of the battery case 70, on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and approximately in the center in the front-to-rear direction, a recess 78 corresponding to the recess 84 (with the same shape as the recess 84) is formed.

[0049] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, when the sliding door 20 is closed, at least a portion of the base portion 40 of the lower hinge 30 (including the inner end portion 40A in the vehicle width direction) is positioned in approximately the same location in the front-rear direction as the recess 78 of the battery case 70 (recess 84 of the battery stack 80) in a plan view. In other words, at least a portion of the base portion 40 of the lower hinge 30 (including the inner end portion 40A in the vehicle width direction) faces the recess 78 of the battery case 70 (recess 84 of the battery stack 80) in the vehicle width direction in both a plan view and a front view (see Figures 4 and 5).

[0050] Furthermore, the size of the recess 78 formed in the battery case 70 (and the recess 84 formed in the battery stack 80) is such that at least a portion of the base portion 40 of the lower hinge 30 (including a portion including the inner end portion 40A in the vehicle width direction) can be inserted (see Figure 4). Also, as shown in Figure 5, with reference to the lower surface of the bottom wall 72 of the battery case 70, the height H1 of the bottom surface 78A in the recess 78 (recess 84) is less than or equal to the height H2 of the lower surface 36A of the base support portion 36 and the lower surface 40B of the base portion 40 (H1 ≤ H2).

[0051] The operation of the vehicle side structure 10 according to the first embodiment, which has the configuration described above, will now be explained.

[0052] As described above, in the vehicle 12 according to the first embodiment, when the sliding door 20 is closed, the base support portion 36 and base portion 40 of the lower hinge 30 are positioned on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the battery case 70 when viewed from the front (positioned to overlap with the side portion 74S of the battery case 70 when viewed from the side). Therefore, when the vehicle 12 is involved in a side collision, the base support portion 36 and base portion 40 of the lower hinge 30 are displaced inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0053] Here, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, with the sliding door 20 closed, at least a portion of the base portion 40 of the lower hinge 30 (including the inner end portion 40A in the vehicle width direction) is positioned in approximately the same position in the front-rear direction as the recess 78 of the battery case 70 (recess 84 of the battery stack 80) (it faces the recess 78 of the battery case 70 (recess 84 of the battery stack 80) in the vehicle width direction).

[0054] Furthermore, using the lower surface of the bottom wall 72 of the battery case 70 as a reference, the height H1 of the bottom surface 78A of the recess 78 of the battery case 70 (recess 84 of the battery stack 80) is set to be less than or equal to the height H2 of the lower surface 36A of the base support portion 36 and the lower surface 40B of the base portion 40 (see Figure 5). As a result, at least a portion of the base portion 40 that has been displaced toward the inside in the vehicle width direction (a portion including the inner end 40A in the vehicle width direction) is reliably accommodated within the recess 78 (within the recess 84).

[0055] In other words, at least a portion of the base portion 40 that has been displaced inward in the vehicle width direction (including the portion including the inward end portion 40A in the vehicle width direction) is less likely to interfere with (become less likely to hit) the battery case 70 and the battery stack 80 (battery cells 82) housed inside the battery case 70. Therefore, collision loads are less likely to be transmitted from the base portion 40 (inward end portion 40A in the vehicle width direction) to the battery case 70 and the battery stack 80 (battery cells 82) housed inside the battery case 70.

[0056] Thus, according to the first embodiment, even if the base support portion 36 and base portion 40 of the lower hinge 30 are positioned on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the battery case 70 when viewed from the front (or in a position overlapping with the side portion 74S of the battery case 70 when viewed from the side), it is possible to suppress interference between at least a part of the base portion 40 of the lower hinge 30 (including the inner end portion 40A in the vehicle width direction) and the battery stack 80 (battery cells 82) housed inside the battery case 70.

[0057] Furthermore, in this first embodiment, as described above, since the battery stack 80 is housed inside the battery case 70, the battery case 70 can more effectively suppress or prevent at least a portion of the base portion 40 (including the inner end portion 40A in the vehicle width direction) from interfering with (hitting) the battery stack 80 (battery cells 82) compared to the case where the battery stack 80 is not housed inside the battery case 70.

[0058] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that parts equivalent to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions (including common functions) will be omitted as appropriate.

[0059] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, this second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that an impact-absorbing member 86 is fitted into the recess 78 (recess 84) so ​​as to fill the recess 78. The impact-absorbing member 86 is formed from an engineering plastic such as polyamide (PA) or polycarbonate (PC) in the same shape as the recess 78 and has a certain degree of rigidity. On the upper surface of the impact-absorbing member 86, a plurality of ribs 88 (for example, three) are formed in the front-to-back direction along the vehicle width direction.

[0060] By providing such an impact-absorbing member 86, when the vehicle 12 collides with the side and the base support portion 36 and base portion 40 of the lower hinge 30 are displaced inward in the vehicle width direction, at least a portion of the base portion 40 (including the inward end portion 40A in the vehicle width direction) is absorbed by the impact-absorbing member 86. In other words, the collision load transmitted to the lower hinge 30 inward in the vehicle width direction is absorbed by the impact-absorbing member 86. Therefore, it is possible to prevent at least a portion of the base portion 40 (including the inward end portion 40A in the vehicle width direction) from interfering with the battery case 70 and the battery stack 80 (battery cells 82) housed inside the battery case 70.

[0061] Furthermore, since multiple ribs 88 are formed on the upper surface of the impact-absorbing member 86 in the front-rear direction along the vehicle width direction, at least a portion of the base portion 40 (including the inner end 40A in the vehicle width direction) is more effectively absorbed by the impact-absorbing member 86. In other words, the collision load transmitted to the lower hinge 30 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction is more effectively absorbed by the impact-absorbing member 86. Therefore, interference between at least a portion of the base portion 40 (including the inner end 40A in the vehicle width direction) and the battery case 70 and the battery stack 80 (battery cells 82) housed inside the battery case 70 can be more effectively suppressed.

[0062] The vehicle side structure 10 according to this embodiment has been described above based on the drawings. However, the vehicle side structure 10 according to this embodiment is not limited to the illustrated version, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0063] For example, the battery stack 80 may be provided in an exposed state without being housed inside the battery case 70. Also, the recess 78 may be formed only in the battery case 70, and the recess 84 may not be formed in the battery stack 80. Furthermore, the shock absorbing member 86 may not have multiple ribs 88 formed on it.

[0064] Furthermore, the battery stack 80 does not have to be made up of multiple battery cells 82 arranged in two layers, but rather, for example, multiple battery cells (not shown) that are taller than the battery cell 82 can be made into a single layer. In this case, a recess 84 can be formed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and approximately in the center in the front-rear direction by not arranging some battery cells, or by arranging low-height battery cells 82.

[0065] Furthermore, the base support portion 36 and base portion 40 of the lower hinge 30 are positioned on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the side portion 74S of the battery case 70. Therefore, in a plan view, the battery case 70 may be formed such that the front end and rear end of its side portion 74S protrude, for example, outward in the vehicle width direction. In other words, in this embodiment, being positioned on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the battery case 70 in a front view means being positioned on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the side portion 74S of the battery case 70. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 10 Vehicle side structure 12 vehicles 20 Sliding Door 30 Lower Hinge 40 Base section (inner part in the vehicle width direction) 50 Floor Panels 70 Battery Case 78 recesses 80 Battery Stacks (Batteries) 84 recess 86 Impact absorbing material 88 Ribs

Claims

1. The battery is located on the lower side of the vehicle's floor panel, A lower hinge is provided at the lower part of a sliding door that opens and closes the side of the vehicle, supports the sliding door so that it can slide in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and is positioned such that, when the sliding door is closed, at least its inner portion in the vehicle width direction overlaps with the battery in a side view. Equipped with, A vehicle side structure in which, when the sliding door is closed, the inner portion of the lower hinge in the vehicle width direction is recessed inward from the side of the battery in the vehicle width direction, from the upper surface of the battery, and recessed inward from the side of the battery in the vehicle width direction, to a size that allows at least a portion of the inner portion of the lower hinge in the vehicle width direction to be inserted into a part of the battery facing it in the vehicle width direction.

2. The vehicle side structure according to claim 1, wherein the height of the bottom surface in the recess is less than or equal to the height of the lower surface of the lower hinge.

3. The vehicle side structure according to claim 2, wherein an impact-absorbing member is fitted into the recess so as to fill the recess.

4. The vehicle side structure according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of ribs are formed on the upper surface of the impact absorbing member, in accordance with the vehicle width direction.

5. The vehicle side structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the battery is housed in a battery case.

6. The vehicle side structure according to claim 5, wherein a recess corresponding to the recess is formed in the battery case.

7. The battery case is located on the lower side of the vehicle's floor panel, A lower hinge is provided at the lower part of a sliding door that opens and closes the side of the vehicle, and supports the sliding door so that it can slide in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and is positioned such that, when the sliding door is closed, at least its inner portion in the vehicle width direction overlaps with the battery case in a side view. Equipped with, In the closed state of the sliding door, the vehicle side structure has a recess formed in a part of the battery case opposite to the vehicle width direction of the lower hinge, such that at least a portion of the vehicle width direction of the lower hinge can be inserted into the recess formed in the vehicle width direction from the upper surface of the battery case toward the vehicle downwards and from the side surface of the battery case toward the vehicle width direction.

Images