Structural construction

Abstract

To facilitate positioning during fastening.SOLUTION: In a fastening structure that fastens a fastened part 11a having an arcuate inner surface to a fixing part 220, a plurality of contact members 100, 200, 300 arranged inside the fastened part 11a and being in contact with the inner surface of the fastened part 11a, is arranged in a circumferential direction of the fastened part 11a; a first cone member 400 and a second cone member 500 are provided so as to be in contact with the contact members 100, 200, 300 from both sides in an axial direction of the fastened part 11a; and the first cone member 400 and the second cone member 500 are tightened in a direction of approaching each other, thereby displacing the plurality of contact members 100, 200, 300 radially outward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fastening structure for fastening various members.

Background Art

[0002] For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, in an electric vehicle, a battery for supplying power to a driving motor may be mounted below a floor panel. In the electric vehicle of Patent Document 1, a battery case for housing the battery is composed of a case lower and a case upper. The case lower has a box-shaped case main body portion, a front extending portion formed on the front side of the case main body portion and rectangular in plan view, and a rear extending portion formed on the rear side of the case main body portion and rectangular in plan view. The case main body portion, the front extending portion, and the rear extending portion are integrally formed by casting.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when trying to integrally form a front extending portion and a rear extending portion, which are rectangular in plan view, on a box-shaped case main body portion like the case lower of Patent Document 1, it becomes a considerably large casting, so it may be difficult depending on manufacturing equipment and the like. When integral molding is difficult, for example, the case main body portion, the front extending portion, and the rear extending portion may be made of separate parts, and a structure for fastening the front extending portion and the rear extending portion to the case main body portion can be considered.

[0005] Since the case body of Patent Document 1 is fixed to the vehicle body, the relative position of the case body with respect to the vehicle body is determined with high precision. Furthermore, since the front extension and rear extension are integrally molded with respect to the case body, it is considered that the relative positions of the front extension and rear extension with respect to the vehicle body are also determined with high precision. In particular, since the front suspension is attached to the front extension, it is desirable that the relative position of the front extension with respect to the vehicle body be determined with high precision.

[0006] However, if we consider a structure in which the case body and the front and rear extensions are made of separate parts and fastened together with fastening members, the holes through which the fastening members are inserted are generally set to be larger than the shaft diameter of the fastening members. Therefore, there is a possibility that the relative positions of the front and rear extensions with respect to the case body may be misaligned.

[0007] To reduce this misalignment, one could, for example, use a special jig for precise alignment during installation or repeatedly perform high-precision measurements to achieve alignment. However, in either case, this increases the effort and burden on the manufacturing site, which is undesirable.

[0008] The above points relate to the battery case of an electric vehicle, but the same principles apply when fastening various components other than the battery case.

[0009] This disclosure is made in view of the above, and its purpose is to facilitate positioning at the time of fastening. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve the above objective, in one aspect of the present disclosure, a fastening structure for fastening a fastened portion having an arc-shaped inner surface to a fixed portion is provided, wherein a plurality of contact members are arranged inside the fastened portion and in contact with the inner surface of the fastened portion, arranged in the circumferential direction of the fastened portion, and a first cone member and a second cone member are provided that contact the contact members from both sides in the axial direction of the fastened portion, respectively, and the plurality of contact members are displaced radially outward by tightening the first cone member and the second cone member in a direction toward each other.

[0011] In this configuration, when the first cone member and the second cone member are tightened in a direction that brings them closer together, multiple contact members are displaced radially outward. In other words, simply by performing the tightening operation, the frictional force generated between the radial outer surface of the contact members and the inner surface of the fastened part increases, and this frictional force firmly fixes the fastened part to the fixing part.

[0012] In other embodiments of this disclosure, a rotation-preventing portion may be provided that engages with the contact member and prevents the contact member from rotating around its axis while engaged. This prevents the contact member from rotating unintentionally, thereby improving workability during fastening.

[0013] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, a fastening member for tightening the first cone member and the second cone member may be provided. In this case, the first cone member and the second cone member can be configured to be separated in the axial direction while the first cone member and the second cone member are tightened by the fastening member.

[0014] In other words, if the first cone member and the second cone member come into contact, it becomes impossible to displace the contact member radially outward any further. However, in this embodiment, even when the first cone member and the second cone member are tightened by the fastening member, the first cone member and the second cone member are separated in the axial direction. Therefore, the frictional force between the radial outer surface of the contact member and the inner surface of the fastened part can be sufficiently increased while absorbing, for example, manufacturing errors.

[0015] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, a suspension support member to which an automobile suspension system is attached can be fastened to a component of a battery case that houses a battery that supplies power to the automobile's drive motor.

[0016] This configuration allows for highly precise positioning of the suspension support members when fastening them to the battery case components, thus enabling the suspension system to be installed in the desired position.

[0017] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the suspension support member may have multiple fastening points in the vehicle width direction perpendicular to the axis, and the battery case components may extend in the vehicle width direction and be fastened to multiple fastening points. With this configuration, the suspension support member can be fastened to the battery case components at multiple points. Therefore, for example, when an impact load is applied to the suspension support member during a vehicle collision, the impact load can be distributed and absorbed at multiple points on the battery case components. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] As explained above, when fastening the part to be fastened to the fixing part, tightening the first cone member and the second cone member in a direction that brings them closer together allows the relative positional relationship between the part to be fastened and the fixing part to be precisely determined, making positioning during fastening easier. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a side view of an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a side view showing an electric vehicle divided into a lower structure and an upper structure. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the lower structure from above. [Figure 4] This is a plan view of the substructure. [Figure 5]It is a cross-sectional view of an electric vehicle seen from the front. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view showing a state before attaching a front frame member, an outer connection part, and an inner connection part to a battery case. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view of the fastening structure seen from the right front direction. [Figure 8] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7, with the fastened part and the fastening member omitted. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7, showing the positional relationship with the fastened part. [Figure 10] It is a perspective view combining a contact member and a cone member according to a modification of the embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a perspective view showing a state where a contact member and a cone member according to a modification of the embodiment are separated.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. Note that the following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a left side view of an electric vehicle 1 having a vehicle body structure A to which a fastening structure T (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 2, this electric vehicle 1 includes a lower structure body 2 and an upper structure body 3, and the vehicle body structure A is constituted by the lower structure body 2 and the upper structure body 3. In FIG. 2, a state where doors, a bonnet hood, front fenders, a windshield, bumpers, front and rear lighting devices, etc. are removed is shown. Note that in the description of this embodiment, the front side of the vehicle is simply referred to as "front", the rear side of the vehicle is simply referred to as "rear", the right side of the vehicle is simply referred to as "right", and the left side of the vehicle is simply referred to as "left". The left-right direction of the vehicle is the vehicle width direction.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the electric vehicle 1 is a passenger car. As shown in Figure 2, a luggage compartment R2 is provided behind the passenger compartment R1, which is the living space for the occupants, as needed. On the other hand, the space in front of the passenger compartment R1 can be, for example, a power compartment R3. That is, the vehicle body structure A includes a drive motor M that generates power to drive the drive wheels, and a battery case 10 that houses a battery B (shown only in Figure 4) that supplies power to the drive motor M. The powertrain PT is composed of either the drive motor M alone, or the drive motor M and a reduction gear, transmission, etc. Figures 1 and 2 show the case where the powertrain PT is provided only in the power compartment R3, but the powertrain PT may also be provided in the space R4 below the luggage compartment R2 (the rear powertrain is not shown). When the powertrain PT is provided only in the power compartment R3, only the front wheels F are driven. When the powertrain PT is provided in the space R4 below, only the rear wheels R are driven. In this case, the power compartment R3 can be used as a luggage compartment or the like. Furthermore, if a powertrain PT is provided in both the power chamber R3 and the lower space R4, it becomes a four-wheel drive vehicle. The battery case 10 is located below the floor panel 70, which will be described later.

[0023] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the lower structure 2 comprises a battery case 10, a front frame member 11 extending forward in front of the battery case 10, and a rear frame member 12 extending rearward in rear of the battery case 10. In Figure 3, the left front wheel F, rear wheel R, suspension arm, etc., are omitted.

[0024] In typical electric vehicles, the battery case is often a separate component from the vehicle body and is detachably attached to the underfloor. However, in this embodiment, not only the battery case 10, but also the front frame member 11 and the rear frame member 12 are integrated into the battery case 10, and the front frame member 11 and the rear frame member 12 are also detachably attached to the upper structure 3 together with the battery case 10.

[0025] Specifically, the electric vehicle 1 of this embodiment is configured to be separable into a lower structure 2 having a battery case 10 and an upper structure 3 forming the passenger compartment R1 and the cargo compartment R2. Separability means that the lower structure 2 is integrated with the upper structure 3 using fastening members such as bolts and nuts or screws, without using welding or adhesive. As a result, when the electric vehicle 1 is delivered to the user and needs maintenance or repair, the lower structure 2 can be separated from the upper structure 3 as needed, thus improving maintainability.

[0026] Here, the ladder frame type body structure is known as an automobile body structure. In the case of a ladder frame type body structure, the ladder frame and the cabin can be divided into upper and lower parts, but since the ladder frame extends continuously in the front-to-rear direction, it mainly receives the collision load during frontal and rear-end collisions. In the case of a side collision, the ladder frame only receives the collision load secondarily, and the cabin is the main recipient of the collision load. Thus, in a ladder frame type body structure, the members that receive the collision load are usually divided into those that receive the frontal and rear-end collisions and those that receive the collision load during a side collision.

[0027] In contrast, in the case of the electric vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the lower structure 2 and upper structure 3, which have frame members 11 and 12, are separable. However, in both frontal and rear collisions, as well as side collisions, the collision load is received by the lower structure 2 and upper structure 3, thereby distributing and absorbing the collision load between the two structures 2 and 3. This represents a significant difference in technical concept from conventional ladder frame type vehicle structures. The structure and effects of the lower structure 2 and upper structure 3 will be described in order below.

[0028] (Lower structure) First, let's describe the lower structure 2. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the lower structure 2 includes not only the battery case 10, the front frame member 11, and the rear frame member 12, but also the powertrain PT, front wheels F, rear wheels R, front suspension device 13, and rear suspension device 14. The type of the front suspension device 13 and rear suspension device 14 is not particularly limited.

[0029] The battery case 10 is a large case formed below the floor panel 70, which will be described later, extending from near the left end to near the right end of the floor panel 70, and from near the front end to near the rear end of the floor panel 70. By providing the battery case 10 over a wide area below the floor panel 70 in this way, it becomes possible to mount a large-capacity battery B in the electric vehicle 1, as shown in Figure 4. The battery B may be, for example, a lithium-ion battery or an all-solid-state battery, or another type of secondary battery. Furthermore, the battery B may be a so-called battery cell, or a battery pack containing multiple battery cells.

[0030] The battery case 10 comprises a left-side member 20, a right-side member 21, a front-end member 22, a rear-end member 23, and a bottom plate 24. The left-side member 20, the right-side member 21, the front-end member 22, and the rear-end member 23 are examples of components of the battery case 10, and are made of, for example, an extruded aluminum alloy, but may also be made of aluminum alloy sheet metal or a press-formed steel sheet. The bottom plate 24 can also be made of an extruded material. In the following description, "extruded material" refers to an extruded aluminum alloy, and "press-formed material" refers to aluminum alloy sheet metal or a press-formed steel sheet. In addition, each component may be made of, for example, a casting.

[0031] The cross-sectional shapes of the left-side member 20, the right-side member 21, the front-end member 22, and the rear-end member 23 in directions perpendicular to their respective longitudinal directions are all rectangular. Furthermore, the left-side member 20, the right-side member 21, the front-end member 22, and the rear-end member 23 are all positioned at the same height and extend approximately horizontally.

[0032] The left-side member 20 is located at the left end of the battery case 1 and extends in the front-rear direction. The right-side member 21 is located at the right end of the battery case 1 and extends in the front-rear direction. The front-end member 22 is located at the front end of the battery case 1 and extends in the left-right direction. The left end of the front-end member 22 is connected to the front end of the left-side member 20, and the right end of the front-end member 22 is connected to the front end of the right-side member 21. The rear-end member 23 is located at the rear end of the battery case 1 and extends in the left-right direction. The left end of the rear-end member 23 is connected to the rear end of the left-side member 20, and the right end of the rear-end member 23 is connected to the rear end of the right-side member 21. The bottom plate 24 extends approximately horizontally and is fixed to the undersides of the left-side member 20, the right-side member 21, the front-end member 22, and the rear-end member 23. Therefore, the left-side member 20, the right-side member 21, the front-end member 22, the rear-end member 23, and the bottom plate 24 form a battery housing space S (shown in Figure 3) for housing the battery B.

[0033] The top of the battery housing space S may be closed with a cover (not shown) or with a floor panel 70, which will be described later. In addition to the battery B, the battery housing space S may also be equipped with a cooling device for cooling the battery B, a heating device for heating the battery B, and the like. Power from the battery B is supplied to the drive motor M via a control device (not shown). Furthermore, the battery B can be charged via a charging socket (not shown).

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the battery case 10 is provided with first to third battery-side cross members 25A, 25B, and 25C as reinforcing members extending in the left-right direction. The heights of the first to third battery-side cross members 25A, 25B, and 25C are all the same, and are approximately the same height as the left-side member 20, etc. The left end of each battery-side cross member 25A, 25B, and 25C is fixed to the inner surface (right side) of the left-side member 20, and the right end of each battery-side cross member 25A, 25B, and 25C is fixed to the inner surface (left side) of the right-side member 21. In other words, the battery-side cross members 25A, 25B, and 25C are members that connect the left-side member 20 and the right-side member 21.

[0035] Inside the battery case 10, a front central member 26 and first to third rear central members 27 to 29 are provided as reinforcing members extending in the front-to-back direction. The front central member 26 and the first to third rear central members 27 to 29 are positioned at approximately the same height and are located in the left-to-right center of the battery case 10. The lower ends of the front central member 26 and the first to third rear central members 27 to 29 are attached to the upper surface of the bottom plate 24.

[0036] The front central member 26 is positioned between the front end member 22 and the first battery-side cross member 25A. The front end of the front central member 26 is fixed to the left-right center of the front end member 22, and the rear end of the front central member 26 is fixed to the left-right center of the first battery-side cross member 25A.

[0037] The first rear central member 27 is positioned between the first battery-side cross member 25A and the second battery-side cross member 25B, with the front end of the first rear central member 27 fixed to the left-right center of the first battery-side cross member 25A, and the rear end of the first rear central member 27 fixed to the left-right center of the second battery-side cross member 25B. The second rear central member 28 is positioned between the second battery-side cross member 25B and the third battery-side cross member 25C, with the front end of the second rear central member 28 fixed to the left-right center of the second battery-side cross member 25B, and the rear end of the second rear central member 28 fixed to the left-right center of the third battery-side cross member 25C. Furthermore, the third rear central member 29 is positioned between the third battery-side cross member 25C and the rear end member 23. The front end of the third rear central member 29 is fixed to the left-right center of the third battery-side cross member 25C, and the rear end of the third rear central member 29 is fixed to the left-right center of the rear end member 23. Therefore, the first to third battery-side cross members 25A, 25B, and 25C, the front central member 26, and the first to third rear central members 27 to 29 are arranged in a grid pattern inside the battery case 10 and connected to each other, thereby further enhancing the reinforcing effect of the battery case 10.

[0038] When a virtual straight line extending in the front-to-back direction is assumed in a plan view, the front central member 26 and the first to third rear central members 27-29 are positioned in the left-to-right direction so as to lie on that virtual straight line. In other words, the first to third rear central members 27-29 are positioned on the virtual extension of the front central member 26 to the rear. Note that the front central member 26 and the first to third rear central members 27-29 may be composed of a single continuous member in the front-to-back direction.

[0039] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a pair of front frame members 11 are provided on the left and right sides, extending in a substantially horizontal, linear manner below the left and right front side frames 72, which will be described later. Each front frame member 11 can be made of, for example, an extruded material or a press-formed material. In this embodiment, since each front frame member 11 is made of an extruded material, the cross-sectional shape in the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction is substantially the same from the front end to the rear end.

[0040] The left front frame member 11 is fixed to a portion slightly to the left of the left-right center of the front end member 22 that constitutes the front of the battery case 10 using a fastening structure T (details to be described later), and this fixing portion is located to the right of the left side member 20 of the battery case 10. Similarly, the right front frame member 11 is fixed to a portion slightly to the right of the left-right center of the front end member 22 using a fastening structure T, and this fixing portion is located to the left of the right side member 21 of the battery case 10. The distance between the left and right front frame members 11 is set to be narrower than the distance between the left side member 20 and the right side member 21 of the battery case 10.

[0041] The heights of the left and right front frame members 11 are approximately the same. Furthermore, the left and right front frame members 11 and the front central member 26, left side member 20, and right side member 21 of the battery case 10 are arranged at approximately the same height.

[0042] The battery case 10 side (rear side) of each front frame member 11 is fixed to the battery case 10 at multiple points spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. Specifically, the rear end of the right front frame member 11 is fixed to the front end member 22, and the portion of the front frame member 11 located further forward than the rear end is fixed to the front end member 22 by an outer connecting portion 30 and an inner connecting portion 31. This allows the collision load applied to the front frame member 11 during a frontal collision to be distributed and transmitted to multiple points on the battery case 10. The outer connecting portion 30 and the inner connecting portion 31 can also be components that constitute part of the front frame member 11.

[0043] The outer connecting portion 30 and the inner connecting portion 31 are made of highly rigid members such as extruded material or press-formed material, and are cylindrical, plate-shaped, or columnar in shape. In a plan view, the width of the outer connecting portion 30 and the inner connecting portion 31 is set to be wider than the width of the front frame member 11, thereby further enhancing the effect of distributing the collision load. The width of the outer connecting portion 30 and the inner connecting portion 31 may be the same as the width of the front frame member 11, or it may be narrower than the width of the front frame member 11.

[0044] The right outer connecting portion 30 is located to the right of the right front frame member 11 (outer in the vehicle width direction) and is at approximately the same height as the front frame member 11. It is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction in a plan view, so that it is located to the right as it approaches the rear end. The front end of the right outer connecting portion 30 is connected to the portion of the front frame member 11 between the center and the rear end in the front-rear direction (the middle portion in the front-rear direction). The outer connecting portion 30 extends to the right and rearward from the connection point with the front frame member 11, that is, toward the side sill 73 (described later) of the superstructure 3. The rear end of the right outer connecting portion 30 is fixed to a portion of the front end member 22 that is spaced to the right of the rear end of the front frame member 11.

[0045] The right inner connecting portion 31 is located to the left of the right front frame member 11 (inward in the vehicle width direction) and is at approximately the same height as the front frame member 11. It is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction in a plan view, so that it is located further to the left as it approaches the rear end. The front end of the right inner connecting portion 31 is connected to the portion of the front frame member 11 between the center and the rear end (mid-section in the front-rear direction). The right inner connecting portion 31 extends to the left and rearward from the connection point with the front frame member 11, that is, toward the left-right center of the battery case 10. The rear end of the inner connecting portion 31 is fixed to a portion of the front end member 22 that is spaced to the left of the rear end of the front frame member 11.

[0046] In this embodiment, the right front frame member 11 is fixed to the front end member 22 at three points spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. However, it is not limited to this, and it is also possible to omit one of the outer connection part 30 and the inner connection part 31 and fix it at two points, or to fix the front end member 22 with only the outer connection part 30 and the inner connection part 31 without fixing the rear end of the front frame member 11 to the front end member 22.

[0047] Furthermore, the left front frame member 11 can be fixed to the front end member 22 in the same way as the right front frame member 11. The fastening structure of the left front frame member 11 can be symmetrical to that of the right front frame member 11.

[0048] As shown in Figure 3, an intermediate connecting member 49, a front connecting member 50, and a rear connecting member 51 are provided in front of the battery case 10 of the lower structure 2, spaced apart in the front-rear direction. The front connecting member 50 extends in the vehicle width direction from the front of the left front frame member 11 to the front of the right front frame member 11, and is a member that connects the left front frame member 11 and the right front frame member 11. The rear connecting member 51 also extends in the vehicle width direction from the rear of the left front frame member 11 to the rear of the right front frame member 11, and is a member that connects the left front frame member 11 and the right front frame member 11. The front connecting member 50 and the rear connecting member 51 are made of, for example, extruded material or press-formed material. By connecting the left and right front frame members 11 with the front connecting member 50 and the rear connecting member 51, a frame-shaped structure is formed in plan view. Furthermore, the intermediate connecting member 49 is provided between the front connecting member 50 and the rear connecting member 51, extends in the vehicle width direction from the front of the left front frame member 11 to the front of the right front frame member 11, and is a member that connects the left front frame member 11 and the right front frame member 11.

[0049] As shown in Figure 4, the powertrain PT is positioned behind the front connecting member 50. The lower structure 2 is provided with drive shafts 52 on both the left and right sides, which transmit the output of the powertrain PT to the left and right front wheels F, respectively.

[0050] Furthermore, the left and right suspension arms 13a, which constitute part of the front suspension device 13, are pivotably supported on the left and right front frame members 11 via brackets 13b. Therefore, the front frame members 11 are suspension support members. The brackets 13b are provided at the connection points between the left and right front frame members 11 and the rear connecting member 51.

[0051] The lower structure 2 is provided with two left-side connecting parts 53 and 54 that connect the left front frame member 11 to the left front side frame 72 (described later), spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction, and two right-side connecting parts 55 and 56 that connect the right front frame member 11 to the right front side frame 72 (described later), spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction.

[0052] The front left connecting portion 53 is provided at the connection point with the left front frame member 11 on the front connecting member 50. The front right connecting portion 55 is provided at the connection point with the right front frame member 11 on the front connecting member 50. The rear left connecting portion 54 is provided at the connection point with the intermediate connecting member 49 on the left front frame member 11. The rear right connecting portion 56 is provided at the connection point with the intermediate connecting member 49 on the right front frame member 11.

[0053] The rear frame members 12 are provided in pairs, one on each side, similar to the front frame members 11, and extend linearly and almost horizontally toward the rear. Each rear frame member 12 can be made of, for example, an extruded material or a press-formed material.

[0054] The left rear frame member 12 is fastened to a portion of the rear end member 23, which constitutes the rear of the battery case 10, that is slightly to the left of the center in the left-right direction. This portion is located to the right of the left side member 20 of the battery case 10. Similarly, the right rear frame member 12 is fastened to a portion of the rear end member 23, that is slightly to the right of the center in the left-right direction. This portion is located to the left of the right side member 21 of the battery case 10. The fastening structure (not shown) of the rear frame member 12 to the rear end member 23 can be the same as the fastening structure T of the front frame member 11 to the front end member 22 described above.

[0055] The left and right suspension arms 14a, which constitute part of the rear suspension device 14, are each pivotably supported on the left and right rear frame members 12 via cross members 14b.

[0056] (superstructure) Next, the general structure of the superstructure 3 will be described. As shown in Figure 5, the superstructure 3 comprises a floor panel 70, a dash panel 71, a pair of left and right front side frames 72 (only the right side is shown in Figure 5), and a pair of left and right side sills 73 (only the right side is shown in Figure 5). Figure 5 shows the vehicle with the doors, hood, front fenders, windows, bumpers, front and rear lighting devices, some seats, and interior materials removed.

[0057] The floor panel 70 constitutes the floor surface of the passenger compartment R1 and is made of a steel plate or the like that extends in both the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. The dash panel 71 is a component that separates the passenger compartment R1 and the power compartment R3 in the front-to-back direction.

[0058] The left and right front side frames 72 are located at the front of the vehicle body and extend in the front-to-rear direction. Figure 5 shows only the right front side frame 72, while Figure 2 shows the left front side frame 72. The left and right front side frames 72 are positioned to extend forward from both the left and right sides of the dash panel 71.

[0059] The left and right front side frames 72 have a symmetrical structure. The front ends of the left and right front side frames 72 each have a crash can 72a. A front bumper reinforcement 86 extending in the left-right direction is fixed to the front ends of the left and right crash cans 72a.

[0060] The left and right side sills 73 are arranged to extend in the front-rear direction at both ends of the floor panel 70. The left and right side sills 73 have a symmetrical structure. The left side member 20 of the battery case 10 is fixed to the left side sill 73 by fastening members, etc. The right side member 21 of the battery case 10 is fixed to the right side sill 73 by fastening members, etc.

[0061] (fastening structure) In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the rear ends of the left and right front frame members 11 and the rear ends of the left and right outer connecting portions 30 and inner connecting portions 31 are aligned in the vehicle width direction. If the outer connecting portions 30 and inner connecting portions 31 are members that constitute part of the front frame member 11, for example, focusing on the right front frame member 11, multiple locations on the front frame member 11 are fixed to the front end member 22 of the battery case 10 using fastening structures T.

[0062] The vehicle body structure A has a total of six fastening structures T on both the left and right sides, but the number of fixing points using the fastening structures T is not limited to six and can be any number. For example, if the outer connection part 30 and the inner connection part 31 are omitted, there will be two fastening structures T. Also, all fastening structures T have the same structure. Although not shown in the figures, the rear frame member 12 can also be fastened using the same fastening structures as the front frame member 11.

[0063] A fastening structure T for fastening the front frame member 11 to the front end member 22 will be described in detail. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the fastening structure T includes a fastening member 90 composed of a bolt 91 and a nut (threaded member) 92, and the front frame member 11 is fastened to the front end member 22 using the fastening member 90. In this case, the front frame member 11 corresponds to the first member of the present invention, and the front end member 22 corresponds to the second member of the present invention. The bolt 91 is a commonly available bolt and has a shaft portion 91a with screw threads formed thereon and a head portion 91b provided at one end of the shaft portion 91a (the upper end in this embodiment). The head portion 91b is formed to have a larger diameter than the shaft portion 91a and serves as a tool engagement portion into which a tool (not shown) engages. The shape of the head portion 91b is not particularly limited; for example, it may have a polygonal outer shape, or it may have a hexagonal hole in the center. Although not shown, the fastening member 90 can also be used in a position where the nut 92 is on top and the head portion 91b of the bolt 91 is on the bottom.

[0064] The front frame member 11 has a fastened portion 11a that is fastened to the front end member 22. Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, the rear end of the front frame member 11 is provided with a cylindrical fastened portion 11a having an axis 93 extending in the vertical direction. The inner surface of the fastened portion 11a is composed of an arcuate surface extending around the axis 93. The fastened portion 11a may be formed by attaching a cylindrical member made of a separate material from the front frame member 11 to the rear end of the front frame member 11, or it may be formed by integrally molding the rear end of the front frame member 11 into a cylindrical shape. Furthermore, the fastened portion 11a does not have to be cylindrical and may be open to the rear. In this case as well, the inner surface of the fastened portion 11a will be composed of an arcuate surface extending around the axis 93. Since the axis 93 extends in the vertical direction, the vehicle width direction is perpendicular to the axis 93.

[0065] Furthermore, the fastening structure T can fasten the outer connecting portion 30 to the front end member 22. In this case, the rear end of the outer connecting portion 30 is provided with a cylindrical fastened portion 30a having an axis 94 extending in the vertical direction. In addition, the fastening structure T can fasten the inner connecting portion 31 to the front end member 22. In this case, the rear end of the inner connecting portion 31 is provided with a cylindrical fastened portion 31a having an axis 95 extending in the vertical direction. The axes 93, 94, and 95 are parallel. In this embodiment, one side in the direction of axes 93, 94, and 95 is considered the upper side, and the other side in the direction of axes 93, 94, and 95 is considered the lower side.

[0066] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 7, the front end member 22 has a fixing portion 220 positioned above the fastened portion 11a of the front frame member 11 (on one side in the direction of the axis 93). The fixing portion 220 is plate-shaped, protruding forward from the upper part of the front surface of the front frame member 11 and extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis 93 (left-right direction). The fixing portion 220 may be constructed by attaching a plate material made of a separate material to the front end member 22, or by integrally molding a plate-shaped portion to the upper part of the front end member 22. Near the center of the fixing portion 220, a circular through hole 220a is formed that penetrates in the vertical direction (thickness direction of the fixing portion 220). The center line of this through hole 220a coincides with the axis 93.

[0067] The shaft portion 91a of the bolt 91 is inserted through the through hole 220a from above the fixing portion 220. The shaft portion 91a inserted through the through hole 220a protrudes inward from the lower surface of the fixing portion 220 toward the fastened portion 11a (shown in Figure 6) and is positioned coaxially with the axis 93. The nut 92 can be screwed onto the shaft portion 91a from its tip side (lower side).

[0068] A recess 220b is formed on the upper surface of the fixing portion 220 in the region surrounding the through hole 220a. At least the lower portion of the head 91b of the bolt 91 is housed within the recess 220b, and the lower surface of the head 91b abuts against the inner surface of the recess 220b (the surface of the fixing portion 220 opposite to the fastened portion 11a). The formation of the recess 220b causes the head 91b of the bolt 91 to be positioned at a lower level, reducing the amount of upward protrusion of the head 91b. The recess 220b may be provided as needed and may be omitted. The lower surface of the fixing portion 220 extends in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0069] As shown in Figure 8, a protrusion 220c is formed below the fixing portion 220. Although the fastened portion 11a of the front frame member 11 is not shown in Figure 8, the fastened portion 11a is arranged as shown in Figure 9. As shown in this figure, a notch 11b is formed in the fastened portion 11a of the front frame member 11, which accommodates the protrusion 220c.

[0070] Furthermore, the second contact member 200 has a recessed portion 200h into which the protrusion 220c is inserted and engages. Since the protrusion 220c is integrated with the fixing portion 220, when the protrusion 220c is inserted into the recessed portion 200h and engages with the second contact member 200, The second contact member 200 will no longer rotate relative to the axis 93. In other words, the protrusion 220c is a rotation-blocking part that prevents the rotation of the second contact member 200.

[0071] As shown in Figure 6, the front end member 22 has a fixing portion 221 positioned above the fastened portion 30a of the outer connection portion 30. A through hole 221a is formed in this fixing portion 221. The front end member 22 also has a fixing portion 222 positioned above the fastened portion 31a of the inner connection portion 31. A through hole 222a is formed in this fixing portion 222. In other words, the front end member 22 has multiple fixing portions 220, 221, and 222 corresponding to multiple fastened portions 11a, 30a, and 31a.

[0072] Since all six fastening structures T are configured similarly, the structure for fastening the fastened portion 11a of the front frame member 11 to the front end member 22 will be described in detail below. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the fastening structure T comprises a first contact member 100, a second contact member 200, and a third contact member 300. The first contact member 100, the second contact member 200, and the third contact member 300 are arranged inside the fastened portion 11a and are positioned around the axis 93. The first contact member 100 is positioned within a range of less than 120° in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis 93, and similarly, the second contact member 200 and the third contact member 300 are also positioned within a range of less than 120° in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis 93. Therefore, gaps are formed between adjacent first contact members 100, the second contact member 200, and the third contact member 300 in the circumferential direction.

[0073] The radial outer surface of the first contact member 100 is a contact surface 100a that contacts the inner surface of the fastened portion 11a. The contact surface 100a is composed of an arc-shaped surface with the same curvature as the inner surface of the fastened portion 11a, and is formed to extend along the inner surface of the fastened portion 11a. The curvature of the inner surface of the fastened portion 11a and the curvature of the contact surface 100a may be the same in the design specifications, or they may differ to the extent that one can approximate the other, and in the latter case, both curvatures can be said to be substantially the same. Furthermore, it is sufficient that the curvature of the contact surface 100a is set so that the entire surface of the contact surface 100a contacts the inner surface of the fastened portion 11a when fastening is performed as described later, and in this case as well, both curvatures can be said to be substantially the same.

[0074] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the upper surface on the radial inner surface of the first contact member 100 is the upper surface (one surface) 100b, and the lower surface is the lower surface (the other surface) 100c. The upper surface 100b is formed so that it is located radially inward as it approaches the center of the first contact member 100 in the direction of the axis 93, and specifically it is inclined so that it approaches the axis 93 as it goes downwards. The lower surface 100c is inclined in the opposite direction to the upper surface 100b, and is formed so that it is located radially inward as it approaches the center of the first contact member 100 in the direction of the axis 93, and specifically it is inclined so that it approaches the axis 93 as it goes upwards.

[0075] The upper surface 100b and the lower surface 100c are separated in the vertical direction. The space between the upper surface 100b and the lower surface 100c on the radial inner surface of the first contact member 100 is an intermediate surface 100d. This intermediate surface 100d extends in the direction of the axis 93.

[0076] The second contact member 200, like the first contact member 100, has a radial outer surface that contacts the inner surface of the fastened portion 11a, and an upper surface 200b, a lower surface 200c, and an intermediate surface 200d formed on its radial inner surface. The third contact member 300, shown in Figure 7, is also configured similarly to the first contact member 100 and has a contact surface 300a (shown in Figure 7), an upper surface, a lower surface, and an intermediate surface (not shown).

[0077] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the fastening structure T further includes a first cone member 400 and a second cone member 500 for displacing the first contact member 100, the second contact member 200, and the third contact member 300 radially outward along the axis 93 by the tightening force of the fastening member 90. The first cone member 400 and the second cone member 500 are arranged to be aligned in the direction of the axis 93, and in this embodiment, the first cone member 400 is located above the second cone member 500.

[0078] The first cone member 400 is formed to surround the axis 93. The lower surface of the first cone member 400 is a first surface 400a that extends along the upper surface 100b of the first contact member 100, the upper surface 200b of the second contact member 200, and the upper surface of the third contact member 300. The first surface 400a, like the upper surface 100b, is inclined to approach the axis 93 as it goes downwards and is continuous around the axis 93.

[0079] The first cone member 400 has a first through-hole 400b that penetrates vertically. The first through-hole 400b is the portion through which the shaft portion 91a is inserted and has a circular cross-section with a smaller diameter than the through-hole 220a of the fixing portion 220. The upper surface of the first cone member 400 (the end surface on one side in the direction of the axis 93) is the surface that abuts the lower surface of the fixing portion 220, extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis 93, and is along the lower surface of the fixing portion 220. On the other hand, the lower end of the first cone member 400 is located above the central part of the first contact member 100 in the direction of the axis 93.

[0080] The second cone member 500 has a shape similar to that of the first cone member 400 when inverted. That is, the second cone member 500 is formed to surround the axis 93, and the upper surface of the second cone member 500 is a second surface 500a that extends along the lower surface 100c of the first contact member 100, the lower surface 200c of the second contact member 200, and the lower surface of the third contact member 300. The second surface 500a is inclined to approach the axis 93 as it goes upwards, similar to the lower surface 100c, and is continuous around the axis 93.

[0081] The second cone member 500 has a second through-hole 500b that penetrates vertically and is coaxial with the first through-hole 400b of the first cone member 400. The second through-hole 500b is the portion through which the shaft portion 91a is inserted and has the same diameter as the first through-hole 400b. In addition, a fitting recess 500c into which the nut 92 fits is formed on the lower surface of the second cone member 500 (the surface on the other side in the direction of the axis 93) so as to be recessed upward. The inner shape of the fitting recess 500c corresponds to the outer shape of the nut 92. In this embodiment, since the nut 92 is a hexagonal nut, the cross-section of the fitting recess 500c in the direction perpendicular to the axis 93 is hexagonal. As a result, when the nut 92 is fitted into the fitting recess 500c, it does not rotate relative to the second cone member 500. Furthermore, the upper end of the second cone member 500 is located below the center of the first contact member 100 in the axial direction 93. Therefore, the lower end of the first cone member 400 and the upper end of the second cone member 500 are separated by a predetermined dimension or more in the vertical direction. This predetermined dimension is set so that the first cone member 400 and the second cone member 500 are separated in the axial direction 93 even when the first cone member 400 and the second cone member 500 are tightened together by the fastening member 90.

[0082] Next, the procedure for fastening the front frame member 11 to the front end member 22 using the fastening structure T configured as described above will be explained. First, the shaft portion 91a of the bolt 91 is inserted from above into the through hole 220a of the fixing portion 220, and also into the first insertion hole 400b of the first cone member 400 and the second insertion hole 500b of the second cone member 500. Then, a nut 92 is screwed onto the lower end of the shaft portion 91a and the nut 92 is fitted into the fitting recess 500c of the second cone member 500. At this time, the tightening force of the fastening member 90 is reduced, so that, for example, the first cone member 400 and the second cone member 500 can rattle slightly in the vertical direction. Then, the vertical distance between the first cone member 400 and the second cone member 500 is increased, and the first contact member 100, the second contact member 200, and the third contact member 300 are moved in a direction that approaches the axis 93.

[0083] Subsequently, the fastened portion 11a of the front frame member 11 is positioned below the fixing portion 220, and then moved upward along the axis 93 to insert the first contact member 100, the second contact member 200, and the third contact member 300 into the fastened portion 11a.

[0084] Next, as the bolt 91 is rotated in the tightening direction, the distance between the head 91b and the nut 92 decreases. In other words, the nut 92, which is screwed onto the shaft portion 91a inserted through the first insertion hole 400b and the second insertion hole 500b, tightens the first cone member 400 and the second cone member 500 in a direction that brings them closer together. At this time, the rotation of the second cone member 500 is prevented by the frictional force between it and the lower surface 200c of the second contact member 200. If necessary, the rotation of the second cone member 500 can be prevented using tools or the like.

[0085] When the first cone member 400 and the second cone member 500 are tightened by the fastening member T, the first surface 400a and the second surface 500a move closer to each other. At this time, the upper surface 100b of the first contact member 100, the upper surface 200b of the second contact member 200, and the upper surface of the third contact member 300, which are in contact with the first surface 400a, move closer to the axis 93 as they go down, and the lower surface 100c of the first contact member 100, the lower surface 200c of the second contact member 200, and the lower surface of the third contact member 300, which are in contact with the second surface 500a, move closer to the axis 93 as they go up, so the first contact member 100, the second contact member 200, and the third contact member 300 are simultaneously displaced radially outward from the axis 93.

[0086] Then, with the contact surfaces 100a of the first contact member 100, 200a of the second contact member 200, and 300a of the third contact member 300 in contact with the inner surface of the fastened portion 11a of the front frame member 11, the greater the tightening force applied by the fastening member 90, the stronger the contact surfaces 100a, 200a, and 300a will come into contact with the inner surface of the fastened portion 11a, and the greater the frictional force generated between the contact surfaces 100a, 200a, and 300a and the inner surface of the fastened portion 11a. This frictional force firmly fixes the fastened portion 11a to the fixing portion 220 of the front end member 22, suppressing relative displacement around the axis 93 and relative displacement in the direction of the axis 93.

[0087] (Variations of fastening structure) Figures 10 and 11 show modified examples of the fastening structure. In these modified examples, the upper surface 100b of the first contact member 100, the upper surface 200b of the second contact member 200, and the upper surface 300b of the third contact member 300 are each composed of inclined surfaces that slope downward in the direction approaching the axis 93. Furthermore, the lower surface 100c of the first contact member 100, the lower surface 200c of the second contact member 200, and the lower surface (not shown) of the third contact member 300 are each composed of inclined surfaces that slope upward as they approach the axis 93.

[0088] The first surface 400a of the first cone member 400 is formed to conform to the upper surface 100b of the first contact member 100, the upper surface 200b of the second contact member 200, and the upper surface 300b of the third contact member 300, respectively. The second surface 500a of the second cone member 500 is formed to conform to the lower surface 100c of the first contact member 100, the lower surface 200c of the second contact member 200, and the lower surface of the third contact member 300, respectively.

[0089] Furthermore, an upper groove 100d is formed in the upper portion of the first contact member 100, an upper groove 200d is formed in the upper portion of the second contact member 200, and an upper groove 300d is formed in the upper portion of the third contact member 300. On the other hand, the first cone member 400 has an upper first guide portion 400d that is inserted into the upper groove 100d of the first contact member 100, an upper second guide portion 400e that is inserted into the upper groove 200d of the second contact member 200, and an upper third guide portion 400f that is inserted into the upper groove 300d of the third contact member 300.

[0090] Although not shown in the figures, lower grooves are formed in the lower portions of the first contact member 100, the second contact member 200, and the third contact member 300, respectively. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 11, the second cone member 500 has a lower first guide portion 500d that is inserted into the lower groove of the first contact member 100, a lower second guide portion 500e that is inserted into the lower groove of the second contact member 200, and a lower third guide portion 500f that is inserted into the lower groove of the third contact member 300.

[0091] (Effects of the embodiment) As described above, according to this embodiment, for example, the fastened portion 11a of the front frame member 11 can be fastened and fixed to the front end member 22 of the battery case 10 using the fastening member 90. In this case, as the first cone member 400 and the second cone member 500 are brought closer to each other by the fastening member 90, the first surface 400a of the first cone member 400 slides against the upper surfaces 100b, 200b of the contact members 100, 200, 300, and the second surface 500a of the second cone member 500 slides against the lower surfaces 100c, 200c of the contact members 100, 200, 300. As a result, the axis 93 of the fastened portion 11a and the shaft portion 91a of the fastening member 90 come into alignment, so that the operator can precisely and accurately determine the relative position of the front frame member 11 with respect to the front end member 22 simply by tightening the fastening member 90.

[0092] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted restrictively. Furthermore, any modifications or changes that fall within the equivalent scope of the claims are all within the scope of the present invention. That is, although the above embodiments describe an example of applying the present invention when fastening components of an automobile, the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied when fastening various components of various vehicles (including railway vehicles, etc.), ships, aircraft, construction machinery, buildings, etc.

[0093] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes an example in which the fastening member 90 is used in a position where the shaft portion 90a extends in the vertical direction, the fastening member 90 can also be used in a position where the shaft portion 90a is in the horizontal direction or in a position with a predetermined inclination angle relative to the horizontal direction. In this case, the positions of the other members 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 should be changed to match the angle of the shaft portion 90a. [Industrial applicability]

[0094] As described above, the fastening structure according to the present invention can be used when fastening various members. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0095] 10 Battery Cases 11 Front frame (first member, suspension support member) 11a Fastened part 13 Front suspension system 22 Front end member (second member) 90 Fastening member 91a Shaft 91b Head 92 Nut (screwable component) 220 Fixed part 100 First contact member 100a contact surface 100b Upper surface (one side) 100c Lower surface (the other surface) 200 Second contact member 300 Third contact member 400 First cone member 400a, Page 1 400b First insertion hole 500 Second cone member 500a Page 2 500b Second insertion hole 500c mating recess T fastening structure B Battery

Claims

1. In a fastening structure that fastens a fastened part having an arc-shaped inner surface to a fixed part, A plurality of contact members are arranged inside the fastened portion and in contact with the inner surface of the fastened portion, and are arranged in the circumferential direction of the fastened portion. A first cone member and a second cone member are provided that contact the contact member from both sides in the axial direction of the fastened portion, respectively. The configuration is such that the multiple contact members are displaced radially outward by tightening the first cone member and the second cone member in a direction that brings them closer together. A fastening structure comprising a rotation-preventing portion that engages with the contact member and prevents the contact member from rotating around its axis when engaged.

2. In the fastening structure described in Claim 1, The device comprises fastening members for tightening the first cone member and the second cone member, A fastening structure in which the first cone member and the second cone member are tightened by the fastening member, and the first cone member and the second cone member are separated in the axial direction.

3. In the fastening structure according to claim 1 or 2, A fastening structure for fastening a suspension support member, to which an automobile suspension device is attached, to a component of a battery case that houses a battery that supplies power to the automobile's drive motor.

4. In the fastening structure described in claim 3, The suspension support member has the fastening portions at multiple locations in the vehicle width direction perpendicular to the axis, The battery case components extend in the vehicle width direction and are fastened to a plurality of fastened portions.

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