Battery holding structure

Abstract

This battery holding structure is provided with a battery pan member (20) that has a first region (21) on which a battery (10) is placed, a fixing member (12) that fixes the battery (10) to the first region (21), and a stopper member (30) that is fixed to the battery pan member (20) on a vehicle body rear side of the battery (10), wherein the stopper member (30) is provided with: a base portion (31) that is fixed to a second region (22) of the battery pan member (20), which is set in a position higher than that of the first region (21); and a protruding piece (34) that faces a side surface portion (10c) of the battery (10), on the vehicle body rear side thereof, to restrict movement of the battery (10).

Description

Battery holding structure

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery holding structure for a vehicle.

[0002] A vehicle is equipped with electrical equipment and various other auxiliary devices that require electric power, and a battery is installed in the vehicle to supply power to these auxiliary devices.

[0003] A typical vehicle has a passenger compartment where passengers sit and a space for installing equipment (hereinafter referred to as the equipment space) located in front of the passenger compartment. The passenger compartment and the equipment space are separated by a dash panel, and the battery is located in the equipment space. The equipment space is also covered by a hood that can be opened and closed.

[0004] During a vehicle collision, the battery may be pushed toward the rear of the vehicle, potentially causing contact between the battery's positive terminal and a metal component of the vehicle body. Since the battery's negative terminal is connected (grounded) to the vehicle body, contact with the battery's positive terminal and a metal component of the vehicle body can result in a short circuit. A short circuit in the battery should be avoided because it can disable various vehicle functions and potentially cause a fire.

[0005] Additionally, some modern cars are equipped with a collision detection door unlock function (automatic door unlock after a collision). This system uses power from the battery to activate the door lock actuator. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the loss of power due to a short circuit in the battery during a collision is avoided.

[0006] Therefore, in Patent Document 1, a buffer member made of an insulating material is placed on the dash panel located behind the battery to prevent short-circuiting of the battery in the event of a collision.In addition, Patent Document 2 discloses an example of a structure for holding the battery on a battery pan on the vehicle body side.

[0007] Japanese Patent No. 6888453 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-182894

[0008] According to Patent Document 1, it is possible to prevent a battery short circuit in a vehicle collision to some extent. However, considering various types of collisions that can be expected for a vehicle, there is a demand for more reliable prevention of a battery short circuit. On the other hand, it is undesirable to increase the size of the components that hold the battery and to complicate the battery holding structure.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to more reliably avoid short-circuiting of the battery in the event of a vehicle collision while minimizing increases in the size of components and complexity of the structure as much as possible.

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a battery holding structure for a vehicle, which includes a battery pan member having a first area in which the battery is placed, a fixing member for fixing the battery to the first area, and a stopper member fixed to the battery pan member on the rear side of the vehicle body of the battery, wherein the stopper member includes a base fixed to a second area set at a position higher than the first area of ​​the battery pan member, and a protruding piece facing the side portion of the battery on the rear side of the vehicle body to restrict movement of the battery (Configuration 1).

[0011] In the configuration 1, the base portion may have a recess and a protrusion arranged in parallel along the width direction of the vehicle body (configuration 2).

[0012] In configuration 1 or 2, the base may include a main base and a sub-base set at a lower position than the main base, and the main base and the sub-base may each be fixed to the second region (configuration 3).

[0013] In any one of configurations 1 to 3, the stopper member can be configured to have a leg portion fixed to a third region set at a position lower than the second region of the battery pan member (configuration 4).

[0014] In any one of configurations 1 to 4, the battery can be fixed to the first region via a battery tray, and the stopper member can have a recessed holding portion into which the rear end of the battery tray fits when the battery approaches the stopper member due to a collision (configuration 5).

[0015] In configuration 5, an upper bar extending across the width of the vehicle body is provided forward of the battery, and the upper bar faces an upper portion of the side portion of the battery on the forward side of the vehicle body (configuration 6).

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to more reliably avoid short-circuiting of the battery in the event of a vehicle collision while suppressing increases in the size of components and increases in the complexity of the structure.

[0017] 5 is a plan view showing the battery holding structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a side view of the battery and its surrounding structure as seen from the left side of the vehicle body; FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of the battery holding structure; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the battery pan;

[0018] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is a holding structure for a battery 10 in a vehicle 1. FIG. 1 shows an equipment installation space S (so-called engine compartment) for installing various equipment such as an engine and auxiliary devices. A passenger compartment space T for passengers is provided on the rear side of the equipment installation space S. The passenger compartment space T and the equipment space S are separated by a dash panel 4. Hereinafter, the front side of the vehicle body will be simply referred to as the front side, the rear side of the vehicle body will be simply referred to as the rear side, the fore-aft direction of the vehicle body will be simply referred to as the fore-aft direction, and the width direction of the vehicle body will be simply referred to as the vehicle width direction.

[0019] In the embodiment, the vehicle 1 is described as a vehicle that uses only the engine E as a driving source for running, or a hybrid vehicle that uses the engine E and an electric motor as a driving source for running, but the present invention is also applicable to electric vehicles that use only an electric motor as a driving source for running.

[0020] The dash panel 4, also known as a bulkhead, is fitted with devices related to braking and accelerating operations (such as a booster and various pedals) and steering operations, at the front and rear of the dash panel 4. The vehicle 1 is equipped with a pair of side members 5, 5 extending in the longitudinal direction and a cross member 6 extending in the vehicle width direction and connecting the side members 5, 5. The front ends of the pair of side members 5, 5 protrude forward from the dash panel 4, and this protruding portion forms a crushable zone that protects the passenger compartment space T in the event of a collision. Upper bars 7, 7 are disposed above the side members 5, 5, respectively. As the upper bars 7, 7 move forward, they approach the center of the vehicle width and are connected to each other, closing off the front of the equipment mounting space S.

[0021] In addition to the engine E and battery 10, the equipment mounting space S also contains a relay box 15, a resonator 16, an air cleaner (not shown), left and right strut towers (not shown), etc. The left and right strut towers are provided between the side members 5 and the upper bar 7. A suspension system is disposed within the strut towers, and the front wheels, which are steered, are supported via the suspension system.

[0022] A cowl top panel 2 that protrudes forward is provided near the upper end of the dash panel 4. The cowl top panel 2 is a longitudinal member made of metal plate (steel plate), and both longitudinal ends thereof are connected to the left and right front pillars to support the lower part of the front windshield glass 8. The cowl top panel 2 also has cowl top extensions 2a that protrude significantly forward on both sides in the vehicle width direction. The cowl top extensions 2a are also made of metal plate (steel plate), and protrude further forward than the rest of the cowl top panel 2.

[0023] A cowl top stay is provided below the cowl top panel 2. The cowl top stay bulges downward from the underside of the horizontally disposed cowl top panel 2. The cowl top stay is also a longitudinal member made of metal plate (steel plate), provided on each side in the vehicle width direction, and extends longitudinally along the vehicle width direction. The cowl top stay is fixed to the strut tower, cowl top panel 2, and upper bar 7, thereby increasing the rigidity of the vehicle body and suppressing torsion of the vehicle body.

[0024] The battery 10 is disposed in an area on the left side of the vehicle body (the left half area in the vehicle width direction) of the equipment mounting space S. The battery 10 supplies power to the engine and auxiliary equipment mounted on the vehicle 1, and is disposed between a relay box 15 at the left end in the width direction and an engine and resonator 16 in the center in the width direction. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the cowl top stay on the left side of the vehicle body is located behind the battery 10.

[0025] The battery 10 is a secondary battery with an output voltage of 12 V or 24 V. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the battery 10 includes a concave case containing electrode plates, a separator, and an electrolyte, a top plate 10e that closes the top opening of the case, and a positive terminal 10a and a negative terminal 10b that protrude from the top plate 10e. A harness 13 is connected to each of the positive terminal 10a and the negative terminal 10b. The positive terminal 10a is covered with a protective cover 13a made of a flexible insulating material. The harness 13 includes a fusible link 14 that melts when an excessive current flows.

[0026] A known secondary battery can be used as the battery 10, and in this embodiment, it is a 12V lead-acid battery. The case of the battery 10 is rectangular parallelepiped, and six cells are arranged in parallel in the front-to-rear direction in a vertically placed state. A rear side surface 10c (rear side surface 10c) and a front side surface 10f (front side surface 10f) of the case each extend in the vehicle width direction. The other two side surfaces (inner side surface 10g and outer side surface 10h) also extend in the front-to-rear direction. Note that the battery 10 may also be arranged in a horizontal state with multiple cells arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction.

[0027] The relay box 15 is a case that houses electrical components such as relays and fuses. In this embodiment, the relay box 15 is located outward in the vehicle width direction from the battery 10 and slightly rearward of the battery 10.

[0028] The case of the relay box 15 is rectangular and has an inner side surface 15a that extends in the longitudinal direction on the inner side of the vehicle width direction. When the vehicle 1 is hit from the front, this inner side surface 15a comes into contact with the outer side surface 10h of the case of the battery 10 and functions as a guide surface that guides the rearward movement of the battery 10.

[0029] The battery 10 is placed on the battery pan member 20. The battery pan member 20 is made of a processed metal plate and is fixed to the side member 5 via mounting brackets (not shown) joined to the underside of the battery pan member 20 by welding or the like.

[0030] 3 to 7 , the battery pan member 20 includes a first region 21 (battery mounting portion) on which the battery 10 is mounted, a second region 22 (base support portion) that is set at a higher position than the first region 21, and a third region 23 (leg support portion) that is set at a lower position than the second region 22. In the embodiment, the height of the third region 23 is set to be the same as the height of the first region 21, but the third region 23 may be set lower than the first region 21, or conversely, higher than the first region 21. The second region 22 is provided rearward of the first region 21, and the third region 23 is provided rearward of the first region 21 and to the side of the second region 22 (outward in the vehicle width direction in the embodiment).

[0031] The battery 10 is fixed to the first area 21 by a fixing member 12 called a battery holder (hereinafter referred to as the battery holder 12). The battery holder 12 is composed of a holder 12c that is attached to the top of the battery 10, two bolt shafts 12a, and two nuts 12b. The holder 12c is disposed across the center of the top of the battery 10, and guides are provided at both ends to restrain the corners of the top plate 10e of the case. A pair of through-holes through which the bolt shafts 12a pass is formed at both ends of the holder 12c, and the bolt shafts 12a are inserted into these through-holes. The lower end of the bolt shafts 12a is bent into a hook shape, and the upper end of the bolt shafts 12a is formed with a male thread. The lower end of the bolt shaft 12a inserted into the through hole of the holder 12c is engaged with the engagement hole 21a provided in the first region 21, and the nut 12b is screwed onto the upper end of the bolt shaft 12a and tightened, thereby fixing the battery 10 between the battery pan member 20 and the holder 12c.

[0032] In addition, a stopper member 30 is fixed to the battery pan member 20 on the rear side of the battery 10 .

[0033] The stopper member 30 includes a base 31 fixed to the second region 22 of the battery pan member 20 and a protruding piece 34 that faces the rear side surface 10c of the battery 10 and restricts movement of the battery 10. The base 31 is fixed to the second region 22 by spot welding. The protruding piece 34 includes a receiving portion 34a that is parallel to the surface of the rear side surface 10c of the case. In the event of a collision of the vehicle 1, the receiving portion 34a abuts against the rear side surface 10c, preventing the battery 10 from moving backward. This reduces the axial force generated in the bolt shaft 12a of the battery holder 12, thereby preventing the battery holder 12 from coming off. Note that slight movement of the battery 10 toward the receiving portion 34a is guided by the inner side surface 15a of the relay box 15.

[0034] Here, since the stopper member 30 is fixed to the second region 22, which is higher than the first region 21 to which the battery 10 is fixed, it is possible to reduce the rising height of the stopper member 30. This makes the stopper member 30 more compact in the vertical direction, and increases the rigidity of the member.

[0035] Here, the base portion 31 has recessed portions 32 and protruding portions 33 arranged alternately in parallel along the vehicle width direction, which further increases its rigidity.

[0036] In the embodiment, the stopper member 30 includes legs 35 that are fixed to the third region 23, which is set at a position lower than the second region 22 of the battery pan member 20. The legs 35 are fixed to the third region 23 by spot welding. Providing fixing points at different heights makes the fixing structure between the stopper member 30 and the battery pan member 20 stronger.

[0037] In the embodiment, the base 31 includes a main base 31a and a sub-base 31b set at a lower position than the main base 31a, and the main base 31a and the sub-base 31b are each fixed to the second region 22. In Figures 5 and 6, the second region 22 to which the main base 31a is fixed is indicated as a main second region 22a, and the second region 22 to which the sub-base 31b is fixed is indicated as a sub-second region 22b. This further increases the rigidity of the base 31, and the provision of fixing points at different heights further strengthens the fixing structure between the stopper member 30 and the battery pan member 20.

[0038] 6, the locations where the main base 31a is spot-welded to the second main region 22a and the sub-base 31b is spot-welded to the second sub-region 22b are illustrated as welding pedestals 37. The lower surface of the welding pedestal 37 is a flat surface that can come into surface contact with the second main region 22a and the second sub-region 22b.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 2, the battery 10 is fixed to the battery pan member 20 via a concave battery tray 11. The battery tray 11 is usually made of resin. The outer edge of the battery tray 11 protrudes outward beyond the rear side surface 11c, the front side surface 10f, the inner side surface 10g, and the outer side surface 10h of the battery 10 case.

[0040] The stopper member 30 has a recessed holding portion 36 into which the protruding end portion 11a of the battery tray 11 on the rear side of the vehicle body fits when the battery 10 approaches the stopper member 30 due to a collision. As shown in Figure 2, the protruding piece 34 has a receiving portion 34a facing in the vertical direction and a horizontal root portion 34b that supports the receiving portion 34a on the base 31. The space below the root portion 34b forms the recessed holding portion 36. In the event of a collision, the end portion 11a of the battery tray 11 fits into the recessed holding portion 36, restraining the battery 10, which is expected to be effective in preventing the battery 10 from tipping over.

[0041] Generally, the middle portion of the battery 10 case in the height direction tends to be weaker than the portions near the bottom 10d and top panel 10e. For this reason, in this embodiment, the receiving portion 34a of the protruding piece 34 is set to face the portion of the rear side surface 10c near the bottom 10d, i.e., the high-strength portion. This prevents damage to the case when the battery 10 abuts against the stopper member 30.

[0042] 1, there is an upper bar 7 that crosses the vehicle width direction forward of the battery 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper bar 7 faces the upper portion of the front side surface 10f of the case of the battery 10. Therefore, when the upper bar 7 approaches the battery 10 during a collision, the upper portion of the front side of the case of the battery 10 abuts against the upper bar 7, and the lower portion of the rear side of the case is restrained by the recessed holding portion 36, resulting in a diagonal holding structure as shown by arrow C in FIG. 2. This further enhances the effectiveness of preventing the battery 10 from tipping over.

[0043] As described above, by adopting a configuration that prevents the battery 10 from moving and tipping over, it is possible to prevent the fusible link 14 from being pulled during a collision. In other words, by providing the stopper member 30, the battery 10 does not move backward even when pushed backward by a front component. Furthermore, because the battery 10 does not move backward relative to the battery pan member 20, the bolt shank 12a of the battery holder 12 is not pulled, and the hook at the lower end of the bolt shank 12a is not disengaged. This prevents the battery 10 from tipping over. This makes it possible to avoid a short circuit of the battery 10 during a collision while minimizing the size of the components and the complexity of the structure.

[0044] Even if the impact of a vehicle 1 collision is so great that the battery 10 must be allowed to tip over, it is preferable to prevent the fusible link 14 from being pulled and to set the battery 10 to not tip over in the direction of arrow B shown in Figure 2 and to allow tipping over in the direction of arrow A. From this perspective, it is also desirable that the upper front and lower rear portions of the battery 10 be restrained diagonally by the upper bar 7 and the recessed holding portion 36.

[0045] This invention is not limited to the vehicle 1 shown in the above embodiment, but can be applied to all types of vehicles that have an equipment mounting space S in front of the passenger compartment space T where the occupants ride, and that have a battery 10 mounted in that equipment mounting space S.

[0046] Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components of the above-described embodiments may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0047] This application is based on a Japanese patent application (Patent Application No. 2023-183397) filed on October 25, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0048] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Vehicle 2 Cowl top panel 2a Cowl top extension 4 Dash panel 5 Side member 6 Cross member 7 Upper bar 10 Battery 10a Positive terminal 10b Negative terminal 10c Rear side surface portion 10d Bottom portion 10e Top plate portion 10f Front side surface portion 10g Inner side surface portion 10h Outer side surface portion 11 Battery tray 12 Fixing member (battery holder) 12a Bolt shaft 12b Nut 12c Holder 13 Harness 13a Protective cover 14 Fusible link 15 Relay box 20 Battery pan member 21 First region (battery mounting portion) 22 Second region (base support portion) 23 Third region (leg support portion) 30 Stopper member 31 Base portion 32 Recessed portion 33 Protruding portion 34 Overhang piece 35 Leg portion 36 Concave holding portion

Claims

1. A holding structure for a battery mounted on a vehicle includes a battery pan member having a first area in which the battery is placed, a fixing member that fixes the battery to the first area, and a stopper member that is fixed to the battery pan member on a vehicle body rear side of the battery, the stopper member includes a base portion fixed to a second region of the battery pan member that is set at a position higher than the first region, and a protruding piece that faces a side portion of the battery on a vehicle rear side and restricts movement of the battery; the battery is fixed to the first region via a battery tray; The stopper member has a recessed holding portion into which the rear end of the battery tray fits when the battery approaches the stopper member due to a collision.

2. 2. The battery holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the base portion has a recess and a protrusion arranged in parallel along the width direction of the vehicle body.

3. 2. The battery holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises a main base and a sub-base set at a lower position than the main base, and the main base and the sub-base are each fixed to the second region.

4. 2. The battery holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the stopper member includes a leg portion fixed to a third region of the battery pan member that is set at a position lower than the second region.

5. (delete)

6. an upper bar extending across the vehicle width direction and located forward of the battery; 2. The battery holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the upper bar faces an upper portion of a side surface of the battery on the front side of the vehicle body.