Sliding Door Lower Hinge Clearance in EV Battery Side Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles with sliding doors, the lower hinges can overlap with the battery case when closed, posing a risk of collision damage during side impacts, as they may interfere with the battery or battery stack.
Innovation Solution
A concave portion is formed in the battery or battery case to accommodate the inner side portion of the lower hinge, preventing interference and incorporating an impact-absorbing member to absorb collision loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the lower hinge is disposed at a position overlapping with the battery case to enlarge vehicle space, then the vehicle interior space is increased, but the lower hinge may interfere with and damage the battery case or battery stack during side collision
Solution Approach 1:
A concave portion is formed in advance at the battery case to create a recessed space where the lower hinge can be accommodated during side collision. This pre-designed cushioning structure allows the lower hinge to move into the concave portion upon impact, preventing direct contact with the battery stack and avoiding damage to critical components.
2Productivity
If the lower hinge is positioned to overlap with the battery case, then space utilization is improved, but the reliability of the battery system deteriorates due to potential interference during collision
Solution Approach 1:
The concave portion is pre-formed in the battery case structure to provide a safe zone for the lower hinge during side impact. This beforehand cushioning ensures that even though the lower hinge overlaps with the battery case in normal conditions, it will be accommodated safely during collision, maintaining battery system reliability.
3Device complexity
If the lower hinge overlaps with the battery case in side view, then structural compactness is achieved, but the battery case may break during side collision due to hinge interference
Solution Approach 1:
The concave portion is designed into the battery case structure in advance to accommodate the lower hinge during side collision. By providing this pre-formed recessed space, the battery case can withstand collision forces without the lower hinge causing structural damage or breaking the battery case.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle side portion structure includes: a battery disposed at a lower side of a floor panel; and a lower hinge provided at a lower portion of a sliding door, the lower hinge configured to support the sliding door such that the sliding door is slidable in a vehicle longitudinal direction, and, in a state in which the sliding door is closed, at least an inner side portion in a vehicle left-right direction of the lower hinge being disposed at a position overlapping with the battery as seen in a side view. A concave portion is formed at a portion of the battery that the inner side portion of the lower hinge faces in the vehicle left-right direction when the sliding door is closed, and the concave portion has a size such that at least a portion of the inner side portion of the lower hinge is insertable into the concave portion.