Vehicle Body Lower Structure With Battery Impact Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle designs with batteries located below the side sill are prone to direct impacts from obstacles, which can damage the battery module due to insufficient impact absorption.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle body lower structure incorporating a side sill, battery case, and a hollow impact absorbing structure positioned below the battery case to absorb impacts before they reach the battery module, with the impact absorbing structure being designed to crush and distribute forces away from the battery module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the battery case is positioned below the side sill to accommodate the battery module, then the battery can be mounted in the vehicle body lower structure, but the battery case becomes more susceptible to direct impacts from road obstacles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery accommodationVSAvoidimpact from obstacle

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an impact absorbing member as an intermediary component positioned between the battery case and the battery module. This mediator absorbs and dissipates impact forces from obstacles before they reach the battery module, resolving the contradiction by protecting the battery while maintaining its low-positioned accommodation structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The impact absorbing member is pre-installed between the battery case and battery module to provide beforehand cushioning. When obstacles collide with the battery case, the pre-positioned impact absorbing member is already in place to cushion and absorb the impact forces, preventing direct transmission to the battery module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If an impact absorbing member is provided between the battery case and battery module, then some impact is absorbed, but excessive impact still reaches the battery module

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact absorptionVSAvoidexcessive impact to battery module

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes parameters of the impact absorbing member including its material properties, geometric shape, and positioning to enhance impact absorption capacity. By changing these parameters, the impact absorbing member can more effectively dissipate excessive impact forces before they reach the battery module, improving protection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Effectively absorbs and distributes impacts away from the battery module, reducing damage and preventing refrigerant leakage, while allowing for efficient manufacturing and material optimization.

Implementation Method 1

a hollow impact absorbing structure... designed to crush and distribute forces away from the battery module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact absorption through deformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP4711246A1Vehicle body lower part structure

Publication Date: 2026.03.18 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD

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AI summary

A vehicle body lower structure including: a side sill; a battery case configured to accommodate a battery module and directly or indirectly coupled to the side sill; and a hollow impact absorbing structure, wherein a lower surface of the battery case is located below a lower end of the side sill, the impact absorbing structure is disposed at a position not overlapping the battery module when viewed from above, and a lower end of the impact absorbing structure is located below the lower surface of the battery case.