Vehicle Body Lower Structure With Side Battery Load Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing size of electric vehicle batteries, particularly in the 5th generation battery design (CTP), leads to reduced transverse members, compromising the connection between the vehicle body's side sill and the battery, thus affecting the distribution of side collision loads.
Innovation Solution
A lower vehicle body structure incorporating a side connecting member with inner and outer protruding portions that connect the side sill to the battery and seat cross-member, respectively, forming load paths to effectively distribute side collision loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If 5th generation battery (CTP) design is used to reduce battery width and increase energy density, then battery energy density is improved, but the connection between side sill and battery transverse member is severed, worsening load distribution capability
Solution Approach 1:
A side connecting member is introduced as an intermediary component between the side sill and the battery. This mediator includes an inner protruding portion connected to the battery lateral member and an outer protruding portion connected to the side sill, thereby restoring the load transmission path that was severed by the CTP battery design while maintaining high energy density
Solution Approach 2:
The side connecting member is divided into functional segments: an inner protruding portion for connecting to the battery lateral member, an outer protruding portion for connecting to the side sill, and a connector member body linking them. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill specific connection requirements while collectively solving the load distribution problem
2Reliability
If traditional connection structure is used to ensure load path continuity, then load distribution is improved, but it is incompatible with 5th generation battery design, worsening adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The side connecting member serves multiple functions: it connects the side sill to the battery, forms an inner load path through the battery lateral member, forms an outer load path through the seat cross-member, and provides structural support at multiple locations. This multi-functionality enables compatibility with CTP battery design while maintaining load path continuity
3Reliability
If side connecting member is added to restore load path, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side connecting member merges multiple connection functions into a single integrated component. The inner protruding portion, outer protruding portion, and connector member body are combined into one piece that simultaneously connects to the battery lateral member and side sill, reducing the number of separate components needed while improving connection reliability
Data Source
AI summary
A lower structure of a vehicle body includes a side sill mounted along a front-to-back direction of the vehicle body, a battery mounted at a bottom of a center floor, and a side connecting member provided to transmit a collision load between the side sill and a battery.