JP3309655B2 - Battery frame structure for electric vehicles - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a battery frame structure for an electric vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electric vehicle, a vehicle-mounted battery occupies a considerable weight and a mounting space. Therefore, a battery frame having a dedicated rigid structure is conventionally arranged below a vehicle body floor, and the battery frame is mounted on the battery frame. A plurality of batteries are mounted, and the batteries are hermetically stored between a vehicle body floor and a battery frame.

[0003] When a plurality of batteries are hermetically stored between the battery frame and the vehicle body floor as described above, the batteries generate heat and the battery function is degraded. As shown, a battery frame 32 fastened and fixed to a floor frame member 31 on the lower surface of the vehicle body floor 30 to hermetically store a plurality of batteries B.
An intake duct 33 is connected to the front end of the battery frame 32, and the intake duct 33 is disposed along the dash panel 34, and cooling air is introduced from the front of the battery frame 32 through the intake duct 33 to The battery B is cooled by discharging the battery B from behind.

[0004] This similar structure is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-197.
No. 3, JP-A-7-59204 and the like.

[0005]

Since the cooling air is taken in from the intake duct 33 on the front side of the battery frame 32 which is most susceptible to splash during traveling, it is necessary to prevent the splash from entering the battery frame 32. It is undeniable that the sealing structure becomes complicated and the number of parts increases, which is disadvantageous in cost.

In order to reliably prevent splash from entering the battery frame 32, the intake duct 33 is extended along the dash panel 34 to the upper part of the motor room MR as shown in FIG. In this case, the influence on the duct layout and the cabin space for securing the cross-sectional area of the intake duct 33 increases.

That is, a sub-frame 35 on which a front suspension (not shown) is mounted is disposed near the lower side of the dash panel 34 of the motor room MR, between the sub-frame 35 and the toe board 34a of the dash panel 34. Are relatively narrow.

Therefore, the motor room M is passed through the intake duct 33 between the sub-frame 35 and the toe board 34a.
If it is attempted to extend above R, it is necessary to ensure mutual non-interference clearance, so the cross-sectional area of the intake duct 33 must be reduced, and the introduction of cooling air deteriorates.

Conversely, to secure a large cross-sectional area of the intake duct 33, it is necessary to shift the position of the toe board 34a of the dash panel 34 rearward as shown by a chain line in FIG. Causes malfunction.

Therefore, the present invention has a simple structure, can introduce cooling air without splashing into the battery frame, and secures a large sectional area of the intake duct without affecting the cabin space. An object of the present invention is to provide a battery frame structure for an electric vehicle, which can improve the introduction of cooling air.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an intake port is provided at a front end portion of a battery frame which is hermetically accommodated in a plurality of batteries and is fastened and fixed to a floor frame member on a lower surface of a vehicle body floor. In addition, in a structure in which an exhaust port is provided at a rear end portion of the battery frame to introduce air for cooling the battery into the battery frame, an intake duct is connected to the intake port, and the intake duct is connected to the battery frame. Are arranged in the vehicle width direction along the front surface of the vehicle, and are arranged in the front-rear direction along the side surface of the battery frame, and the air inlet of the intake duct is formed in the rear side portion of the vehicle body.
Connected to a closed cross-section through which air flows between the vehicle interior and exterior.
The exhaust port at the rear end of the battery frame
Of the side members that constitute the frame members in the front-rear direction on both sides of the
It is connected to the closed section to discharge the rear end of the battery frame.
The communication connection between the vent and the side member is
Is offset vertically from the kick-up part
It is set at the high part of the height above the ground,
The front and back at the part where the exhaust port communicates with the closed section of the id member
And the air inlet of the intake duct is connected to the side member.
The exhaust port communicates with a closed section in front of the portion where the exhaust port is connected.
It is characterized by being connected through.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the intake duct is disposed in the vehicle width direction along the front surface of the battery frame, and is disposed in the front-rear direction along the side surface of the battery frame. Since it does not pass through the narrow space between the dash panel and the sub-frame, the cross-sectional area of the intake duct can be increased without reducing the cabin space, and the air guiding performance can be improved.

[0013] Further, since the air inlet of the intake duct is set at the rear of the vehicle body which is not easily hit by a splash during traveling of the vehicle, a seal structure for preventing splash intrusion is simplified, and a layout of the intake duct is also simplified. Can be done.

In addition, since the cross-sectional area of the intake duct can be enlarged and the intake duct can be arranged long in the front-rear direction, the flow velocity of the cooling air in the intake duct can be reduced. Even if water drops or dust flows into the air intake duct, it remains attached to the inner surface of the intake duct, so that inflow into the battery frame can be avoided as much as possible.

[0015]

Further, since the air inlet of the intake duct is connected to the closed cross section of the rear side of the vehicle body, splash intrusion into the intake duct can be reliably avoided.
There is no inflow of water into the intake duct even when running on a flooded road.

[0017]

Further, since the closed cross-section of the side member is effectively utilized as a duct for the exhaust is easy duct layout, and a weight to and cost advantages by the number of parts can be reduced.

[0019]

Further , since the exhaust port is connected to the portion of the side member having a high ground height, the exhaust port can be prevented from being flooded even when running on a flooded road, and water enters the battery frame from the exhaust port. it is no, it is possible to ensure a waterproof and predetermined site a closed cross section of the side member
And separate the closed cross section of this side member for exhaust and suction.
Since it is effectively used as an air duct,
Layout is easy and the number of parts can be reduced to save weight.
This is advantageous in terms of quantity and cost.

[0021]

[0022]

[0023] In addition, since the running air introduced into the closed section of the side duct flows into the intake duct from the front end opening of the side member, the cooling air introduction performance into the battery frame is further enhanced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the intake duct according to the first aspect is formed of a fiber-reinforced resin material.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the intake duct is not damaged due to chipping or the like during traveling.
At the time of a frontal collision or a side collision of the vehicle, the intake duct functions as a cushioning material, so that damage to the battery frame and the internal battery can be avoided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the bottom surface of the side of the intake duct according to the first and second aspects is formed by a lower edge of a side portion of the battery frame and a lower inner edge of a side sill extending in the front-rear direction on the floor side. It is characterized in that it is formed so as to be inclined substantially on the connecting line.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the bottom surface of the battery frame and the bottom surface of the side sill can be connected flat by the inclined bottom surface of the intake duct, so that the flow of air under the floor when the vehicle travels can be smoothly performed. As a result, the air resistance can be reduced, the aerodynamic characteristics can be improved, and the cruising performance of the vehicle can be improved.

[0028]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a bottomed battery frame on which a plurality of batteries B are mounted. The frame body 2 includes front and rear frames 3 and 4, left and right frames 5 and 6, and a bottom plate 7. And a battery cover 8 that covers the plurality of batteries B housed in the main body 2.

The battery frame 1 is fastened and fixed to a floor member on the lower surface of the vehicle body floor 9 with bolts and nuts via a sealing material, and the battery B is hermetically stored between the battery frame 1 and the vehicle body floor 9. Specifically, the left and right frames 5 and 6 are overlapped on the lower surfaces of the side members 10 and 10 constituting the frame member in the front-rear direction of the floor member, and the front and rear frames 3 and 4 form the frame member in the vehicle width direction of the floor member. The members are overlapped on the lower surfaces of the cross members 11 and 11 and fastened and fixed by bolts and nuts (not shown).

The front frame 3 of the frame body 2 is provided with a pair of intake ports 12, while the rear frame 4 is provided with a pair of exhaust ports 13.

An air introduction fan 14 attached to a fan casing 15 is disposed at the exhaust port 13. The air introduction fan 14 drives the battery frame 1 from the intake port 12.
Cooling air is actively introduced inside.

An intake duct 16 is connected to the intake port 12 so that cooling air is taken in through the intake duct 16.

The intake duct 16 is partially counterbore 16a
Which is fastened and fixed to the battery frame 1 by the bolts and nuts 18 at the counterbore portion 16a.
The intake duct 16 is disposed along the front surface of the front frame 3 in the vehicle width direction, and is bent rearward at a side edge of the front frame 3 at a right angle and along the side surfaces of the left and right frames 5 and 6. It is arranged in the front-back direction.

In this embodiment, the intake duct 16 is formed of a fiber reinforced resin material mixed with reinforcing fibers such as glass fiber and carbon fiber.

The rear end of the intake duct 16 is bent upward and connected to a closed section 20 formed on the rear side of the vehicle body 19 with the air inlet 17 facing upward.

The closed section 20 is formed by the rear fender panel 2.
1 and the rear pillar inner 22 and communicate with the vehicle interior and exterior through a ventilation port (not shown).

A lower front portion of the rear pillar inner 22;
An air duct 23 is connected through the side of the vehicle body floor 9, and an air inlet 17 of the intake duct 16 is connected to an opening of the air duct 23 that penetrates the vehicle body floor 9.

The connection of the air inlet 17 may be made by a fastening member such as a bolt and a nut. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. An elastic sealing material 24 is interposed between the peripheral edge of the opening and the elastic sealing material 24 is pressed by utilizing the fastening force between the battery frame 1 and the floor members 10 and 11 to be gas-liquid-tightly connected. It is.

On the other hand, the exhaust port 13 is connected to the fan casing 15
Is connected to a closed cross section of the side member 10 through an exhaust duct 25 connected to the side member 10 so that the side member 10 is effectively used as an air duct.

Since the front and rear ends of the side member 10 are open, by connecting the exhaust duct 25 to the closed section of the side member 10 as described above, the rear end opening of the side member 10 is substantially closed. It becomes an exhaust port for cooling air, but the rear end opening is hidden by a rear bumper (not shown),
The front end opening is also concealed by a front bumper (not shown), so that there is no problem in appearance.

In this embodiment, the rear end of the exhaust duct 25 is penetrated through the side member 10, and the rear end opening of the duct is inserted rearward in the closed section so that the rear end of the exhaust duct 25 is The closed cross section of the member 10 is separated back and forth.

In particular, the communication connecting portion between the exhaust duct 25 and the side member 10 is provided at a portion having a high ground clearance formed by offsetting the side member 10 in the vertical direction with respect to the kick-up portion 10a, ie, a high portion above the ground. It is set at a high ground level where there is a ground height of about 450 mm and there is no submergence even when a 300 mm submerged road running test is performed.

A side sill 26 constituting a frame member in the front-back direction of the floor side extends in the front-rear direction at the side edge of the vehicle body floor 9, and the side surface of the side member 10 and the side sill 26 A plurality of outriggers 27 are joined and reinforced along the side surface of the airbag, and the side portion of the intake duct 16 is arranged in a space below these outriggers 27.

Therefore, the bottom of the side of the intake duct 16 is substantially aligned with the line connecting the lower edges of the left and right frames 5 and 6 of the battery frame 1 and the inner edge of the bottom of the side sill 26 as shown in FIG. It is tilt-formed.

According to the structure of the above embodiment, when the air introduction fan 14 is driven, the outside air or the cabin air flowing into the closed cross section 20 of the rear side portion of the vehicle body 19 passes through the air duct 23 through the intake duct. 16, is introduced into the battery frame 1 from the intake duct 16 through the intake port 12 at the front end of the battery frame 1, and actively cools the battery B in the battery frame 1. Then, the air is discharged outside through the rear end opening of the side member 10 via the side member 10.

Here, the intake duct 16 is disposed along the front surface of the front frame 3 of the battery frame 1 in the vehicle width direction, and is disposed along the side surfaces of the left and right frames 5 and 6. Since it does not pass through a narrow space between the subframe 35 on which the front suspension (not shown) is mounted and the toe board 34a (see FIG. 9) of the dash panel 34, the air intake duct 16 is not affected by the cabin space. Since the cross-sectional area can be enlarged, the wind guiding performance can be improved.

Further, since the air inlet 17 of the intake duct 16 is set at the rear portion of the vehicle body which is not easily hit by a splash during traveling of the vehicle, a seal structure for preventing the splash from entering is simplified. Layout can be easily performed.

In particular, in this embodiment, the intake duct 1
6 through an air duct 23 penetrating through the vehicle body floor 9 and the rear pillar inner 22.
9 is connected to the closed cross-section 20 of the rear side of the vehicle.
There is no inflow of water into the interior, so that thorough waterproofing measures can be taken.

Further, as described above, the cross-sectional area of the intake duct 16 can be increased without affecting the cabin space, and the intake duct 16 can be extended in the front-rear direction along the side surfaces of the left and right frames 5 and 6 of the battery frame 1. The cooling air flowing through the intake duct 16 can be reduced in flow rate by allowing the cooling air to flow through the intake duct 16 even if water droplets or dust enter the intake duct 16. Can be prevented from flowing into the battery frame 1 while remaining attached to the battery frame 1, and the performance of the battery B in the battery frame 1 can be prevented from deteriorating.

An exhaust port 13 provided in the rear frame 4 of the battery frame 1 is connected to a closed section of the side member 10 through an exhaust duct 25, so that the side member 10 can be effectively used as an exhaust air duct. Since the air after cooling the battery is discharged from the rear end opening of the side member 10 which is concealed by a rear bumper (not shown), the duct layout becomes easy, the number of parts can be reduced, and the weight can be reduced. This is very advantageous in terms of cost and cost.

In particular, the exhaust duct 25 is connected to the side member 10.
Is connected to a high portion above the ground above the kick-up portion 10a, so that flooding of the exhaust port 13 can be avoided, and water can be prevented from flowing into the battery frame 1 from the exhaust port 13, Waterproofing measures can be more thorough.

On the other hand, since the intake duct 16 is formed of a fiber reinforced resin material, the intake duct 16 is not damaged by chipping or the like during running of the vehicle, so that the sense of quality and reliability can be improved. 16 is disposed along the front and side surfaces of the battery frame 1, so that the intake duct 16
Can function as a cushioning material to protect the battery frame 1 and the battery B therein.

The bottom surface of the side of the intake duct 16 along the side surfaces of the left and right frames 5 and 6 is substantially aligned with a line connecting the lower side edges of the left and right frames 5 and 6 and the inner bottom edge of the side sill 26. Because of the inclined molding, the bottom surface of the battery frame 1 and the bottom surface of the side sill 26 can be connected flat by the inclined floor surface of the intake duct 16, and as a result, the under-floor air flow during vehicle running can be smoothly performed. By doing so, the air resistance can be reduced, the aerodynamic characteristics can be improved, and the cruising performance of the vehicle can be improved.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the air inlet 17 of the intake duct 16 is connected to the closed cross section of the side member 10 and the side member is connected. It is also used effectively as an intake air duct.

As in the first embodiment, the side member 10 has the rear end of the exhaust duct 25 penetrated through the side member 10 and is inserted and arranged in a closed section thereof. And the intake duct 16
Is connected to a closed section in front of a portion where the exhaust duct 25 is connected.

The front side of the side member 10 is vertically offset similarly to the rear side with respect to a kick-up portion (not shown) along the dash panel 34 (see FIG. 9). The radiator core support panel is opened forward at a side portion thereof, and the front end opening is concealed by a front bumper (not shown) similarly to the rear end opening as described above.

Therefore, according to the structure of the second embodiment, the front end opening of the side member 10 is located at a position where the running wind distribution is large at the front of the vehicle body, and the running wind is actively taken in during running of the vehicle. Therefore, the performance of introducing cooling air into the battery frame 1 can be further enhanced.

Since the cooling air introduction performance can be enhanced in this manner, the size and the capacity of the air introduction fan 14 provided at the exhaust port 13 at the rear of the battery frame 1 can be reduced. 10 can be effectively used as an air duct for intake, which can greatly contribute to cost reduction.

In the above embodiment, the air introduction fan 1
4 is provided at the exhaust port 13 at the rear of the battery frame 1, but the air introducing fan 14 may of course be provided at the intake side.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the first aspect, the intake duct is disposed in the vehicle width direction along the front surface of the battery frame, and is disposed in the front-rear direction along the side surface of the battery frame. Since it does not pass through the narrow space between the mounted sub-frame and the dash panel, the cross section of the intake duct can be enlarged without affecting the cabin space, and the wind guide performance can be improved.

Further, since the air inlet of the intake duct is set at the rear portion of the vehicle body which is not easily hit by a splash during traveling of the vehicle, the seal structure for preventing the splash from entering is simplified, and the layout of the intake duct is also simplified. Can be done.

Further, as described above, the cross-sectional area of the intake duct can be increased without affecting the cabin space, and the intake duct can be extended from the front to the side of the battery frame, so that the inside of the intake duct is reduced. Since the flow velocity of the cooling air flowing can be reduced, even if water droplets or dust enter the intake duct, they remain attached to the inner surface of the intake duct and flow into the battery frame. Can avoid
It is possible to prevent the performance of the battery in the battery frame from deteriorating.

In particular, since the air inlet of the intake duct is connected to the closed cross-section of the rear side of the vehicle body, it is possible to reliably prevent splash from entering the intake duct, and to ensure that the intake air is not disturbed even during running on the flood channel. There is no inflow of water into the duct, and the quality and reliability can be improved.

[0066] Further, since the closed cross-section of the side member is effectively utilized as a duct for the exhaust is easy duct layout, and a weight to and cost advantages by the number of parts can be reduced.

Further, since the exhaust port at the rear of the battery frame is connected to the high portion of the side member at the height above the ground, flooding of the exhaust port can be avoided even when the vehicle is running on a flooded road, and thorough waterproofing measures can be taken. And the side member
Of the side member at a predetermined position
Surface as an air duct for exhaust and intake
The duct layout is easy because
Greater weight and cost savings due to reduced points
Be profitable.

[0068]

According to the second aspect , since the intake duct is formed of a fiber-reinforced resin material, the intake duct is not damaged due to chipping or the like during running, and the sense of quality and reliability can be improved. Of course, since the intake duct is provided along the front and side surfaces of the battery frame, the intake duct functions as a cushioning material at the time of a frontal collision or a side collision of the vehicle, so that the battery frame and the battery inside the battery frame are stored. It can protect and enhance quality and reliability.

According to the third aspect , the bottom surface of the battery frame and the bottom surface of the side sill can be connected flat by the inclined bottom surface of the intake duct, so that the air can flow smoothly under the floor when the vehicle is running. Air resistance can be reduced, aerodynamic characteristics can be improved, and cruising performance of the vehicle can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary perspective view of a battery frame to which the intake duct of the embodiment is attached.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary perspective view showing the relationship between the rear part of the battery frame and the vehicle body according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of a main part showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a conventional structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Battery frame 9 Body floor 10 Side member 12 Intake port 13 Exhaust port 16 Intake duct 17 Air introduction port 19 Body 20 Rear side flat cross section 26 Side sill B Battery

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60K 1/04 B62D 25/20

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] An intake port is provided at a front end of a battery frame which is hermetically accommodated and has a plurality of batteries sealed therein and fixedly fastened to a floor frame member on a lower surface of a vehicle body floor, and an exhaust port is provided at a rear end of the battery frame. In the structure in which the air for cooling the battery is introduced into the battery frame, an air intake duct is connected to the air inlet, and the air intake duct is arranged in the vehicle width direction along the front surface of the battery frame. with, disposed in the longitudinal direction along the side of the battery frame, the air inlet of the intake duct body of Riyasa
Closed cross-section formed in the lid and communicating with the interior and exterior of the vehicle
To the exhaust port at the rear end of the battery frame.
Constitute the frame members in the front-rear direction on both sides of the lower surface of the vehicle body floor.
Connected to the closed section of the side member
Communication connection between the exhaust port at the rear end of the frame and the side member
The side members are up and down
Set at a high part above the ground formed offset to the direction
And the exhaust port communicates with the closed cross section of the side member.
Separated back and forth at the connected part, air inlet of intake duct
From the portion where the exhaust port of the side member is connected
A battery frame structure for an electric vehicle, wherein the battery frame structure is connected to a front closed section . 2. The battery frame structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the intake duct is formed of a fiber-reinforced resin material. 3. The bottom surface of the side of the intake duct is formed so as to be inclined substantially on a line connecting the lower edge of the side of the battery frame and the inner edge of the bottom of the side sill extending in the front-rear direction on the floor side. claim 1, 2 battery frame structure for an electric vehicle according.