JP5532903B2 - Electric vehicle battery connector structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.
The present invention relates to a connector structure that governs electrical connection between a battery for an electric motor and a vehicle body side electrical system.

  In an electric vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, a large-capacity and large-sized battery (a unit obtained by connecting a large number of batteries to each other) is required for an electric motor.

Such a battery is not only large, but heavy (for example, about 400 kg in the case of an electric vehicle), and when it is detachable or permanently attached to the vehicle body, it is designed to avoid the vehicle body's center of gravity becoming high and unstable. In addition, a device for balancing the vehicle weight in the vehicle width direction is necessary.
Therefore, when attaching a large and heavy battery to the vehicle body, place this battery below the vehicle body floor, and place it so that the center in the vehicle width direction of the battery is approximately in the middle of the vehicle width direction. Is common.

And, when attaching this battery to the lower part of the vehicle body floor by raising the battery under the vehicle vertical direction guide,
The connector unit composed of the vehicle body side connector member and the battery side connector member is constructed and arranged so that the battery side connector member is fitted into the vehicle body side connector member in an electrically connected state during the rising stroke of the battery. It is advantageous to automate the installation of the battery.

As a connector structure for a battery for an electric vehicle, for example, one as described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed.
This proposed technology is based on the assumption that the battery is not attached to the lower part of the vehicle body floor as described above, but is attached to the lower part of the vehicle body floor by inserting the battery in the vehicle width direction at the lower level of the vehicle body floor. But,
A battery-side connector member is provided on the rear end surface (one side surface in the vehicle width direction) of the battery in the insertion direction, and the vehicle-body side connector member is electrically connected to the battery-side connector member after the battery is attached to the lower side of the vehicle body floor. It is comprised so that it may fit.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2002-362261 (FIG. 3)

  However, when the conventional proposed technology is applied to an electric vehicle of the type that is mounted below the vehicle floor by raising the battery as described above, and a battery-side connector member is provided on one side in the vehicle width direction of the battery, the following The following problems occur.

Here, when discussing the assembly of the vehicle body to which the battery is mounted, the vehicle body is assembled as follows.
First, mutual positioning between the vehicle body skeleton members is performed by the vehicle body assembly jig. At this time, a positioning pin of the vehicle body assembly jig is inserted into a locate hole as a reference position provided in these vehicle body skeleton members. Perform mutual positioning.
Next, the vehicle body is assembled with high accuracy by maintaining the mutual positioning state and connecting the vehicle body skeleton members to each other by welding or the like.

On the other hand, if the locating holes that serve as the reference position for each body frame member are set as a set and are not spaced apart on both sides in the vehicle width direction, the above-described original highly accurate mutual positioning function between the body frame members can be achieved. Absent.
These two locating holes are configured with a higher strength at the front of the vehicle than the rear of the vehicle to protect the occupant, so the locating hole at the front of the vehicle is located at the rear of the vehicle. The position accuracy is usually better than that.

Next, a guide means for guiding the battery in the vertical direction of the vehicle when the battery is raised and mounted below the vehicle body floor will be discussed.
The guide means positions the rising battery at a vehicle front-rear direction position and a vehicle width direction position aligned with the downward battery storage space on the lower surface of the vehicle body floor, and is configured by a locate pin or the like.

In the light of the installation purpose, the guide means constituted by such a locate pin or the like needs to be provided as a pair in the same manner as the above locate hole.
The guide means needs to align the battery with a downwardly-facing battery storage space on the lower surface of the vehicle body floor with high accuracy. Otherwise, the battery interferes with the opening edge of the battery storage space during the rising stroke. In the worst case, the battery cannot be attached.

  In order to align the battery with the downward facing battery storage space with high accuracy in the lower surface of the vehicle body floor, a set of two battery guide means provided for that purpose was compared with the high accuracy reference position at the time of vehicle assembly It is good to arrange near the vehicle locating hole on the front side of the target vehicle and on both sides in the vehicle width direction.

The reason is as follows.
The longer the distance between the battery guide means and the locate hole of the vehicle body, the greater the accumulated value of the vehicle body assembly error at the location where the battery guide means is installed, and the battery guide means has a large relative positional deviation with respect to the vehicle body. As a result, the alignment accuracy of the battery with respect to the battery storage space decreases.
However, if the battery guide means is arranged close to the vehicle body locating hole, the cumulative value of the vehicle body assembly error is small, the relative displacement of the battery guide means with respect to the vehicle body is small, and the alignment accuracy of the battery with respect to the battery storage space is high. Become.

For this reason, a set of two battery guide means is relatively close to the front of the vehicle, which was the high-precision reference position when assembling the vehicle body as described above, and close to the set of two vehicle body locate holes on both sides in the vehicle width direction. And place it
A set of two battery guide means can align the battery with high accuracy to the downward battery storage space on the lower surface of the vehicle body floor,
It is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the battery interferes with the opening edge of the battery storage space during the rising stroke.

And, when arranging the battery guide means of 2 pieces in the vicinity of the locate hole of the same set of 2 car bodies,
Since these locate holes are located on the relatively front side of the vehicle body and on both sides in the vehicle width direction as described above, the battery guide means is provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction near the front end in the vehicle front-rear direction.

By the way, when the concept of the conventional connector structure is applied to an electric vehicle that raises the battery and is attached to the lower part of the vehicle body floor, and a battery-side connector member is provided on one side in the vehicle width direction of the battery,
The connector unit composed of the connector member on the battery side and the connector member on the vehicle body side is close to one battery guide means, but is far away from the other battery guide means.

Of course, when the connector unit is far away from both of the battery guide means of a set of two, as described above, when it is far away from only one of these battery guide means,
Due to the accumulation of the vehicle body assembly error described above, a relative displacement between the battery side connector member forming the connector unit and the vehicle body side connector member occurs, and a core is formed at the mutual fitting portion between the battery side connector member and the vehicle body side connector member. Deviation occurs.

  The misalignment between the battery side connector member and the vehicle body side connector member not only reduces the durability of the connector unit by applying a lateral load in the direction crossing the fitting direction to the mutual fitting portions of both connector members, A gap is partially generated in the mutual fitting portion of the connector member, which causes a spark.

In order to eliminate the misalignment between the battery side connector member and the vehicle body side connector member which is the cause of such a problem, the present invention provides a battery in which connector units constituted by these connector members are provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the battery. On the basis of the fact that it is necessary to place it at a position close to both of the guide means, that is, between the battery guide means,
The idea is to provide a connector structure for an electric vehicle battery that embodies this idea and solves the above-mentioned problems.

Further, the present invention further includes a medium-high tunnel portion extending in the vehicle front-rear direction in the middle of the vehicle width direction for securing the strength of the vehicle body floor and routing the wire harness and the like. The tunnel portion is generally located at the above-described position, that is, at an intermediate position between the battery guide means provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the battery,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric vehicle battery connector structure in which the connector unit can be installed without sacrificing vehicle compartment space or battery capacity by effectively utilizing the space of the tunnel portion.

For these purposes and purposes, the battery connector structure for an electric vehicle according to the present invention constitutes the following.
First, an electric vehicle which is a basic premise of the gist configuration of the present invention is:
Vehicle front-rear direction close to a set of locate holes that serve as a reference position for the body frame member when assembling the vehicle body , under the vehicle body floor with a mid-high shape tunnel that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction in the middle of the vehicle width direction The battery is mounted by being lifted linearly under the vehicle vertical direction guidance by guide means provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the battery at a position near the front end or a position near the rear end in the vehicle front-rear direction.

Moreover, the connector structure of the battery of the present invention used for such an electric vehicle is
It is assumed that the battery unit includes a connector unit including a vehicle body side connector member and a battery side connector member fixed to the vehicle body and the battery so as to be electrically connected to each other during the linear ascending stroke of the battery .

The present invention provides a connector structure for such an electric vehicle battery,
The vehicle body side connector member is mounted in the tunnel portion so as to protrude downward in the vehicle vertical direction ,
The battery-side connector member is characterized by a configuration in which the battery-side connector member is disposed and fitted to the vehicle body-side connector member in the tunnel portion so as to be electrically connected during a linear ascending stroke of the battery.

  In the connector structure for an electric vehicle battery according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

In other words, the vehicle body side connector member is mounted so as to protrude downward in the vehicle vertical direction into the tunnel portion of the vehicle body floor, and the battery side connector member is fitted into the vehicle body side connector member in the tunnel portion in an electrically connected state during the linear ascending stroke of the battery. Since it was placed and attached to the battery,
When the battery is attached, the connector unit including the vehicle body side connector member and the battery side connector member is positioned in the tunnel portion of the vehicle body floor.

By the way, since the tunnel portion of the vehicle body floor exists at an intermediate position between the battery guide means provided on both sides of the battery in the vehicle width direction, the connector unit located in the tunnel portion is provided with the battery guide provided on both sides of the battery in the vehicle width direction. All of the means are arranged at an approximately equidistant intermediate position.
Therefore, the connector unit is located close to both of the battery guide means provided on both sides of the battery in the vehicle width direction, and is not far from one battery guide means. The connector member and the battery-side connector member, together with the guide means provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the battery in the vehicle longitudinal direction position near the locating hole that is the reference position when assembling the vehicle body, accumulates the vehicle body assembly error described above. The resulting relative displacement is eliminated.

Therefore, in the state of attachment of the battery, there is no misalignment in the mutual fitting portion between the vehicle body side connector member and the battery side connector member,
Due to this misalignment, the durability of the connector unit is impaired, or the above-described problem that sparks are generated due to partial gaps in the mutual fitting portions of the connector members can be solved.

Further according to the present invention, since the connector unit consisting of the vehicle body-side connector member and the battery-side connector member, thereby being disposed in the tunnel portion of the vehicle body floor,
It is possible to install a connector unit that effectively uses the space of the tunnel portion, and the connector unit does not sacrifice vehicle compartment space or battery capacity.

In addition, since the tunnel portion of the vehicle body floor is provided for securing the strength as described above, it itself has high strength,
According to the present invention for mounting the vehicle body side connector member of the connector unit in the tunnel portion so as to protrude downward, the mounting position accuracy of the vehicle body side connector member can be kept high,
The misalignment in the mutual fitting portion between the vehicle body side connector member and the battery side connector member can be avoided more reliably, and the above-mentioned effects can be further ensured.

Furthermore, this means that the vehicle body side electrical system is routed in the tunnel portion, the connection of the connector unit for the vehicle body electrical system (vehicle body side connector member), easily without requiring whatsoever additional connection lines it is easy to obtain had row, the cost and on the weight to great advantage.

It is the perspective view seen from the left front upper direction of the vehicle which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the battery with respect to the vehicle body of the electric vehicle which can apply the connector structure of this invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a battery arrangement example showing the electric vehicle of FIG. 1 as viewed from above the vehicle. FIG. 2 is a side view of a battery arrangement example showing the electric vehicle of FIG. 1 as viewed from the side of the vehicle. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a vehicle body floor structure of the electric vehicle shown in FIG. It is a bottom view which shows the electric vehicle provided with the connector structure which becomes one Example of this invention seeing from a vehicle downward direction. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing battery guide means in the electric vehicle shown in FIG. 5 as seen from below the vehicle body floor. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the battery guide means of FIG. 6 taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the battery guide means shown in FIGS. FIG. 6 is an overall perspective view of the screw type locking mechanism in the electric vehicle shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is an overall perspective view of the screw type locking mechanism in the electric vehicle shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the screw type lock mechanism, disassembling and showing a lock nut forcible rotation portion of the screw type lock mechanism in the electric vehicle shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is an enlarged detailed exploded perspective view showing the lock nut forcible rotation portion in FIG. 11 in an enlarged manner. FIGS. 9A and 12B are perspective views for explaining a lock nut forced rotation operation when the screw type lock mechanism is locked in FIGS. 9 to 12, wherein (a) shows the screw type lock mechanism in an unlocked position before the lock nut forced rotation. FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the screw-type lock mechanism in a locked position after forcibly rotating the lock nut. FIGS. 9A and 12B are front views for explaining the lock nut forced rotation operation of the screw type lock mechanism in FIGS. 9 to 12, wherein (a) shows the lock after the screw type lock mechanism is forcedly rotated as in FIG. FIG. 4B is a front view showing the lock nut being stroked in the screwing direction after the screw-type lock mechanism is forcibly rotated with the lock nut. Operation when the lock nut forced rotation member releases the lock nut forced rotation force when the screw type locking mechanism in FIGS. 9 to 12 shifts from the state of FIG. 14 (a) to the state of FIG. (A) is an operation explanatory view showing a state before the lock nut forced rotation member releases the lock nut forced rotation force, and (b) is a lock nut forced rotation member. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows a state when the lock nut forced rotation force is released. FIGS. 9A and 12B are front views for explaining the unlocking operation of the screw type locking mechanism in FIGS. 9 to 12, (a) is a front view showing the screw type locking mechanism in a state before the unlocking starts, and (b) is a screw type. It is the front which shows a lock mechanism in the state immediately after a lock release start. FIGS. 9A and 12B are perspective views for explaining a lock nut forced rotation operation when the screw type lock mechanism is unlocked in FIGS. 9 to 12, wherein (a) shows the screw type lock mechanism in a locked position before the lock nut forced rotation; FIG. 5B is a perspective view showing the unlocked position after the screw-type lock mechanism is forcibly rotated with the lock nut. When the screw type locking mechanism in FIGS. 9 to 12 shifts from the state of FIG. 16 (a) to the state of FIG. 16 (b), the lock nut forced rotation member can generate the lock nut forced rotation force. (A) is an operation explanatory diagram showing a state before the lock nut forcible rotation member can generate the lock nut forcible rotation force, (b) These are operation | movement explanatory drawings which show a state when a lock nut forced rotation member comes to be able to generate | occur | produce a lock nut forced rotation force. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal front view showing the connector unit in the electric vehicle shown in FIG. 5 as a cross section in a plane orthogonal to the vehicle body floor tunnel portion. FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the connector unit shown in FIG. 19 as a cross section taken along the line XX-XX in FIG. In the electric vehicle shown in FIG. 5, the battery guide means, the screw-type lock mechanism, and the connector unit when the battery rises to the battery storage space, are explanatory diagrams showing the relative levels of the battery guide means (a) (B) is an explanatory view showing the level of the screw type locking mechanism, (c) is an explanatory view showing the level of the connector unit. In the electric vehicle shown in FIG. 5, the battery guide means, the screw type lock mechanism, and the battery when the battery rises further than FIG. 21 under the guidance of the battery guide means and the battery positioning function by the screw type lock mechanism is started. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relative level of a connector unit, (a) is explanatory drawing which shows the level of a battery guide means, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the level of a screw-type locking mechanism, (c) is a drawing of a connector unit It is explanatory drawing which shows a level.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on an example shown in the drawings.
<Overall configuration>
1 to 3 show an example of battery arrangement with respect to the body of an electric vehicle to which the connector structure of the present invention can be applied.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view as seen from the upper left front of the vehicle, FIG. 2 is a plan view as seen from above the vehicle, and FIG. 3 is a side view as seen from the left side of the vehicle.
In these drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes an electric vehicle body which is an electric vehicle, and 2 denotes a battery for an electric motor (not shown).

The illustrated electric vehicle is mounted in a motor room in front of the vehicle using the electric motor (not shown) as a power source, and can drive by driving the left and right front wheels 3L and 3R with this electric motor.
In FIGS. 1 to 3, left and right rear wheels as driven wheels are indicated by 4L and 4R, respectively.

An electric vehicle requires a large-capacity and large-sized battery 2 for an electric motor, and this battery 2 is usually configured as one unit by connecting many battery shells to each other.
Therefore, the battery 2 is not only large, but heavy (for example, about 400 kg), and when detachably or permanently attached to the vehicle body 1, a device that avoids the vehicle body's center of gravity becoming high and running unstable, In addition, a device for balancing the vehicle weight in the vehicle width direction is also important for safety.

Therefore, when attaching the large and heavy battery 2 to the vehicle body 1, the battery 2 is arranged below the vehicle body floor 5 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and the center of the battery 2 in the vehicle width direction is substantially the vehicle width of the vehicle body. It is better to install it so that it is located in the middle of the direction.
1 to 3 denotes a vehicle body floor tunnel portion (tunnel member) that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction in the middle of the vehicle body floor 5 in the vehicle width direction.

Hereinafter, the vehicle body floor 5 will be schematically described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the vehicle body floor 5 as viewed from the diagonally upper left side of the vehicle, and FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing the vehicle body floor 5 as seen from below the vehicle with the battery 2 attached to the lower side thereof. FIG.

The vehicle body floor 5 includes a tunnel member 6 that provides a tunnel portion having a middle and high shape that extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction in the middle of the vehicle width direction as clearly shown in FIG.
Left and right front side members 7 and 8 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle so as to be substantially parallel to the tunnel member 6 on both sides in the vehicle width direction as clearly shown in FIGS.
As clearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, left and right side sills 9 and 10 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction along the vehicle width direction outside of the left and right front side members 7 and 8,
As clearly shown in FIG. 5, left and right rear side members 11, which are coupled to the rear ends of the left and right front side members 7, 8 via the side member coupling portions 7a, 8a, respectively, and extend rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction from here. 12 as a main body frame member.

  When assembling the vehicle body floor 5, first, the vehicle body frame members 6 to 12 are mutually positioned by a vehicle body assembly jig (not shown). At that time, the reference positions provided in these vehicle body frame members 6 to 12 are used. The corresponding positioning pins of the vehicle body assembly jig are inserted into the locating holes (indicated by the locating holes 7b and 8b of the left and right front side members 7 and 8 in FIG. 5) to perform mutual positioning of the vehicle body skeleton members 6-12.

Next, the vehicle body skeleton members 6 to 12 are joined to each other by welding or the like while maintaining the mutual positioning state.
Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the front floor panel 13 and the rear floor panel 14 are attached so as to close the gap between the vehicle body skeleton members 6 to 12, thereby assembling the vehicle body floor 5 with high accuracy.
In order to realize such a high-precision assembly, the locating holes (indicated by the locating holes 7b and 8b of the left and right front side members 7 and 8 in FIG. 5) that form the reference position during assembly are a pair of Is placed on both sides in the vehicle width direction.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the battery 2 is arranged below the vehicle body floor 5, and when the battery 2 is arranged so that the center of the battery 2 in the vehicle width direction is located approximately in the middle of the vehicle width direction,
The battery 2 is positioned relative to the vehicle body floor 5 in the front-rear direction as shown in FIG. 5, and as a result, the battery 5 is superior in strength to the vehicle rear side portion, as will be described in detail later. It can be supported by the tunnel member 6 and the left and right front side members 7 and 8 constituting the front part of the vehicle body, which is advantageous for maintaining the battery mounting accuracy.

As shown in FIG. 5, the battery 2 houses a large number of battery shells (not shown) in a battery frame 2a and is electrically connected to each other to form a single unit, which is sufficient for an electric motor. It is assumed that a large capacity has been realized.
When mounting the battery 2 below the vehicle body floor 5 as described above, in this embodiment, the battery 2 is raised under the vehicle vertical direction guidance by the guide means 21 shown in FIG. 1 to 3 and FIG. 5, it is assumed that the mounting position is below the vehicle body floor 5, and at this position, the battery 2 is locked and mounted below the vehicle body floor 5 by the screw type locking mechanism 22.

On the other hand, the battery 2 needs to be electrically connected to the vehicle body side electrical system such as an electric motor when the vehicle body is mounted, and a connector structure for controlling the electric connection is indispensable.
Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a connector unit 23 is provided which includes a vehicle body side connector member connected to the vehicle body side electrical system and a battery side connector member connected to the battery 2.

In addition, after raising the battery 2 under the vehicle vertical direction guide by the guide means 21 as described above, when attaching the battery 2 below the vehicle body floor 5 with the screw type lock mechanism 22,
The connector unit 23 including the vehicle body side connector member and the battery side connector member is configured and arranged so that the battery side connector member is fitted into the vehicle body side connector member in an electrically connected state during the upward stroke of the battery 2. This is a great advantage in automating the installation of the battery 2.

<Guide means>
The guide means 21 for guiding the battery 2 in the vehicle vertical direction while raising the battery 2 when mounting the vehicle body will be described in detail.
This guide means 21 positions the rising battery 2 at the vehicle longitudinal direction position and the vehicle width direction position aligned with the downward battery storage space on the lower surface of the vehicle body floor 5, as shown in FIGS. It is composed of a locate pin described later.

The guide means 21 composed of such a locating pin or the like is naturally required to be provided as a set of two in light of the installation purpose described above.
If the guide means 21 does not align the battery 2 with the downward battery storage space on the lower surface of the vehicle body floor 5 with high accuracy, the battery 2 will interfere with the opening edge of the battery storage space during the ascending stroke. In this case, the battery 2 cannot be attached.

  In order to align the battery 2 with a downward battery storage space on the lower surface of the vehicle body floor 5 with high accuracy, a set of two battery guide means 21 provided for the purpose is used with high accuracy when the vehicle body floor is assembled. It is necessary to arrange a set of two locating holes (for example, the locating holes for the front side members 7 and 8 shown in FIG. .

The reason is as follows.
As the distance between the battery guide means 21 and the locate hole of the vehicle body floor 5 (for example, the locate holes 7b and 8b of the front side members 7 and 8 shown in FIG. 5) is longer, the vehicle body floor assembly error at the installation location of the battery guide means 21 , The battery guide means 21 has a large relative positional deviation with respect to the vehicle body floor 5, and the alignment accuracy of the battery 2 with respect to the battery storage space decreases accordingly.
However, if the battery guide means 21 is arranged near the vehicle body floor locate hole, the cumulative value of the vehicle body assembly error is small, and the relative displacement of the battery guide means 21 with respect to the vehicle body floor 5 is also small. The alignment accuracy of is increased.

For this reason, the set of two battery guide means 21 is close to the set of two vehicle body floor locate holes 7b, 8b on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the front portion of the vehicle body, which was the high-precision reference position when the vehicle body floor was assembled. If placed in
A set of two battery guide means 21 can align the battery 2 with high accuracy with the downward battery storage space on the lower surface of the vehicle body floor 5,
It is possible to avoid the disadvantage that the battery 2 interferes with the opening edge of the battery housing space during the ascending stroke.

In this embodiment, when two battery guide means 21 are arranged in the vicinity of the locating holes 7b, 8b of the pair of vehicle body floors 5 in the same manner,
Since these locate holes 7b, 8b are located on both sides in the vehicle width direction at the front side portion of the vehicle body floor 5, the battery guide means 21 are installed on both sides in the vehicle width direction near the front end of the battery 2 as shown in FIG. To do.

Each of the battery guide means 21 arranged in this way is constituted by a locating pin having a structure clearly shown in FIGS.
That is, the locate pin main body 25 is provided on the battery frame 2 a of the battery 2 via the bracket 24, and the locate pin main body 25 is protruded upward from the bracket 24.
A locating sleeve 26 into which the locating pin body 25 penetrates is provided on the front side member 7 (8) while the battery 2 is raised.

According to the battery guide means 21, while the battery 2 is raised, the locate pin body 25 provided on the battery 2 penetrates into the locate sleeve 26 provided on the front side member 7 (8) as shown in FIGS. The battery 2 inside is restrained in the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction.
Therefore, the guide means 21 guides the battery 2 in the vertical direction of the vehicle in a state where the battery 2 is accurately aligned with the downward battery storage space on the lower surface of the vehicle body floor 5, and the battery 2 opens the battery storage space during the upward stroke. The inconvenience of interfering with the edge can be avoided.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the battery guide means 21 is provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction at a location close to the front end of the battery 2, so that the vehicle body that was the high-precision reference position when the vehicle body floor 5 was assembled. Because it is located close to the locate holes 7b, 8b on the front side of the floor,
The battery 2 can be more accurately aligned with the downward battery storage space on the lower surface of the vehicle body floor 5, and the above-described effects can be further enhanced.

<Configuration of screw type locking mechanism>
Screw for locking and attaching the battery 2 raised to the mounting position below the vehicle body floor 5 under the guidance by the locate pin type battery guide means 21 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. The type locking mechanism 22 will be described in detail below.

  In the present embodiment, the screw type locking mechanism 22 includes a left side member connecting portion 7a between the left front side member 7 and the left rear side member 11, and a right front side member 8 and a right rear side member 12, as shown in FIG. The right side member coupling portion 8a is provided in the front of the vehicle in the front-rear direction, and the left side member coupling portions 7a and 8a are provided in the rear of the vehicle in the front-rear direction.

Six of the six screw-type locking mechanisms 22 on the front side are arranged two on each side in the vehicle width direction of the battery 2 (battery frame 2a). It is not attached to the side members 7 and 8,
The remaining two are arranged at the front end in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the battery 2 (battery frame 2a) so as to be separated from each other in the vehicle width direction, and the front end of the battery 2 is a bridging member between the front side members 7 and 8 and the tunnel member 6. Attach to 15,16.
The two screw-type locking mechanisms 22 on the rear side are respectively arranged on both sides in the vehicle width direction on the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the battery 2 (battery frame 2a), and the both sides in the vehicle width direction on the rear side of the battery 2 are rear side members. Attach to 11,12.

Here, many (six) screw-type locking mechanisms 22 are arranged in front of the left and right front / rear side member coupling portions 7a and 8a, and fewer (two) are arranged behind the left and right front / rear side member coupling portions 7a and 8a. Explain why.
Of the vehicle body floor 5, the bond strength between the frame members constituting the vehicle body floor portion in front of the front and rear side member coupling portions 7a, 8a is the frame member constituting the vehicle body floor portion behind the front and rear side member coupling portions 7a, 8a. It is greater than the bond strength between the two, and is resistant to deformation in the vertical direction of the vehicle, making it easy to ensure flatness.

The rear portion of the low-strength body floor 5 is easily displaced relative to the front portion of the high-strength body floor 5 in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the support strength of the battery 2 is increased in the rear portion of the body floor 5. If shared, not only the support strength of the battery 2 is insufficient, but also the support posture of the battery 2 becomes unstable.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the support strength of the battery 2 is assigned to the front portion of the high-strength vehicle body floor 5, thereby eliminating the lack of support strength of the battery 2 and stabilizing the support posture of the battery 2. In order to
As described above with reference to FIG. 5, the screw type locking mechanism 22 is arranged in front of the left and right front / rear side member coupling portions 7a, 8a (six), and rearwardly behind the left and right front / rear side member coupling portions 7a, 8a (2 Pieces).

Since the eight screw-type lock mechanisms 22 have the same configuration, the detailed structure of the screw-type lock mechanisms 22 arranged on both sides in the vehicle width direction at the front end of the battery 2 (battery frame 2a) will be described below. .
FIGS. 9 and 10 show the overall structure of the screw type locking mechanism 22, FIG. 9 shows the screw type locking mechanism 22 in the unlocked state, and FIG. 10 shows the screw type locking mechanism 22 in the locked state. Show.
11 and 12 are exploded perspective views showing the main part of the screw type locking mechanism 22 shown in FIGS.

The screw-type locking mechanism 22 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is detachable from the bottom surface mounting position of the vehicle body floor 5 by cooperating with the lock plate 27 fixed to the vehicle body floor 5 (front side members 7 and 8). To lock
Therefore, the lock plate 27 is provided with a rectangular opening 27a, and a circular opening 27b is provided at the center thereof.
When fixing the lock plate 27 to the vehicle body floor 5, the lock plate 27 is attached to the corresponding front side member 7 (8) by tightening means such as bolts inserted into the corner holes 27c at the four corners of the lock plate 27. To wear.

The screw type lock mechanism 22 includes a lock base 31 attached to the battery 2 (battery frame 2a), a bolt 32 attached to the lock base 31, and a lock nut 33 screwed to the lock base 31 as main components.
The bolt 32 is rotatably inserted into the lock base 31 and is prevented from coming off upward in FIGS. 9 to 11 by a bolt head (not shown) integrally formed at the lower end of the bolt 32 in FIGS.

As described above, the bolt 32, which is prevented from coming off from the lock base 31 and is rotatably provided, is provided with a lock nut 33 screwed onto the end opposite to the above-mentioned end from which the retaining is provided.
The lock nut 33 is a nut having a square cross section such as a rectangle when viewed in the screwing direction, and has a female screw for screwing into the bolt 32 at the center.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the central circular boss portion 31a of the lock base 31 has an unlocked position, which is a loosening direction restricting position shown in FIG. Two stoppers 31b and 31c are provided to be restricted between the lock positions which are tightening direction restriction positions.

Of the rectangular hole 27a and the circular hole 27b provided in the lock plate 27, the former rectangular hole 27a accurately passes the lock nut 33 in the unlock position shown in FIG. 9 in all directions orthogonal to the passing direction. The latter circular hole 27b is allowed to be fitted in the center circular boss portion 31a provided in the lock base 31.
However, the diameter of the circular hole 27b is set to a size that does not allow passage of the lock nut 33 at the lock position shown in FIGS.

The lock nut 33 has a taper surface 33a formed by chamfering the long side corner at the tip in the insertion passage direction, and a taper surface 33b formed by chamfering the short side corner.
These tapered surfaces 33a and 33b function as follows.

That is, as described above, the battery guide means 21 positions the battery 2 in the lateral direction during the ascending stroke and aligns the battery 2 with the battery storage space. However, the vehicle body side connector constituting the connector unit 23 only by this alignment. The fitting portions of the member and the battery-side connector member cannot be correctly aligned with each other.
If there is such a misalignment, not only will the cross fitting direction of both connector members be subjected to a lateral load across the fitting direction to reduce the durability of the connector unit 23, but also the mutual fitting portion of the connector member. This causes a gap in part and causes a spark.

By the way, in this embodiment, when trying to pass the lock nut 33 through the rectangular hole 27a of the lock plate 27 in the insertion direction, the tapered surfaces 33a and 33b of the lock nut 33 abut against the opening edge of the rectangular hole 27a. By cooperating with the opening edge of the rectangular hole 27a, the lock nut 33 is fitted into the rectangular hole 27a while being guided into the rectangular hole 27a of the lock plate 27.
At this time, since the lock nut 33 is closely fitted into the rectangular hole 27a of the lock plate 27 without a gap, the battery 2 connector member of the connector unit 23 is accurately centered with respect to the vehicle body side connector member. Can be positioned to be
There is no lateral load acting in the direction crossing the fitting direction on the mutual fitting portions of both connector members, the durability of the connector unit 23 is reduced, or there is a gap in the mutual fitting portions of the connector members. The problem of occurrence of sparks can be avoided.

  Next, referring also to FIGS. 11 and 12, the lock nut 33 is forcibly rotated in the same direction when the bolt 32 is rotated in the tightening direction (in this embodiment, a right-hand thread) and when the bolt 32 is rotated in the loose direction. The lock nut rotation mechanism for rotating the tightening direction restriction position (lock position) shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 and the relaxation direction restriction position (unlock position) shown in FIG. 9 will be described in detail.

As clearly shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a plurality of axial grooves 32a are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the tip of the bolt 32 into which the lock nut 33 is screwed, so that the tip of the bolt 32 has a non-circular cross section. Shape and sushi.
A lock nut forcibly turning member 34 is provided at the tip of the bolt 32 as shown in FIGS.

The lock nut forcibly rotating member 34 is composed of a plate-like member 34a and two leg portions 34b formed integrally therewith.
By drilling a non-circular hole 34d corresponding to the above-mentioned non-circular cross-sectional shape of the tip of the bolt 32 in the center of the plate-like member 34a, and slidably fitting the non-circular hole 34d to the tip of the bolt 32, A lock nut forcibly rotating member 34 is rotatably engaged with the tip of the bolt 32 so as to be slidable in the axial direction.

The lock nut forcibly rotating member 34 is urged toward the lock nut 33 by elastic means such as a spring 35 loosely fitted to the tip of the bolt 32. Therefore, the end of the spring 35 far from the lock nut forcibly rotating member 34 is A spring seat 36 on which the part is seated is provided to be engaged with the tip of the bolt 32.
Each of the legs 34b of the lock nut forcibly rotating member 34 urged toward the lock nut 33 by an elastic means such as a spring 35 cooperates with the long side taper surface 33a of the lock nut 33 as follows. The flat cam surface 34c that causes the action is set.

The lock nut forcibly rotating member side flat cam surface 34c is formed by the lock nut forcibly rotating member 34 that rotates together with the bolt 32 when the bolt 32 rotates. By being pressed, the lock nut 33 is tilted so that it can be rotated, but the tilt angle is set such that the following actions are possible.
That is, after the lock nut 33 is restrained to the corresponding direction restriction position by the stopper 31b or 31c, the lock nut forced-turning member 34 gets over the lock nut long side taper surface 33a on the flat cam surface 34c, and this The flat cam on the lock nut forced-rotation member side so that the spring 35 is compressed and the stroke is moved away from the lock nut 33 and the lock nut 33 is rotated relative to the lock nut 33 to release the lock nut rotation force. The inclination angle of the surface 34c is determined.

The stroke limit position of the lock nut forcibly rotating member 34 urged toward the lock nut 33 by elastic means such as a spring 35 is defined by the length of the axial groove 32a provided on the outer periphery of the tip of the bolt 32.
When determining the length of the axial groove 32a, immediately after the lock nut 33 is brought into the locked position shown in FIGS. The axial limit groove 32a so that the lock nut 33 moves away from the leg 34b of the lock nut forced-turning member 34 when the lock nut 33 further strokes in the tightening direction when the stroke reaches the stroke limit position. To decide.

<Operation of screw type locking mechanism>
The screw-type lock mechanism 22 having the above-described configuration has the lock base 31 attached to the battery 2 (battery frame 2a) as described above and provided on the battery 2 side, and the lock plate 27 is attached to the vehicle body floor 5. Practical use by providing on the vehicle body side,
When the battery 2 is detachably stored and locked in a battery storage space with a downward opening below the vehicle body floor 5, the screw-type lock mechanism 22 performs the lock function in cooperation with the lock plate 27 as follows. .

First, the locking action when the battery is attached will be described with reference to FIGS.
When the battery 2 is attached, the lock nut 33 is rotated by the lock nut rotating member 34 as described in detail later by the rotation of the bolt 32 in the loosening direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 31b is the relaxing direction restriction position (unlock position) shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 13 (a).

  Here, when the battery 2 is lifted into the battery storage space with the downward opening on the lower surface of the vehicle body floor 5, the lock nut 33 is moved into the lock plate rectangular hole by the cooperation of the tapered surfaces 33a, 33b and the lock plate rectangular hole 27a. While being centered with respect to 27a, it passes through the lock plate rectangular hole 27a as shown in FIGS. 9 and 13 (a), and the central circular boss portion 31a of the lock base 31 is recessed into the lock plate circular hole 27b. The lock nut 33 is positioned in the battery storage space, and the lock base 31 is seated on the externally exposed lower surface of the lock plate 27.

In this state, when the bolt 32 is rotated in the tightening direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 13 (b) with a nut runner or the like, the lock nut forcibly rotating member 34 that rotates together with the bolt 32 is locked via the flat cam surface 34c and the tapered surface 33a. The nut 33 is rotated and the lock nut 33 is brought into contact with the stopper 31c to be in the tightening direction restricting position (lock position) shown in FIGS. 10, 13 (b) and 14 (a).
However, the lock nut 33 is not rotated by the lock nut forced rotation member 34 beyond the tightening direction limit position (lock position), and is shown in FIGS. 10, 13 (b) and 14 (a). Thus, it stops at the rotation position.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 15 (b) from the state of FIG. 15 (a), the lock nut forcibly turning member 34 is over the lock nut long side taper surface 33a against the spring 35 on the flat cam surface 34c, In addition, the spring 35 is compressed as it goes over and strokes in a direction away from the lock nut 33, so that it can rotate relative to the lock nut 33 and release the lock nut turning force.

For this reason, the bolt 32 is not prevented from further rotation in the tightening direction even by the presence of the lock nut forcedly rotating member 34.
When the bolt 32 is further rotated in the tightening direction, as shown in FIG. 14 (b), the lock nut 33 is screwed in the direction indicated by the arrow while maintaining the tightening direction restricting position (locking position). The stroke moves in a direction approaching the lock base 31 while leaving the position where the lock nut forcedly rotating member 34 (leg 34b) is located.
As a result, the lock nut 33 and the lock base 31 can hold the lock plate 27 therebetween to lock and hold the battery 2 at a position where it is stored in the battery storage space.

Next, the unlocking action when removing the battery will be described with reference to FIGS.
When unlocking to take out the battery 2 from the battery storage space, the bolt 32 is rotated in the loosening direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.

  Initially, as shown in FIG. 16 (a), the lock nut 33 is in the same locking screwing stroke position as in FIG. 14 (b), and is separated from the lock nut forcibly turning member 34 (leg 34b) at the lower limit position. Therefore, the lock nut forcibly rotating member 34 rotated in the loosening direction together with the bolt 32 can rotate relative to the lock nut 33 in the same direction, and does not prevent the bolt 32 from rotating in the loosening direction.

Such rotation of the bolt 32 in the loosening direction causes the lock nut 33 to stroke in the loosening direction indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 16 (b) and 17 (b), and immediately, as shown in FIG. 18 (a), the lock nut in the lower limit position. It is made to contact with the forced rotation member 34 (leg part 34b).
However, in the contact state shown in FIG. 18 (a), the lock nut forced rotation member 34 (leg 34b) is still on the rear end surface of the lock nut 33 in the screwing direction, and the lock nut rotation force cannot be generated. Therefore, the lock nut forcibly turning member 34 (leg part 34b) rotates relative to the lock nut 33 in the loosening direction together with the bolt 32.

As a result of such relative rotation, the lock nut forcibly rotating member 34 becomes a rotational position where the flat cam surface 34c of the leg 34b faces the lock nut long side taper surface 33a, as shown in FIG. 18 (b).
At this time, the spring 35 urges the lock nut forced-turning member 34 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 18B, and the lock nut forced-turn member 34 has a flat cam surface 34c whose lock nut long side tapered surface 33a. Stroke position opposite to.
As described above, as shown in FIGS. 16 (b) and 17 (a), the lock nut 33 and the lock nut forcibly rotating member 34 that remain in the same tightening direction restricting position as that at the time of locking include the tapered surface 33a and the flat cam surface. Rotating engagement is achieved by the co-operation of 34c.

When the bolt 32 is further rotated in the loosening direction in this state, the lock nut forcibly rotating member 34 that rotates together with the bolt 32 rotates the lock nut 33 through the flat cam surface 34c and the tapered surface 33a, and the lock nut 33 is rotated. As shown in FIG. 17 (b), it is forcibly rotated to a relaxing direction limit position (unlock position) that contacts the stopper 31b.
However, the lock nut 33 is not rotated by the lock nut forced rotation member 34 beyond the loosening direction restriction position (unlock position), and remains at the rotation position as shown in FIG. 17 (b).

  By the way, the lock nut forcibly rotating member 34, as shown in FIG.18 (b) from the state of FIG. 18 (b), overcoming the spring 35 on the flat cam surface 34c and overcoming the lock nut long side taper surface 33a, In addition, the spring 35 is compressed as it goes over and strokes in a direction away from the lock nut 33, so that the spring 35 can rotate relative to the lock nut 33, and the lock nut rotation force can be released.

For this reason, the bolt 32 is not prevented from further rotating in the loosening direction even by the presence of the lock nut forcibly rotating member 34.
When the bolt 32 is further rotated in the loosening direction, the lock nut 33 maintains the loosening direction restriction position (unlock position) in FIG. 17 (b) and performs a loosening stroke in the direction of the arrow in FIG. While moving the lock nut forcedly rotating member 34 (leg 34b) in the same direction, the stroke is moved away from the lock base 31.

  As a result, the clamping pressure (locking) of the lock plate 27 by the lock nut 33 and the lock base 31 is released, and the lock nut 33 passes through the rectangular hole 27a of the lock plate 27 and the central circular boss portion 31a of the lock base 31 The battery 2 can be removed from the battery storage space while the battery 2 is removed from the circular hole 27b of the lock plate 27.

<Connector unit>
The battery 2 must have a connector structure for controlling electrical connection with the vehicle body side electrical system. Therefore, in this embodiment, the connector unit 23 is provided as described above with reference to FIG.
19 and 20, the connector unit 23 includes a vehicle body side connector member 41 connected to the vehicle body side electrical system and a battery side connector member 42 connected to the battery 2.

By the way, as in this embodiment, the battery 2 is raised to a mounting position below the vehicle body floor 5 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 5 under the guidance of the locate pin type battery guide means 21, and at this position the battery When 2 is locked and installed in the battery storage space below the vehicle body floor 5 by the screw type locking mechanism 22 described above,
The connector unit 23 comprising the vehicle body side connector member 41 and the battery side connector member 42 is configured such that the battery side connector member 42 is fitted in the vehicle body side connector member 41 in an electrically connected state during the rising stroke of the battery 2. Arrangement is very advantageous in automating the attachment of the battery 2, and in this embodiment, the connector unit 23 is configured in such a manner as will be described later with reference to FIGS.

Thus, when the connector unit 23 is far from both of the battery guide means 21 (see FIG. 5), the connector unit 23 is far from only one of the battery guide means 23. even when,
Due to the accumulation of the vehicle body assembly error described above, a relative positional shift between the battery side connector member 42 forming the connector unit 23 and the vehicle body side connector member 41 occurs, and the battery side connector member 42 and the vehicle body side connector member 41 are mutually offset. Misalignment occurs in the fitting part.

  Such misalignment between the battery side connector member 42 and the vehicle body side connector member 41 applies a lateral load in a direction crossing the fitting direction to the mutual fitting portion of both the connector members 41, 42, thereby improving the durability of the connector unit 23. In addition to lowering, a gap is partially generated in the mutual fitting portion of the connector members 41 and 42, which causes a spark.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the connector unit 23 constituted by the battery side connector member 42 and the vehicle body side connector member 41 is provided on both of the battery guide means 21 provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the battery 2 as shown in FIG. They are arranged at positions close to each other, that is, at an intermediate position equidistant from these battery guide means 21.

The connector unit 23 having such an arrangement is close to both the battery guide means 21, and the positions of the vehicle body side connector member 41 and the battery side connector member 42 are highly accurate with the influence of accumulation of vehicle body assembly errors being minimized.
Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the misalignment at the mutual fitting portions of these connector members 41 and 42, and the mutual fitting portions of both connector members 41 and 42 are not subjected to a lateral load across the fitting direction. In addition, it is possible to solve the problem that the durability of the connector unit 23 is reduced, or that a gap is partially generated in the mutual fitting portion of the connector members 41 and 42 to generate sparks.

In light of the above, the connector unit 23 is disposed in the middle of the vehicle body floor 5 in the vehicle width direction.
By the way, in the middle of the vehicle body floor 5 in the vehicle width direction, a tunnel member 6 is provided for securing the strength of the vehicle body floor 5 and for wiring the wiring harness of the vehicle body side electrical system. Shaped tunnel part is set.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the connector unit 23 is placed in a medium-high shape tunnel member 6 (tunnel portion) extending in the vehicle front-rear direction in the middle of the vehicle body floor 5 in the vehicle width direction as shown in FIGS. Deploy.

  In this arrangement, as clearly shown in FIG. 5, a connector is provided in the tunnel member 6 (tunnel portion) where the tunnel member 6 (tunnel portion) of the vehicle body floor 5 and the front end surface of the battery 2 (battery frame 2a) intersect. Unit 23 should be placed.

  19 and 20, of the vehicle body side connector member 41 and the battery side connector member 42 constituting the connector unit 23, the vehicle body side connector member 41 is the tunnel member 6 (tunnel portion) of the vehicle body floor 5 at the above-mentioned location. The battery-side connector member 42 is attached to the front end face of the battery 2 (battery frame 2a) via the bracket 44 at the above-described location.

Of course, the vehicle body side connector member 41 and the battery side connector member 42 are installed at positions so as to be fitted to each other in an electrically connected state during the upward stroke of the battery 2 (preferably at the end of the upward stroke). But,
After the battery 2 is mounted by the screw type locking mechanism 22, the vehicle body side connector member 41 and the battery side connector member 42 are mounted so that the battery side connector member 42 on the lower side does not protrude downward from the tunnel member 6 (tunnel portion). It is good to decide the level.

<Correlation between guide means, lock mechanism and connector unit>
When the battery 2 is raised and mounted below the vehicle body floor 5, the battery guide means 21 guides the battery 2 in the vertical direction, and the battery 2 is positioned and locked by the lock plate 27 and the lock nut 33 of the screw type lock mechanism 22. The function and the electrical connection fitting of the connector unit 23 (connector members 41 and 42) need to be performed at an appropriate timing.

  Incidentally, if the vertical guide of the battery 2 by the battery guide means 21 is delayed from the positioning of the battery 2 by the lock plate 27 and the lock nut 33 of the screw type lock mechanism 22 and the start of the lock function, the tapered surface 33a of the lock nut 33 , 33b is in a state of interference with the lock plate rectangular hole 27a, but the lock nut 33 tries to enter the lock plate rectangular hole 27a, and the screw type locking mechanism 22 cannot be locked due to the above interference. Thus, the battery 2 cannot be locked and attached to the battery storage space below the vehicle body floor 5.

In addition, when the electrical connection of the connector unit 23 (connector members 41 and 42) is performed earlier than the positioning and locking function of the battery 2 by the lock plate 27 and the lock nut 33 of the screw type lock mechanism 22, the lock plate The connector members 41 and 42 of the connector unit 23 are electrically connected and fitted to each other before the battery 2 is positioned by 27 and the lock nut 33 (centering between the connector members 41 and 42 of the connector unit 23). Become.
Such misalignment between the connector members 41 and 42 not only reduces the durability of the connector unit 23 by applying a lateral load in the direction crossing the fitting direction to the mutual fitting portions of the connector members 41 and 42. Then, a gap is partially generated in the mutual fitting portion of the connector members 41 and 42 to generate a spark.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the battery 2 is guided in the vertical direction by the battery guide means 21, the positioning and locking function of the battery 2 by the lock plate 27 and the lock nut 33 of the screw type lock mechanism 22, and the connector unit 23 (connector member 41). , 42) is configured to be performed at the timing described below with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 21 (a), (b), and (c) respectively show the level of the battery guide means 21 (locating pin 25), the level of the screw type locking mechanism 22 when the battery 2 reaches the battery storage space due to the rise, and The level of the connector unit 23 (battery side connector member 42) is shown.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 21 (a), the locate pin 25 starts to enter the locate sleeve 26, and the battery 2 starts to be guided in the vertical direction by the battery guide means 21.
Thereby, the battery 2 is raised in a state in which the tip provided with the tapered surfaces 33a, 33b of the lock nut 33 can enter the lock plate rectangular hole 27a without interfering with the lock plate rectangular hole 27a. Due to this interference, the positioning and locking function of the battery 2 by the lock plate 27 and the lock nut 33 of the screw type locking mechanism 22 is disabled, and the battery 2 cannot be mounted in the battery storage space below the vehicle body floor 5 Can be avoided.

However, at this time, as shown in FIG. 21 (b), the lock nut 33 has not reached the lock plate 27, and the positioning and locking functions of the battery 2 by the lock plate 27 and the lock nut 33 of the screw-type lock mechanism 22 have not been achieved yet. Not started.
Further, as shown in FIG. 21 (c), the battery side connector member 42 does not reach the vehicle body side connector member 41, and the electrical connection fitting of the connector unit 23 (connector members 41, 42) has not yet started.

  22 (a), (b), and (c) show the battery 2 positioning function by the lock plate 27 and the lock nut 33 of the screw type lock mechanism 22 as the battery 2 further rises under the guidance of the battery guide means 21, respectively. Shows the level of the battery guide means 21 (locating pin 25), the level of the screw-type locking mechanism 22, and the level of the connector unit 23 (battery side connector member 42) when is started.

  The positioning function of the battery 2 by the lock plate 27 and the lock nut 33 of the screw type lock mechanism 22 is precisely the center of the battery side connector member 42 of the connector unit 23 with respect to the vehicle body side connector member 41 as shown in FIG. Let me out.

When the battery side connector member 42 is further raised from the position shown in FIG. 22 (c) by the lifting stroke for locking the battery 2 by the lock plate 27 and the lock nut 33 of the screw type locking mechanism 22, the battery side connector member 42 is The connector member 41 is electrically connected and fitted,
According to the accurate centering between the battery side connector member 42 and the vehicle body side connector member 41 described above, a lateral load in a direction crossing the fitting direction acts on the mutual fitting portion of the connector members 41, 42. This can be avoided reliably, eliminating the problems such as the durability of the connector unit 23 being reduced by such a lateral load and the occurrence of sparks due to partial gaps in the mutual fitting portions of the connector members 41 and 42. Can do.

<Effect of Example>
According to the connector structure of the above-described embodiment, the battery side connector member 42 forming the connector unit 23 for connecting the battery 2 and the vehicle body side electrical system intersects the tunnel member 6 (vehicle body floor tunnel portion). At the front end surface of the battery 2 in the vehicle longitudinal direction at
Since the vehicle body side connector member 41 is disposed in a position where the battery side connector member 42 fits in an electrically connected state during the rising stroke of the battery 2 and is mounted in the tunnel member 6 (vehicle body floor tunnel portion), the following An effect can be obtained.

  That is, according to the arrangement of the vehicle body side connector member 41 and the battery side connector member 42, the connector unit 23 constituted by these connector members 41 and 42 is in a tunnel as shown in FIGS. It will be located in the member 6 (vehicle body floor tunnel part).

By the way, since the tunnel member 6 (vehicle body floor tunnel part) of the vehicle body floor 5 exists at a position equidistant from the battery guide means 21 provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the battery 2, this tunnel member 6 (vehicle body floor tunnel part). The connector unit 23 located inside is arranged at an intermediate position between the battery guide means 21.
Therefore, the connector unit 23 is in a position close to both of the battery guide means 21 provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the battery 2, and the vehicle body side connector member 41 and the battery side connector member 42 constituting the connector unit 23 are The relative position shift due to the accumulated vehicle body assembly error does not occur.

Therefore, in the mounted state of the battery 2, there is no misalignment in the mutual fitting portion between the vehicle body side connector member 41 and the battery side connector member 42,
Due to this misalignment, it is possible to solve the problem that the durability of the connector unit 23 is impaired, or a gap is partially generated in the mutual fitting portions of the connector members 41 and 42 to cause sparks.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the connector unit 23 including the vehicle body side connector member 41 and the battery side connector member 42 is installed in the tunnel member 6 (vehicle body floor tunnel portion).
It is possible to install the connector unit 23 that effectively uses the space in the tunnel member 6 (body floor tunnel portion), and the connector unit 23 does not sacrifice the vehicle compartment space or the battery capacity.

In addition, since the tunnel member 6 (body floor tunnel portion) is provided for securing strength as described above, the tunnel member 6 itself has high strength,
According to the present embodiment for attaching the vehicle body side connector member 41 of the connector unit 23 in the tunnel member 6 (vehicle body floor tunnel portion), the attachment position accuracy of the vehicle body side connector member 41 can be kept high.
The misalignment in the mutual fitting portion between the vehicle body side connector member 41 and the battery side connector member 42 can be avoided more reliably, and the above-described effects can be further ensured.

  In addition, since the vehicle body side electrical system is routed in the tunnel member 6 (vehicle body floor tunnel part), the connection of the connector unit 23 (vehicle body side connector member 42) to this vehicle body side electrical system is any additional. There is no need for connecting lines and it can be easily performed and is very advantageous in terms of cost and weight.

<Other examples>
In the illustrated embodiment, the front side member 7 and the left rear side member 11 are joined at a higher strength in the front-rear direction of the vehicle than the joint 7a between the left front side member 7 and the left rear side member 11 and the joint 8a between the right front side member 8 and the right rear side member 12. In order to place the battery guide means 21 near the locate holes 7b, 8b in the front part of the vehicle body floor with high accuracy, the guide means 21 are installed on both sides in the vehicle width direction near the front end of the battery 2 (battery frame 2a). Although the connector structure in the case of being present has been described, it is not limited to this.

That is, in order to place the battery guide means 21 near the locate hole in the rear part of the vehicle body floor at the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction with respect to the left and right front and rear side member coupling portions 7a and 8a, the guide means 21 is provided with the battery 2 (battery frame 2a ) When installed on both sides in the vehicle width direction near the rear end,
By arranging the connector unit 23 in the tunnel portion where the vehicle body floor tunnel portion and the rear end surface of the battery 2 (battery frame 2a) intersect, the same effect as described above can be achieved.

The connector unit 23 is not necessarily arranged in the vehicle body tunnel portion at the intersection of the vehicle body floor tunnel portion and the front end surface or the rear end surface of the battery 2 (battery frame 2a). Also good.
However, if the connector unit 23 is disposed in the vehicle body tunnel portion at the intersection of the vehicle body floor tunnel portion and the front end surface or the rear end surface of the battery 2 (battery frame 2a), the degree of freedom in designing the mounting level of the connector unit 23 is improved. Needless to say, it is expensive and advantageous.

Further, in the illustrated example, the battery 2 is described in the case where the battery 2 is configured by connecting a large number of battery shells to one unit.
Needless to say, the battery 2 can be of any type, such as what is called a battery module, by applying the above-described idea of the present invention to achieve the same effect.

1 body
2 Battery
2a battery frame
3L, 3R Left and right front wheels (drive wheels)
4L, 4R left and right rear wheels
5 Body floor
6 Tunnel member (body floor tunnel)
7,8 Left and right front side members
7a, 8a Front / rear side member joint
7b, 8b Locate hall
9,10 Left and right side sills
11,12 Left and right rear side members
13 Front floor panel
14 Rear floor panel
15,16 Bridge members
21 Battery guide means
22 Screw type locking mechanism
23 Connector unit
24 Bracket
25 Locate pin body
26 Locate sleeve
27 Lock plate
27a Rectangular opening
27b Circular opening
31 Lock base
31b, 31c stopper
32 volts
33 Lock nut
33a Lock nut long side taper surface
33b Lock nut short side taper surface
34 Lock nut forced rotation member
34a Plate member
34b Leg
34c Flat cam surface
35 Spring
36 Spring seat
41 Car body side connector member
42 Battery side connector
43,44 bracket

Claims (3)

Vehicle front-rear direction close to a set of locate holes that serve as a reference position for the body frame member when assembling the vehicle body , under the vehicle body floor with a mid-high shape tunnel that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction in the middle of the vehicle width direction An electrically powered vehicle mounted at a front end position or a vehicle front-rear direction rear end position while being linearly raised under vehicle vertical direction guidance by guide means provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the battery,
In the battery connector structure for an electric vehicle comprising a connector unit composed of a vehicle body side connector member and a battery side connector member fixed to the vehicle body and the battery, respectively, so as to be electrically connected to each other during the linear ascending stroke of the battery,
The vehicle body side connector member is mounted in the tunnel portion so as to protrude downward in the vehicle vertical direction ,
The battery for an electric vehicle, wherein the battery-side connector member is arranged and attached to the battery so as to be fitted in an electrically connected state to the vehicle body-side connector member in the tunnel portion during a linear ascending stroke of the battery. Connector structure. The battery connector structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the guide means is provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the battery in the vehicle front-rear direction front end.
The battery side connector member is attached to the front end surface of the battery in the vehicle front-rear direction.
The battery for an electric vehicle, wherein the vehicle body side connector member is disposed in a position where the battery side connector member is fitted in an electrically connected state during a linear ascending stroke of the battery, and is mounted in the tunnel portion. Connector structure. The battery connector structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the guide means is provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the battery near the rear end in the vehicle front-rear direction.
The battery side connector member is attached to the rear end surface of the battery in the vehicle front-rear direction.
The battery for an electric vehicle, wherein the vehicle body side connector member is disposed in a position where the battery side connector member is fitted in an electrically connected state during a linear ascending stroke of the battery, and is mounted in the tunnel portion. Connector structure.

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