JP7775652B2 - Body structure - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a vehicle body structure for an automobile.

For example, in the case of electric vehicles equipped with a traction motor, a large-capacity battery needs to be installed to extend the vehicle's driving range. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which a large battery is installed below a floor panel located between a pair of left and right side sills. The battery in Patent Document 1 is housed in a rectangular box-shaped case main body, and a mounting portion provided on this case main body is fixed to the floor under-reinforcement.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-158688

However, various types of piping, harnesses, and other wiring components may be installed below the floor panel, extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. In such cases, a cover is required to protect the wiring components.

Furthermore, in order to improve the aerodynamic performance of a vehicle, it can be important to deal with turbulence that occurs under the floor while the vehicle is moving. However, if the battery is mounted below the floor panel, a separate battery cover is also required to protect the battery. If a cover for the wiring member mentioned above is also installed below the floor panel in addition to the battery cover, there is a possibility that the aerodynamic performance of the underfloor area will deteriorate.

This disclosure was made in consideration of these points, and its purpose is to protect the battery and wiring components while improving the aerodynamic performance of the underfloor area when these components are installed below the floor panel.

To achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present disclosure can be based on a vehicle body structure provided in an electric vehicle equipped with a traction motor. The vehicle body structure includes a floor panel constituting a floor of an occupant space in which a seat for an occupant is provided, a pair of left and right side sills extending in the vehicle front-rear direction at both ends of the floor panel in the vehicle width direction, a battery frame disposed between the pair of left and right side sills below the floor panel and extending in the vehicle front-rear direction as a whole , and surrounding a battery storage space in which a battery is stored , the battery unit supplying power to the traction motor, a wiring member below the floor panel extending in the vehicle front-rear direction outward of the battery frame in the vehicle width direction, a cover member extending from below the battery unit to below the wiring member, a battery frame fixing portion fixing the battery frame to the side sill, and a cover member fixing portion fixing a vehicle width direction end of the cover member to the side sill. The wiring member and the battery frame fixing portion are located inward in the vehicle width direction from the cover member fixing portion.

With this configuration, the cover member extends from below the battery unit to below the routing member, and the routing member and battery frame fixing portion are located further inward in the vehicle width direction than the cover member fixing portion. This allows the battery unit and routing member to be covered and protected by a common cover member, improving the aerodynamic performance of the underfloor.

The vehicle body structure relating to the second aspect of the present disclosure includes a floor panel, a pair of left and right side sills, a frame-shaped battery frame located below the floor panel between the pair of left and right side sills, extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle as a whole and surrounding a battery storage space in which a battery is stored, and includes a battery unit that supplies power to the driving motor, a routing member storage space located below the floor panel between the side sills and the outer side of the battery frame in the vehicle width direction, in which a routing member extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle is stored, a cover member that covers the battery storage space and the routing member storage space from below, and a cover member fixing portion that fixes the cover member to the side sill.

With this configuration, a common cover member can cover and protect both the battery storage space and the wiring component storage space, improving the aerodynamic performance under the floor.

In a third aspect of the present disclosure, a seal member is provided between a lower surface of the battery frame and an upper surface of the cover member.

This configuration prevents water and dust from entering between the battery frame and the cover member, improving battery protection.

In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a protrusion that protrudes downward and extends in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction is provided on the lower side of the side sill at a portion spaced outward from the inner end in the vehicle width direction. The routing member is provided inward in the vehicle width direction from the protrusion.

This configuration allows the routing member to be installed along the protrusion provided on the side sill.

In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the battery frame fixing portion can be provided on the lower side of the side sill, more inward in the vehicle width direction than the protruding portion.

In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the cover member fixing portion can be provided on the protrusion.

As explained above, the common cover member can cover and protect the battery unit and wiring member, while also improving the aerodynamic performance under the floor.

1 is a side view of an automobile equipped with a vehicle body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the automobile is divided into an upper structure and a lower structure. FIG. FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a part of the lower structure with the cover member removed. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 4.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

Figure 1 is a side view, seen from the left, of an automobile 1 equipped with a vehicle body structure A (shown in Figure 2) according to an embodiment of the present invention. In describing this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the vehicle will be referred to simply as the "longitudinal direction," the front side of the vehicle will be referred to simply as the "front side," and the "rear side" of the vehicle will be referred to simply as the "rear." Furthermore, the width direction of the vehicle is the lateral direction of the vehicle, with the left side of the vehicle being referred to simply as the "left side" and the right side of the vehicle being referred to simply as the "right side."

(Overall structure of the automobile)
The automobile 1 is a passenger vehicle, and a passenger space R1 for passengers is provided in the middle of the automobile 1 in the longitudinal direction. The passenger space R1 includes a front seat (front seat) FS constituting the front seat and a rear seat (rear seat) RS constituting the rear seat. The front seat FS includes a driver's seat located on the right (or left) side of the passenger space R1 and a passenger seat located on the left (or right) side of the passenger space R1. Rear seats RS are also located on the right and left sides of the passenger space R1. Although not shown, a third-row seat may be located behind the rear seat RS. Furthermore, the rear seat RS is not essential and may be omitted.

A front door FD and a rear door RD are located on the left and right sides of the passenger space R1, respectively. In the case of a vehicle 1 without a rear seat RS, the rear door RD can be omitted.

A front space R2 is provided in front of the passenger space R1 of the automobile 1. This front space R2 can accommodate the powertrain PT as needed. When the powertrain PT is mounted in the front space R2, the front space R2 can also be called, for example, a powertrain storage room, a motor room, or an engine room. A bonnet hood BF is provided at the top of the front space R2.

As shown in FIG. 1, a luggage space R3 capable of accommodating luggage and other items is provided behind the passenger space R1 of the automobile 1. The luggage space R3 can be opened and closed by a trunk lid TR. A rear space R4 is provided behind the passenger space R1 of the automobile 1 and below the luggage space R3. A powertrain PT that generates power for the automobile 1 can be installed in this rear space R4 as needed. When a powertrain PT is installed in the rear space R4, the rear space R4 can also be referred to as a powertrain storage room, motor room, engine room, etc.

The powertrain PT may be mounted in both the front space R2 and the rear space R4, or in only one. If the powertrain PT is mounted only in the front space R2, the vehicle will be a front-wheel drive vehicle in which the powertrain PT drives only the front wheels FT. If the powertrain PT is mounted only in the rear space R4, the vehicle will be a rear-wheel drive vehicle in which the powertrain PT drives only the rear wheels RT. Furthermore, if the powertrain PT is mounted in both the front space R2 and the rear space R4 and drives both the front wheels FT and the rear wheels RT, the vehicle will be a four-wheel drive vehicle.

The powertrain PT includes at least a traction motor M (shown in Figure 2) for driving the drive wheels, and may also include a reducer, transmission, etc. as necessary. Therefore, the automobile 1 is an electric vehicle. The traction motor M is disposed so that its center of rotation extends in the left-right direction. In addition to the traction motor M, the powertrain PT may also include, for example, a control unit. The powertrain PT may also include an internal combustion engine. A battery unit Y (also shown in Figure 1) for supplying power to the traction motor M is mounted on the bottom of the automobile 1. For example, the battery unit Y may be charged using power generated by the internal combustion engine, or at least one of the front wheels FT and the rear wheels RT may be driven by power generated by the internal combustion engine.

The type of automobile 1 does not have to be a four-door vehicle as shown in FIG. 1 as an example, and may be, for example, an automobile without a rear door RD. Furthermore, although not shown, the present invention can also be applied to automobiles such as hatchbacks, in which the rear space R4 can be opened and closed with a tailgate.

As shown in Figure 2, automobile 1 comprises a lower structure 2 and an upper structure 3, with the front portion of lower structure 2 and the front portion of upper structure 3 constituting vehicle body structure A. Figure 2 shows the upper structure 3 with its original components removed, including doors FD, RD, bonnet hood BF, fenders, windshield, roof, center pillars, rear pillars, front bumper, rear bumper, front and rear lighting devices including headlights, instrument panel, front and rear seats, etc. Figure 2 also shows the lower structure 2 with its original components removed, including front wheels FT, rear wheels RT, suspension devices, etc.

The lower structure 2 is equipped with a battery unit Y. The battery unit Y has a front battery FB, a rear battery RB, and a frame (battery frame) 10 that surrounds the front battery FB and the rear battery RB. The lower structure 2 also has a front support frame 20 that extends forward from the front of the frame 10, and a rear support frame 30 that extends rearward from the rear of the frame 10.

Although not shown, in the case of typical electric vehicles, the battery unit is often separate from the vehicle body and can be attached and detached under the floor. However, in this embodiment, not only are the batteries FB, RB integrated into the frame-type frame 10 that surrounds the batteries FB, RB, but the front support frame 20 and rear support frame 30 are also integrated, and the front support frame 20 and rear support frame 30, along with the batteries FB, RB, can be attached and detached to the upper structure 3.

Specifically, the automobile 1 of this embodiment is configured to be separable into an upper and lower structure 2 having batteries FB and RB, and an upper structure 3 that forms the passenger space R1 and luggage space R3. Being separable into upper and lower structures means that the lower structure 2 is integrated with the upper structure 3 using fastening members such as bolts, nuts, and screws, without using welding, adhesives, or the like. This allows the lower structure 2 to be separated from the upper structure 3 as needed when performing maintenance or repairs on the automobile 1 after it has been delivered to the user, improving maintainability.

Here, a ladder frame type body structure is known as an automobile body structure. In a ladder frame type body structure, the ladder frame can be separated into an upper and lower portion and a cabin, but because the ladder frame extends continuously in the fore-and-aft direction, it primarily bears the collision load in frontal and rearal collisions. In a side collision, the ladder frame only secondarily bears the collision load, and it is the cabin that primarily bears the collision load. In this way, in a ladder frame type body structure, the components that bear the collision load in frontal and rearal collisions and in side collisions are usually separate.

In contrast, in the case of the automobile 1 of this embodiment, the lower structure 2, which has a front support frame 20 and a rear support frame 30, and the upper structure 3 are separable. However, in the event of a frontal collision, a rear collision, or a side collision, the collision load is received by the lower structure 2 and the upper structure 3, and the collision load is distributed and absorbed between the two structures 2, 3. This technical concept differs significantly from that of a conventional ladder frame-type vehicle body structure. Below, the structures of the lower structure 2 and the upper structure 3 will be described in order. Note that, although this embodiment describes an example in which the lower structure 2 and the upper structure 3 can be separated, the present invention is not limited to such separable vehicle body structures, but can also be applied to vehicle body structures that cannot be separated into the lower structure 2 and the upper structure 3.

(undercarriage)
First, the lower structure 2 will be described. In addition to the batteries FB, RB, the frame 10, the front support frame 20, and the rear support frame 30, the lower structure 2 also includes a power train PT, front wheels FT, rear wheels RT, and front suspension devices SP1, SP2 and rear suspension devices SP3, SP4 shown by phantom lines in Fig. 4. The types of the front suspension devices SP1, SP2 and rear suspension devices SP3, SP4 are not particularly important, and the vehicle body structure can be changed depending on the types of the front suspension devices SP1, SP2 and rear suspension devices SP3, SP4.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the frame 10, which forms the skeleton of the battery unit Y, is a member that surrounds and protects the front battery FB, the rear battery RB, harnesses, etc. The front battery FB and the rear battery RB are disposed inward of the frame 10 in the vehicle width direction. As also shown in FIG. 5 , the frame 10 is formed large below the passenger space floor panel 41 (described later), extending from near the left end to near the right end of the passenger space floor panel 41 and from near the front end to near the rear end of the passenger space floor panel 41. By providing the frame 10 over a wide area below the passenger space floor panel 41, it is possible to mount large-capacity batteries FB and RB in the vehicle 1. The batteries FB and RB may be, for example, lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries, or other secondary batteries. Furthermore, the batteries FB and RB may be so-called battery cells or battery packs containing multiple battery cells.

The frame-type frame 10 comprises a left side member 11, a right side member 12, a front member 13, and a rear member 14. It is positioned between a pair of left and right side sills 60, 60 and extends in the longitudinal direction as a whole. The left side member 11, the right side member 12, the front member 13, and the rear member 14 are made of, for example, an aluminum alloy extrusion, but may also be made of aluminum alloy plate material or press-formed steel plate material. In the following description, "extrusion material" refers to an aluminum alloy extrusion material, and "press-formed material" refers to aluminum alloy plate material or press-formed steel plate material. Furthermore, each member may be made of, for example, casting, die-casting, etc.

The cross-sectional shapes of the left side member 11, right side member 12, front member 13, and rear member 14 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction are all rectangular. Furthermore, the left side member 11, right side member 12, front member 13, and rear member 14 are all positioned at the same height and extend substantially horizontally. The front member 13 extends in the vehicle width direction in front of the battery unit Y.

When joining the lower structure 2 to the upper structure 3, the front member 13 is fastened to the bottom of the dash panel 50 with fastening members, and the left side member 11 and right side member 12 are fastened to the left and right side sills 60 with fastening members, respectively. The rear member 14 is fastened to the connecting panel 43 (described below) with fastening members.

The left side member 11 is located at the left end of the lower structure 2 and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The right side member 12 is located at the right end of the lower structure 2 and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The left side member 11 and the right side member 12 are respectively positioned on the vehicle width inward side of the left and right side sills 60 (described below). The front member 13 extends from the front end of the left side member 11 to the front end of the right side member 12. The left end of the front member 13 is connected to the front end of the left side member 11, and the right end of the front member 13 is connected to the front end of the right side member 12. The rear member 14 is located at the rear of the battery unit Y and extends in the left-to-right direction from the rear end of the left side member 11 to the rear end of the right side member 12. The left end of the rear member 14 is connected to the rear end of the left side member 11, and the right end of the rear member 14 is connected to the rear end of the right side member 12.

A cover member 15 (shown in Figure 5) serving as a bottom plate is attached to the lower part of the frame 10. The frame 10 is closed from below by the cover member 15. The cover member 15 extends approximately horizontally and is fixed to the undersides of the left side member 11, right side member 12, front member 13, and rear member 14, as well as to the side sill 60, as described below. The upper part of the frame 10 may be closed by a lid (not shown) or by the passenger space side floor panel 41 (described below). Electric power from batteries FB and RB housed within the frame 10 is supplied to the drive motor M via a drive control circuit (not shown). Furthermore, the batteries FB and RB can be charged via a charging socket (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of left and right front support frames 20 extend linearly and substantially horizontally below the upper structure 3. The left front support frame 20 is connected to a portion of the front member 13 that constitutes the front portion of the frame-type frame 10, which is to the left of the center in the left-right direction. The right front support frame 20 is connected to a portion of the front member 13 that is to the right of the center in the left-right direction. The front powertrain PT is attached to the front support frame 20 via a mounting member (not shown). The lower structure 2 is provided with drive shafts S1 on the left and right that transmit the output of the powertrain PT (the rotational force of the driving motor M) to the left and right front wheels FT, respectively.

Like the front support frames 20, a pair of rear support frames 30 are provided on the left and right, and extend rearward in a generally horizontal straight line. The rear powertrain PT is attached to the rear support frames 30 via mounting members (not shown). Drive shafts S2 are provided on the left and right of the lower structure 2, which transmit the output of the powertrain PT (the rotational force of the driving motor M) to the left and right rear wheels RT, respectively.

(superstructure)
Next, the upper structure 3 will be described. The upper structure 3 includes a floor component 40, a dash panel 50, and a pair of left and right side sills 60. The floor component 40 is a component disposed above the frame-type frame 10 and rear support frame 30 of the lower structure 2. The floor component 40 includes a passenger-space-side floor panel 41 that constitutes the floor of the passenger space R1, in which the front seat FS and rear seat RS (shown in FIG. 1) on which passengers sit are provided, a luggage-space-side floor panel 42 that constitutes the floor of the luggage space R3, and a connection panel 43 that connects the rear portion of the passenger-space-side floor panel 41 and the front portion of the luggage-space-side floor panel 42. The connection panel 43 constitutes a kick-up portion.

The floor structural member 40 can be composed of a member formed by pressing a steel plate or the like. The passenger space side floor panel 41, the luggage space side floor panel 42, and the connecting panel 43 may be integrally formed, or may be formed separately and then connected. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the floor structural member 40 is described as being divided into three parts: the passenger space side floor panel 41, the luggage space side floor panel 42, and the connecting panel 43. However, the floor structural member 40 including these panels 41 to 43 may also be referred to as the floor panel. Furthermore, only the passenger space side floor panel 41 may also be referred to as the floor panel.

The passenger space side floor panel 41 extends from the front to the rear of the passenger space R1 and from the left side to the right side of the passenger space R1. The passenger space side floor panel 41 in this embodiment has a floor tunnel-less structure, meaning it does not have a tunnel portion, but it may also have a tunnel portion.

A recessed portion 41a that bulges downward is formed in the middle of the passenger space side floor panel 41 in the front-to-rear direction. The recessed portion 41a has a bottom surface 41b on which a rear seat occupant sitting in the rear seat RS can place their feet. The bottom surface 41b is formed approximately horizontally. The recessed portion 41a can be formed continuously from the left side to the right side of the passenger space side floor panel 41.

The luggage space side floor panel 42 is positioned higher than the passenger space side floor panel 41. The rear space R4 is located below the luggage space side floor panel 42. Because the luggage space side floor panel 42 is positioned higher than the passenger space side floor panel 41, the connection panel 43 extends in the vertical direction.

As shown in Figure 3, the dash panel 50 is a partition wall between the front space R2 and the passenger space R1, extending upward from the front of the passenger space floor panel 41 and also extending left and right, separating the front of the passenger space R1.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the left and right side sills 60 are disposed so as to extend in the front-to-rear direction at both left and right ends of the passenger-space floor panel 41. The left end of the passenger-space floor panel 41 is connected to the vertical middle portion of the left side sill 60, with the upper portion of the side sill 60 protruding upward from the connection portion with the passenger-space floor panel 41 and the lower portion of the side sill 60 protruding downward from the connection portion with the passenger-space floor panel 41. A battery unit Y including batteries FB and RB is disposed below the passenger-space floor panel 41, so that the lower portion of the side sill 60 overlaps with the batteries FB and RB in a side view of the vehicle. Similarly, the right side sill 60 is connected to the right end of the passenger-space floor panel 41. As shown in FIG. 6 , a battery storage space 49 for storing the battery unit Y is provided between the pair of left and right side sills 60 below the passenger-space floor panel 41.

The upper structure 3 is equipped with a pair of left and right hinge pillars 70. The right hinge pillar 70 extends upward from the front end of the right side sill 60. The left hinge pillar 70 also extends upward from the front end of the left side sill 60. Left and right front doors FD (shown in Figure 1) are rotatably attached to the left and right hinge pillars 70, respectively. The left edge of the dash panel 50 is connected to the right side surface of the left hinge pillar 70. The right edge of the dash panel 50 is connected to the left side surface of the right hinge pillar 70. Although not shown, a center pillar, rear pillar, etc. are also provided on the upper structure 3.

On the left side of the upper structure 3, forward of the dash panel 50, is provided a left front wheel suspension support member 51A that supports the left front wheel FT suspension device (front suspension device) SP1 (shown in phantom lines in Figure 4). Furthermore, on the right side of the upper structure 3, forward of the dash panel 50, is provided a right front wheel suspension support member 51B that supports the right front wheel FT suspension device (front suspension device) SP2 (shown in phantom lines in Figure 4).

As shown in Figure 4 and other figures, the front of the vehicle body is provided with a left-side fixed frame 52A for fixing the left front wheel suspension support member 51A, and a right-side fixed frame 52B for fixing the right front wheel suspension support member 51B. The upper structure 3 also includes a left-side front frame 54A and a right-side front frame 54B.

The upper structure 3 includes a left rear side frame 112A that extends in the fore-and-aft direction on the left side and rearward of the rear of the passenger space side floor panel 41, and a right rear side frame 112B that extends in the fore-and-aft direction on the right side and rearward of the rear of the passenger space side floor panel 41.

On the left side of the upper structure 3 and rear of the connecting panel 43, a left rear wheel suspension support member 110A is provided, which supports the suspension device (rear suspension device) SP3 (shown in phantom lines in Figure 4) for the left rear wheel RT. Furthermore, on the right side of the upper structure 3 and rear of the connecting panel 43, a right rear wheel suspension support member 110B is provided, which supports the suspension device (rear suspension device) SP4 (shown in phantom lines in Figure 4) for the right rear wheel RT.

An example of the type of suspension devices SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4 is an air suspension device with an air spring consisting of an air chamber. In the case of an air suspension device, although not shown, it is equipped with an air pump, air piping that sends pressurized air from the air pump to the front and rear air chambers, and valves for adjusting the amount of air sent to the air chambers and the amount of air exhausted from the air chambers.

As shown in FIG. 3, the passenger space side floor panel 41 has a front cross member 44A, an intermediate cross member 44B, a recessed portion front cross member 44C, and a recessed portion rear cross member 44D. The front cross member 44A, the intermediate cross member 44B, the recessed portion front cross member 44C, and the recessed portion rear cross member 44D extend in the left-right direction and are fixed to the upper surface of the passenger space side floor panel 41.

The front cross member 44A is disposed in front of the passenger space side floor panel 41. The front portion of the front cross member 44A is also joined to the lower part of the dash panel 50. The intermediate cross member 44B is disposed behind the front cross member 44A and forward of the recessed portion 41a.

The recessed portion front cross member 44C is disposed rearward of the intermediate cross member 44B, extending laterally along the front portion of the recessed portion 41a. The recessed portion rear cross member 44D is disposed rearward of the recessed portion front cross member 44C, extending laterally along the rear portion of the recessed portion 41a. The recessed portion front cross member 44C and the passenger space side floor panel 41 form a closed cross section, and the recessed portion rear cross member 44D and the passenger space side floor panel 41 also form a closed cross section. The recessed portion front cross member 44C and the recessed portion rear cross member 44D reinforce the portion where the recessed portion 41a is formed. The front portion of the floor frame 41c disposed inside the recessed portion 41a is connected to the left-right center of the recessed portion front cross member 44C, and the rear portion of the floor frame 41c is connected to the left-right center of the recessed portion rear cross member 44D.

As shown in Figure 2 and other figures, the upper structure 3 includes a center frame 80 that extends continuously in the fore-and-aft direction from the dash panel 50 to the connecting panel 43. This center frame 80 is located in the center in the left-right direction, and the rear of the center frame 80 is connected to the connecting panel 43. The left front seat FS and rear seat RS are disposed to the left of the center frame 80, while the right front seat FS and rear seat RS are disposed to the right of the center frame 80.

The center frame 80 comprises a front frame member 81 extending in the fore-and-aft direction, a rear frame member 82 disposed rearward of the front frame member 81, and a connecting member 83 connecting the rear of the front frame member 81 and the front of the rear frame member 82. The front frame member 81 and the rear frame member 82 are hollow, i.e., tubular and extending in the fore-and-aft direction, and may be constructed from, for example, extruded material. The center frame 80 is not limited to a two-piece structure consisting of the front frame member 81 and the rear frame member 82, but may also be constructed from a single member or a three-piece structure. If constructed from a single member, the connecting member 83 can be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the center frame 80 has a left frame component 84A and a right frame component 84B that make up the front portion of the center frame 80. The rear portion of the left frame component 84A is fixed to the left side surface of the front frame component 81 at the midpoint in the fore-and-aft direction. The rear portion of the right frame component 84B is fixed to the right side surface of the front frame component 81 at the midpoint in the fore-and-aft direction.

The upper structure 3 includes a first fixing member 101, a second fixing member 102, and a third fixing member 103 that fix the center frame 80 to the passenger space side floor panel 41. The lower part of the third fixing member 103 is connected to the left-right center of the recessed portion front cross member 44C.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a portion of the lower structure 2 with the cover member 15 removed. The upper surface of the cover member 15 is provided with a passage forming portion 15a that forms a coolant passage through which coolant can flow. The passage forming portion 15a is located directly below the front battery FB and the rear battery RB, and the front battery FB and the rear battery RB are efficiently cooled by the coolant flowing through the inside of the passage forming portion 15a.

As shown in FIG. 6 , a routing member 180 extending in the longitudinal direction below the passenger space floor panel 41 is provided on the left side of the left side member 11 of the frame-type frame 10 (outer side of the frame-type frame 10 in the vehicle width direction). That is, a routing member storage space 62 for storing the routing member 180 is formed continuously in the longitudinal direction below the passenger space floor panel 41 between the outer side of the left side member 11 in the vehicle width direction and the left side sill 60. The routing member 180 may be, for example, a harness, a cooling water pipe, a refrigerant pipe, a hydraulic pipe, an air pipe, etc., and only one of these may be provided, or any two or more of these may be provided. The air pipe may be, for example, a pipe connected to a front or rear air suspension system or an air pump. Although not shown, a similar routing member storage space can be provided on the right side as well. Alternatively, a routing member storage space may be provided on only one of the left and right sides.

The cover member 15 extends from below the left side member 11 of the frame 10 to below the right side member 12, and from below the front member 13 to below the rear member 14. Specifically, the cover member 15 extends from below the battery unit Y to below the wiring member 180, and is therefore a large member that covers the battery storage space 49 and the wiring member storage space 62 from below. By providing a cover member 15 of this size, most of the lower part of the vehicle body can be covered with the cover member 15, so the cover member 15 functions as an undercover and suppresses the generation of turbulent air under the floor while driving.

In the example shown in Figure 5, the cover member 15 is made up of a single member, which is advantageous in that the number of parts required during assembly can be reduced. The cover member 15 may also be made up of a combination of multiple members. For example, a single cover member 15 can be made up by arranging multiple plate members extending in the vehicle width direction in the front-to-rear direction and joining them together, or by arranging multiple plate members extending in the front-to-rear direction and joining them together in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the structure of the cover member 15 may be such that multiple plate members are each fixed to the vehicle body.

As shown in FIG. 6 , a sealant 181 made of an elastic material such as rubber is disposed between the upper surface of the cover member 15 and the lower surface of the frame 10. The sealant 181 extends in an annular shape along the lower surface of the frame 10. When the cover member 15 is attached to the side sill 60, the sealant 181 is compressed between the upper surface of the cover member 15 and the lower surface of the frame 10, causing it to elastically deform. This allows the sealant 181 to adhere closely to the upper surface of the cover member 15 and the lower surface of the frame 10, preventing water, dust, etc. from entering between the cover member 15 and the frame 10.

A protrusion 61 that protrudes downward and extends in the front-to-rear direction is provided on the underside of the side sill 60 at a portion away from the inner end in the vehicle width direction and outward. A routing member 180 is provided further inward in the vehicle width direction than the protrusion 61. In this embodiment, the protrusion 61 is provided in the middle of the underside of the side sill 60 in the vehicle width direction, but the protrusion 61 may also be shaped to reach the outer end of the underside of the side sill 60 in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the inside of the side sill 60 is provided with a horizontal rib 60a that extends in the vehicle width direction and a vertical rib 60b that extends in the up-down direction. The horizontal rib 60a and vertical rib 60b are integrally molded.

The lower wall portion 61a of the protrusion 61 extends horizontally in the left-right and front-rear directions. The cover member 15 is fixed to the lower wall portion 61a of the protrusion 61. That is, a nut 61b is fixed to the upper surface of the lower wall portion 61a of the protrusion 61. The left side of the cover member 15 is arranged to overlap the lower surface of the lower wall portion 61a of the protrusion 61. The cover member 15 is detachably fixed to the side sill 60 by passing a bolt 61c through the left side of the cover member 15 from below and through the lower wall portion 61a of the protrusion 61 from below and threading it into the nut 61b. The nuts 61b and bolts 61c are cover member fixing portions that fix the vehicle width direction end of the cover member 15 to the side sill 60, and multiple nuts 61b and bolts 61c are provided at intervals in the front-rear direction.

Furthermore, a fixing plate 63 extending horizontally in the left-right and front-rear directions is provided inward in the vehicle width direction from the storage space 62 of the side sill 60. Meanwhile, a fastening portion 11a protruding to the left is provided on the left side member 11 of the frame 10, and this fastening portion 11a is fixed to the fixing plate 63. Specifically, a nut 63b is fixed to the upper surface of the fixing plate 63. The fastening portion 11a is arranged to overlap the lower surface of the fixing plate 63. The left side member 11 of the frame 10 is detachably fixed to the side sill 60 by passing a bolt 63c through the fastening portion 11a from below and through the fixing plate 63 from below and threading it into the nut 63b. Reference numeral 63d denotes a cylindrical collar, a member for adjusting the height of the frame 10 to a predetermined height after it is fixed to the side sill 60. Multiple nuts 63b and bolts 63c are provided at intervals in the front-rear direction. The right side can be configured in the same way as the left side. The nut 63b and bolt 63c are battery frame fixing parts that fix the frame-type frame 10 to the side sill 60.

In this embodiment, the routing member 180 and the nuts 63b and bolts 63c for securing the frame 10 to the side sill 60 are located more inward in the vehicle width direction than the nuts 61b and bolts 61c for securing the vehicle width direction ends of the cover member 15 to the side sill 60. Furthermore, the routing member 180 is located between the nuts 63b and bolts 63c and the nuts 61b and bolts 61c. Furthermore, the nuts 63b are located above the nuts 61b.

(Effects of the embodiment)
As described above, according to this embodiment, the battery storage space 49 and the wiring member storage space 62 located below the passenger space side floor panel 41 can be covered by a common cover member 15, thereby improving the aerodynamic performance under the floor compared to when the battery storage space 49 and the wiring member storage space 62 are covered by separate members.

In addition, the battery unit T in the battery storage space 49 and the routing member 180 stored in the routing member storage space 62 can be protected by a common cover member 15, thereby reducing the number of parts.

Furthermore, a sealant 181 is provided between the upper surface of the cover member 15 and the lower surface of the frame 10, preventing water and dust from entering between the cover member 15 and the frame 10, further improving the protection of the front battery FB and rear battery RB.

The above-described embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted as limiting. Furthermore, all modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

As described above, the present invention can be used, for example, as a body structure for an electric vehicle.

1 Automobile 10 Frame type frame (battery frame)
15 Cover member 41 Passenger space side floor panel 49 Battery storage space 60 Side sill 61 Protrusions 61b, 61c Nuts, bolts (cover member fixing portions)
62: Routing member accommodating space 63b, 63c: Nut, bolt (battery frame fixing portion)
180: Wiring member 181: Sealing member M: Travel motor Y: Battery unit

Claims (6)

A vehicle body structure provided on an electric vehicle equipped with a traction motor,
a floor panel that constitutes a floor of an occupant space in which a seat for an occupant is provided; and
a pair of left and right side sills extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle at both ends of the floor panel in the vehicle width direction;
a battery unit that is disposed below the floor panel between the pair of left and right side sills, extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction as a whole , has a frame-shaped battery frame that surrounds a battery housing space that houses a battery , and supplies power to the driving motor;
a wiring member extending in a vehicle front-rear direction below the floor panel and outward in a vehicle width direction of the battery frame;
a cover member extending from below the battery unit to below the wiring member;
a battery frame fixing portion that fixes the battery frame to the side sill;
a cover member fixing portion that fixes an end portion of the cover member in the vehicle width direction to the side sill,
A vehicle body structure in which the routing member and the battery frame fixing portion are located more inward in the vehicle width direction than the cover member fixing portion. A vehicle body structure provided on an electric vehicle equipped with a traction motor ,
a floor panel that constitutes a floor of an occupant space in which a seat for an occupant is provided; and
a pair of left and right side sills extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle at both ends of the floor panel in the vehicle width direction;
a battery unit that is provided below the floor panel between the pair of left and right side sills, extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction as a whole, has a frame-shaped battery frame that surrounds a battery housing space that houses a battery, and supplies power to the driving motor;
a wiring member accommodating space provided below the floor panel between the outer side of the battery frame in the vehicle width direction and the side sill, the wiring member accommodating space accommodating a wiring member extending in the vehicle front-rear direction;
a cover member that covers the battery accommodating space and the wiring member accommodating space from below;
a cover member fixing portion that fixes the cover member to the side sill. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1 or 2,
A vehicle body structure in which a seal member is provided between the lower surface of the battery frame and the upper surface of the cover member. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1,
a protruding portion that protrudes downward and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction is provided at a portion of the lower side of the side sill that is spaced outward from an inner end portion in the vehicle width direction,
A vehicle body structure in which the wiring member is provided on the inner side of the protruding portion in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle body structure according to claim 4,
A vehicle body structure in which the battery frame fixing portion is provided on the lower side of the side sill, further inward in the vehicle width direction than the protruding portion. The vehicle body structure according to claim 5,
A vehicle body structure in which the cover member fixing portion is provided on the protrusion.