Apparatus for attaching electrical components to a vehicle

• US 20040079569A1
• Filed: 10/10/2003
• Published: 04/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
• Original Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
• Inventors: Awakawa, Hirobumi
• Granted Patent: US 7,025,160 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/68.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0416 Arrangement in the rear part of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/007 Physical arrangements or structures of drive train converters specially adapted for the propulsion motors of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0007 Measures or means for preventing or attenuating collisions
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0215 Protecting, fastening and routing means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0012 Seats or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/204 Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/244 Secondary casings; Racks; Suspension devices; Carrying devices; Holders characterised by their mounting method
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/249 specially adapted for aircraft or vehicles, e.g. cars or trains constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles B60L50/64
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/907 Electricity storage, e.g. battery, capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/952 Housing details

Abstract

A structure for mounting electrical components to a vehicle. The structure includes a rear floor pan incorporating a U-shaped part transversely centered in the vehicle. Floor pan wing panels extend from each end of the U-shaped part and connect to vehicle side panels. An electrical component mounting rack includes a first frame attached to the U-shaped floor panel part, and a second frame attached to the top of the first frame and also to the floor pan wing panels. An electrical inverter device is mounted to the first frame and batteries are mounted to the second frame. The first and second frames form a structure that reinforces the rear floor pan in a manner capable of adequately supporting heavy electrical drive train components.

Claims

1. An apparatus for attaching electrical components to a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

a rear floor pan positionable behind a seat, said rear floor pan including a transversely positioned U-shaped part aligned on a center axis of the vehicle;

floor pan wing panels extending from sides of said U-shaped part, said floor pan wing panels being connectable to side panels of the vehicle;

an electrical component mounting rack comprising a first frame fixedly attached to said U-shaped part of said rear floor pan, and a second frame fixedly attached to a top of said first frame and to said floor pan wing panels;

an electrical inverter device mounted to said first frame; and

electrical batteries mounted to said second frame.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an approximately C-shaped battery stay having two ends attached to a battery tray, said battery stay being positioned over said batteries; and

battery hold-down rails that are positioned above said batteries and are attached to said battery stay.

3. An apparatus for attaching electrical components to a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

a floor pan comprising a substantially U-shaped member positioned along a central axis of the vehicle;

floor pan wing panels extending from lateral sides of said U-shaped member, said floor pan wing panels being attachable to side panels of the vehicle;

an electrical component mounting rack comprising a first frame attached to said U-shaped member of said floor pan, and a second frame attached to a top side of said first frame and to said floor pan wing panels; and

an electrical inverter device mounted to said first frame,

wherein said second frame is configured to support at least one battery.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:

a battery tray;

a battery stay attached to said battery tray, said battery stay extending over said at least one battery; and

a battery hold-down rail positioned above said at least one battery.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said battery hold-down rail is attached to said battery stay.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said battery stay is substantially C-shaped.

7. The apparatus according to claim 4, said second frame further comprising a cross brace connected to said battery stay.

8. The apparatus according to claim 3, said first frame first comprising a plurality of connecting members.

9. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said floor pan is positioned behind a seat of the vehicle.