Retaining structure for battery cover

• US 7,350,610 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2004
• Issued: 04/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HINO Motors Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: HINO Motors Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Kikuchi, Mitsuhiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis; Christopher P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): OLSZEWSKI, JOHN
• Application Number:
  US10/577,153
• Publication Number:
  US 20070049095A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,251 Days
• Field of Search: 180/68.5, 280/163, 280/164.1
• US Class Current: 180/68.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• 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: H01M 50/262 with fastening means, e.g. locks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/278 Organic material
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

In a battery mount structure wherein a battery carrier 5 with a battery 3 housed interiorly is arranged below a passenger step 19 to a vehicle, a battery cover 8 is adapted to be movable toward and away from the vehicle in the widthwise direction of the vehicle. In the battery cover 8, a top face member 8a of the battery cover 8 has an end adjacent to a chassis frame 1 which is adapted to be engaged with locked portions 6a and 6b on a back plate 4c of a battery carrier body 4. An end of the battery cover 8 away from the chassis frame 1 is provided with a front wall 8b having a locking portion 10, the locking portion 10 being adapted to be engaged with a locked portion 4d′ of the battery bracket 4d.

Claims

1. In a battery mount structure wherein a battery carrier for incorporation of a battery therein is arranged below a passenger step to a vehicle, said battery carrier comprising a battery carrier body and a battery bracket attached to the battery carrier body at an end of the battery carrier body away from a vehicle body, a hold-down structure for a battery cover wherein a battery cover fitted to said battery carrier is adapted to be movable in a widthwise direction of the vehicle toward and away from the vehicle, said battery cover having at its end away from the vehicle body a locking portion, said locking portion being engageable with a locked portion of said battery bracket when the battery cover is fitted to the battery carrier, whereby the locked portion of said battery bracket serves as a vertical hold-down means for the battery cover.

2. The hold-down structure for the battery cover according to claim 1 wherein a top face member of said battery cover is engaged, at its end adjacent to the vehicle body, with locked portions on a back surface of said battery carrier body when the battery cover is fitted to the battery carrier, whereby the locked portions on the back surface of said battery carrier body also serves as a vertical hold-down means for the battery cover.

3. The hold-down structure for the battery cover according to claim 1 wherein a stopper is arranged on the battery carrier and on the battery cover so as to lock the battery cover to the battery carrier.

4. The hold-down structure for the battery cover according to claim 2 wherein a stopper is arranged on the battery carrier and on the battery cover so as to lock the battery cover to the battery carrier.