Motor vehicle battery supporting structure

• US 8,453,778 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2009
• Issued: 06/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Renault Sas (Renault)
• Original Assignee: Renault Sas (Renault)
• Inventors: Bannier, Nathalie, Beddock, David
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, HAU VAN
• Application Number:
  US13/058,014
• Publication Number:
  US 20110139527A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,400 Days
• Field of Search: 180/68.5, 180/65.1, 180/68.1, 180/274, 180/208
• 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 2001/0477 from the back
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/131 characterised by physical properties, e.g. gas permeability, size or heat resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/24 adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion thermal insulation H01M10/658
• 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 50/264 for cells or batteries, e.g. straps, tie rods or peripheral frames
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A motor vehicle battery supporting structure configured to be attached and fixed to the body structure of this vehicle, and to carry a battery in a form of a frame to surround the battery, the frame having in its center an opening suitable for insertion of the battery, and a first battery locking mechanism is provided on the frame so as to allow the battery to be locked to and unlocked from the frame.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle battery supporting structure, configured to be attached and secured to a bodyshell structure of the motor vehicle and to carry a battery, comprising:

an approximately planar frame configured to completely surround a battery, the frame including in its center an opening configured to fit the battery such that the battery extends vertically above an uppermost portion of the frame and below a lowermost portion of the frame; and

first battery locking means carried on the frame, the first battery locking means including hooks or a latch to attach to the battery such that the battery can be locked and unlocked on the frame.

2. The battery supporting structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame includes an approximately rectangular rear part formed from a first transverse element and two lateral elements approximately perpendicular to the first transverse element, the frame further includes a front part, extending the rear part approximately in a same plane, and including a second transverse element approximately parallel to the first transverse element, the second transverse element being shorter than the first transverse element, and being connected to the lateral elements of the rear part of the frame by oblique elements.

3. The battery supporting structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the frame has a form of an approximately horizontal hollow body, the second transverse element having a wave form configured to position a sealing ring for cables to pass through.

4. The battery supporting structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein guide pins are carried on one face of the frame and are configured to engage with formations on the bodyshell structure of the vehicle.

5. The battery supporting structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein indexing holes are formed on one face of the frame and are configured to engage with indexing pins carried on the battery.

6. A battery supporting arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a battery supported by a supporting structure as claimed in claim 1,

wherein second locking means are secured to the battery and are configured to directly engage with the first locking means carried on the frame, such that the battery extends vertically both above and below the frame.

7. The supporting arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the battery is surrounded and carried by a fairing, and the second locking means is formed on the fairing.

8. The supporting arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fairing has specific thermal characteristics appropriate for carrying the battery.

9. The supporting arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second locking means include locking or striker lugs directly connected to the hooks or the latch of the first locking means.

10. The supporting arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second locking means are secured to the battery via a fairing.

11. A motor vehicle comprising:

a battery supported by a supporting structure as claimed in claim 1,

wherein a form and dimensions of the frame of the supporting structure are configured to fix the frame approximately horizontally both under side members of the vehicle and under cross members forming structural elements of the vehicle that are approximately perpendicular to the side members.

12. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 11, wherein the frame is secured to the bodyshell structure, first sealing means being located between the bodyshell and the frame, and a battery is fixed and locked on the frame, second sealing means being located between the battery and the frame.