Abstract:
An energy storage arrangement is provided in a floor area of a vehicle that includes, but is not limited to an energy storage device carrier having a floor and side walls with a fixing mechanism for fixing at least one energy storage device. An underfloor mounting plate fixes the energy storage device carrier and the energy storage device provided in said energy storage device carrier on an underfloor structure of the vehicle. A cover plate in the floor area of the vehicle covers at least the energy storage device carrier toward the vehicle interior in a media-tight manner.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 102010034925.9, filed Aug. 20, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The technical field relates to an energy storage arrangement in a floor area of a vehicle comprising an energy storage device carrier having a floor and side walls. A cover plate in the floor area covers the energy storage device carrier toward the vehicle interior. 
     BACKGROUND 
     An energy storage arrangement is known from the document DE 101 54 353 for a modular vehicle structure. This modular vehicle structure comprises a vehicle body and a vehicle chassis coupled to the vehicle body, with the vehicle chassis comprising a frame, a shell coupled to the frame, which provides a storage device for a power source for driving a drive system, and a cover for covering the shell, with the result that the power source is enclosed by the shell and the cover. 
     It is at least one object to provide an energy storage arrangement which is suitable for installation in the known modular vehicle structure, where the energy storage arrangement is also intended to supply conventional auxiliary power units of the vehicle such as, for example, a starter motor for a conventional internal combustion engine. In addition, other objects, desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent summary and detailed description, and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background. 
     SUMMARY 
     an energy storage arrangement is provided in a floor area of a vehicle comprising an energy storage device carrier having a floor and side walls with fixing means for fixing at least one energy storage device. A cover plate in the floor area of the vehicle covers the energy storage device carrier toward the vehicle interior. An underfloor mounting plate fixes the energy storage device carrier and the energy storage device provided in said energy storage device carrier on an underfloor structure of the vehicle. 
     Such an energy storage arrangement has the advantage that in principle, it can be disposed under one of the front seats and in the case of larger energy storage units, can be positioned under all three items of seating accommodation. The crucial thing here is that the cover can be a multifunctional cover, which not only seals an energy storage device carrier in a media-tight manner but at the same time, other regions, which for example comprise a controller or form air ducts, can be closed in a media-tight manner by the cover plate in a single assembly process. 
     On the other hand, it is also possible that the energy storage device carrier already has fixing means for a controller so that the energy storage device carrier sealed in a media-proof manner by the cover plate can be used not only for the energy storage device itself but also for other components, which should be sealed in a media-tight manner with respect to the vehicle interior. 
     It is furthermore provided that the energy storage device carrier has fixing means for a cable distributor. To this end, an opening can be provided in the energy storage device carrier, which however does not lead into the interior of the vehicle but remains in the underfloor region of the vehicle so that a venting of the energy storage device carrier toward the vehicle surroundings is simultaneously possible with the opening for a cable distributor. 
     In a further embodiment, it is provided that at least one duct of a footwell ventilation system is disposed integrally on a side wall of the energy storage device carrier. This has the advantage that the cover plate can be made larger than the energy storage device carrier and can seal such a duct toward the top. 
     It is also advantageous if, on both sides of the energy storage device carrier, the cover plate seals corresponding footwell ventilation ducts toward the rear area of the vehicle in a media-tight manner so that both the energy storage device carrier and the lateral ducts of a footwell ventilation system of a rear area of the vehicle are covered in a media-tight manner. The footwell ventilation ducts provided integrally with the energy storage device carrier result in a saving of space and assembly costs compared with separately installed and disposed ventilation ducts for the rear area of the vehicle. 
     It is furthermore provided that the energy storage device carrier comprises an energy storage device carrier base having a molded, media-tight, trough-shaped recess. This trough-shaped recess has the advantage that it is adapted to the size of an energy storage device foot and forms a firm seat for this energy storage device carrier foot and therefore for the energy storage device. In addition, such a recess has the advantage that it can collect chemicals if such chemicals should be released from the energy storage device. 
     It is furthermore provided that the energy storage device carrier has a ventilation opening which is disposed above the trough-shaped recess of the energy storage device carrier base. This has the advantage that the trough-shaped recess can be used to collect chemicals without such chemicals being able to escape from the energy storage device carrier via the provided ventilation opening. Such a ventilation opening, which is disposed above the trough-shaped recess, makes a connection to the outer area of the vehicle and is not connected to the vehicle interior. 
     In a further embodiment, the fixing means is a clamping holder having a ribbed structure and comprises a depression in the trough-shaped recess of the energy storage device carrier base. At the same time, it is provided that the entire energy storage device carrier is formed of plastic and manages without molded threaded holes, by which means an energy storage device foot is usually fixed on the floor of a vehicle. On the contrary, a reinforcing plastic rib structure is provided, where the energy storage device foot can be pivoted into the fixing means between the clamping holder of the rib structure and an edge of a depression as a pivot axis for the energy storage device foot. The subsequent application of the cover ensures that the energy storage device or a battery remains fixed in the energy storage device carrier. 
     It is furthermore provided that the energy storage arrangement is disposed between an outer longitudinal member and a tunnel edge profile of a central tunnel of a vehicle body. These three delimiting members or profiles form the underfloor structure between which the energy storage device is fixed in the energy storage device carrier, where the underfloor mounting plate can be fixed detachably on the members or the profiles. 
     In a further embodiment, it is provided that the energy storage arrangement is disposed under one of the front seats of the vehicle, especially as this space is sufficient to accommodate a vehicle battery in the form of a lead rechargeable battery or in the form of lithium ion cells. If larger energy storage units are required for an electric drive of a vehicle, a corresponding energy storage arrangement can also be provided under the second front seat of the vehicle or under the rear bench seat of the vehicle. If such an energy storage arrangement is merely disposed under one of the front seats of the vehicle, the underfloor mounting plate can be fixed on the outer longitudinal member and the inner edge profile of the central tunnel of the vehicle body. 
     In order to insert a vehicle battery or an energy storage device into the energy storage arrangement from the interior, it is provided that the cover plate can be fixed by means of quick release fasteners on the energy storage device carrier in a media-tight manner and can be rapidly dismounted. Consequently, only the quick release fasteners of the cover plate must be released if it is necessary to change the battery or charge the battery. 
     It is also provided that a charging cable connection is disposed in the engine compartment, which is connected via connecting cable and a cable opening in the energy storage device carrier to the connecting electrodes of the energy storage device. This has the advantage that for external charging and/or for bridging the battery when starting up the vehicle, it is not necessary to remove the front seat and remove the cover plate to reach the electrodes of the battery. On the contrary, it is sufficient to open the hood and connect the charging cable connections provided there to the charger and/or to the auxiliary power source by means of bridging cables. In order to nevertheless achieve a stable seat function for the vehicle seats, seat fixings for the vehicle seats are provided on both sides of the cover plate. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and: 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic diagram of a vehicle with a position for an energy storage arrangement according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  shows a schematic, perspective plan view of a floor area of the vehicle with the position for the energy storage arrangement according to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a schematic perspective view from below of the floor area according to  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic, perspective plan view of an underfloor mounting plate for the energy storage arrangement of the vehicle according to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows a schematic, perspective plan view of an energy storage device carrier of the energy storage arrangement according to the embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  shows a schematic, perspective plan view of an energy storage device according to the embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  shows a schematic, perspective plan view of a floor area with built-in energy storage device according to the embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  shows a schematic, perspective plan view of the floor area with a covering of the floor area with insulation and carpets and with open ducts of a footwell ventilation system which is integrated in the energy storage arrangement; 
         FIG. 9  shows a schematic, perspective plan view of the floor area after application of a cover of the energy storage arrangement with integral cover for the footwell ventilation system; 
         FIG. 10  shows a schematic, perspective plan view of the footwell ventilation system as a partial area of the energy storage arrangement; 
         FIG. 11  shows a schematic longitudinal section through the floor area of the vehicle with fixing possibilities for the energy storage device; 
         FIG. 12  shows a schematic longitudinal section through a section E in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  shows a schematic longitudinal section through a section F in  FIG. 11 ; and 
         FIG. 14  shows a schematic cross-section through the floor area with mounted energy storage arrangement. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit application and uses. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or summary or the following detailed description. 
       FIG. 1  shows a schematic diagram of a vehicle  3  with a position for an energy storage arrangement  1  according to one embodiment of the application. To this end, a recess is provided in the floor area  2  of the vehicle  3  below the driver&#39;s seat  29 , in which the energy storage arrangement  1  is disposed. An underfloor mounting plate  7  is provided for the energy storage arrangement  1 , which carries the various components of the energy storage arrangement  1  between the lateral seat fixings  26  of the driver&#39;s seat  29  in the interior  70  of the vehicle  3 . 
     This underfloor mounting plate  7  is disposed on the underside  27  of the vehicle  3 , in the region of the driver&#39;s seat  29  in this embodiment. It can, however, also be disposed under the passenger seat  30  or under the rear seats  31  and  32  between the vehicle longitudinal members  23  and  33 , a central tunnel  36 , and between a front transverse member  34  and a rear transverse member  35 . All the accommodation possibilities of the floor area  2  of the vehicle  3  can be used for a correspondingly high storage capacity. Accommodation in the floor area primarily has the advantage that the center of gravity of the vehicle is lower than in the previous arrangements of energy storage arrangements, with the result that the road holding and the driving dynamics are improved. 
       FIG. 2  to  FIG. 9  shows the gradual installation of components of the energy storage arrangement  1  in the floor area  2  of the vehicle  3 . To this end,  FIG. 2  shows a schematic, perspective plan view of the floor area  2  of the vehicle with the position for the energy storage arrangement  1  according to  FIG. 1 . The front floor panels  37  for driver and passenger and the rear floor panels  38  as well as the interposed seat fixings  26  can be seen in  FIG. 2 . In addition, a recess is provided between the seat fixings  26  of the driver&#39;s seat, which is terminated by an underfloor mounting plate  7  in the floor area  2 . This underfloor mounting plate  7  is part of the energy storage arrangement and enables an energy storage device in the form of a battery to be installed under the driver&#39;s seat  29 . For this purpose, the underfloor mounting plate  7  can be fixed on a transverse member  22  and/or between an inner sill structure  49  of an outer longitudinal member  23  and a tunnel edge profile  24  of a central tunnel  36 . The direction of travel of the vehicle is indicated in this and the following figs. using an arrow direction A. 
       FIG. 3  shows a schematic perspective view from below of the floor area  2  according to  FIG. 2 . In the view of the floor from below the underfloor mounting plate  7  again covers an opening  55  for receiving an energy storage device under the driver&#39;s seat. Furthermore, the front floor panels  37  and the rear floor panels  38  can be seen in  FIG. 3 . The front floor panels  37  are supported by a front frame  50 , which comprises front-frame longitudinal members  51  and transverse reinforcements  52 .  FIG. 3  further shows the inner sill structures  49  of the longitudinal members  23  and  33  as well as the central tunnel  36 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a schematic, perspective plan view of an underfloor mounting plate  7  for the energy storage arrangement of the vehicle  3  according to  FIG. 1 . This plan view shows mounting holes  39  for fastening the underfloor mounting plate  7  to a body structure. Furthermore, mounting holes  40  are provided for fastening an energy storage device carrier on the underfloor mounting plate  7 . Further, a through-hole  41  for a venting opening for the energy storage device can be seen in the underfloor mounting plate  7 . In addition, an impression  42  can be seen in the area of an energy storage device stamped-on surface. The underfloor mounting plate  7  also has an impression  43  for ease of movement of the energy storage device carrier. The underfloor mounting plate  7  further has a peripheral seal  56  made of EPDM along a contact surface to the body structure, which seal is applied before assembly. This seal is intended to prevent the penetration of impurities and of moisture into the interior of the vehicle. 
       FIG. 5  shows a schematic, perspective plan view of an energy storage device carrier  4  of the energy storage arrangement according to the embodiment. This energy storage device carrier  4  is intended to receive and fix an energy storage device in a trough-shaped recess  16 . To this end on one edge  21 , the energy storage device carrier  4  has an imprinted depression  19  in the trough-shaped recess  16 , into which a foot of an energy storage device can be slid. The foot of the energy storage device is then clamped under clamping feet  44  as fixing means  5  of the energy storage device carrier  4 . The clamping feet  44  have a ribbed structure  18  reinforcing the plastic material of the energy storage device carrier  4 . 
     The depression  19  imprinted in the recess  16  is therefore used for a rapid mounting and dismounting of the energy storage device from the interior of the vehicle into the energy storage device carrier  4 . For swiveling-in or tilting the energy storage device, sufficient space is provided between the trough-shaped recess  16  and the side walls  13  and  14  surrounding the trough-shaped recess  16  as well as the rear wall  45  and the front wall  46  of the energy storage device carrier  4 . 
     Fixing holes  40  for fastening on the underfloor mounting plate are provided in the floor area of the energy storage device carrier  4 . In addition, fixing holes  47  are provided in the side walls  13  and  14  for fastening a first plastic frame, which integrates lower duct halves of footwell ventilation ducts into the energy storage arrangement. Finally, the energy storage device carrier  4  has a through-hole  48  as a cable opening for electric cables and in addition, ventilation opening  17 , which is connected to the through-hole  41  of the underfloor plate  7 . The energy storage device carrier base  15  is formed in such a manner that it can be aligned and fixed using the mounting holes  40  shown in  FIG. 4  and onto the impressions  42  and  43  shown there. 
       FIG. 6  shows a schematic, perspective plan view of an energy storage device  6  according to the embodiment. This energy storage device  6  is disposed together with a controller  9  and corresponding pulse distributors in an energy storage device carrier  4 , which accommodates the energy storage device  6  in the form of a lithium ion battery or a lead rechargeable battery. The side walls  13  and  14  as well as the rear wall  45  and the front wall  46  thereby surround the energy storage device  6 . In addition, the cable through-hole  48  can be seen in the drawing in the energy storage device carrier  4  as well as one of the mounting holes  40  for fastening the energy storage device carrier  4  (e.g., a battery carrier) on the underfloor mounting plate  7 . This complete energy storage module  60  comprising the mounting plate  7 , the energy storage device carrier  4 , and the energy storage device  6  with controller can be mounted from the underside of the vehicle, where only the cable guidance through the through-hole  48  for electric cable needs to be pulled in. 
       FIG. 7  shows a schematic, perspective plan view of a floor area  2  with built-in energy storage device  6  according to the embodiment, which is mounted together with the underfloor plate and the energy storage device carrier  4  as energy storage module  60  from the underside  27  of the vehicle. Since this underfloor mounting plate  7  shown in  FIG. 7  completely seals the floor area  2  by the peripheral seal, maintenance and exchange of the battery can be accomplished from the interior of the vehicle by folding back or dismounting the driver&#39;s seat and swiveling out the energy storage device  6  from the fixing of the energy storage device carrier shown above. 
       FIG. 8  shows a schematic, perspective plan view of the floor area  2  after covering the floor area  2  with insulation  53  and carpets  54  and with open ducts  10  and  11  of a footwell ventilation system  12 , which is integrated in the energy storage arrangement. The installation of lower duct regions  10  and  11  to extend the footwell ventilation system  12  from the front floor panels  37  to the rear floor panels  38  is accomplished with the aid of a first plastic frame  57 , which is fixed on the side walls  13  and  14  of the energy storage device carrier  4  onto the fixing holes  47  shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 9  shows a schematic, perspective plan view of the floor area  2  after attaching a cover plate  8  of the energy storage arrangement  1  with integral cover for the footwell ventilation system  12 . In this case, the cover plate  8  not only covers the energy storage device carrier shown in the preceding figures, completely and in an airtight manner, but all the upper duct regions  58  and  59  of the footwell ventilation system  12  for the rear area of the vehicle. The cover plate  8  of the energy storage arrangement with integrated footwell ventilation ducts is applied to the battery storage device carrier with the aid of quick release fastener systems  61 , as can be seen in the preceding figures. 
       FIG. 10  shows a schematic, perspective plan view of the footwell ventilation system  12  as a partial area of the energy storage arrangement. Air is guided via an air inlet opening  62  into the footwell ventilation ducts  10  and  11  of a first lower plastic frame  57 , which are integrated with the energy storage arrangement  1 , and a second plastic frame disposed there above, which is an integral component of the cover plate  8 , and is let out in the rear area in the direction of the arrow D from an air outlet  63  for the footwell ventilation system. The cover plate  8  at the same time comprises upper duct halves  58  and  59 , which are integrated in the cover plate  8 . 
       FIG. 11  shows a schematic longitudinal section along the line of intersection C-C in  FIG. 9  through the floor area of the vehicle with fixing possibilities for the energy storage device  6 . To this end, the energy storage device  6  can both be inserted into the energy storage device carrier  4  and removed from this again from the vehicle interior  70 . The dashed lines characterize the contour of an energy storage device  6  in the form of a lithium ion battery which, after raising the cover plate  8  of the energy storage arrangement  1 , can be inserted at a tilt angle into the energy storage device carrier  4  over the front wall  46 . In so doing, the energy storage device  6  initially adopts the position  6 ′ and then the position  6 ″. In the end position  6  the energy storage device  6  is inserted in the trough-shaped recess  16  in the floor area of the energy storage device carrier  4  and clamped with its energy storage device foot  20  under the fixing means  5  and thereby fixed. In the following figures the insertion of the battery from the inner area  70  of the vehicle is shown in detail with the aid of the details E and F. 
       FIG. 12  shows a schematic longitudinal section through a section E in  FIG. 11 , whereby it is shown that there is a sufficient distance from the rear wall  45  of the energy storage device carrier  4  to the end position of the energy storage device  6  to allow a position  6 ″ when inserting the energy storage device  6  into the energy storage device carrier  4 , which enables the energy storage device  6  to be introduced into its end position from the vehicle interior. 
       FIG. 13  shows a schematic longitudinal section through a section F in  FIG. 11 . It is hereby shown that the edge  21  of the depression in the trough-shaped recess  16  serves as a pivot axis for the energy storage device foot  20 , in order to clamp this under the fixing means  5 . 
       FIG. 14  shows a schematic cross-section along the line of intersection B-B in  FIG. 9  through the floor area of the vehicle with mounted energy storage arrangement  1 . The dashed line marks the position of a controller  9  with pulse distributor. Furthermore, this cross-section shows that the cover plate  8  integrally forms the upper area of the footwell ventilation ducts  10  and  11 , with the footwell ventilation ducts  10  and  11  being fixed with a first plastic frame  57  on the energy storage device carrier  4 . In addition,  FIG. 14  shows the arrangement of insulation  53  and carpets  54  on the one hand on the central tunnel  36  and on the other hand, as far as an outer longitudinal member  23  and its sill structure  49 . The contour of the underfloor mounting plate  7 , by which means the energy storage module  60  can be mounted from the underside  27  of the vehicle, can also be clearly identified. 
     While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing summary and detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.