Patent ID: 12202325

It may be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrative of the basic principles of the present invention. The specific design features of the present invention as included herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes will be determined in part by the particularly intended application and use environment.

In the figures, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent portions of the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the present invention(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that the present description is not intended to limit the present invention(s) to those exemplary embodiments. On the other hand, the present invention(s) is/are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG.1is a view exemplarily illustrating a shape of a top surface of a center floor100of a body for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention andFIG.2is a view exemplarily illustrating an internal shape of a battery case300according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. A housing-shaped battery case300having a predetermined depth is coupled to a lower end portion of a center floor100, and the front end portion and left and right sides of the battery case are formed to correspond to the front and left and right sides of the center floor100such that a high-voltage battery is mounted in the battery case300.

Furthermore, an internal side member110is coupled to a top surface of the center floor100and a battery cross member310is provided in the battery case300such that the internal side member110and the battery cross member310are coupled to each other.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the internal side member110is mounted on the top surface of the center floor100in a front and rear direction of a body. At the instant time, the internal side member110may be respectively coupled to both sides based on a virtual center portion line with respect to the front and rear direction of the center floor100.

The battery cross member310is mounted in a width direction of the body inside the battery case300provided at the lower end portion of the center floor100while intersecting the internal side member110.

Furthermore, at points where the internal side members110and the battery cross member310intersect, the battery case300, the battery cross member310, and the center floor100may be coupled by coupling structures400.

Here, the coupling structures400are configured to be coupled to the center floor100. The coupling structures400may be directly coupled to the center floor100. Alternatively or additionally, the coupling structures400may be indirectly coupled to the center floor100through load transmitting media such as various cross members and/or brackets.

That is, the battery case300is coupled to a width corresponding to the left and right widths of the center floor100and a battery is mounted inside the battery case300, making it possible to increase battery capacity mounted in the vehicle.

At the time of a side collision of the vehicle, a collision load input to the center floor100and the battery case300is transferred to the battery cross member310and an impact force transferred to the battery cross member310is transferred to the internal side member110through the mechanically coupled coupling structure400and is dispersed back and forth of the internal side member110, minimizing deformation of the body and the battery.

Therefore, since connection rigidity between the internal side member110and the battery cross member310is greatly improved to greatly improve the longitudinal bending and torsional performance of the member, the durability and rigidity of the body including the center floor100is increased, improving Noise Vibration Harshness (NVH) performance.

Furthermore, referring toFIGS.1and12, a rear cross member150is mounted at the rear of the center floor100adjacent to a portion where a rear end portion520of a first column seat rail500is mounted, and the rear cross member150is connected between the left and right side sills160mounted on both sides of the center floor100.

Furthermore, the internal side member110is connected between a dash panel200mounted in front of the center floor100and the rear cross member150.

For example, the front end portion of the internal side member110is connected to the dash panel200, and the rear end portion of the internal side member110is connected to a front surface of the rear cross member150coupled to the top surface of the center floor100.

For reference, both end portions of the rear cross member150may be respectively coupled to the internal side surfaces of the side sills160coupled to both sides of the center floor100. Furthermore, the rear end portion520of the first column seat rail500is directly mounted on the rear cross member150, or a mounting bracket522is further coupled onto the rear cross member150such that the rear end portion520of the first column seat rail500may be mounted on the mounting bracket522.

Meanwhile,FIG.3is a cross section taken along line A-A inFIG.2and is a view for describing a configuration of a first example of a coupling structure400for coupling an internal side member110and a battery cross member310.

A configuration of a first example of the coupling structure400will be described with reference toFIG.3. The coupling structure400is vertically provided to penetrate through the battery case300, the battery cross member310, and the center floor100and is bolting-coupled to the top surface of the center floor100.

A hollow pipe-shaped spacer402is coupled while vertically penetrating through a lower end portion300bof the battery case300, the battery cross member310, and an upper end portion300aof the battery case300.

Furthermore, a groove-shaped spacer support portion102recessed downward is formed in a portion of the center floor100located at an upper end portion of the spacer402such that the top surface of the spacer402is supported on the bottom surface of the spacer support portion102.

Furthermore, while a head portion412of the fixing bolt410is supported on a lower end portion of the spacer402, a body portion414is provided to penetrate through the spacer402and the spacer support portion102from the bottom to the top portion and is fitted thereto, and a fixing nut420is supported on the top surface of the spacer support portion102while being fastened to an upper end portion of the fixing bolt410.

At the present time, the internal side member110forms a ‘U’-shaped cross section in which both sides are bent to the lower end portion along its front and rear longitudinal direction thereof. A center portion of the bottom surface of the internal side member110covers an upper end portion of the fixing nut420together with the spacer support portion102, and both sides of the bottom surface of the internal side member110are respectively coupled to the top surface of the center floor100. As a result, an upper end portion of the coupling structure400is coupled inside the internal side member110.

Furthermore,FIG.4is a cross section taken along line A-A inFIG.2and is a view for describing a configuration of a second example of a coupling structure400for coupling an internal side member110and a battery cross member310.

A configuration of a second example of the coupling structure400will be described with reference toFIG.4. The coupling structure400vertically penetrates through the battery case300, the battery cross member310, the center floor100, and the internal side member110and is bolting-coupled to the top surface of the internal side member110.

A hollow pipe-shaped spacer402is coupled while vertically penetrating through a lower end portion300bof the battery case300, the battery cross member310, and an upper end portion300aof the battery case300.

Furthermore, a groove-shaped spacer support portion102recessed downward is formed in a portion of the center floor100located at an upper end portion of the spacer402such that the top surface of the spacer402is supported on the bottom surface of the spacer support portion102.

Furthermore, while a head portion412of the fixing bolt410is supported on a lower end portion of the spacer402, a body portion414is provided to penetrate through the spacer402, the spacer support portion102, and the internal side member110from the bottom to the top portion and is fitted thereto, and a fixing nut420is supported on the top surface of the internal side member110while being fastened to an upper end portion of the fixing bolt410.

At the present time, the internal side member110forms a ‘U’-shaped cross section in which both sides are bent to the lower end portion along its front and rear longitudinal directions. The internal side member110is formed in a shape that covers the upper end portion of the spacer support portion102, the fixing bolt410is provided to penetrate through the center portion of the bottom surface of the internal side member110and is fitted thereto, and both sides of the bottom surface of the internal side member110are respectively coupled to the top surface of the center floor100. As a result, an upper end portion of the coupling structure400is coupled to the top surface of the internal side member110.

Meanwhile,FIG.5is a view exemplarily illustrating a structure in which a cross member120and a side connecting member130are connected between internal side members110according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention andFIG.6is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B inFIG.5.

Referring toFIG.5, a cross member120is mounted in front of the center floor100adjacent to a portion where the front end portion510of the first column seat rail500is mounted, and the cross member120is further connected in the right and left directions between right and left external side members provided on both sides of the center floor100and the internal side member110.

For example, the cross member120

forms a ‘U’-shaped cross section in which both sides are bent to the lower end portion along its left and right longitudinal directions, and both sides of the bottom surface of the cross member120are coupled to the top surface of the center floor100.

One end portion toward the outside of the body of both end portions of the cross member120is coupled to the internal side surface of the external side member, and the other end portion of the cross member120toward the center portion of the body is coupled to the external side surface of the internal side member110.

The cross member120may be a seat cross member coupled to a seat rail of the vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the cross member120may be a body cross member configured to generally extend in a width direction of the vehicle.

For reference, as illustrated inFIG.12, the front end portion510of the first column seat rail500is directly mounted on the cross member120, or a mounting bracket512is further coupled onto the cross member120such that the front end portion510of the first column seat rail500may be mounted on the mounting bracket512.

Here, the external side member may be a side sill160or an external side member170coupled to the interior of the side sill160in the front and rear direction thereof.

That is, when the external side member170is additionally mounted on the internal side surface of the side sill160, the left end portion of the cross member120is coupled to the internal side surface of the external side member170coupled to the interior of the left side sill160, as in the cross member120illustrated on the left side ofFIG.5.

On the other hand, when the side member is not additionally mounted on the internal side surface of the side sill160, the right end portion of the cross member120is directly coupled to the internal side surface of the right side sill160, as in the cross member120illustrated on the right side ofFIG.5.

According to the structure as described above, at the time of a side collision of the vehicle, a collision load input to the center floor100and the battery case300is transferred to the cross member120and the battery cross member310, and an impact load transferred to the cross member120is transferred to the internal side member110and is dispersed back and forth, minimizing deformation of the body and the battery.

Accordingly, by connecting a transversal end portion of the body and the internal side member110through the cross member120, side collision safety is further improved.

Meanwhile,FIG.13andFIG.14are cross-sectional views taken along line B-B inFIG.5, illustrating still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In an exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.13, the battery cross member310and the battery case300may be coupled to the center floor100at a lower portion of the cross member120through the coupling structure400. In this case, impact loads transferred to the cross member120and to the battery cross member310are transferred to the internal side member110, such that the impact loads are dispersed in multiple dimensions (e.g., up and down, back and forth, and left and right). Therefore, deformation of the body and the battery can be minimized.

In an exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.14, the battery cross member310and the battery case300may be coupled to the center floor100at a lower portion of the side connecting member130through the coupling structure400. In this case, impact loads transferred to the cross member120and to the battery cross member310are transferred to the internal side member110, such that the impact loads are dispersed in multiple dimensions (e.g., up and down, back and forth, and left and right). Therefore, deformation of the body and the battery can be minimized.

Furthermore, the cross member120may be connected to a curve forming section of the internal side member110.

Referring toFIG.5, the internal side member110may have an entire section divided into three sections, that is, a first portion112, a second portion114, and a third portion116.

First, the first portion112is a section formed in a linear shape in the front and rear direction while a front end portion thereof is connected to the rear end portion of the front side member220mounted in front of the dash panel200.

The second portion114is a section having a front end portion connected to a rear end portion of the first portion112and formed to be bent toward the center portion of the body.

The third portion116is a section having a front end portion connected to a rear end portion of the second portion114and linearly formed in the longitudinal direction to have a rear end portion connected to the front surface of the rear cross member150.

That is, by configuring the front end portion of the internal side member110to be connected to the rear end portions of the left and right front side members220, the rigidity of the internal side member110is increased to prevent deformation of the body and the battery.

A middle portion of the internal side member110is formed to be bent while forming a predetermined curvature, and is coupled to the center floor100, and as a result, in addition to effectively dispersing the load transferred to the internal side member110, it also helps to improve the rigidity of the body.

Furthermore, the second portion114of the internal side member110will be described in more detail. A first inflection portion114ahaving a curved shape toward the center portion of the body is formed at a portion connected from the front end portion of the second portion114to the middle end portion of the second portion114, and a second inflection portion114bhaving a curved shape toward the rear of the body is formed at a portion connected from the middle end portion of the second portion114to the rear end portion of the second portion114.

That is, the second portion114is formed in a convex curved shape toward the outside of the body from the first inflection portion114aof the front end portion, and is then converted into a convex curved shape toward the interior of the body from the second inflection portion114bof the rear end portion such that the entire second portion114is curved.

Furthermore, the rear end portion of the second portion114is positioned inside the body than the front end portion of the second portion114, and the linear section of the third portion116is positioned inside the body compared to the linear section of the first portion112.

Furthermore, the other end portion of the cross member120is coupled to a side surface of the second portion114adjacent to the third portion116of the internal side member110.

That is, at the time of a side collision of the vehicle, the collision load input to the center floor100and the battery case is transferred to the internal side member110through the cross member120and dispersed along a curved path of the second portion114, further improving a load dispersion effect. As a result, the rigidity of the body is improved to minimize the deformation of the body and the battery.

Meanwhile, referring toFIG.5andFIG.6, a side connecting member130may be horizontally connected between the internal side members110on both sides at positions connected to the cross members120on both sides.

For example, the side connecting member130forms a ‘U’-shaped cross section in which both sides are bent to the lower end portion along its left and right longitudinal directions, and both sides of the bottom surface of the side connecting member130are coupled to the top surface of the center floor100.

Both end portions of the side connecting member130are respectively coupled to the internal sides of the internal side members110on both sides, and are configured to connect the cross members120coupled to both sides.

According to the structure as described above, in various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, by transversely connecting the cross members120coupled to both sides, the impact load transferred to the cross member120at the time of the side collision of the vehicle is transferred to an opposite cross member120through the internal side member110and the side connecting member130. As a result, an impact absorption path is formed to be long, making it possible to more efficiently absorb the impact load.

Furthermore, as illustrated inFIG.14, the coupling structure400may connect the battery cross member310, the battery case300and the center floor100at a lower portion of the side connecting member130. Alternatively or additionally, the coupling structure400may connect the battery cross member310, the battery case300, the center floor100and the side connecting member130.

By such configurations according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, at the time of a side collision of the vehicle, impact loads input to the center floor100and the battery case300may be transferred to the cross member120and to the battery cross member310. In particular, the impact loads delivered to the cross member120may be dispersed in multiple dimensions (e.g., back and forth, and left and right). Therefore, deformation of the body and the battery can be minimized.

Furthermore, referring toFIG.5, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a tunnel member140may be further connected in the front and rear direction between the side connecting member130and the dash panel200.

For example, the tunnel member140also forms a ‘U’-shaped cross section in which both sides are bent to the lower end portion along its left and right longitudinal directions, and both sides of the bottom surface of the tunnel member140are coupled to the top surface of the center floor100.

A front end portion of the tunnel member140is coupled to a center portion of the rear surface of the dash panel200, and a rear end portion of the tunnel member140is coupled to a front surface of the side connecting member130.

That is, by additionally coupling the tunnel member140from the front end portion of the dash panel200to the side connecting member130, the rigidity of the center floor100is increased, and thus it is possible to increase a noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) performance as well as to secure a forward collision performance.

Furthermore, referring toFIG.6, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a battery mounting member320is coupled to the outside of the battery case300, and is coupled to the lower end portion of the side sill160.

For example, the battery mounting member320is formed along a front and rear longitudinal direction in a beam shape having a quadrangular cross section, and a side surface of the battery mounting member320is coupled to an external side surface of the battery case300, and the top surface of the battery mounting member320is coupled to the bottom surface of the side sill160.

Accordingly, since the battery mounting member320is additionally coupled to the outside of the battery case300, it is possible to more effectively absorb the impact load transferred to the battery case300at the time of the side collision of the vehicle.

Meanwhile,FIG.7is a view exemplarily illustrating another structure in which the cross member120is connected while passing over the internal side member110according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention andFIG.8is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C inFIG.7.

Referring toFIGS.7and8, a cross member120is mounted in front of the center floor100adjacent to a portion where the front end portion510of the first column seat rail500is mounted, and the cross member120is further connected in the left and right direction while passing over the internal side members110between the right and left external side members provided on both sides of the center floor100.

For example, the cross member120forms a ‘U’-shaped cross section in which both sides are bent to the lower end portion along its left and right longitudinal directions, and both sides of the bottom surface of the cross member120are coupled to the top surface of the center floor100.

One end portion of both end portions of the cross member120is coupled an to an internal side surface of the external side member on one side of the body, and the other end portion of both end portions of the cross member120is coupled an to an internal side surface of the external side member on the other side of the body.

Here, the external side member may be a side sill160or an external side member170coupled to the interior of the side sill160in the front and rear direction thereof.

That is, when the external side member170is additionally mounted on the internal side surface of the side sill160, the left end portion of the cross member120is coupled to the internal side surface of the external side member170coupled to the interior of the left side sill160, as illustrated on the left side ofFIG.7.

On the other hand, when the side member is not additionally mounted on the internal side surface of the side sill160, the right end portion of the cross member120is directly coupled to the internal side surface of the right side sill160, as illustrated on the right side ofFIG.7.

Such a structure is applicable to a case in which there is a margin in the height of the center floor100and it is necessary to secure additional rigidity, and since the cross member120is connected to be long in the right and left transverse directions while passing over the internal side member110, the impact load may be effectively absorbed and the side collision safety may be secured.

Meanwhile,FIG.15andFIG.16are cross-sectional views taken along line C-C inFIG.7, illustrating still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In an exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.15, the battery cross member310and the battery case300may be coupled to the center floor100at a lower portion of the cross member120through the coupling structure400. In this case, impact loads transferred to the cross member120and to the battery cross member310are transferred to the internal side member110, such that the impact loads are dispersed in multiple dimensions (e.g., up and down, back and forth, and left and right). Therefore, deformation of the body and the battery can be minimized.

Meanwhile, referring toFIG.7, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the tunnel member140may be further connected in the front and rear direction between the cross member120positioned between the internal side members110of both sides and the dash panel200.

For example, the tunnel member140also forms a ‘U’-shaped cross section in which both sides are bent to the lower end portion along its left and right longitudinal directions, and both sides of the bottom surface of the tunnel member140are coupled to the top surface of the center floor100.

A front end portion of the tunnel member140is coupled to a center portion of the rear surface of the dash panel200, and a rear end portion of the tunnel member140is coupled to a front surface of the center portion of the cross member120.

That is, by additionally coupling the tunnel member140from the front end portion of the dash panel200to the cross member120, the rigidity of the center floor100is increased, and thus it is possible to increase an noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) performance as well as to secure a forward collision performance.

Meanwhile,FIG.9is a view exemplarily illustrating a coupling structure400of an external seat mounting bracket180and an internal seat mounting bracket190to secure connection rigidity of the cross member120according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention andFIG.10is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D inFIG.9.

Referring toFIG.9andFIG.10, an external seat mounting bracket180is connected between the cross member120and the external side member.

For example, the external seat mounting bracket180is positioned on the top surface of the end portion of the cross member120, one end portion thereof is coupled to the top surface of the cross member120, and the other end portion thereof is coupled to the top surface of the side sill160facing one end portion of the cross member120.

That is, by more securely connecting the cross member120and the side sill160through the external seat mounting bracket180, the connection rigidity between the members described above is strengthened to secure the side collision rigidity and the body rigidity.

Furthermore, an internal seat mounting bracket190is connected between the cross member120and the side connecting member130while passing over the internal side member110.

For example, the internal seat mounting bracket190is positioned on the top surface of the internal side member110positioned between the cross member120and the side connecting member130, one end portion thereof is coupled to the top surface of the cross member120, and the other end portion thereof is coupled to the top surface of the side connecting member130facing the other end portion of the cross member120.

That is, by more securely connecting the cross member120and the side connecting member130through the internal seat mounting bracket190, the connection rigidity between the members described above is strengthened to secure the side collision rigidity and the body rigidity.

FIG.11is a view exemplarily illustrating a structure in which the external seat mounting bracket180and the internal seat mounting bracket190are applied to the structure ofFIG.8.

Referring toFIG.8, since there is a margin in the height of the center floor100, the cross member120is connected to be long in the right and left transverse directions while passing over the internal side member110, and the external seat mounting bracket180is connected between the cross member120and the external side member.

For example, the external seat mounting bracket180is positioned on the top surface of the end portion of the cross member120, one end portion thereof is coupled to the top surface of the cross member120, and the other end portion thereof is coupled to the top surface of the side sill160facing one end portion of the cross member120.

That is, by more securely connecting the cross member120and the side sill160through the external seat mounting bracket180, the connection rigidity between the members described above is strengthened to secure the side collision rigidity and the body rigidity.

Furthermore, the internal seat mounting bracket190may be coupled to the top surface of the internal side member110intersecting the cross member120.

Meanwhile, referring toFIG.1, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a dash cross member210is connected between the dash panel200mounted in front of the center floor100and the internal side member110. For example, a front surface of the dash cross member210is coupled to the lower end portion of the dash panel200, and the front end portion of the internal side member110is connected to a rear surface of the dash cross member210.

Furthermore, the dash cross members210are respectively coupled to both sides of the rear surface of the lower end portion of the dash panel200, one end portion inside the body is connected to the side surface of the front end portion of the tunnel member140, and the other end portion outside the body is connected to the interior of a lower end portion of an A pillar230.

That is, the dash cross member210is connected in front of the internal side member110, and the dash cross member210is connected to the tunnel member140and the pillar230, the connection rigidity between the members and the body rigidity are improved to minimize the deformation of the body and the battery.

According to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, since the battery is mounted inside the battery case provided at the lower end portion of the center floor, it is possible to increase the battery capacity, and at the time of a side collision of the vehicle, since the collision load input to the center floor and the battery case is transferred to the internal side member through members that are transversely coupled to the center floor and the battery case, and distributed in the front and rear direction thereof, it is possible to minimize deformation of the body and the battery by improving the connection rigidity between the members and the body rigidity.

For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “up”, “down”, “upwards”, “downwards”, “front”, “rear”, “back”, “inside”, “outside”, “inwardly”, “outwardly”, “internal”, “external”, “inner”, “outer”, “forwards”, and “backwards” are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in the figures. It will be further understood that the term “connect” or its derivatives refer both to direct and indirect connection.

The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described to explain certain principles of the present invention and their practical application, to enable others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well as various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the present invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.