Heavy-duty vehicle subframe with battery storage structure
A subframe for heavy-duty vehicles, the subframe comprising a pair of elongated, longitudinal main members; at least one pair of hangers; and a battery storage structure integrated into the subframe. Each hanger of the at least one pair of hangers is attached to a respective one of the main members.
1 . A subframe for heavy-duty vehicles, said subframe comprising:
a pair of elongated, longitudinal main members;
at least one pair of hangers, each hanger of said at least one pair of hangers being attached to a respective one of said main members; and
a battery storage structure directly attached to the main members of and integrated into said subframe;
wherein said battery storage structure reinforces the subframe and reacts loads during operation of the heavy-duty vehicle.
2 . The subframe for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 1 , said battery storage structure further comprising:
a battery; and
a pan-like structure extending between and attached to said main members, said battery being disposed adjacent said pan-like structure.
3 . The subframe for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 2 , said pan-like structure being removably attached to said main members to enable said battery storage structure to be hot-swappable.
4 . The subframe for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 1 , said battery storage structure further comprising a reinforced battery, said battery extending between and being attached directly to said main members.
5 . The subframe for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 1 , said battery storage structure further comprising:
a top plate extending between and attached to said main members;
at least one bottom plate spaced a vertical distance from said top plate and extending between and attached to said main members; and
a battery disposed between the top plate and said at least one bottom plate.
6 . The subframe for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 5 , said at least one bottom plate further comprising a downwardly-extending, arcuate flange.
7 . The subframe for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 6 , said top plate further comprising an integrally-formed, downwardly-extending back plate.
8 . The subframe for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 7 , wherein a plane of said back plate is substantially parallel and adjacent to a plane of said flange of said at least one bottom plate.
9 . The subframe for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 6 , said flange including at least one bracket for connecting a component of an axle/suspension system, said bracket being attached between said flange and the bottom surface of said bottom plate.
10 . The subframe for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 5 , said battery storage structure further comprising:
an end cap extending between and attached to said top plate and said at least one bottom plate.
11 . The subframe for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 10 , said end cap being formed with at least one opening.
12 . The subframe for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 5 , said battery being removably attached to said main members.
13 . The subframe for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 1 , said battery storage structure extending between and being attached to said at least one pair of hangers.
14 . The subframe for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 13 , said battery storage structure further comprising a rectangular cradle for housing a battery;
wherein a battery is disposed within said cradle.
15 . A subframe for heavy-duty vehicles, said subframe comprising:
a pair of elongated, longitudinal main members;
at least one pair of hangers, each hanger of said at least one pair of hangers being attached to a respective one of said main members; and
a battery storage structure integrated into said subframe, said battery storage structure including:
a top plate extending between and attached to said main members;
at least one bottom plate spaced a vertical distance from said top plate and extending between and attached to said main members, said at least one bottom plate including a downwardly-extending, arcuate flange; and
a battery disposed between the top plate and the at least one bottom plate.
16 . The subframe for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 15 , said top plate further comprising an integrally-formed, downwardly-extending back plate.
17 . The subframe for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 16 , wherein a plane of said back plate is substantially parallel and adjacent to a plane of said flange of said at least one bottom plate.
18 . The subframe for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 15 , said flange including at least one bracket for connecting a component of an axle/suspension system, said bracket being attached between said flange and the bottom surface of said bottom plate.
19 . The subframe for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 15 , said battery storage structure further comprising:
an end cap extending between and attached to said top plate and said at least one bottom plate.
20 . The subframe for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 19 , said end cap being formed with at least one opening.
21 . The subframe for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 15 , said battery being removably attached to said main members.