Integrated frame and battery pack structure for electric vehicles
Integrated frame and battery pack structure for electric vehicles are disclosed. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a battery pack structure including a flange to be coupled to a surface of a longitudinal rail of a frame of a vehicle, a first wall, and a second wall, the first wall and the second wall defining an interior, a battery disposed within the interior, a cross member disposed within the interior.
1. An apparatus comprising:
an integral battery pack structure including:
a first wall having a first end and a second end;
a first flange extending from the first end, the first flange to be coupled to a first surface of a longitudinal rail of a frame of a vehicle;
a second wall including a third end and fourth end, the first wall and the second wall defining an interior;
a skid plate extending between the second end and the fourth end;
a second flange extending from the third end, the second flange to be coupled to a second surface of the longitudinal rail opposite the first surface;
a battery disposed within the interior; and
a cross member disposed within the interior.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the battery is a first battery and the apparatus further includes a second battery separated from the first battery by the cross member.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the integral battery pack structure further includes a top plate, the top plate and the skid plate further defining the interior.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first flange is to be coupled to a top surface of the longitudinal rail.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including at least five cross members including the cross member.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the integral battery pack structure is to abut the longitudinal rail.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including a third flange coupled to the second end, the third flange to be coupled to a third surface of a second longitudinal rail of the frame.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first flange is parallel to the second flange.
9. An apparatus comprising:
a battery pack structure;
a first battery coupled to the battery pack structure;
a second battery coupled to the battery pack structure; and
a battery pack cross member disposed between the first battery and the second battery, the battery pack cross member to be coupled to and in contact with a frame of a vehicle; and
a first fastener disposed adjacent to a first end of the battery pack cross member, the first fastener to couple the battery pack structure to a first frame rail; and
a second fastener disposed adjacent to a second end of the battery pack cross member, the second fastener to couple the battery pack structure to a second frame rail of the vehicle.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the battery pack cross member includes a top surface to be coupled to a cross member of the vehicle.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the battery pack cross member includes a bottom surface to be coupled to the battery pack structure.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the battery pack cross member is a first battery pack cross member disposed on a first side of the first battery, the apparatus further including:
a second battery pack cross member disposed on a second side of the first battery, the second side opposite the first side; and
a longitudinal member extending between the first battery pack cross member and the second battery pack cross member.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the second battery pack cross member is to be coupled to the frame.
14. The apparatus of claim 9 , further including a third fastener to couple the battery pack cross member to the frame, the third fastener disposed at a center of the battery pack cross member.
15. The apparatus of claim 9 , further including at least four battery pack cross members including the battery pack cross member.
16. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the battery pack structure includes a skid plate.