Claims:We claim:
1. A battery protection structure (100) configured to be disposed at an underside of an electric vehicle, the battery protection structure (100) comprising:
a battery pack (102);
a frame (104) defining a cavity configured to at least partially receive the battery pack (102) therein from an underside of an electric vehicle; and
at least four energy absorbing brackets (106a, 106b, 106c,106d) each being mounted on the frame (104) and the chassis (108) of an electric vehicle.

2. The battery protection structure (100), as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one rubber damper is disposed between the frame (104) and the chassis (108) of the electric vehicle.

3. The battery protection structure (100), as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy absorbing bracket (106a, 106b, 106c,106d) is a corrugated structure.

4. The battery protection structure (100), as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy absorbing bracket (106a, 106b, 106c,106d) is a shape memory spring.

5. The battery protection structure (100), as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the load from the chassis transferred to any one or all sides of the energy absorbing brackets (106a, 106b, 106c,106d). the brackets deform and absorbs the energy due to the corrugated shape.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein relate to a protection structure in vehicles. Further, embodiments herein relate to a protection structure for protecting battery and other electrical components in electric vehicles.

BACKGROUND
[002] In Electric Vehicles, high voltage battery pack is generally placed in the under body of the vehicle where it is rigidly mounted with the body with the help of metal brackets welded on the high voltage battery box outer shells. This kind of mounting configuration for the high voltage battery make it more prone to get impacted in a crash scenario. Considering the highly reactive behavior for Li-Ion batteries, it can cause severe explosion or short circuit in the high voltage Battery pack resulting in endangering the precious lives of humans inside and near the vehicle. In light weight electric vehicles, the high voltage battery pack is directly mounted on the BIW (Body-in-white) or chassis of the vehicle. In scenario of crash, chassis will transfer all the load to high voltage battery pack. Due to this kind of arrangement, battery also become a part of the chassis system.
[003] Prior art battery protection systems are meant to absorb crash at any one of its direction during a vehicle collision and the construction is also complicated. Also, some prior art discloses the battery casing for protection from collision which involves use of high grade materials to withstand loads.
[004] Hence, there is a need in the art for a simple and reliable battery protection structure which alleviates the drawbacks of the prior art.

OBJECTS
[005] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
[006] An object of embodiments herein is to provide a structure for protecting battery in electric vehicles which is simple in construction.
[007] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a structure for protecting battery in electric vehicles which can absorb energy form all the directions of the impact.
[008] These and other objects of embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[009] The foregoing and other features of embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.
[0010] Figure 1 represents the perspective view of battery mounted onto a chassis structure of an electric vehicle with the energy absorbing mounting brackets according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
[0012] Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to a person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
[0013] The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining an embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a”, "an”, and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises”, "comprising”, “including”, and “having”, are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0014] When an element is referred to as being "mounted on”, “engaged to”, "connected to”, or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element.
[0015] The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, or section from another component, region, or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
[0016] Terms such as “inner”, “outer”, "beneath”, "below”, "lower”, "above”, "upper”, and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
[0017] The embodiments herein achieve a battery protecting structure (100) in electric vehicles. Further, embodiments herein achieve a battery protection structure in electric vehicles, which facilitate proper absorption of the impact during a collision. Referring now to the drawings Figures 1 where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0018] Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of the battery protection structure (100) in electric vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The battery pack (102) is mounted onto the chassis (108) of the vehicle. The chassis (108) consists of two long members and two cross members. The battery pack (102) is positioned at the center of the chassis. The battery pack (102) is held by eight mounting brackets surrounding the battery. The front set of the mounting brackets (106c) are mounted with the front cross member of the vehicle. The rear set of mounting brackets (106a) are mounted with the rear cross member of the vehicle. Similarly, the sides of the battery is connected with two sets of the mounting brackets with one set of the mounting brackets (106d) connected to the left side long member of the vehicle and the other set of mounting brackets (106b) connected to the right side long member of the vehicle. All the mounting brackets (106a, 106b, 106c, 106d) are made with the cross section which aids in crushing during impact or collision thus absorbing maximum energy from the collision and avoiding any energy transfer to the battery. In an embodiment of the invention, the ends of the mounting brackets are provided with rubber dampers (not shown). In an embodiment of the invention, the mounting bracket structure is a corrugated structure.
[0019] In another embodiment of the invention, the crash absorbing bracket is a shape memory spring. The shape memory springs can be produced by alloying of Nickel, Copper, Titanium, Gold, Iron etc in the desired quantities. The springs are lightweight and deformable at lower temperatures. The shape memory springs gets dampened during small impacts and absorbs the energy. At higher temperatures, the shape memory spring retain its original shape. This property is useful for slightly bigger impacts as when we heat the alloy, it regains the original length even after deforming during the collision. These shape memory springs, when fitted between the chassis frame and the battery reduce the impact on the battery pack and save the battery from damage.
[0020] A method of absorbing energy during collision by the battery protection structure according to an embodiment of the invention is disclosed in Figure 2. The method comprising the steps of impacting by any other vehicle or object, the long or cross member of the vehicle, transferring energy from long or cross member of the vehicle towards the energy absorbing bracket, absorbing the transferred energy from the long or cross member by means of a corrugated structure or through a shape memory spring which slowly and effectively absorbs all the transferred energy dur to collision thus avoiding any damage to the high voltage battery pack.
[0021] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0022] The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a battery protection structure in vehicles that allows at least for:
Reducing crash impact on high voltage battery pack;
Preventing explosion or thermal runaways; and
Avoiding Short Circuit inside the battery pack.
[0023] The disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
[0024] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0025] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully revealed the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
[0026] Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
[0027] Any discussion of devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application. The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
[0028] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiments as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.