Vehicle construction method to prevent battery damage in rear impact using optimized bracket separation

摘要

A battery attachment bracket and method of assembly for protecting a battery of a motor vehicle from damage during a rear impact. The battery attachment bracket connects the battery to support structure of the motor vehicle in an area subject to deformation during a rear impact. The battery attachment bracket is formed by a body member extending from a battery-engaging surface to a vehicle-support-engaging surface. The vehicle-support-engaging surface has a bolt-receiving aperture, and a notch cut-out adjacent to the bolt-receiving aperture located in a vehicle-front direction with respect to the bolt-receiving aperture to define a narrowed portion of the battery attachment bracket. A gusset having an angled surface is located on a vehicle-front-facing surface of the battery attachment bracket. The gusset resists deformation of the battery attachment bracket and promotes separation of the battery attachment bracket from the support structure of the motor vehicle adjacent the bolt-receiving aperture.