Pump support for electric or hybrid motor vehicle architecture

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a structural element (11), - a cooling liquid pump (10), and - a pump support (12) on which the cooling liquid pump (10) is fixed, characterized in that the pump support (12) comprises two fixing arms (14, 15) arranged on either side of the structural element (11), - the two fixing arms (14, 15) each comprise a fixing hole arranged opposite a corresponding fixing hole (19) placed in the structural element (11), - the assembly comprises a fixing member (21) inserted in the fixing holes of the fixing arms (14, 15) of the pump support (12) and in the fixing hole (19) of the structural element (11) to enable the fixing of the pump support (12) on the structural element (11).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application claims priority from French application No. 1912099 filed on October 29, 2019, the contents of which (text, drawings and claims) are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present application relates to a pump support for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle architecture. BACKGROUND

[0003] As is known, electric or hybrid motor vehicles comprise an electric traction motor associated with an inverter, which is electrically coupled with a battery.

[0004] The inverter is adapted to convert a direct voltage coming from the battery into an alternating voltage applied on phases of the electric motor, so as to enable the electric motor to provide mechanical energy to the vehicle.

[0005] The electric motor can also operate in generator mode so as to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, which can recharge the battery. This operating mode is implemented in particular during a regenerative braking phase. In this case, the inverter has a rectifier bridge function so as to convert the alternating voltage generated by the electric motor into a direct voltage applied to the terminals of the battery.

[0006] The architecture elements are voluminous, which makes it difficult to implant an accessory assembly, in particular a water pump, which belongs to the cooling circuit of the electric motor.

[0007] As Figure 1 is shown, the water pump 1 can be fitted on a support 2, which is fixed on a structural element 3 by means of two fixing members 4, 5, which are arranged along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. However, such a configuration is not compatible with the displacements caused by the electric motor in an environment under the engine hood, which has strong spatial size constraints. SUMMARY

[0008] The present application aims to effectively overcome this drawback by proposing an assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising:

[0009] - a structural element,

[0010] - a cooling liquid pump, and

[0011] - a pump support on which the cooling liquid pump is fixed,

[0012] characterized in that the pump support comprises two fixing arms, which are arranged on either side of the structural element,

[0013] - the two fixing arms each comprise a fixing hole arranged opposite a corresponding fixing hole disposed in the structural element,

[0014] - the assembly comprises a fixing member inserted in the fixing holes of the fixing arms of the pump support and in the fixing holes of the structural element, so as to enable the fixing of the pump support on the structural element.

[0015] Thus, the invention enables the pump support to be integrated without difficulty in the environment of the electrical engine. The assembly is also facilitated by the use of a unique fixing member. The invention also enables the mechanical performance of the pump support and the filtering of vibrations to be improved.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the fixing member is a screw cooperating with a nut integral with the fixing arms of the pump support.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the pump support has a natural mode of vibration higher than 250 Hz.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the cooling liquid pump is nested on the pump support.

[0019] According to an embodiment, the pump support comprises a fixing pin on which is fixed a slide body for passing a cable harness.

[0020] According to an embodiment, the structural element is a crossbeam of the motor vehicle.

[0021] According to an embodiment, the cooling liquid pump is an electric water pump.

[0022] According to an embodiment, the pump support is made of a metallic material, in particular of steel.

[0023] According to an embodiment, each fixing arm comprises a first portion prolonged by an inclined second portion forming a non-zero angle with the first portion.

[0024] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an assembly as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following non-limiting description, and on referring to the appended drawings in which:

[0026] - Figure 1 An assembly is schematically illustrated, comprising a cooling liquid pump fixed on a crossbeam by means of a pump support conforming to the prior art;

[0027] - Figure 2 A perspective view shows a cooling liquid pump fitted on a pump support according to the application;

[0028] - Figure 3 A perspective view shows a cooling liquid pump fitted on a pump support according to the application;

[0029] - Figure 4 A perspective view shows a pump support according to the application;

[0030] - Figure 5 A transverse sectional view shows an environment implanted with a pump support according to the application;

[0031] - Figure 6 A top view shows an environment implanted with a pump support according to the application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In the drawings, Figures 2 to 6 the same, similar or analogous elements are kept with the same reference numerals from one drawing to another.

[0033] Figure 2 A cooling liquid pump 10 is shown fitted on a structural element 11 of said motor vehicle by means of a pump support 12. The cooling liquid pump 10 is fixed in particular by nesting on the pump support 12. In variants, the pump 10 can be fixed on the pump support 12 by screwing or gluing or any other fixing technique adapted to the application.

[0034] The structural element 11 is for example a crossbeam of said vehicle, which extends along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said vehicle. The crossbeam 11 is in particular a motor assembly crossbeam, which is also intended to carry a battery support and a battery charger support.

[0035] The cooling liquid pump 10 is preferably a high-temperature electric water pump, which is able to ensure the circulation of water in the cooling circuit of the electric traction motor of said motor vehicle. The cooling liquid pump 10 has for example a power of about 20 watts. In variants, the pump 10 can ensure the circulation of another heat transfer liquid, for example oil, thus ensuring the cooling of said electric motor.

[0036] The pump support 12 is preferably made of a metallic material, in particular of steel.

[0037] To this end, as Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the pump support 12 comprises two fixed arms 14, 15 arranged on either side of the structural element 11. That is, the structural element 11 is clamped, that is to say sandwiched, between the two fixed arms 14, 15.

[0038] The two fixed arms 14, 15 each comprise a fixing hole 16, 17 arranged opposite a corresponding fixing hole 19 disposed in the structural element 11. According to the embodiment, the fixing hole 19 disposed in the structural element 11 is a smooth hole.

[0039] Figure 2 And Figure 3 is shown schematically the fixing member 21 inserted in the fixing holes 16, 17 of the arms 14, 15 of the pump support 12 and in the fixing hole 19 of the structural element 11. The fixing member 21 thus makes it possible to fix the pump support 12 on the structural element 11.

[0040] In this case, the fixing member 21 is a screw cooperating with a nut 22 integral with the fixed arm 15. The nut 22 is for example welded on the arm 15, as is clear from Figure 3 and Figure 5 . With respect to the configuration of Figure 1 , the application thus has the advantage that only one fixing member 21 is needed to ensure the fixing of the pump support 12 on the structural element 11. This thus facilitates the assembly of the assembly, while reducing the duration of this assembly. In a variant, the nut 22 is added with respect to the pump support 12, without being fixed on the fixed arms 14, 15.

[0041] The pump support 12 advantageously has an inherent vibration mode higher than 250 Hz. In this way, the pump support 12 is avoided from entering into vibration for frequencies lower than 250 Hz observable in its environment.

[0042] As shown in Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the pump support 12 can also comprise a fixing pin 24 on which is fixed a slide 25 for the passage of a cable harness. To this end, the fixing pin 24 with a threaded end is inserted inside a through opening disposed in the slide 25, then a nut 26 is screwed on the threaded end of the fixing pin 24 to ensure the maintenance of the assembly, as shown in Figure 6 .

[0043] More specifically, the fixing arms 14 and 15 of the support each include first portions 14.1 and 15.1, which are designed to fit against the corresponding surfaces of the crossbeam 11. Portion 14.1 is thus designed to fit against the upper surface of the crossbeam 11, while portion 15.1 is designed to fit against the lower surface of the crossbeam 11 opposite to the upper surface.

[0044] The first sections 14.1 and 15.1 are spaced apart from each other by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the crossbeam 11. There is a vertical overlap between the two sections 14.1 and 15.1, each equipped with fixing holes 16 and 17. The fixing holes 16 and 17 have axes that coincide with each other.

[0045] The first portion 14.1 (15.1 respectively) extends from the inclined second portion 14.2 (15.2 respectively), which forms a non-zero angle with the first portion 14.1 (15.1 respectively). The second portions 14.2 and 15.2 are connected to each other by a connecting portion 28. Therefore, the second portions 14.2 and 15.2 and the connecting portion 28 have the form of a bowl 29, which is derived from the fixed portion 31, which is intended to be nested in a corresponding form of the cooling liquid pump 10.

[0046] Therefore, such as Figure 4 As shown, the fixed portion 31 includes two fins 32, which are folded relative to the central portion and are intended to be inserted into a corresponding form of the portion of the pump 10, the portion being made of an elastic material, particularly rubber.

[0047] Figure 5 and Figure 6 The implantation of the pump support 12 in the under-hood environment of the motor vehicle is shown. It is observed that the bowl-shaped 29 of the support 12 extends in the space between the crossbeam 11 and the electric traction engine support 34. Furthermore, the pump support 12 is arranged near the traction battery charger support 35, such as... Figure 6 As shown. Element 36 corresponds to a filter element used to filter vibrations adapted to the condenser support.

[0048] During the assembly, a human operator or robot can easily pick up the pump support 12 and position the fixing arms 14, 15 so that the fixing holes 16, 17 are arranged opposite to the fixing holes 19 placed in the crossbeam 11.

[0049] The screw 21 can then be inserted into the hole 16 in the arm 14, then into the smooth hole 19 in the crossbeam 11, and then into the fixing hole 17 in the arm 15. The screw 21 can then be screwed into the nut 22, which is coaxial with the hole 17.

[0050] The runner 25 can be fixed to the fixing pin 24 by inserting the fixing pin 24 inside the through opening of the runner body 25 and then screwing the nut 26 on the threaded end of the fixing pin 24 to ensure the maintenance of the assembly.

[0051] The present application also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an assembly as described above.

Claims

1. An assembly for a motor vehicle, the assembly comprising: - a structural element (11), - a cooling liquid pump (10), and - a pump support (12) on which the cooling liquid pump (10) is fixed, characterized in that the pump support (12) comprises two fixing arms (14, 15) arranged on either side of the structural element (11), - the two fixing arms (14, 15) each comprise a fixing hole (16, 17) arranged opposite a corresponding fixing hole (19) housed in the structural element (11), - the assembly comprises a fixing member (21) inserted in the fixing holes (16, 17) of the fixing arms (14, 15) of the pump support (12) and in the fixing hole (19) of the structural element (11) to enable the fixing of the pump support (12) on the structural element (11), each fixing arm (14, 15) comprising a first portion (14.1, 15.1) prolonged by an inclined second portion (14.2, 15.2) forming a non-zero angle with the first portion (14.1, 15.1).

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein, The fixing member (21) is a screw cooperating with a nut (22) integral with the fixing arm (15) of the pump support (12).

3. The assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The pump support (12) has an inherent vibration mode higher than 250 Hz.

4. The combination of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The cooling liquid pump (10) is nested on the pump support (12).

5. The assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The pump support (12) comprises a fixing pin (24) on which a slide (25) for passing a cable harness is fixed.

6. The assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The structural element (11) is a crossbeam of the motor vehicle.

7. The assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The cooling liquid pump (10) is an electric water pump.

8. The assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The pump support (12) is made of a metallic material.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein, The pump support (12) is made of steel.

10. A motor vehicle comprising an assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 9.

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