Electric vehicle equipped with an electronic box

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle equipped with an electronic box (12) connected with a support (10) fixed on a lateral face (8) of a tray (2) of a battery (4) of an on-board network, said lateral face being turned towards the transverse direction of the vehicle, this lateral face (8) comprising securing means for securing the support (10) in all directions, said securing means allowing the lowering of the support (10) from the upper part, and comprising a limited retaining effort for retaining the support (10) in the forward direction of the vehicle, said limited retaining effort being less than 50 daN.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention claims priority to French application No. 2101189, filed on February 8, 2021, the contents of which (text, drawings and claims) are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle equipped with an electronic box, the electronic box being connected to a support member fixed on a battery tray of an on-board network.

[0003] The motor vehicle typically includes a 12V low-voltage battery for the onboard network, held in a tray located in the front compartment of the powertrain. For accessibility, the battery is positioned in free space above the compartment and slightly forward of the vehicle's body skirt. Background Technology

[0004] Specifically, a support can be directly fixed to the side of the battery tray, the side being oriented laterally toward the vehicle, the support receiving box including (e.g., power electronics for the battery) to have available space and short connecting cables between these components to limit cost and electrical losses.

[0005] Additionally, each brake or clutch pedal, secured to a side panel in the passenger compartment, possesses a hydraulic piston system within the engine compartment. This hydraulic piston system is arranged to align with the pedal and extends longitudinally to form a rigid block projecting from the side panel into the compartment. A hydraulic system is also available, substantially aligned with the electronics box, which is positioned on the side of the battery.

[0006] During a sufficiently large frontal vehicle collision, the front of the vehicle is crushed and mechanical components located in the engine compartment are retracted. To meet safety standards, the crushing and retraction must prevent the components from intruding into the passenger compartment, which could injure the driver's feet.

[0007] In particular, due to the retraction of the battery and its tray (which drives the electronic box, which is rigidly fixed from above by its support), the box can thus further actuate the longitudinally aligned hydraulic system of the pedal, resulting in a dangerous intrusion into the passenger compartment. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is particularly to avoid these problems of the prior art.

[0009] To this end, the present invention provides a motor vehicle equipped with an electronic box connected to a support on a lateral surface of a battery tray fixed to an in-vehicle network, the lateral surface being oriented laterally toward the vehicle, the vehicle being characterized in that the lateral surface includes a stabilizing device for securing the support in all directions, the stabilizing device allowing the support to descend from above, and including a limited retaining force for holding the support in the forward direction of the vehicle, the limited retaining force being less than 50 daN.

[0010] The advantage of this vehicle is that the operator can easily introduce the support for receiving the electronic box (this introduction is made by sliding the support vertically from above), while maintaining it in all directions until the support reaches the stabilizing device downwards.

[0011] Next, in the event of a frontal collision with a powertrain component (which pushes the battery rearward) on the vehicle, the electronic box aligns with the hydraulic system of the pedal, and the forward stabilization of the box will stop based on a force of no more than 50 daN applied to the system by the box, while avoiding the transmission of a larger force to the hydraulic system.

[0012] It provides a simple and effective way to prevent the hydraulic system and its pedals from intruding into the passenger compartment, while protecting the driver's feet.

[0013] The motor vehicle according to the invention may also include one or more of the following features that can be combined with each other.

[0014] Advantageously, the side surface of the tray includes a vertical protrusion that forms a stable frontal orientation of the support member, having the restricted retaining force.

[0015] In this case, advantageously, the support member has a front edge that rests against the vertical protrusion, the front edge being arranged to be elastic along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0016] Advantageously, the lateral surface includes a hook arranged along a horizontal plane, the hook receiving the support during its descent.

[0017] In this case, the hook advantageously provides stability to the support member in a rearward orientation and in a lateral outward orientation relative to the battery.

[0018] Advantageously, the motor vehicle includes a vertical stabilizing device for securing the support member, the vertical stabilizing device including a resilient clamping portion that performs automatic stabilization toward the upper part of the support member at the end of the descent.

[0019] Furthermore, advantageously, the support includes a resilient lower edge arranged in a vertical direction, which abuts against a horizontal protrusion on the lateral surface of the tray at the end of the descent.

[0020] Advantageously, each of the resilient front edge or the resilient lower edge has a cut in the rear portion, the cut forming an elongated perforation parallel to the edge to provide the edge with elasticity.

[0021] Advantageously, the battery tray and the support are made of plastic material by molding, thus forming the stabilizing device.

[0022] Specifically, the electronic box can function as a DC-DC voltage converter that powers the battery of the vehicle network. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The invention will be better understood by reading the detailed description and accompanying drawings given below as examples, and other features and advantages of the invention will become clearer in the drawings:

[0024] - Figure 1 This is a view of an electronic box in a motor vehicle according to the invention, the electronic box being fixed to the battery tray of the vehicle network by a support member;

[0025] - Figure 2 This is a side view of only the support component;

[0026] - Figure 3 This is a side view of the support member fixed to the tray of the battery;

[0027] - Figure 4 This is a detailed view of the lower part of the support member fixed to the tray of the battery;

[0028] - Figure 5 This is a side view of a support member fixed to the tray of the battery, the support member receiving a cable channel groove; and

[0029] - Figure 6 This is a side view of a support member fixed to the tray of the battery, the support member receiving a protective cover for the cosses. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Figure 1 A battery tray 2, molded from plastic material, is shown. This tray is fixed in a vehicle with a front-side AV and houses a battery 4 for the vehicle's onboard network. The battery 4 extends longitudinally along the vehicle. The battery 4 is fixed laterally to the left side of the vehicle, the lateral direction defined with reference to the front of the vehicle.

[0031] Electronic box 12 (which forms a DC-DC voltage converter) receives 48V voltage from the battery (which powers the hybrid traction motor of the vehicle) to convert the 48V voltage into 12V voltage that can recharge the battery 4 of the vehicle network.

[0032] The electronic box 12 has a parallelepiped shape that extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and has a small thickness in the transverse direction. The parallelepiped shape is fixed to the vertical right side face 8 of the battery tray 2 by means of a flat support 10.

[0033] The hydraulic system 14 (shown schematically) of the vehicle's brake pedal or clutch pedal has a longitudinally elongated form aligned with the rear of the electronic box 12.

[0034] In the event of a major collision at the front of the vehicle, the rigid fixation of the electronic box 12 to the battery tray 2 creates a risk of the battery 4, which is driven by the battery tray, moving backward. The electronic box may impact the hydraulic system 14 and simultaneously push the hydraulic system toward the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0035] Figure 2 A support member 10 is shown, which is made of plastic material by molding and is substantially formed as a vertical plate, the vertical plate including a hexagonal honeycomb pattern along its thickness, the hexagonal honeycomb pattern enabling the vertical plate to be rigidified.

[0036] The support member 10 includes a central recess 20 in the lower part, which is surrounded by a front tab 22 and a rear tab 24, each of which terminates at a horizontal flange 26, which is turned to face the right and includes a slot that opens outward.

[0037] The support member 10 includes three through holes 28, which are reinforced by a thick outer profile, one in the lower part and two in the upper part facing forward and rearward respectively. The three through holes allow the electronic box 12 to be secured to the support member. Each tab 22, 24 includes an additional reinforcing thickness 30 facing rearward.

[0038] The support member 10 includes resilient clamping portions 32 at half its height, facing forward and backward respectively. The resilient clamping portions are turned upward and have a surface inclined to the left from the bottom, then a horizontal flange turned to the right and finally a small vertical portion.

[0039] The support member 10 includes a resilient vertical front edge 34 in front of the front protrusion 22. The vertical front edge includes a thin strip of material that is separated from the support member by a cut that forms a vertical, elongated perforation to provide the edge with elasticity in the longitudinal direction.

[0040] The support member 10 includes an elastic horizontal lower edge 36 below each elastic clamping portion 32. The horizontal lower edge includes a thin strip of material that is separated from the support member by a cut that forms a horizontal elongated perforation to provide the edge with horizontal elasticity.

[0041] The support member 10 includes a horizontal rear tab 38 on its rear edge, the horizontal rear tab being turned to face rearward. The support member 10 also includes two upper tabs 50 in its upper portion, the two upper tabs being turned to face upward.

[0042] Figure 3 and Figure 4 A battery tray 2 is shown, the tray including a vertical right-side face 8 for receiving a support 10, which is laid flat and secured in all directions after being lowered by an operator, while keeping the support attached to the right-side face.

[0043] During the descent of the support 10, each additional reinforcing thickness 30 formed at the base of the support is introduced from the top into the hook portion 42 arranged along the horizontal plane and opens towards the front, so as to stabilize the base of the support in the rearward and lateral directions.

[0044] At the same time, during the descent of the support 10, the rear tab 38 of the support is introduced into a vertical slot formed behind the side surface 8 of the tray to stabilize the rear of the support in the lateral direction.

[0045] During the descent of the support 10, the elastic vertical front edge 34 abuts against the vertical protrusion 40 formed on the side surface 8 of the tray, and the front edge is compressed by elastic deformation so as to ensure gapless stability along the longitudinal direction of the support by means of the hook 42 (which forms a rear stop).

[0046] At the end of the descent of the support 10, each of the two elastic horizontal lower edges 36 abuts against a horizontal protrusion 44 formed on the side surface 8 of the tray, while compressing against each other. Simultaneously, at the end of the descent, each elastic clamping part 32 deforms to the right, reaching a horizontal bar on the side surface 8 of the tray, and then relaxes by adjusting its horizontal flange below the bar.

[0047] Thus, during the clamping period of the elastic clamping part 32, compression is achieved on the two elastic lower edges 36 to ensure that the support member 10 is firmly fixed in the vertical direction without gaps.

[0048] Different stabilizing devices include guides that are configured to allow the support 10 to descend blindly in a nearly invisible space (along the lateral surface 8 of the tray) while ensuring all stabilization is done well at the end of the stroke.

[0049] The vertical protrusion 40 (of the front edge 34 used to maintain the elasticity of the support 10) is calculated to withstand a longitudinal force exceeding 50 daN directed forward on the support. Figure 3 (Indicated by arrow F) This allows the protrusion to be eliminated. In particular, the thickness of the vertical protrusion 40 is calculated based on the material strength of the vertical protrusion in order to obtain the strength limit value.

[0050] In this manner, in the event of a frontal collision on the vehicle (which drives the retraction of the battery tray 2), the rear of the electronic box 12 will be stopped on the hydraulic system 14, and the box will move forward from the hooks 42, 44 in the direction X, and then can be detached laterally in the direction Y.

[0051] The electronic box 12 cannot transmit a force greater than 50 daN to the hydraulic system 14. This protects the hydraulic system 14, which is fixed to the side skirts of the vehicle, and the pedals arranged inside, by avoiding excessive deformation (which would cause intrusion into the passenger compartment).

[0052] Figure 5 A groove 52, made of plastic material by molding, is shown. The groove forms a guide channel for guiding cables that receive the average supply voltage of the electronics box 12 and are clamped and secured in a slot (which is turned toward the outside of the horizontal flange 26 arranged at the base of the front lower flange 22 and the rear lower flange 24 of the support member 10).

[0053] Figure 6 A protective cover 60, formed by molding from plastic material, is shown for protecting an electrical sleeve of an electronic box 12. The protective cover descends onto the box and is simultaneously held on two upper tabs 50 of a support member 10.

[0054] The electronic box 12 is secured economically by means of the support 10 and the battery tray 2 (which is made of plastic material by molding to integrate a large number of functions during these molding processes). The securing is simple and quick to implement without tools and includes precise positioning and sufficient rigidity in all directions, while limiting the maximum force (which can be transmitted to a hydraulic system arranged along the longitudinal axis of the box).

Claims

1. A motor vehicle equipped with an electronics box (12) connected to a support (10) on a side surface (8) of a tray (2) of a battery (4) fixed to an in-vehicle network, the side surface being oriented laterally toward the motor vehicle, characterized in that, The lateral surface (8) includes stabilizing means for securing the support (10) in all directions, the stabilizing means allowing the support (10) to descend from above, and includes a limited holding force for holding the support (10) in the forward direction of the motor vehicle, the limited holding force being less than 50 daN.

2. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The side surface (8) of the tray includes a vertical protrusion (40) that forms a stable frontal orientation towards the support (10) with the restricted holding force.

3. The motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that, The support member (10) has a front edge (34) that rests against the vertical protrusion (40), the front edge being arranged to be elastic along the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle.

4. The motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The lateral surface (8) includes a hook (42) arranged along a horizontal plane, which receives the support (10) during the descent of the support.

5. The motor vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that, The hook (42) provides stability to the support (10) in a rearward direction and in a lateral outward direction relative to the battery (4).

6. The motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The motor vehicle includes a vertical stabilizing device for stabilizing the support (10), the vertical stabilizing device including an elastic clamp (32) that performs automatic stabilization toward the upper part of the support at the end of the descent.

7. The motor vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that, The support (10) includes a vertically resilient lower edge (36) that abuts against a horizontal protrusion (44) on the side surface (8) of the tray at the end of the descent.

8. The motor vehicle according to claim 3 or 7, characterized in that, Each of the elastic front edge (34) or the elastic lower edge (36) has a cut in the rear portion, the cut forming an elongated perforation parallel to the edge to provide elasticity to the edge.

9. The motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The battery tray (2) and the support (10) are made of plastic material by molding, thus forming the stabilizing device.

10. The motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The electronic box (12) constitutes a DC voltage converter that supplies power to the battery (4) of the vehicle network.

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