Motor vehicle comprising device for protecting battery

Abstract

Disclosed is an electric or hybrid motor vehicle (1) comprising a chassis (2) having at least two longitudinal members (4, 5) extending in a longitudinal direction (X), said vehicle comprising: a motor vehicle floor supported by the chassis (2); a rear axle (7) extending along a transverse axis (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) and fastened to the chassis (2); and a battery (12) fastened under said floor, located transversely between the longitudinal members (4, 5) of the chassis and axially in front of the rear axle (7). The vehicle comprises means (20) for protecting the battery (12) fastened to the rear axle (7) and extending below said rear axle (7) along a vertical axis (Z) perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse axes (X, Y).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electric or hybrid motor vehicles, which include at least one electric motor, and the at least one electric motor includes a traction battery.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to protecting the battery from external impacts. Background Art

[0003] The battery of a motor vehicle is usually located under the floor of the vehicle, at a relatively small distance from the ground, for example, about 10 cm to 30 cm from the ground.

[0004] When the motor vehicle is reversing, the battery is liable to strike an external obstacle, such as a sidewalk or a parking post, which is usually made of concrete.

[0005] If such an external obstacle strikes the battery, the battery may be damaged.

[0006] To protect the battery, it is known to cover the battery with a metal plate cladding that can absorb force in the event of a collision with an element outside the vehicle. However, this solution greatly increases the mass of the vehicle and is costly.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to improve the protection of the battery, especially the traction battery, in a motor vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Accordingly, the present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks and proposes a device for protecting the battery of a motor vehicle, which is easy to install in the vehicle without increasing the mass and cost of the motor vehicle.

[0009] The present invention relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, which includes a chassis, and the chassis includes at least two longitudinal members extending in a longitudinal direction.

[0010] The vehicle includes: a motor vehicle floor supported by the chassis; a rear axle extending along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and fastened to the chassis; and a battery fastened under the floor, transversely between the longitudinal members of the chassis, and axially in front of the rear axle.

[0011] The vehicle includes a device for protecting the battery, which is fastened to the rear axle and extends vertically under the rear axle along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis.

[0012] Advantageously, the protection device is configured to generate an audible warning or noise when contacting an external element during vehicle reverse, especially an audible warning or noise generated by deformation or friction relative to the external element.

[0013] The generated noise warns the vehicle driver of an external component that may damage the battery.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the protection device includes a transverse base extending along a transverse axis and at least two fastening lugs, each fastening lug being fastened to the base by a first fastening means (such as by a threaded connection or welding). The fastening lugs are each fastened to the rear axle by a second fastening means (such as by a threaded connection or welding). The lugs extend between the transverse base and the rear axle along a vertical axis.

[0015] For example, each fastening lug includes a hole that cooperates with a screw device of the second fastening means.

[0016] As a variant, a different number of holes, such as two or more holes, may be provided for the second screw device.

[0017] In one embodiment, the transverse base includes: a main portion that extends in a horizontal plane; and at least one secondary portion that extends in a vertical plane from a transverse edge of the main portion toward the rear axle, and the fastening lugs are fastened to the secondary portion of the base.

[0018] For example, the main portion is bounded by two transverse edges and two longitudinal edges.

[0019] For example, the main portion of the base includes a plurality of holes that are intended to cooperate with devices for fastening a rear deflector of the vehicle.

[0020] The "rear deflector" refers to a formed cladding that covers the rear axle of the vehicle.

[0021] The transverse base has, for example, an L-shaped cross-section.

[0022] As a variant, the base may include a square or rectangular cross-section.

[0023] The base and the fastening lugs are advantageously made of stamped sheet metal independently of each other and then assembled together by threaded connection or welding.

[0024] For example, the width of the protection device is greater than or equal to 80% of the width of the battery.

[0025] Preferably, the protection device is vertically offset downward from the battery.

[0026] In other words, the distance between the ground and the protection device is less than the distance between the ground and the battery.

[0027] The battery is preferably a traction battery.

[0028] For example, the axle supports the rear wheels of the vehicle at each of its ends. Description of the Drawings

[0029] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1

[0031] is a very schematic view of the rear part of a motor vehicle according to the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2

[0033] is Figure 1 a front view of the rear part in;

[0034] Figure 3

[0035] shows in detail Figure 1 the device for protecting the battery of the vehicle in; and

[0036] Figure 4

[0037] shows the interaction between the device for protecting the battery in Figure 3 and an external obstacle when the motor vehicle is reversing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] In the following description, the terms "longitudinal", "transverse", "vertical", "front", "rear", "left", and "right" are defined according to the usual orthogonal reference system of the motor vehicle represented in the drawings, which orthogonal reference system includes:

[0039] - a horizontal longitudinal axis X, which is oriented from the front to the rear of the vehicle;

[0040] - a horizontal transverse axis Y, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and is oriented from the left to the right of the vehicle when the vehicle is moving forward;

[0041] - a vertical axis Z, which is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y and points upward.

[0042] Figure 1 and Figure 2 are very schematic views of the rear part of a motor vehicle, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, which motor vehicle includes a chassis 2 configured to support all the mechanical components and the body 3 of the vehicle. The chassis 2 includes two longitudinal members 4, 5 and a plurality of transverse members (not visible) arranged between said longitudinal members 4, 5. The motor vehicle floor 6 is supported by the chassis 2 and delimits the interior of the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1.

[0043] ​​​​​​​​The vehicle further includes a transverse rear axle 7, which is fastened to the chassis 2 of the vehicle and supports the rear wheels 8, 9 of the vehicle at each of its ends.

[0044] As shown, the motor vehicle 1 further includes a rear bumper 10. The distance of the rear axle 7 from the ground is less than the distance between the ground and the rear bumper 10.

[0045] The motor vehicle 1 includes an electric or hybrid drive member (not shown), and further includes a battery 12, which is fastened below the floor 6 of the vehicle 1, transversely between the longitudinal members 4, 5 and axially in front of the rear axle 7.

[0046] The battery 12 is preferably a traction battery.

[0047] The motor vehicle 1 includes a device 20 for protecting the battery 12, which is fastened to the rear axle 7 and extends along a vertical axis below the rear axle 7.

[0048] As Figure 2 shown, in this case, the distance D1 between the ground S and the protection device 20 is less than the distance D2 between the ground S and the battery 12.

[0049] In this case, the width of the protection device 20 is 10% less than the width of the battery 12.

[0050] As a variant, the width of the protection device 20 can be greater than or equal to the width of the battery 12. Generally, the width of the protection device 20 is greater than or equal to 80% of the width of the battery 12.

[0051] The protection device 20 is configured to come into contact with an external element E when the vehicle is reversing, as Figure 4 shown.

[0052] When the protection device 20 comes into contact with the external element E, the deformation of the device 20 generates an audible warning or noise for the driver of the vehicle.

[0053] As Figure 3 shown in detail, the protection device 20 includes a transverse base 21 that extends along the transverse axis Y of the vehicle 1.

[0054] The transverse base 21 includes a flat horizontal main part 22 defined by two transverse edges 22a, 22b and two longitudinal edges 22c, 22d. The base 21 further includes a flat vertical secondary part 23, which extends vertically from the transverse edge 22b of the main part 22 towards the rear axle 7 along the vertical axis Z.

[0055] In this case, the transverse base 21 has an L-shaped cross-section. As a variant, the base can include a square or rectangular cross-section.

[0056] The protection device 20 further includes two fastening lugs 24, 25 which are integral with the base 21, in particular with the secondary part 23, by means of a first fastening means (such as by a threaded connection or welding). Each fastening lug 24, 25 is fastened to the rear axle 7 by means of a second fastening means (such as by a threaded connection or welding).

[0057] In this case, each fastening lug 24, 25 includes holes 24a, 25a for the screws of the second fastening means. A different number of holes, for example two or more holes, can be provided for the second screw device.

[0058] The fastening lugs 24, 25 extend vertically between the base 21 and the rear axle 7.

[0059] As a variant, three or more fastening lugs can be provided.

[0060] The base 21 and the two fastening lugs 24, 25 are made independently of each other from a stamped metal sheet and then assembled together by means of a threaded connection or welding.

[0061] In the non - limiting example shown, the main part 22 of the base 21 includes a plurality of holes 21a intended to cooperate with the fastening means of a rear deflector (not shown).

[0062] In the case of a collision along the longitudinal axis X between the protection device 20 and an external element E of the vehicle, the device 20 is configured to generate a noise which is in particular produced by the deformation or friction of the base 21 relative to the external element E. The generated noise warns the driver of the vehicle of the presence of the external element E which may damage the battery 12.

[0063] The present invention protects the battery by warning the driver of the vehicle, thus preventing damage to the battery.

Claims

1. An electric or hybrid motor vehicle (1), comprising a chassis (2) which includes at least two longitudinal members (4, 5) extending in a longitudinal direction (X), said vehicle comprising: A motor vehicle floor (6) supported by the chassis (2); A rear axle (7) extending along a transverse axis (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) and fastened to the chassis (2); and a battery (12) fastened below the floor (6), transversely between the longitudinal members (4, 5) of the chassis and axially in front of the rear axle (7), characterized in that the electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprises means (20) for protecting the battery (12), the means being fastened to the rear axle (7) and extending vertically below the rear axle (7) along a vertical axis (Z) perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse axes (X, Y).

2. The vehicle (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The protection means (20) is configured to generate an audible warning when contacting an external element (E) during vehicle reverse.

3. The vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The protection means (20) comprises: a transverse base (21) extending along the transverse axis (Y); and at least two fastening lugs (24, 25), each of the at least two fastening lugs being fastened to the base (21) by a first fastening means and to the rear axle (7) by a second fastening means, the lugs (24, 25) extending along the vertical axis (Z) between the transverse base (21) and the rear axle (7).

4. The vehicle (1) according to claim 3, wherein, Each fastening lug (24, 25) comprises holes (24a, 25a) cooperating with screw devices of the second fastening means.

5. The vehicle (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, The transverse base (21) comprises: a main portion (22) extending in a horizontal plane (XY); and at least one secondary portion (23) extending in a vertical plane (YZ) from a transverse edge (22b) of the main portion (22) towards the rear axle (7), the fastening lugs (24, 25) being fastened to the secondary portion (23) of the base (21).

6. The vehicle (1) according to claim 5, wherein, The main portion (22) of the base (21) comprises a plurality of holes (21a) intended to cooperate with devices for fastening a rear fairing of the vehicle (1).

7. The vehicle (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein, The transverse base (21) has an L-shaped cross-section.

8. The vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein, The base (21) and the fastening lugs (24, 25) are made of pressed metal sheets independently of each other.

9. The vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The width of the protection means (20) is greater than or equal to 80% of the width of the battery (12).

10. The vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The protection means (20) is vertically offset downward from the battery (12).

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