Supporting part for supporting a motor vehicle underbody assembly interface, underbody assembly and motor vehicle comprising such an assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a support part (9) for supporting a conversion interface for converting the energy of an electrical network alternating current power supply into direct current for powering a traction battery of a motor vehicle, for fixing in a base assembly in the vicinity of a fuel tank and comprising a central face (11) delimited by lateral edges (13) comprising edges for mounting face to face with the fuel tank. According to the invention, the lateral edges for mounting face to face with the fuel tank comprise a bearing side panel (17) extending perpendicularly with respect to the central face. The invention also relates to a base assembly and to a vehicle comprising such a base assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention claims priority to French application 2400515, filed January 18, 2024, the contents of which (text, drawings and claims) are incorporated herein by reference. This invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, and more particularly to the field of passive safety of motor vehicles in the event of a side-impact collision.

[0002] More specifically, this invention relates to a support component for supporting a conversion interface for converting energy from AC power (source de courantalternatif du réseau) into DC power.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a base assembly for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle including such a base assembly. Background Technology

[0004] The vehicle body structure includes a set of sheet metal structural elements that give the vehicle rigidity, are interconnected, and form the frame of the vehicle.

[0005] Among these sheet metal elements, the body structure particularly includes left-side and right-side structures. Each lateral structure includes a set of upper and lower horizontal elements extending substantially longitudinally relative to the body, and a set of vertical elements extending substantially vertically relative to the body. The lower horizontal elements include lateral longitudinal beams that define a portion of the outline of the body's base assembly.

[0006] Among these sheet metal components, the vehicle body structure also includes a floor plate that defines the platform components of the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0007] When the vehicle is a hybrid type of motor vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine and an electric motor (which operate simultaneously or alternately to reduce the power consumed by the motor vehicle) (referred to as a PHEV (an acronym for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), the vehicle includes a traction battery that powers the electric motor of the vehicle at the location of the base assembly and a fuel tank made of plastic material.

[0008] At the base assembly location, this hybrid vehicle also includes an interface called "OBC" (an acronym for On Board Charger), which refers to a converter that converts AC power from the grid into DC power, used to supply power to the traction battery during recharging at a recharging station.

[0009] The OBC interface is held in the base assembly by metal support parts that are fixed in the frame of the vehicle's base assembly near the fuel tank.

[0010] Among the many tests used for motor vehicle certification, the so-called "pole crash" or "side crash" test is performed in order to demonstrate performance standards, in particular, related to occupant protection.

[0011] The test involved throwing a motor vehicle laterally toward a rigid post at a speed of approximately 30 km / h, such that the vehicle was positioned at an angle of approximately 75° to 90° relative to the post.

[0012] During a side impact, the pillar embeds itself into the vehicle at the front door location on the driver's or passenger's side.

[0013] Note that during this column collision, the lateral longitudinal beam deforms, causing deformation of the fixed area of ​​the support component used to support the OBC interface.

[0014] This deformation causes the support component for supporting the OBC interface to move toward the fuel tank, and during this movement, the support component for supporting the OBC interface comes into contact with the fuel tank.

[0015] The geometry of the support component for supporting the OBC interface is such that when it comes into contact with the fuel tank, the fuel tank is pierced or sheared by the support component for supporting the OBC interface.

[0016] Because the fuel tank is made of plastic, this poses a very high risk that impacts from the support components used to hold the OBC interface onto the fuel tank will significantly damage it. This prevents the vehicle from successfully passing the side impact test.

[0017] In addition, damage to the traction battery or the fuel tank poses a fire risk.

[0018] Considering the overall vehicle architecture, solutions involving moving the OBC interface and its supports away from the fuel tank are not feasible.

[0019] Furthermore, solutions involving the use of metal fuel tanks instead of plastic tanks are not feasible. In fact, metal fuel tanks are much more expensive than plastic fuel tanks. Moreover, the increased mass would be too great and would contradict the overall goal of reducing the mass of motor vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0020] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned deficiencies. To this end, the present invention relates to a support member for supporting a conversion interface that converts energy from AC power to DC power, the interface being used to supply power to the traction battery of a rechargeable hybrid vehicle during recharging at a recharging station. The support member is used to be fixed in the vehicle's base assembly near the fuel tank. The support member includes a central surface defined by a set of lateral edges, the set of lateral edges including lateral edges for face-to-face mounting with the fuel tank when the support member is mounted in the vehicle's base assembly. Notably, for the support member, the lateral edges for face-to-face mounting with the fuel tank include support side plates extending perpendicularly to the central surface.

[0021] Thus, by providing the lateral edge of the support member (which includes a support side plate extending perpendicularly to the central surface of the support member), in the event of a lateral collision, a planar support is established between the support member and the fuel tank at the location of the support side plate, thereby preventing puncture and / or shearing of the fuel tank.

[0022] This eliminates the risk of tearing the fuel tank during contact between the support member and the fuel tank, which enables the fuel tank to maintain its integrity in the event of a lateral column impact.

[0023] Thus, the risk of fire caused by damage to the battery or fuel tank is avoided by means of the present invention.

[0024] According to the optional features of the supporting component: - The supporting side plate extends over the entire lateral edge for mounting face-to-face with the fuel tank; - The supporting side plate has a height H between approximately 5 mm and approximately 30 mm; - The height H of the supporting side plate is approximately 10 mm; - The central surface includes a hollowed-out area; - The area of ​​the hollowed-out region extends to approximately 20% to approximately 30% of the total area of ​​the central surface.

[0025] The present invention also relates to a base assembly for a motor vehicle, the base assembly including a fuel tank and a support member for supporting a conversion interface for converting the energy of the AC power supply from the grid into DC power, the support member being fixed near the fuel tank, and it is worth noting that the support member is a support member according to the present invention.

[0026] According to the optional features of the base assembly: - The fuel tank includes two half-shells connected to each other at a mating plane, and the support member is disposed in the base assembly such that the support side plate extends above the mating plane; - The distance defined between the joint plane and the support side plate is between approximately 2 cm and approximately 3 cm.

[0027] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle including a base assembly, and it is worth noting that the base assembly is a base assembly according to the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the following detailed description and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 A motor vehicle according to the invention is shown as viewed from below.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a top perspective view of a support component according to the present invention, which supports a conversion interface for converting the energy of AC power from the power grid into DC power.

[0031] Figure 3 A top perspective view shows an example configuration of the support components and fuel tank of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0032] In the following description, elements with the same structure or similar function are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0033] By convention, without limitation, the terms “longitudinal orientation,” “vertical orientation,” and “lateral orientation” are represented by right-handed coordinate systems (L, V, T) that indicate the longitudinal axis, vertical axis, and lateral axis of the vehicle, respectively.

[0034] In the following text, the terms “left,” “right,” “down,” and “up” are understood in relation to the vehicle. Similarly, the terms “front” and “rear” are understood in relation to the overall orientation of the vehicle along its normal direction of travel.

[0035] Reference Figure 1 The image shows a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention, viewed from below.

[0036] Motor vehicle 1 is of the hybrid type and includes an internal combustion engine and an electric motor (which operate simultaneously or alternately), such as a rechargeable hybrid type motor vehicle (called PHEV (an acronym for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle)).

[0037] At the location of the base assembly 3 of the motor vehicle, the motor vehicle 1 includes a traction battery 5 that powers the electric motor of the vehicle and a fuel tank 7 (made of plastic material) that supplies power to the internal combustion engine of the vehicle.

[0038] The motor vehicle 1 also includes an interface (not shown) called OBC (an acronym for On Board Charger), which refers to a conversion interface that converts the energy of the AC power supply from the grid into DC power, and the conversion interface is used to supply power to the traction battery when the traction battery is recharged at a recharging station.

[0039] The OBC interface is held in the base assembly 3 by a metal support part 9, which is fixed in the frame of the vehicle's base assembly 3 near the fuel tank 7.

[0040] refer to Figure 2 The support component 9 for supporting the OBC interface is shown in a top perspective view.

[0041] Support component 9 includes support plane P S A central surface 11 extends from the center, the central surface being laterally bounded by a set of lateral edges 13. When the support component is fixed to the base assembly 3, the support plane P... S Extends in the plane (L, T) of motor vehicle 1.

[0042] The support part 9 also includes a set of fixing tabs 15, which are adapted to enable the support part 9 to be fixed to the base assembly 3 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0043] In the lateral edge 13 of the support part 9, when the support part 9 is installed in the base assembly 3, the lateral edge for face-to-face installation with the fuel tank 7 (e.g.) Figure 1 (As shown) includes a support side plate 17 extending perpendicularly relative to the central surface 11. Thus, the support side plate 17 is contained within the support plane P. A In the middle, the supporting plane is perpendicular to the supporting plane P, which includes the central surface 11. S When the support component is fixed to the base assembly 3, the support plane P A Extends in the plane (L, V) of motor vehicle 1.

[0044] In other words, the support side plate 17 defines a folded edge at a lateral edge position for mounting face-to-face with the fuel tank 7. Thus, in the event of a lateral collision, a planar support is created between the support member 9 and the fuel tank 7 at the support side plate 17 position, thereby preventing puncture and / or shearing of the fuel tank 7.

[0045] According to the arrangement of the invention, the supporting side plate extends along the entire lateral edge for mounting face-to-face with the fuel tank 7.

[0046] According to the arrangement of the invention, the height H of the support side plate 17 is at least about 5 mm to form a planar support with sufficient height to avoid puncturing and / or shearing the fuel tank 7 during contact between the support part 9 and the fuel tank 7.

[0047] According to another arrangement of the invention, the height H of the support side plate 17 can be between approximately 5 mm and approximately 30 mm.

[0048] In a particular embodiment of the support component 9, the height H of the support side plate 17 is approximately 10 mm.

[0049] In the embodiment shown in the attached figures, the central surface 11 of the support part 9 includes a hollowed-out area 19.

[0050] The presence of the hollowed-out area 19 increases the structural flexibility of the support part 9, which further reduces the risk of puncturing and / or shearing the fuel tank 7 during contact between the support part 9 and the fuel tank 7.

[0051] In a particular embodiment of the support member 9, the area of ​​the hollow region 19 extends to approximately 20% to approximately 30% of the total area of ​​the central surface 11 of the support member 9. This range of values ​​provides the support member 9 with the rigidity required, on the one hand, to maintain the OBC interface in the base assembly 3, and on the other hand, to reduce the risk of puncturing and / or shearing the fuel tank 7 during contact between the support member 9 and the fuel tank 7.

[0052] The shape of the cutout area shown in the attached figure is given as a non-limiting example and can be adapted, in particular, to the structure of the base assembly 3.

[0053] Figure 3 A top perspective view shows an example configuration of the support component 9 and the fuel tank 7 for supporting the OBC interface.

[0054] In a particular embodiment, the fuel tank 7 may include two half-shells (made of plastic material) that meet at a joint plane 21 (also called a seam, in...). Figure 3 (The locations are schematically shown in dashed lines) and connected to each other.

[0055] According to the arrangement of the base assembly 3, the support part 9 is configured in the base assembly 3 such that the support side plate 17 extends above the mating plane 21 of the fuel tank 7.

[0056] As a result, the impact area of ​​the supporting part 9 is far away from the mating plane 21 (the most vulnerable area of ​​the fuel tank 7), which can further maintain the fuel tank 7.

[0057] In a particular embodiment of the base assembly 3, the distance D defined between the mating plane 21 and the support side plate 17 is between approximately 2 cm and approximately 3 cm.

[0058] More specifically, distance D is the distance measured between the mating plane 21 and the lower edge 23 of the support side plate 17.

[0059] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the support part, the base assembly, and the embodiments of the motor vehicle including such a base assembly described above as illustrative examples only; rather, the present invention covers all variations involving technical equivalents and combinations thereof of the described components, as long as they fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A support part (9) for supporting a conversion interface that converts energy from AC power to DC power, the interface being used to supply power to the traction battery when the traction battery of a rechargeable hybrid type motor vehicle (1) is recharged at a recharging station, the support part (9) being fixed in a base assembly (3) of the motor vehicle (1) near a fuel tank (7), the support part (9) including a central surface (11) laterally defined by a set of lateral edges (13), the set of lateral edges (13) including lateral edges for face-to-face mounting with the fuel tank (7) when the support part (9) is mounted in the base assembly (3) of the motor vehicle (1), characterized in that, The lateral edge for mounting face-to-face with the fuel tank (7) includes a support side plate (17) extending perpendicularly to the central surface (11).

2. The supporting part (9) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support side plate (17) extends along the entire lateral edge for mounting face-to-face with the fuel tank (7).

3. The supporting part (9) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The supporting side plate (17) has a height (H) between approximately 5 mm and approximately 30 mm.

4. The supporting part (9) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The height (H) of the support side plate (17) is approximately 10 mm.

5. The support part (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The central surface (11) includes a hollowed-out area (19).

6. The supporting part (9) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The area of ​​the hollowed-out region (19) extends to approximately 20% to approximately 30% of the total area of ​​the central surface (11).

7. A base assembly (3) for a motor vehicle (1), the base assembly comprising a fuel tank (7) and a support member (9) for supporting a conversion interface for converting energy from AC power from the grid into DC power, the support member being fixed near the fuel tank (7), characterized in that, The support component (9) is the support component according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The base assembly (3) according to claim 7, wherein, The fuel tank (7) comprises two half-shells connected to each other at a joint plane (21), characterized in that the support member (9) is disposed in the base assembly (3) such that the support side plate (17) extends above the joint plane (21).

9. The base assembly (3) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The distance (D) defined between the joint plane (21) and the support side plate (17) is between approximately 2 cm and approximately 3 cm.

10. A motor vehicle (1), the motor vehicle comprising a base assembly (3), characterized in that, The base assembly (3) is the base assembly according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

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