Arrangement for securing a battery on board a vehicle, comprising a fastening flange with an indexing and anti-mismatch tab

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicle layout.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to an assembly for the fixing and arrangement of an electrical power supply battery on board a motor vehicle. Technical background

[0003] In motor vehicles, batteries are typically mounted in a battery support tray.

[0004] The battery support tray has several functions including the correct positioning of the battery on board the vehicle, the securing of the battery in the vehicle, as well as the protection of the battery and its environment, particularly in the event of an impact.

[0005] US patent 2,947,373 relates to an assembly for the fixing and arrangement of an electrical power supply battery on board a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 and / or 9.

[0006] To the figure 1 A prior art assembly E0 is shown, comprising a battery 10 mounted in a battery support tray 20. The battery support tray 20 has a substantially horizontal base including a battery receiving face 21. The base of the battery support tray 20 is designed to receive fastening means such as screws for securing the battery support tray 20 to a vehicle body structure. The battery support tray 20 has side walls 27, 28 extending vertically from the receiving face 21 of the base of the battery support tray 20.

[0007] Once mounted in the battery support tray 20, the battery 10 has an external support face 11 which rests on the receiving face 21 of the battery support 20.

[0008] The battery 10 has four lateral faces 12, 13, 14, 15 orthogonal to the support face 11, of which a first external lateral face 12 and a second external lateral face 13 are opposite. At their lower part, the first lateral face 12 and the second lateral face 13 are each provided with a projecting longitudinal fixing lug 121.

[0009] The battery 10 is attached to the battery support tray 20 by means of a prior art mounting bracket 30 shown in the figure 2 The fixing flange 30 has a longitudinal retaining portion 311 which cooperates with the heel 121 of the first lateral face 12 to clamp the battery support face against the receiving face 21 of the battery support tray 20.

[0010] A first side wall 27 of the battery support tray opposite the fixing flange 30 has a recess 29 delimiting a space allowing the arrangement of the fixing flange 30. The space has a shape complementary to that of the fixing flange 30 to allow for error-free mounting of the fixing flange 30 in the space.

[0011] A second side wall 28 of the battery support tray 20 opposite the first side wall 27 has a lip (not visible) bearing on the heel of the second side face 13 of the battery to lock the battery 10 vertically.

[0012] A screw-nut type clamping device 4 allows the fixing flange 30 to be fixed onto the battery support tray 20.

[0013] The battery support tray 20 has four lateral stops intended to be in contact respectively with the four lateral faces 12, 13, 14, 15 of the battery 10. A stop is for example a part of a lateral wall 27, 28 of the battery support tray 20 or an outgrowth in the battery support tray 20, formed in projection from the receiving face 21 of the battery 10.

[0014] Thus, according to the prior art, the mounting bracket simply provides a vertical locking function for the battery on one side, and the battery support tray provides the other functions: good positioning and lateral locking of the battery thanks to the four stops, vertical locking of the battery on a second side thanks to the rim resting on the heel of the second lateral face of the battery, and good positioning of the fixing flange thanks to the notch delimiting the space allowing the arrangement of the fixing flange.

[0015] However, such a battery support tray is bulky and does not allow for meeting certain architectural constraints, particularly in the case of installing a battery in the passenger compartment and / or according to an orientation in space in which the support face of the housing extends in a vertical plane.

[0016] The invention proposes a solution to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks. One objective of the invention is to provide an assembly for securing and arranging a battery in a motor vehicle, comprising a mounting bracket that performs the following functions: positioning with keying and lateral locking of the battery, positioning with keying of the fixing flange, The battery support for the assembly can also be simplified to reduce its size. Summary of the invention

[0017] The invention provides an assembly for the mounting and arrangement of an electrical power supply battery on board a motor vehicle, an assembly which comprises: a horizontal battery support having a battery receiving face, a battery housing having: an outer bearing face which rests on the receiving face of the battery support; and an outer side face, orthogonal to said bearing face which is provided with a longitudinal fixing lug projecting from the side face, the side face having at least one notch, a fixing flange having a longitudinal retaining portion which cooperates with the lug to clamp said bearing face of the battery housing against said receiving face of the battery support, and a clamping device for the fixing flange arranged to fix the fixing flange to the battery support, the fixing flange having a positioning and keying tab which has dimensions complementary to those of said notch and which, in correct relative position of the battery and the fixing flange on the battery support, is received in said notch.

[0018] According to the invention: The clamping device comprises at least one screw and one nut, and the mounting flange comprises a central plate extending horizontally opposite the battery support. The central plate has a through hole arranged to receive the screw in a vertical direction. The central plate has a first longitudinal edge comprising the retaining portion of the mounting flange, and the positioning and keying tab has a first proximal section extending in the plane of the central plate, projecting from the first edge. The positioning and keying tab has a second end section connected to the first section by a longitudinal fold. The second section is received in the notch on the side face of the battery casing. The retaining portion is a portion folded longitudinally upwards and having a U-shaped cross-section.The retaining portion has a cutout arranged opposite the through hole to allow the nut to be fixed to the screw; the central plate has a second longitudinal edge opposite the first edge, the second edge having a rim projecting below the central plate; the rim is a portion folded longitudinally downwards and having a U-shaped cross-section; the through hole is offset from the two longitudinal edges; the notch is open transversely outwards and / or vertically upwards to allow the insertion of the positioning and keying tab into the notch.

[0019] The invention also relates to a fixing flange for an electrical power supply battery on board a motor vehicle, according to claim 9. Brief description of the figures

[0020] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description that follows, for an understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which: There figure 1 is a schematic perspective view representing an assembly comprising a battery mounted in a battery support tray according to the prior art; figure 2 is a perspective view of the battery mounting flange according to the prior art illustrated in the figure 1 ; There figure 3 is a view of the lower part of the battery of an assembly according to the invention, which shows in detail its fixing lug and its notch; The figure 4 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a battery support plate belonging to the assembly according to the invention; The figure 5 is a perspective view of the mounting flange of the assembly according to the invention; The figure 6is a view analogous to that of the figure 5 on which the mounting bracket is shown from another angle; The figure 7 is a top view of the mounting flange shown in figures 5 and 6 ; There figure 8 is a detailed perspective view that illustrates the assembly according to the invention in the correct mounting and assembly position of the battery and the fixing flange. Detailed description of the invention

[0021] For the description of the invention and the understanding of the claims, the longitudinal, transverse and vertical orientations according to the direct orthogonal frame X, Y, Z indicated in the figures, whose longitudinal axis X and transverse axis Y extend in a horizontal plane, will be adopted without limitation and without limiting reference to terrestrial gravity.

[0022] By convention, the longitudinal axis X is oriented from back to front; the transverse axis Y is oriented from right to left and the vertical axis Z is oriented from bottom to top.

[0023] By convention, the term "internal" refers to an element located inside the battery as opposed to the term "external".

[0024] In the description that follows, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numbers.

[0025] To figures 3 to 8 The elements of an assembly E according to the invention are shown. The assembly E is intended for the fixing and arrangement of a battery 1 for supplying electrical power on board a motor vehicle.

[0026] Assembly E includes a battery support 2, a battery housing 1, a fixing flange 3 and a clamping device 4.

[0027] As is known, battery 1 has a case of general rectangular parallelepiped shape comprising six external faces including four vertical faces, a horizontal lower face called the support face 11 intended to be clamped against a receiving face of the battery support 2, and an upper face opposite the support face 11.

[0028] The four vertical faces include a right longitudinal lateral face 12, a left longitudinal lateral face 13, a rear transverse lateral face 14 and a front transverse lateral face 15.

[0029] The right-hand side face 12 is provided with a lower longitudinal fixing flange 121 which is formed as a projection from the right-hand side face 12. The flange 121 is adjacent to the bearing face 11. The flange 121 extends over a central portion of the right-hand side face 12.

[0030] The left side face 13 is also provided with a lower (not visible) longitudinal fixing heel formed in projection from the left side face.

[0031] The entire set of heels and the bearing face 11 of the battery housing constitute what is called the battery base 1 by which it rests on the battery support 2.

[0032] The right-hand side face 12 has a notch 123 which is open vertically and transversely.

[0033] In the example, notch 123 is a vertical slot extending the full height of the right-hand side face 12, near its rear edge. Notch 123 is located next to heel 121 and does not pass through heel.

[0034] In variants, the notch 123 may include a portion which extends into the heel 121, or the notch 123 may extend only over a portion of the height of the right-hand side face 12.

[0035] Reference is now being made to the figure 4 To describe battery holder 2. Battery holder 2 is made from a locally deformed, cut, and bent metal plate. Battery holder 2 extends mainly in a horizontal plane. Battery holder 2 has an upper face 21 for receiving battery 1.

[0036] The battery support 2 has a lower face opposite the upper receiving face 21 of the battery 1 and is intended to be fixed to a structural element of the vehicle.

[0037] The battery support 2 has fixing holes 26 intended to receive fixing means such as screws for securing the battery support 2 with the structural element of the vehicle to which the battery support 2 is fixed.

[0038] The battery support 2 has a rear stop 22 projecting upwards from the receiving face 21. The rear stop 22 is here formed by a transverse tab cut in the plate of the battery support 2 in the rear part and folded transversely upwards.

[0039] The rear stop 22 is intended to be in contact with the rear side face 13 of the battery 1, once the latter has been correctly placed on the battery support 2. The rear stop 22 is then centered transversely with respect to the rear side face 13 of the battery 1.

[0040] The battery holder 2 has a left-hand stop 23 projecting upwards from the receiving face 21. The left-hand stop 23 has a vertical proximal portion 231 and a horizontal distal portion 232 opposite the location of battery 1. The left-hand stop 23 is formed here by a longitudinal tab cut into the left side of the plate of the battery holder 2. The vertical proximal portion 231 is connected to the receiving face 21 by an upward longitudinal fold, and the horizontal distal portion 232 is connected to the vertical proximal portion by a rightward longitudinal fold.

[0041] The left stop 23 is intended to be in contact with the left side face of battery 1, once the latter has been correctly placed on the battery support 2. The left stop 23 is then longitudinally centered with respect to the left side face of battery 1.

[0042] Battery support 2 has a location 24 intended to receive the fixing flange 3. Location 24 is located on the right side of battery support 2.

[0043] Location 24 is adjacent to the right side face of battery 1, once the latter has been correctly placed on the battery support 2. Location 24 is longitudinally centered with respect to the right side face 12 of battery 1.

[0044] Battery 1 is held onto battery support 2 by clamping using the fixing clamp 3.

[0045] The clamping device 4 of the fixing flange 3 is arranged to fix the fixing flange 3 onto the battery support 2. The clamping device 4 includes at least one screw 41 and one nut 42.

[0046] Location 24 has a clamping hole 25 intended to receive the screw 41 or a threaded rod of the clamping device 4.

[0047] The mounting flange 3 according to the invention is described with particular reference to figures 5 to 7 .

[0048] The fixing flange 3 is made in one piece from a plate, preferably made of steel, cut and bent.

[0049] The mounting flange 3 includes a central plate 37 extending horizontally opposite the battery support 2. The central plate 37 has a through hole 35 arranged to receive the screw 41 in a vertical direction.

[0050] The central plate 37 has a first longitudinal edge 31 having a retaining portion 311 of the fixing flange 3. The longitudinal retaining portion 311 cooperates with the heel 121 to clamp the bearing face 11 of the battery housing 1 against the receiving face 21 of the battery support 2.

[0051] The retention section 311 is a section folded longitudinally upwards. The retention section 311 has a U-shaped cross-section.

[0052] The retaining portion 311 has a cutout 313 arranged opposite the hole 35 to allow the nut 42 to be fixed to the screw 41.

[0053] The central plate 37 has a second longitudinal edge 32 opposite the first edge 31. The second edge 32 has a rim 322 projecting lower from the central plate 37.

[0054] The rim 322 is a portion folded longitudinally downwards. The rim 322 has a U-shaped cross-section.

[0055] Hole 35 is eccentric with respect to the two longitudinal edges 31, 32.

[0056] According to a particular feature of the invention, the fixing flange 3 includes a positioning and keying tab 33 which has dimensions complementary to those of the notch 123.

[0057] In the correct relative position of the battery 1 and the fixing flange 3 on the battery support 2, the positioning and keying tab 33 is received in the notch 123.

[0058] The positioning and error-proofing tab 33 has a first proximal section 331 extending in the plane of the central plate 37 projecting from the first edge 31.

[0059] The positioning and keying tab 33 has a second end section 332 connected to the first section 331 by a longitudinal fold. The second section 332 is received in the notch 123 of the lateral face 12 to the right of the battery housing 1.

[0060] The second section 332 is orthogonal to the first section 331.

[0061] In the example, the second section 332 is folded downwards. Alternatively, the second section can be folded upwards.

[0062] There figure 8illustrates assembly E in the correct mounting and assembly position of battery 1 and fixing flange 3 on battery support 2.

[0063] Battery 1 is positioned on battery support 2 so that the rear side face of battery 1 is in contact with the rear stop 22 of battery support 2, the left side face of battery 1 is in contact with the left stop 23 of battery support 2, and the fixing flange 3 is received in the location 24.

[0064] The fixing flange 3 is positioned so that the second section 332 of the positioning and anti-misalignment tab 33 is received in the notch 123 and that the screw 41 of the clamping device 4 passes through the clamping orifice 25.

[0065] Any other position is prevented thanks to the geometry and particular dimensions of the fixing flange 3 in association with those of the battery and the support.

[0066] Indeed, the mounting bracket 3 cannot be fixed vertically upside down, i.e., with its underside facing upwards, because in this case, the second section 332 of the positioning and alignment tab 33 cannot be received in the notch. Furthermore, it is not possible to fasten the nut 42 onto the screw 41 because the end of the U-shaped lip 32 prevents the nut 42 from being fitted onto the screw 41.

[0067] The fixing flange 3 cannot also be fixed upside down horizontally, i.e. with the second edge 32 opposite the lateral face 12 to the right of the battery 1, because in this case the fixing flange 3 is not in contact with the battery 1 due to the eccentric position of the clamping orifice 25 relative to the two longitudinal edges 31 and 32 of the fixing flange 3.

[0068] The fixing flange 3 cannot be fixed at an angle in a horizontal plane relative to its correct mounting position because it is then not possible to insert the screw 41 of the clamping device 4 into the clamping orifice 25.

[0069] The mounting bracket 3 is positioned, for example, by a horizontal translational movement or by a vertical translational movement. To allow the positioning and alignment tab 33 to be inserted into the notch 123 when the mounting bracket 3 is positioned, the notch 123 is opened transversely outwards and vertically upwards.

[0070] Alternatively, the notch 123 can be opened only transversely. In this case, the fixing flange 3 is positioned by a horizontal translational movement.

[0071] According to another variant, the notch 123 can only be opened upwards. In this case, the fixing flange 3 is positioned by a vertical translational movement from top to bottom.

[0072] Battery support 2 does not have a stop in contact with the front side face 15 of battery 1. It is the positioning and keying tab 33 placed in the notch 123 which prevents the movement of battery 1 forward and thus ensures the forward locking.

[0073] The first longitudinal edge 31 of the fixing flange 3 in contact with the right lateral face 12 prevents the battery 1 from moving to the right and thus ensures the locking to the right.

[0074] According to the invention, the fixing flange 3 performs the following functions: vertical locking of the battery on one side thanks to the first longitudinal edge 31 of the fixing flange 3, correct positioning and locking of the battery forward thanks to the positioning and anti-rotation tab 33 and to the right thanks to the first longitudinal edge 31 of the fixing flange 3, correct positioning of the fixing flange 3 thanks in particular to the positioning and anti-rotation tab 33.

[0075] According to the invention, the battery holder 2 performs the following functions: correct positioning and locking of the battery towards the rear and to the left thanks to the two stops 22 and 23, vertical locking of the battery on a second side thanks to the rim 232 bearing on the heel of the left side face of the battery.

[0076] Battery support 2 is simplified compared to previous designs and is less bulky.

Claims

1. Assembly (E) for fastening and arranging a battery (1) for supplying electrical energy on board a motor vehicle, said assembly (E) having: - a horizontal battery support (2) having a receiving face (21) for receiving the battery, - a housing of the battery (1) having: an outer bearing face (11) that rests on the receiving face (21) of the battery support (2); and an outer lateral face (12), which is orthogonal to said bearing face (11) and is provided with a longitudinal fastening heel (121) projecting from the lateral face (12), the lateral face (12) having at least one notch (123), - a fastening flange (3) having a longitudinal retaining portion (311) that interacts with the heel (121) in order to clamp said bearing face (11) of the housing of the battery (1) against said receiving face (21) of the battery support (2), and - a clamping device (4) for clamping the fastening flange (3), said clamping device being arranged so as to fasten the fastening flange (3) to the battery support (2), characterized in that the fastening flange (3) has a positioning and keying tab (33), which has dimensions that are complementary to those of said notch (123) and which, when the battery (1) and the fastening flange (3) are in the correct relative position on the battery support (2), is received in said notch (123), the clamping device (4) having at least one screw (41) and a nut (42) and the fastening flange (3) comprising a central plate (37) extending horizontally opposite the battery support (2), the central plate (37) having a through-hole (35) arranged so as to receive the screw (41) in a vertical direction, the central plate (37) having a first longitudinal edge (31) having the retaining portion (311) of the fastening flange (3) and the positioning and keying tab (33) having a first proximal section (331) extending in the plane of the central plate (37) projecting from the first edge (31).

2. Assembly (E) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the positioning and keying tab (33) has a second end section (332) connected to the first section (331) by a longitudinal fold, the second section (332) being received in the notch (123) in the lateral face (12) of the housing of the battery (1).

3. Assembly (E) according to either one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the retaining portion (311) is a longitudinally upwardly folded portion having a U-shaped cross section.

4. Assembly (E) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the retaining portion (311) has a cutout (313) arranged opposite the through-hole (35) in order to allow the nut (42) to be fastened to the screw (41).

5. Assembly (E) according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the central plate (37) has a second longitudinal edge (32) at the opposite end to the first edge (31), the second edge (32) having a lip (322) projecting from the bottom of the central plate (37).

6. Assembly (E) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the lip (322) is a longitudinally downwardly folded portion having a U-shaped cross section.

7. Assembly (E) according to either one of Claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the through-hole (35) is off-centre with respect to the two longitudinal edges (31, 32).

8. Assembly (E) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the notch (123) is open transversely outwards and / or vertically upwards in order to allow the positioning and keying tab (33) to be inserted into the notch (123).

9. Fastening flange (3) for a battery (1) for supplying electrical energy on board a motor vehicle, the fastening flange (3) being intended for an assembly (E) having a housing of the battery (1) having: an outer bearing face (11) that rests on a battery support (2); and an outer lateral face (12), which is orthogonal to said bearing face (11) and is provided with a longitudinal fastening heel (121) projecting from the lateral face (12), the lateral face (12) having at least one notch (123), the flange (3) having a longitudinal retaining portion (311) intended to cooperate with the heel (121) in order to clamp said bearing face (11) of the housing of the battery (1) against the battery support (2), the flange (3) having a clamping device (4) arranged so as to fasten the fastening flange (3) to the battery support (2), the fastening flange (3) being characterized in that it has a positioning and keying tab (33), which has dimensions that are complementary to those of said notch (123) and which, when the battery (1) and the fastening flange (3) are in the correct relative position on the battery support (2), is received in said notch (123), the clamping device (4) having at least one screw (41) and a nut (42) and the fastening flange (3) comprising a central plate (37) extending horizontally opposite the battery support (2), the central plate (37) having a through-hole (35) arranged so as to receive the screw (41) in a vertical direction, the central plate (37) having a first longitudinal edge (31) having the retaining portion (311) of the fastening flange (3) and the positioning and keying tab (33) having a first proximal section (331) extending in the plane of the central plate (37) projecting from the first edge (31).