VEHICLE WITH AN ELECTRIC CHARGING CABLE THAT PASSES THROUGH A SIDE DOOR GROOVE

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to vehicles with rechargeable battery(ies) by coupling to external power sockets. State of the art

[0002] Document FR 2 961 143 discloses a vehicle comprising a structure comprising a rebate delimiting a side passage, access to which is controlled by a side door, and a rechargeable battery coupled to an electric cable comprising an electric socket intended to be connected to an external power socket. The structure also comprises an internal housing communicating with the outside via an opening defined in said rebate and housing at least a portion of said electric cable with its electric socket in a stowed position while allowing its extraction in order to connect said electric socket to said power socket.

[0003] Some vehicles, possibly of the automobile type, include an all-electric or hybrid (electric / non-electric) powertrain (or GMP) comprising at least one electric motor that requires electrical energy to operate. This electrical energy is notably supplied by a rechargeable battery via an inverter generally located in the engine compartment of the vehicle. This battery is coupled to a power circuit to which is also coupled an electrical outlet (possibly of the combo type) intended to be connected to an external power outlet of a charging station or an electrical supply network.

[0004] Initially, the electrical socket was permanently installed on the vehicle body, behind a hatch, and its connection to an external power outlet was made via an electrical charging cable that had to be stored in the vehicle (for example in a trunk). This solution had several disadvantages. Indeed, the electrical charging cable had to be always present in the vehicle, and also easily accessible (even when its storage location was very cluttered).

[0005] It has been proposed in patent document FR-A1 3071459 to define in the trunk sill of a car, just below the area where the rear end of the trunk lid is housed when the latter is closed, a housing accessible via a hatch that can only be opened when the trunk lid is at least partially open, and housing an electric charging cable connected to the car's power supply circuit and comprising an electrical socket intended to be connected to an external power socket. Thus, the electric charging cable is always present in the vehicle, and its accessibility no longer depends on the size of the trunk. However, this solution proves to be relatively expensive because it requires the definition of a housing in the trunk sill and the installation of a hatch with sealing means.Furthermore, this solution systematically requires the driver of the car to move to the rear trunk, then open at least partially the trunk lid, then open the hatch, to be able to deploy the electric charging cable. Finally, this solution requires a significant length of electric charging cable, which leads to additional cost and an increase in the weight of the car which penalizes its consumption.

[0006] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0007] For this purpose, it proposes in particular a vehicle comprising a structure with a rebate delimiting a side passage, access to which is controlled by a side door, and a rechargeable battery coupled to an electric cable comprising an electric socket intended to be connected to an external power socket.

[0008] This vehicle is characterized by the fact that its structure also includes an internal housing communicating with the exterior through an opening defined in the rebate and housing at least part of the electric cable with its electric plug in a stowed position while allowing its extraction in order to connect the electric plug to the power socket.

[0009] Thanks to the invention, the driver who wants to recharge only has to slightly open the side door (if he has not already done so to exit the passenger compartment) to remove part of the electric cable with its electric plug from the internal housing of the associated rebate, in order to connect this electric plug to an external power outlet, then he can close the side door.

[0010] The vehicle according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular: it may comprise, near the internal housing, a reel to which the electric cable is coupled so that it can be wound / unwound; the internal housing is defined below a recess in the structure, partially defined in the rebate, partially hidden by a handle for actuating the side door when the latter is closed, and allowing the passage of the electric cable, with the side door closed, when the electric socket is connected to the power socket; it may comprise a guide fixedly secured to the rebate, between the opening and the recess, and housing and temporarily retaining a portion of the electric cable while guiding it from the opening to the recess, when the electric socket is connected to the power socket;the rebate may define above the internal housing an additional housing in which is fixedly installed a locking mechanism intended to immobilize the side door in its closed position; the guide may be fixedly secured to a portion of the wall of the rebate which partially delimits the additional housing; the internal housing may be partially delimited by a part of the structure which defines a rear wing; as a variant, the internal housing may be partially delimited by a part of an upright defining a center pillar of the structure; it may comprise a powertrain (or GMP) comprising at least one electric motor using electrical energy stored in the rechargeable battery; it may be of the automobile type. Brief description of the figures

[0011] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the appended drawings, in which: [ Fig. 1 ] schematically illustrates, in a side view, a small part of an example of a vehicle according to the invention, with its electric charging cable extended from the internal housing of its structure, while its side door is closed, [ Fig. 2 ] schematically illustrates, in a side view, the part of the vehicle of the figure 1 with its electric cable stored in the internal housing of its structure, and with its side door open, and [ Fig. 3 ] schematically illustrates, in a side view, the part of the vehicle of the figure 1 with its electric cable out of the internal housing of its structure, and with its side door open. Detailed description of the invention

[0012] The invention aims in particular to propose a vehicle V comprising an SV structure, delimiting a passenger compartment whose access is controlled by at least one PL side door, and a rechargeable battery coupled to an easily accessible CE electric charging cable.

[0013] In the following, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the vehicle V is of the automobile type. It is for example a car. But the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It concerns in fact any type of vehicle (land, sea (or river), or air) comprising a structure, delimiting a passenger compartment whose access is controlled by at least one side door, and a rechargeable battery.

[0014] We have schematically represented on the figure 1a small lateral part of an example of a vehicle V according to the invention (here of the automobile type). This vehicle V comprises a structure SV which comprises at least one rebate FS delimiting a lateral passage, access to which is controlled by a side door (or door) PL (here in the closed position). This lateral passage provides access to a passenger compartment delimited by the structure SV of the vehicle V and capable of accommodating at least one passenger.

[0015] The FS rebate is intended to accommodate a peripheral edge of the PL side door (or door) when the latter (PL) is in the closed position. It is therefore hidden when the PL side door is closed (see figure 1 ).

[0016] Although this does not appear entirely on the figures 1 to 3, the vehicle V also comprises a rechargeable battery which is coupled to an electric (charging) cable CE comprising an electric plug PE intended to be connected to an external power socket, for example a charging station or an electrical supply network.

[0017] This rechargeable battery is coupled to at least one electric motor of the powertrain (or GMP) of the vehicle V in order to supply it with electrical energy, in particular so that it uses it to induce its movement.

[0018] In the following, we consider, as a non-limiting example, that the vehicle's powertrain is hybrid, and more precisely thermal / electric. But it could be hybrid electric / non-electric or even all-electric.

[0019] This rechargeable battery is preferably coupled to a first end of the CE electrical (charging) cable via a power supply circuit. As illustrated in the Figures 2 and 3 , the structure SV of the vehicle V also comprises an internal housing LI which communicates with the exterior via an opening OL defined in the rebate FS. This internal housing LI houses at least part of the electric cable (charging) CE with its electric socket PE in a stowed position (illustrated on the figure 2 ). In addition, this internal housing LI allows the extraction of a part of the CE electrical cable with its PE electrical plug, via the OL opening, in order to connect the latter (PE) to an external power socket to recharge the rechargeable battery.

[0020] Thus, when the driver of vehicle V wants to recharge, he only has to slightly open the PL side door (if he has not already done so to exit the passenger compartment) in order to remove part of the CE electrical cable with its PE electrical plug from the internal housing LI of the associated FS rebate, in order to connect this PE electrical plug to an external power socket. Once the CE electrical cable is removed, the driver can close the PL side door (and possibly lock it). Furthermore, it should be noted that there is no longer a hatch to open to access the CE electrical cable, which facilitates access and reduces costs.

[0021] Although it does not appear on the figures 1 to 3, the vehicle V may comprise, near the internal housing LI, a reel to which the electric cable CE is coupled so that it can be wound / unwound. For example, this reel may be fixedly secured to the structure SV, on an internal face (invisible from the outside). This makes it easier to remove and replace the electric cable CE from, and into, the internal housing LI. In addition, this makes it possible to reduce the total size of the electric cable CE.

[0022] It will be noted, as illustrated on the Figures 2 and 3, that the internal housing LI is defined below a recess RS of the structure SV which is partially defined in the rebate FS and partially hidden by an actuating handle (not shown) of the side door PL when the latter (PL) is closed. This recess RS then advantageously allows the passage of the electrical cable CE, without pinching, while the side door PL is closed, when the electrical socket PE is connected to a power socket.

[0023] In the presence of the latter option, the vehicle V may also comprise a guide GC fixedly secured to the rebate FS, between the opening OL and the recess RS. This guide GC is arranged so as to house and temporarily retain a portion of the electric cable CE while guiding it from the opening OL to the recess RS, when the electric socket PE is connected to a power socket. It will be understood that it is the driver of the vehicle V who, once the electric cable CE has been removed from the internal housing LI, couples it to the guide GC. For example, this guide GC may comprise an open groove adapted to house a portion of the electric cable CE and possibly comprising small protuberances at the edge of the groove to retain this portion. For example, this guide GC may be produced by molding (or injection) a plastic material.

[0024] Thanks to this GC guide, a portion of the CE electrical cable is held in a predefined position (substantially vertical) at the exit of the OL opening and at the entry of the RS recess (see figure 3 ), which ensures that this CE electrical cable will not be pinched when closing the PL side door.

[0025] It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation on the Figures 2 and 3 , that the rebate FS can define above the internal housing LI an additional housing LA in which is fixedly installed a locking mechanism MV intended to immobilize the side door PL in its closed position. For example and as illustrated non-limitingly on the Figures 2 and 3 , part of the walls delimiting the additional housing LA can be placed at the level of the recess RS.

[0026] In the presence of the last option, the guide GC can be fixedly secured to a portion of the wall of the rebate FS which partially delimits the additional housing LA. This fixed fastening can be done by screwing, clipping or gluing, for example. We thus take advantage of the positioning of this portion of wall between the additional housing LA and the recess RS to fix the guide GC in the place best suited to its guiding function (illustrated on the figure 3 ).

[0027] For example and as illustrated without limitation on the figures 1 to 3 , the internal housing LI may be partially delimited by a part of the structure SV which defines a rear wing AR of the vehicle V and which is in particular located above a wheel arch RV. In this case, the possible winder may, for example, be fixedly secured to an internal face of the rear wing AR, by screwing, gluing or clipping.

[0028] But this is not obligatory. Indeed, in an alternative embodiment, the internal housing LI could be partially delimited by a part of an upright defining a central foot of the structure SV, and located at the interface between front and rear side doors.

[0029] In the two implementations defined above, the length of the CE electrical cable is advantageously minimized, and therefore its weight and size are minimized.

[0030] It should be noted that the length of the CE electrical cable can vary depending on the option chosen. Thus, this length can be either long (typically 3 m to 5 m, for example), or short but sufficient to allow the PE electrical socket to exit and pass beyond the FS rebate and the PL side door to close (typically a few tens of centimeters, for example), and in this case an extension can be provided in the vehicle V which is coupled to the PE electrical socket.

[0031] Furthermore, although it does not appear on the figures 1 to 3 , the electric cable CE (and its possible reel) can be housed in a storage box installed in the internal housing LI, behind the opening OL. Such a box can optionally include a circuit breaker that can be extracted so that it can be taken out at least partially for the purpose of re-engagement when it has tripped.

Claims

1. Vehicle (V) comprising a frame (SV) comprising a rebate (FS) defining a lateral passage whose access is on dock through a lateral gate (PL) and a rechargeable battery coupled to an electrical cable (CE) comprising an electrical socket (PE) intended to be connected to an external power supply socket, said frame (SV) also comprising an internal housing (LI) communicating with the outside through an opening (OL) defined in said rebate (FS) and housing at least a part of said electrical cable (CE) with its electrical socket (PE) in a row position while allowing its extraction with a view to connecting said electrical socket (PE) to said power supply socket, characterised in that said internal housing (LI) is defined below a recess (RS) of said structure (SV), defined partially in said rebate (FS), partially masked by an actuating handle of said side door (PL) when the latter (PL) is closed, and allowing the passage of said electrical cable (CE), closed side door (PL), when said electrical socket (PE) is connected to said power supply socket.

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, comprising, on the local of said internal housing (LI), a winder to which said electrical cable (CE) is coupled in order to be able to be wound / unwound.

3. Vehicle according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that it comprises a guide (GC) fixedly attached to the said rebate (FS), between the said opening (OL) and the said indentation (RS), and temporarily housing and retaining a part of the said electric cable (CE) while guiding it from the said opening (OL) to the said indentation (RS), when the said electric outlet (PE) is connected to the said power supply outlet.

4. Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the said rebate (FS) defines, above the said internal housing (LI), an additional housing (LA) in which is installed fixedly a locking mechanism (MV) intended to immobilise the said side door (PL) in its closed position.

5. Vehicle according to claim 4, characterised in that said guide (GC) is fixedly attached to a wall portion of said rebate (FS) which partially delimits said additional housing (LA).

6. Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the said internal housing (LI) is partially delimited by a part of the said structure (SV) which defines a rear wing (AR).

7. Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the said internal housing (LI) is partially delimited by a part of an upright defining a middle foot of the said structure (SV).

8. Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that it comprises a power train comprising at least one electric drive machine using electrical energy stored in the said rechargeable battery.

9. Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that it is of the motor vehicle type.