VEHICLE WITH HOUSING WITH VIBRATION-DAMPING CLIPS

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to vehicles, possibly of the automobile type, and more specifically those which include a support to which at least one housing is attached. State of the art

[0002] As exemplified by document DE102010023488A1, some vehicles include a support that is fixedly attached to a wall, possibly a structural component, and to which a housing is attached, for example, by clipping. For example, and without limitation, this housing may be dedicated to the storage and degassing of coolant circulating in a cooling circuit possibly intended to cool a rechargeable battery supplying electrical power to at least one electric drive unit of a powertrain.

[0003] This support may include a section extending along three directions of the vehicle (longitudinal, transverse, and vertical), perpendicular to each other, surrounding a predefined area of ​​the housing. To facilitate positioning of the housing and to accommodate dimensional variations in both the support and the housing, there is a small gap between the support and the housing along these three directions. However, this gap allows the housing to strike its support when the vehicle experiences shocks or vibrations from certain vehicle components, generating unwanted noise that can disturb vehicle passengers and / or negatively impact perceived quality (and therefore brand image).

[0004] The invention is therefore intended, in particular, to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0005] In particular, it proposes for this purpose a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, comprising a support fixedly attached to a wall, to which a box is attached, for example by clipping, and comprising a part extending in three directions of the vehicle, perpendicular to each other, surrounding a predefined area of ​​the box.

[0006] This vehicle is characterized by the fact that its housing includes, on an external face, flexible tabs that rest against the support part by flexing in at least two directions to prevent it from hitting this part in the presence of play, the flexible tabs extending respectively in three directions, a first flexible tab resting against said part by flexing in a longitudinal direction, a second flexible tab resting against said part by flexing in a transverse direction and two third flexible tabs resting against said part by flexing in a vertical direction.

[0007] Thus, the housing is no longer at risk of hitting its support (in at least two of the three directions of the vehicle) in the presence of shocks suffered by this vehicle and vibrations produced by certain components of this vehicle.

[0008] The vehicle according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular: The second and third flexible legs can be defined on the same wall of the housing, which is mainly defined in a plane constructed from the longitudinal and vertical directions; its housing can be made with its flexible legs by injection molding of a plastic material; its housing can be dedicated to the storage and degassing of a coolant circulating in a cooling circuit; its housing can include an opening for the supply of coolant and the access to which is controlled by a cap; it can include at least one rechargeable battery, supplying electrical energy to at least one electric drive machine of a powertrain, and to which the cooling circuit is associated; its powertrain can also include at least one internal combustion engine. Brief description of the figures

[0009] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings, in which: [ Fig. 1 ] schematically illustrates, in a top perspective view, part of an example of the rear section of a vehicle according to the invention, with a support to which a housing with anti-vibration feet is attached, [ Fig. 2 ] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, an example of the implementation of a housing support with anti-vibration feet, and [ Fig. 3 ] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, an example of the realization of a housing with anti-vibration feet. Detailed description of the invention

[0010] The invention aims in particular to provide a vehicle V comprising a support SB to which is attached, for example by clipping, a housing BD with flexible anti-vibration legs PFj.

[0011] In what follows, vehicle V is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be an automobile. For example, a car. However, the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It relates to any type of vehicle, whether land-based, maritime (or river-based), or aerial.

[0012] Furthermore, in the following, by way of non-limiting example, the BD unit is considered to be dedicated to the storage and degassing of coolant circulating in a CR cooling circuit of vehicle V. However, the invention is not limited to this application. Indeed, the BD unit can have any other function within a vehicle. Thus, it could, for example, be part of a heating circuit with a heat transfer fluid, or a braking circuit, or a hydraulic circuit, or even equipment requiring fluid storage (windshield washer fluid, brake fluid), or it could contain an object (possibly a control unit).

[0013] Furthermore, the following, by way of non-limiting example, considers that the CR cooling circuit of vehicle V, of which the BD housing is a part, is intended to be associated with at least one rechargeable battery supplying electrical power to at least one electric drive unit of the powertrain. However, the CR cooling circuit could also be used to cool another component or piece of equipment of vehicle V, such as a rechargeable battery charger. For example, the CR cooling circuit could be of the very low-temperature type, in order to dissipate the significant amount of heat produced by the rechargeable battery.

[0014] Finally, in what follows, we consider, as a non-limiting example, that the powertrain is of the hybrid type and therefore includes at least one electric drive unit and at least one internal combustion engine. However, the powertrain could also be of the all-electric type.

[0015] On the figures 1 à 3 , the X direction is a so-called longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which is parallel to the lateral sides of the latter, the Y direction is a so-called transverse direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the X direction, and the Z direction is a so-called vertical direction, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal X and transverse Y directions.

[0016] We have schematically represented on the figure 1 a small rear side part of an example vehicle V according to the invention.

[0017] As illustrated, this vehicle V includes, in particular, a support SB to which a housing BD with anti-vibration flexible PFj tabs is attached, for example by clipping. Clipping is advantageous because it allows for installation without the need for additional components (such as screws or nuts), thus reducing assembly time, simplifying the process, and limiting the use of screwing tools that can cause musculoskeletal disorders for operators.

[0018] The SB bracket is fixedly attached to a wall of the vehicle V, for example, as part of its structural structure or attached to its structural elements. For example, the SB bracket can be installed in the rear of the vehicle V and be accessible via a hatch which may also provide access, in this case, to a connector for charging the rechargeable battery.

[0019] As this appears better on the figure 2 The SB support includes a PS portion that extends along the three longitudinal (X), transverse (Y), and vertical (Z) directions of the vehicle (V) (perpendicular to each other), surrounding a predefined area (ZB) of the BD housing (see figure 1 ). For this purpose, the PS part may include a first sub-part SP1 extending mainly in a YZ plane, a second sub-part SP2 extending mainly in an XZ plane, and a third sub-part SP3 extending mainly in another YZ plane.

[0020] For example, this SB support can be made of metal or rigid and resistant plastic material.

[0021] Furthermore, this SB support can also, possibly and here, be intended to support the aforementioned connector, dedicated to the electrical charging of the rechargeable battery.

[0022] As illustrated on the figure 3 , the BD housing includes in its ZB area, on an external face FE, flexible tabs PFj which are intended to bear against the PS part of the SB support by flexing along at least two of the longitudinal X, transverse Y and vertical Z directions to prevent it from hitting this PS part in the presence of a play facilitating its positioning and allowing to take into account its dimensional variations and those of the SB support along these three longitudinal X, transverse Y and vertical Z directions.

[0023] By using flexure to support at least some of the SP1 to SP3 sub-parts of the PS section of the SB support, the PFj flexible tabs allow for the positioning of their BD housing and thus compensate for play along at least two of the three directions: longitudinal X, transverse Y, and vertical Z. Consequently, the BD housing is no longer at risk of striking its SB support (along at least two of the three directions: longitudinal X, transverse Y, and vertical Z) when the vehicle V experiences shocks or vibrations produced by certain vehicle components. As a result, the BD housing will not generate unwanted noises that could disturb the vehicle's passengers and / or negatively impact perceived quality (and therefore brand image). The PFj flexible tabs thus provide an anti-vibration function within the vehicle V.

[0024] Preferably, and as illustrated but not limited to the following on the figure 3 The flexible PFj tabs extend respectively along the three longitudinal X, transverse Y and vertical Z directions. In this case, they ensure the BD housing is held in place and therefore compensate for play along the three longitudinal X, transverse Y and vertical Z directions.

[0025] Given this option, and as illustrated (but not limited to) on the figure 3 , the BD housing can include in its ZB area a first flexible leg PF1 (j = 1) bearing against the PS part by bending along the longitudinal direction X, a second flexible leg PF2 (j = 2) bearing against the PS part by bending along the transverse direction Y, and two third flexible legs PF3 (j = 3) bearing against the PS part by bending along the vertical direction.

[0026] For example, and as illustrated but not limited to the figure 3 The second PF2 and third PF3 flexible legs can be defined on the same wall PL of the BD housing, primarily defined in a plane constructed from the longitudinal X and vertical Z directions. In fact, in the illustrated example (which is not exhaustive), the first flexible leg PF1 rests against the first sub-part SP1 of the PS part, the second flexible leg PF2 rests against the second sub-part SP2 of the PS part, and the third flexible legs PF3 rest against the second sub-part SP2 of the PS part. However, the first flexible leg PF1 could also rest against the third sub-part SP3 of the PS part, or the BD housing could include two first flexible legs PF1 resting respectively against the first SP1 and third SP3 sub-parts of the PS part.Similarly, the BD case could include two second flexible tabs PF2 bearing against the second sub-part SP2 of the PS part and / or at least one third flexible tab PF3 bearing against the first SP1 or third SP3 sub-part of the PS part.

[0027] PFj paws have shapes that are chosen and optimized according to the game to be caught.

[0028] For example, the BD housing can also be manufactured with its flexible PFj tabs by injection molding a plastic material. This avoids having to attach the PFj flexible tabs to the external FE face of the BD housing in its ZB zone. However, at least one of the PFj flexible tabs could be attached, for example, by bonding. The plastic material could be polyethylene (or PE), polypropylene (or PP), or even a rubber (possibly synthetic).

[0029] It should be noted, as illustrated but not limited to the following, figures 1 And 3 When the BD housing is dedicated to the storage and degassing of coolant circulating in a CR cooling circuit, it may also include an opening for coolant supply, with access controlled by a BB cap. This cap (BB) may, for example, be screwed onto the housing (possibly with an eighth or quarter turn) or have opposing lugs for a bayonet-type connection.

[0030] It should also be noted, as illustrated but not limited to the following, on the figures 1 And 3 , that the BD case includes, here, also at least one SL output connected to the CR cooling circuit to supply it with coolant and allow degassing.

[0031] It should also be noted, as illustrated but not limited to the following, on the figures 1 And 3The ZB zone, and therefore the flexible PFj tabs, are defined in a lower part of the BD housing. However, in an alternative embodiment, they could be defined in an upper part of the BD housing. In fact, their location depends on the level at which the PS portion of the SB support surrounding the BD housing is positioned.

[0032] It should also be noted that the BD case may possibly include lower and upper parts joined together in a watertight manner.

Claims

1. Vehicle (V) comprising a support (SB) fixedly attached to a wall, to which a casing (BD) is fixed, and comprising a portion (PS) extending along three mutually perpendicular directions of said vehicle (V), surrounding a predefined zone (ZB) of said casing (BD), characterized in that the casing (BD) comprises, in its zone (ZB), on an outer face (FE), flexible tabs (PFj) bearing against said portion (PS) while flexing along at least two of said directions in order to prevent the casing from striking said portion (PS) in the presence of clearance, said flexible tabs (PFj) respectively extending along said three directions, a first flexible tab (PF1) bearing against said portion (PS) while flexing along a longitudinal direction, a second flexible tab (PF2) bearing against said portion (PS) while flexing along a transverse direction, and two third flexible tabs (PF3) bearing against said portion (PS) while flexing along a vertical direction.

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that said second (PF2) and third (PF3) flexible tabs are defined on the same wall (PL) of said casing (BD), said wall being mainly defined in a plane constructed from said longitudinal and vertical directions.

3. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that said casing (BD) is produced with its flexible tabs (PFj) by injection molding of a plastic material.

4. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said casing (BD) is intended for the storage and degassing of a coolant circulating in a cooling circuit (CR).

5. Vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that said casing (BD) comprises an opening for supplying the coolant, access to which is controlled by a cap (BB).

6. Vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises at least one rechargeable battery supplying electrical energy to at least one electric drive machine of a powertrain, to which said cooling circuit (CR) is associated.

7. Vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that said powertrain further comprises at least one thermal drive machine.

8. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is of the automobile type.