Removable power supply unit and vehicle with protected connection ports

Description

DOMAINE TECHNIQUE DE L'INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of on-board and removable power supplies for vehicles.

[0002] Such on-board and removable power supplies can power various vehicle equipment. In particular, they can be used to power the assistance motors in the case of light electrically assisted vehicles such as bicycles, scooters, tricycles, etc.

[0003] Such on-board and removable power supplies include an electric storage battery. The electric storage battery is often recharged by an external charger that the user must connect to the electric storage battery. The external charger is either permanently connected to an external source of electrical energy or can be connected at will to said external source of electrical energy.

[0004] A power supply unit has already been proposed comprising an on-board charger, fixed to one end of the electric storage battery, and permanently connected to said electric storage battery. An electrical connection cable allows the user to establish an electrical connection between the on-board charger and an external source of electrical energy in order to ensure recharging of the electric storage battery.

[0005] The most commonly used power supply units are removable, elongated in shape, and have, at one end, an output connector shaped to cooperate with a corresponding vehicle connector provided on the vehicle to establish the conduction of electric current between the electric storage battery and the equipment to be powered in the vehicle.

[0006] The output connector and the vehicle connector are often equipped with a system of magnets that ensure the attraction of the connectors to each other and thus help to achieve a clean connection and a clean disconnection, reducing the risk of corrosion of the conductors by sparks.

[0007] Charging an electric storage battery using an on-board charger is most often done when the power supply unit is removed from the vehicle, usually to be transported to a supervised area where there is a connection to the external source of electrical energy. The power supply unit is then usually placed on the ground or on a support, and its output connector is accessible. The conductors of the output connector are then usually exposed.

[0008] In normal operation, there is only a direct voltage between the conductors of the output connector equal to the output voltage of the storage battery, generally 36 V or 40 V, which can reach 55 V when the battery is fully charged. Such a direct voltage, less than 60 V, meets the safety standards applicable in the case of a wet room. It therefore does not present a danger to the user, who can touch the conductors of the output connector without risk to his health.

[0009] However, in the event of a fault in the on-board charger, a higher and particularly dangerous alternating voltage may appear, at least temporarily, between the conductors of the output connector. This can occur, for example, in the event of a fault in the galvanic isolation of a transformer usually present in the charger to transform the 220 V input alternating current into a lower voltage alternating current which is then rectified to provide a direct current for recharging the storage battery. In fact, the electronic circuit for managing the storage battery (Battery Management System - BMS) is not sufficient to completely eliminate the temporary alternating overvoltage that may occur in this case. Fuses may then act, but not immediately and only if the current is high, which does not eliminate the danger of electrocution.

[0010] Another difficulty is that a connector incorporating magnets presents the risk of attracting ferromagnetic metal parts in a lasting way. These metal parts risk being placed between the two output conductors of the connector, generating a short circuit. The electronic circuit managing the storage battery can go into protection, but the storage battery is then unusable.

[0011] There is therefore a need to prevent any contact of metallic elements or of the user with the conductors of the output connector when the electrical power supply unit is extracted from the vehicle. Document CN 107 863 470 A discloses an electrical power supply unit according to the preamble of claim 1. According to this document, a single concealing flap is biased into transverse movement towards a concealing position by a return spring to conceal electrical output conductors. An arcuate rib is provided on the front face of the flap and forms a relief that the user must push laterally to manually bring the flap to a retracted position. A locking button holds the flap in the retracted position, and the user must operate this button to allow the flap to return to the concealing position. One difficulty is the need for manual actions by the user to operate the flap.

[0012] Furthermore, during the step of engaging an electrical power supply unit in a vehicle compartment, the latter is generally carried by the user at one of its ends, the other end being engaged in the compartment. A second additional difficulty then results from the fact that, during its introduction, the electrical power supply unit may exhibit an oscillating movement, present itself in a position which is generally not correctly aligned with the compartment, and engage in a movement which is not rectilinear. This results in a difficulty in producing with certainty the retraction maneuver of the concealing shutters so that the connectors can correctly engage one into the other at the end of the introduction of the electrical power supply unit. There is also the risk that the other end of the electrical power supply unit strikes and damages the vehicle connector during this engagement step. EXPOSE DE L'INVENTION

[0013] A problem addressed by the present invention is to design an on-board and removable electrical power supply unit, in which retractable concealing means make it possible to automatically prevent any contact with the conductors of the output connector of the electrical power supply unit when the latter is not engaged in the receiving compartment of the vehicle.

[0014] At the same time, the present invention aims to prevent the presence of retractable concealment means from significantly increasing the length of the electrical power supply unit, and the corresponding length of the vehicle's reception compartment.

[0015] At the same time, the present invention aims to produce the reliable and automatic retraction of the concealing means when presenting the electrical power supply unit in the receiving compartment of the vehicle, even in the event of oscillations or non-aligned presentation of the electrical power supply unit carried by the user.

[0016] Preferably, the invention makes it possible to avoid any damage to the vehicle connector by the electrical power supply unit when the latter is presented in the vehicle compartment.

[0017] Thus, the user must be able to install the power supply unit in the vehicle's receiving compartment without special precautions to ensure automatic actuation of the concealment means, to avoid damage to the connectors, and to ensure correct engagement of the connectors with each other.

[0018] To achieve these and other objects, according to a first aspect, the invention provides a removable vehicle power supply unit according to claim 1.

[0019] In principle, the output connector has a cross-section that is significantly smaller than that of the power supply unit itself. There is therefore, laterally relative to the output connector, sufficient space to accommodate two concealing flaps away from the output connector in their retracted position. According to the invention, this sufficient lateral space is therefore used to form the concealing means in the form of transversely moving flaps, so that the concealing means occupy only a very small and negligible longitudinal space, compatible with the need to limit the length of the power supply unit, and the corresponding length of the vehicle's receiving compartment.

[0020] The power supply unit of the present invention may further include one or more of the following features.

[0021] Thus, for example, the movement of the occulting shutter(s) may be a rotational movement around respective rotation axes.

[0022] According to one embodiment: two concealing flaps are rotatably mounted around respective axes of rotation, said axes of rotation being fixed in the unit body, offset on either side of a median longitudinal plane of the output connector, and arranged in the vicinity of a respective first end of said concealing flaps, the respective cams of the concealing flaps are oriented towards each other, arranged on either side of said median longitudinal plane of the output connector, between said axes of rotation, in a longitudinal groove of the electrical power supply unit opening at its first end, and shaped so as to be pushed away from each other by the same fixed thrust member of the vehicle and which is itself shaped to gradually engage with each other in said longitudinal groove when the electrical power supply unit is engaged in the receiving compartment of the vehicle.

[0023] A difficulty may exist when the holding of the concealing shutter(s) in the concealing position is ensured by elastic return means alone. Indeed, the retaining force of the elastic return means is necessarily less than the retraction force that the thrust member must exert to retract the concealing shutter(s), which retraction force is necessarily limited to avoid requiring additional effort from the user when engaging the electrical power supply unit in the receiving compartment of the vehicle. Furthermore, the available space would not allow an increase in the force of the elastic return means.

[0024] In practice, it appears that elastic return means such as springs do not sufficiently prevent the movement of the concealing shutter(s) towards their retracted position when the user engages a finger radially against the shutter cam(s), or when the user seeks to rotate the concealing shutter(s) by fingers gripping the external face of the concealing shutter(s).

[0025] To overcome this difficulty, the power supply unit may include means for retaining the concealment shutters in the concealment position, to prevent accidental manipulation by a user from bringing the concealment shutters too easily into their retracted position.

[0026] For this purpose, first retaining means may be provided, according to which the concealing flaps comprise, on an inner face, in the vicinity of their second end opposite the axes of rotation, engagement means shaped to come into conflict with corresponding retaining means arranged fixed in the unit body during an axial thrust exerted by a user on an outer face of said concealing flaps. During such a conflict, the engagement means and the retaining means oppose the rotation of said concealing flaps away from their concealing position. In this way, the user cannot rotate the concealing flap(s) by fingers gripping the outer face of said concealing flap(s).

[0027] Alternatively or additionally, second retaining means may be provided for this purpose, according to which the concealing shutters comprise, in the vicinity of their second end opposite the axes of rotation, magnetic attraction means arranged to produce a retaining force opposing the relative rotation of said concealing shutters away from each other from their concealing position. In this way, the user cannot easily rotate the concealing shutter(s) by inserting a finger pushing back the cam(s) of the concealing shutter(s).

[0028] The power supply unit may comprise a clearance, open on the first end and on the upper face opposite said longitudinal groove, and shaped to allow the penetration of the protruding vehicle connector when engaging the power supply unit in the corresponding receiving compartment of the vehicle.

[0029] This protects the vehicle connector against shocks or forces produced by the power supply unit when it enters the vehicle's receiving compartment.

[0030] The electrical power supply unit may comprise at its first end one or more guide housings into which guide fingers can penetrate, projecting into the corresponding receiving compartment of the vehicle and ensuring the guidance of the electrical power supply unit when it is engaged in the corresponding receiving compartment of the vehicle.

[0031] The power supply unit may comprise an on-board charger, having an output connected to said electric storage battery, having an input shaped for its connection to an external source of electrical energy, and preferably forming the first end of said power supply unit.

[0032] To achieve these same objects, according to a second aspect, the invention proposes a vehicle comprising a receiving compartment shaped to receive and contain an electrical power supply unit as defined above, the receiving compartment having a length in a direction of elongation between a first end comprising a vehicle connector and a second opposite end, the receiving compartment being limited by two side walls opposite each other and connected to each other by a bottom, with an opening opposite the bottom for the introduction and removal of the electrical power supply unit. The bottom comprises a longitudinal fin forming a fixed thrust member against which the flap cam(s) abut and are pushed back to automatically move the concealing flap(s) into their retracted position when the electrical power supply unit is introduced into said receiving compartment.

[0033] The vehicle of the present invention may further include one or more of the following features.

[0034] For example, the receiving compartment may include, at its first end, one or more projecting guide fingers shaped to engage in corresponding guide housings of the first end of the power supply unit, to provide guidance of the power supply unit when it is engaged in the receiving compartment.

[0035] Alternatively, the receiving compartment may comprise, at its first end, projecting protective fingers, shaped to oppose transverse penetration of the electrical power supply unit into the area occupied by the vehicle connector.

[0036] According to another aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle as defined above, comprising an electrical power unit as defined above.

[0037] According to another aspect, the present invention provides an external charger, comprising a base having a receiving housing shaped to receive and retain the first end of a power supply unit as defined above, the receiving housing having a bottom provided with a charger connector shaped to axially engage in a separable manner with the output connector of said power supply unit and thus establish an electrical connection with said electric storage battery for recharging it, the receiving housing comprising a fin forming a thrust member against which the shutter cam(s) abut and are pushed back to move the concealing shutter(s) into their retracted position when the power supply unit is introduced into said receiving housing.

[0038] Such an external charger is thus compatible with the presence of concealing shutters, the concealing shutters being automatically retracted as soon as the power supply unit is approached in the receiving housing of the base, simultaneously allowing the interconnection of the charger connector and the output connector. The advantage of such an external charger is to allow faster recharging of the power supply unit. DESCRIPTION SOMMAIRE DES DESSINS

[0039] Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the following description of particular embodiments, made in relation to the attached figures, among which: [ Fig.1 ] There figure 1 is a perspective view from below of a power supply unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, the occulting shutters being in the occulting position; [ Fig.2 ] There figure 2 is a partial perspective view from below and on a larger scale of the power supply unit of the figure 1 , the blackout shutters still being in the blackout position; [ Fig.3 ] There figure 3 is an end view of the first end of the power supply unit of the figure 1 , the blackout shutters still being in the blackout position; [ Fig.4 ] There figure 4 is a partial bottom view showing the first end area of ​​the power supply unit of the figure 1 ; [ Fig.5 ] There figure 5 is a perspective view from above of the power supply unit according to the embodiment of the figure 1 , the blackout shutters being in the retracted position; [ Fig.6 ] There figure 6 is a partial perspective and sectional view of a bicycle frame having a receiving compartment according to an embodiment of the present invention; [ Fig.7 ] There figure 7 is a partial perspective view of the first end area of ​​the receiving compartment according to the figure 6 , in the process of introducing a power supply unit of the figure 1 ; [ Fig.8 ] There figure 8 is a partial view, in perspective from another angle, of the first end zone of the receiving compartment according to the figure 6 , in the process of introducing a power supply unit of the figure 1 ; [ Fig.9 ] There figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the bicycle frame in the first end area of ​​the receiving compartment; [ Fig.10 ] There figure 10 is a side view illustrating the power supply unit being inserted into a bicycle frame itself illustrated in longitudinal section, the power supply unit being substantially vertical and in conflict with the upper protective fingers; [ Fig.11 ] There figure 11 is a top perspective view illustrating the power supply unit being inserted into a bicycle frame itself illustrated in longitudinal section, the vehicle connector being engaged in the release of the power supply unit; [ Fig.12 ] There figure 12 is another side perspective view illustrating the power supply unit being inserted into a bicycle frame itself illustrated in longitudinal section; [ Fig.13 ] There figure 13 is a side perspective view illustrating the power supply unit fully housed within the bicycle frame itself shown in longitudinal section; [ Fig.14 ] There figure 14 is a bottom view of the first end of the power supply unit, illustrating the forces exerted by the fingers of a hand in an attempt to open a concealing shutter by pressing on the external face of said concealing shutter, and illustrating an embodiment of the first means for retaining the concealing shutters in the concealing position; [ Fig.15 ] There figure 15 is a front view of the first end of the power supply unit, illustrating the force exerted by a finger to attempt to open a concealing shutter by pressing on the external face of said concealing shutter, and illustrating an embodiment of the first means for retaining the concealing shutters in the concealing position; [ Fig.16 ] There figure 16 is a perspective view of an external charger according to one embodiment of the invention; [ Fig.17 ] There figure 17 is a perspective view of the external charger of the figure 16 receiving a power supply unit according to the invention; and [ Fig.18 ] There figure 18 is a side view of a bicycle incorporating the power supply unit. DESCRIPTION DES MODES DE REALISATION PREFERES

[0040] When identical reference numerals are used in more than one embodiment of the invention, these reference numerals designate identical or similar elements in each of the embodiments.

[0041] We first consider the power supply unit 1 as illustrated globally in the figure 1 , perspective view from below towards its first end front face. It is a removable electrical power supply unit, shaped to be mounted on a vehicle, in particular but not limited to a light electrically assisted vehicle such as a bicycle, a scooter, a tricycle.

[0042] This power supply unit 1 comprises a unit body having an electric storage battery 2 and an electrical connection cable 4 with a plug 5.

[0043] This electrical power supply unit 1 is of elongated shape between a first end 6 and a second end 7 in an elongation direction II.

[0044] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the unit body of this power supply unit 1 also comprises an on-board charger 3. The on-board charger 3 advantageously forms said first end 6 of the power supply unit 1, comprises an output connected to said electric storage battery 2, and comprises an input comprising the electrical connection cable 4 and the plug 5 for its connection to an external source of electrical energy. The on-board charger 3 is structured in a known manner to transform an alternating electric current, supplied to the charger 3 by an external source of electrical energy, into a direct electric current, supplied by the on-board charger 3 to the electric storage battery 2, and suitable for recharging the latter.

[0045] On the figure 1 , we also distinguish, at the first end 6 of the power supply unit 1, two concealing flaps 8 and 9, which are in the concealing position to prevent access to an output connector which will be visible in other figures. The concealing flaps 8 and 9 are rotatably mounted in the unit body around respective longitudinal axes of rotation 10 and 11. The respective axes of rotation 10 and 11 are fixed in the unit body, offset on either side of a median longitudinal plane 12 containing the direction of elongation II, and arranged in the vicinity of a respective first end 8a or 9a ( figure 3 ) of the occulting shutters 8 and 9. The occulting shutters 8 and 9 are thus transversely movable by rotation around their respective axes of rotation 10 and 11, and are biased by return springs (not shown) which tend to permanently return them to their occulting positions. A longitudinal groove 13 occupies a part of the lower face of the electrical power supply unit 1, and opens at the first end 6 between the axes of rotation 10 and 11.

[0046] At the first end 6 of the electrical power supply unit 1, there is also a clearance 16, open on the first end 6 and on the upper face of the electrical power supply unit 1 opposite the longitudinal groove 13. There is also, on the front face of the first end 6, two upper guide housings 17 and 18 in the vicinity of the upper corners of the face, and two lower guide housings 19 and 20 in the vicinity of the lower corners of the face.

[0047] At the second end 7 of the power supply unit 1, a carrying handle 14 is provided, retractable by rotation about a transverse axis 15, and illustrated in the retracted position against the front face of the second end 7 on the figure 1 .

[0048] On the figure 2 , on a larger scale, we can see in more detail the structure of the elements present at the first end 6 of the power supply unit 1. We thus find the same elements as on the figure 1 , identified by the same numerical references. It is further distinguished that each of the occulting shutters 8 and 9 comprises, in the vicinity of its respective axis of rotation 10 or 11, a shutter cam 21 or 22. The shutter cams 21 and 22 are oriented towards each other, arranged on either side of said median longitudinal plane 12 ( figure 1 ), between said rotation axes 10 and 11, in the longitudinal groove 13 of the power supply unit 1.

[0049] On the figures 3 And 4 , respectively in end view and in bottom view, we can again distinguish the shutter cams 21 and 22, the shutters 8 and 9 being in the concealed position.

[0050] There figure 5 illustrates again the power supply unit 1, seen in perspective from above towards its first end front face 6, but this time the concealing flaps 8 and 9 are in the retracted position, pivoted away from each other on either side of the median longitudinal plane 12. Thus, in this figure, the output connector 23 of the power supply unit 1 can be seen, which was previously concealed by the concealing flaps 8 and 9 on the figures 1 à 4 .

[0051] We now consider the figure 6 , illustrating an embodiment of a vehicle intended to receive the electrical power supply unit 1. In this embodiment, it is a bicycle, the frame 24 of which is illustrated in perspective and in longitudinal section in the figure. The bicycle frame 24 comprises a receiving compartment 25 in which the electrical power supply unit 1 can engage with little play. In practice, the receiving compartment 25 is arranged in an oblique beam 26 of the bicycle frame 24 between the handlebars 27 and the crankset 28 ( figure 18 ). It will be noted, however, that the invention applies to any vehicle equipped with such a receiving compartment 25 in which the electrical power supply unit 1 can engage with little play.

[0052] The receiving compartment 25 is elongated in a direction of elongation II-II between a first end 29 comprising a vehicle connector 30 and an opposite second end 31. As best seen in cross-section on the figure 9 , the receiving compartment 25 is limited by two side walls 32 and 33 opposite each other and connected to each other by a bottom 34, with an upper opening 35 opposite the bottom 34 and closable by a cover 36 which, in the open position as illustrated, allows the insertion and extraction of the electrical power supply unit 1.

[0053] As seen on the figure 13 , when housed in the receiving compartment 25, the electrical power supply unit 1 is arranged with its direction of elongation II substantially aligned with the oblique beam 26, its first end 6 is arranged in the lower part at the first end 29 of the receiving compartment 25, and the electrical connection cable 4 is located below the electric storage battery 2, facing the bottom 34 of the receiving compartment 25.

[0054] At the first end 29 of the receiving compartment 25, the vehicle connector 30 projects ( figures 6 , 7 , 9 ), and is shaped to cooperate with the output connector 23 of the power supply unit 1 when the latter is engaged in the receiving compartment 25. In the area of ​​the first end 29 of the receiving compartment 25, the bottom 34 comprises a fixed median longitudinal fin 37 ( figures 6 à 9 ), having a section forming an edge of decreasing height moving away from the first end 29, and forming a fixed thrust member against which the shutter cams 21 and 22 come into abutment and are pushed back to force the pivoting of the concealment shutters 8 and 9 against their return spring to their retracted position when the electrical power supply unit 1 is introduced into the receiving compartment 25.

[0055] Around the vehicle connector 30, two lower guide fingers 38 and 39 and two upper protection fingers 40 and 41 are further provided, projecting longitudinally from the front face of the first end 29 of the receiving compartment 25. The upper protection fingers 40 and 41 are arranged and shaped to engage in the respective upper guide housings 17 and 18 of the power supply unit 1, while the lower guide fingers 38 and 39 are arranged and shaped to engage in the respective lower guide housings 19 and 20, during the insertion of the power supply unit 1 into the receiving compartment 25, in order to guide the movement of the power supply unit 1 to reliably present the output connector 23 in line with the vehicle connector 30 in order to ensure interconnection.

[0056] As seen for example on the figure 8 , during the engagement of the power supply unit 1, the aileron 37 gradually enters the longitudinal groove 13, between the flap cams 21 and 22, moving them apart from each other, forcing the automatic pivoting of the blackout flaps 8 and 9. Thus, in the intermediate position illustrated in the figure 8 , the concealment shutters 8 and 9 are in the retracted position, revealing the output connector 23.

[0057] During its engagement in the receiving compartment 25, the power supply unit 1 is further guided by the particular shape of the bottom 34, having a trapezoidal cross-section illustrated in the figure 9 , to which corresponds the trapezoidal lower surface of the power supply unit 1, producing the recall of the power supply unit 1 in alignment with the receiving compartment 25.

[0058] We now consider the figures 10 à 13 , illustrating more generally the movement of insertion of the electrical power supply unit 1 as described previously into the receiving compartment 25 provided for this purpose in a bicycle frame 24.

[0059] Initially, the user carries the power supply unit 1 by its handle 14, so that the power supply unit 1 is oriented vertically (or obliquely if held with both hands) with its first end 6 downwards. The user engages the first end 6 in the receiving compartment 25. The figure 12 illustrates the power supply unit 1 being normally inserted into the receiving compartment 25, its first end 6 being engaged in the receiving compartment 25 in the vicinity of but slightly away from the first end 29 of the receiving compartment 25, and its second end 7 being still outside the receiving compartment 25, supported by the user who holds the handle 14. figure 13 illustrates the power supply unit 1 fully inserted into the receiving compartment 25, before closing the cover 36.

[0060] In the hypothesis illustrated on the figure 10 , the user approaches the power supply unit 1 too directly in the vicinity of the first end 29 of the receiving compartment 25, in the area occupied by the vehicle connector 30. The first end 6 of the power supply unit 1 then abuts against the upper protective fingers 40 and 41, thus avoiding touching and damaging the vehicle connector 30. The first end 6 of the power supply unit 1 is then slightly moved away by the user away from the vehicle connector 30, to engage in the receiving compartment 25 without touching the vehicle connector 30.

[0061] Then the user can tilt the power supply unit 1 as shown in the figure 11 , while gradually engaging the first end 6 towards the vehicle connector 30. During this gradual engagement, the vehicle connector 30 engages in the clearance 16, thus avoiding being touched and damaged by the power supply unit 1.

[0062] We now consider the figures 14 And 15 , which respectively illustrate first retaining means and second retaining means making it possible to significantly increase the force that a user's finger must apply to move the concealing shutter(s) away from their concealing position.

[0063] On the figure 14 , the first retaining means comprise, on a respective inner face 8b, 9b, concealing flaps 8, 9, in the vicinity of their second end 8c, 9c ( figure 3 ) opposite the rotation axes 10, 11, engagement means 42 shaped to cooperate with corresponding retaining means 43 arranged in the power supply unit body 1 to oppose the rotation of said concealing flaps 8, 9 away from their concealing position during an axial thrust FN exerted by a user on an external face 8d, 9d of said concealing flaps 8, 9. In practice, the engagement means 42 and the retaining means 43 may be teeth facing each other and engaging in each other when the axial thrust FN elastically deforms the corresponding concealing flap 8 or 9.

[0064] In a practical embodiment, in the absence of the engagement means 42 and the retaining means 43, an axial thrust FN of 0.6 N was sufficient to ensure adhesion of a finger to the external face of a concealing flap allowing the driving of said concealing flap by a transverse thrust FT of 0.4 N; on the other hand, in the presence of the engagement means 42 and the retaining means 43, the same axial thrust FN of 0.6 N caused the engagement of the engagement means 42 and the retaining means 43 into each other, preventing the driving of said concealing flap by a transverse thrust FT.

[0065] On the figure 15 , the second retaining means comprise, in the vicinity of the second end 8c, 9c of the occulting flaps 8, 9 opposite the axes of rotation 10, 11, magnetic attraction means 44 and 45 arranged to produce a retaining force opposing the relative rotation of said occulting flaps 8, 9 away from each other from their occulting position. In practice, the magnetic attraction means 44 may be a neodymium magnet, and the magnetic attraction means 45 may be a steel axle.

[0066] In a practical embodiment, in the absence of the magnetic attraction means 44 and 45, a thrust FD of 12 N on the cams was sufficient to ensure the rotational drive of the occulting shutter(s) 8, 9; on the other hand, in the presence of the magnetic attraction means 44 and 45, the thrust FD necessary to ensure the rotational drive of the occulting shutter(s) 8, 9 was greater than 45 N.

[0067] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the electrical power supply unit 1 comprises an on-board charger 3, allowing, via its electrical connection cable 4, a connection to an external source of electrical energy, when the electrical power supply unit 1 is placed outside the vehicle.

[0068] Alternatively, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a power supply unit 1 without an on-board charger 3.

[0069] In both cases, that is to say in the presence or absence of an on-board charger 3, the recharging of the accumulator battery 2 can be done by connection to an external charger 47, for faster recharging.

[0070] According to a first possibility of rapid recharging, the power supply unit 1 remains housed in the vehicle. The external charger 47 is then connected to an auxiliary socket 46 ( figures 7 And 8) of the vehicle, itself connected to the vehicle connector 30 to ensure continuity of the electrical connection to the storage battery 2.

[0071] According to a second possibility of rapid charging, the power supply unit 1 is moved outside the vehicle. The external charger 47, for example as illustrated in the figures 16 And 17 , then includes a base 48 shaped to fulfill the following three functions: receive, in a housing 49 provided for this purpose, the first end 6 of the power supply unit 1 and maintain the latter in a vertical position, ensuring its stability and reducing the occupation of floor space, push the concealment flaps 8 and 9 into the retracted position using a flap opening fin 50 similar to the fin 37 of the receiving compartment 25, ensure the electrical connection between a charger connector 51 and the output connector 23 of the power supply unit 1.

[0072] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been explicitly described, but it includes the various variations and generalizations contained within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. Removable power supply unit (1) for a vehicle, having a unit body with a length between a first end (6) and a second end (7) along a direction of elongation (I-I), shaped to be introduced into a corresponding receiving compartment (25) of the vehicle, and comprising: - an electrical storage battery (2), - an output connector (23), frontally arranged at the first end (6) of the unit body of the power supply unit (1), having electrical conductors connected to said electrical storage battery (2), and shaped to releasably engage axially with a vehicle connector (30) and thereby establish an electrical connection with said electrical storage battery (2) for powering vehicle equipment, - a first blanking shutter, movable transversely in the unit body of the power supply unit (1) between a blanking position in which it covers the output connector (23) and a retracted position in which it frees access to the output connector (23), - a first biasing means biasing said first blanking shutter towards its blanking position, characterized in that it comprises: - a second blanking shutter, said blanking shutters (8, 9) being transversely displaceable in the unit body of the power supply unit (1) between a blanking position in which they each cover a part of the output connector (23) and a retracted position in which they clear access to the output connector (23), - a second biasing means, said biasing means biasing the blanking shutters (8, 9) towards said blanking position, - a respective shutter cam (21, 22), provided on each of said blanking shutters (8, 9), and shaped to be baised by one or more fixed thrust members (37) provided in the receiving compartment (25) of the vehicle so as to move said blanking shutters (8, 9) transversely away from each other against said biasing means to said retracted position upon engagement of the power supply unit (1) towards the vehicle connector (30) in the vehicle receiving compartment (25).

2. Power supply unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: - the blanking shutters (8, 9) are mounted so as to be rotatable about respective axes of rotation (10, 11), said axes of rotation (10, 11) being fixed in the unit body of the power supply unit (1), offset on either side of a median longitudinal plane (12) of the output connector (23), and arranged in the vicinity of a respective first end of said blanking shutters (8, 9), - the respective cams (21, 22) of the blanking shutters (8, 9) are oriented towards each other, arranged on either side of said median longitudinal plane (12) of the output connector (23), between said axes of rotation (10, 11), in a longitudinal groove (13) of the power supply unit (1) opening at the first end (6) thereof, and shaped so as to be pushed apart by a single fixed thrust member (37) which is itself shaped to be progressively engaged between them in said longitudinal groove (13) as the power supply unit (1) is engaged in the direction of the vehicle connector (30) in the vehicle receiving compartment (25).

3. Power supply unit (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the blanking shutters (8, 9) comprise, on a respective inner face (8b, 9b), in the vicinity of their respective second ends (8c, 9c) opposite the respective axes of rotation (10, 11), engagement means (42) shaped to cooperate with corresponding retaining means (43) arranged in the unit body of the power supply unit (1) to oppose rotation of said blanking shutters (8, 9) away from their blanking position upon an axial thrust (FN) exerted by a user on a respective outer face (8d, 9d) of said blanking shutters (8, 9).

4. Power supply unit (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the blanking shutters (8, 9) comprise, in the vicinity of their respective second ends (8c, 9c) opposite the respective axes of rotation (10, 11), magnetic attraction means (44, 45) arranged to produce a retaining force opposing the relative rotation of said blanking shutters (8, 9) away from each other from the blanking position thereof.

5. Power supply unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a recess (16), open on the first end (6) and on the upper face of the power supply unit opposite said longitudinal groove (13), and shaped to allow the penetration of the protruding vehicle connector (30) upon engagement of the power supply unit (1) in the corresponding receiving compartment (25) of the vehicle.

6. Power supply unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises at its first end (6) one or more guide recesses (19, 20) into which guide fingers (38, 39) projecting into the corresponding receiving compartment (25) of the vehicle may penetrate, guiding the power supply unit (1) as it engages in the corresponding receiving compartment (25) of the vehicle.

7. Power supply unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises an on-board charger (3), having an output connected to said electrical storage battery (2), having an input shaped for the connection thereof to an external source of electrical energy, and forming the first end (6) of the power supply unit (1).

8. Vehicle comprising a receiving compartment (25) shaped to receive and contain a power supply unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the receiving compartment (25) having a length along a direction of elongation (II-II) between a first end (29) comprising a vehicle connector (30) and an opposite second end (31), the receiving compartment (25) being limited by two side walls (32, 33) opposite each other and connected to each other by a bottom (34), with an opening (35) opposite the bottom (34) for the insertion and removal of the power supply unit (1), the bottom (34) comprising a longitudinal fin (37) forming a fixed thrust member against which said shutter cams (21, 22) abut and are pushed back to move the blanking shutters (8, 9) into their retracted position when the power supply unit (1) is introduced in the direction of the vehicle connector (30) in said receiving compartment (25).

9. Vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that the receiving compartment (25) has, at its first end (29), one or more projecting guide fingers (38, 39) shaped to engage in corresponding guide recesses (19, 20) in the first end (6) of the power supply unit (1), to guide the power supply unit (1) as it is engaged in the receiving compartment (25).

10. Vehicle according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the receiving compartment (25) has, at its first end (29), projecting protective fingers (40, 41) shaped to oppose transverse penetration of the power supply unit (1) into the area occupied by the vehicle connector (30).

11. Vehicle according to any one of claims 8 to 10, comprising a power supply unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

12. External charger (47), comprising a base (48) having a receiving recess (49) shaped to receive and retain the first end (6) of a power supply unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the receiving recess (49) having a bottom provided with a charger connector (51) shaped to releasably engage axially with the output connector (23) of said power supply unit (1) and thereby establish an electrical connection with said electrical storage battery (2) for recharging it, the receiving recess (49) comprising a fin (50) forming a fixed thrust member against which said shutter cams (21, 22) abut and are pushed back to move the blanking shutters (8, 9) into their retracted position when the power supply unit (1) is inserted into said receiving recess (49).