Vehicle provided with an improved grille

Abstract

A vehicle (1) with at least partially electric traction, extending along a longitudinal axis (A) and comprising a battery system suitable for storing electrical energy and a grille (4), the grille (4) comprising a portion (5) selectively movable between a first operating position in which it is open and allows access to a space (8) behind the grille (4) along the longitudinal axis (A) and a second operating position in which it isolates the space (8) from the external environment, the space (8) housing at least one socket (7) electrically connected to the battery system and configured to be connected to electric charging means (9) to charge the battery system.

Description

[0001] "VEHICLE PROVIDED WITH AN IMPROVED GRILLE"

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This Patent Appl ication claims priority from Italian Patent Application No . 102022000002540 filed on February 11 , 2022 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .

[0004] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0005] The present invention relates to a vehicle , in particular a vehicle of a type with at least partially electric traction .

[0006] The present invention finds its preferred, though not exclusive , application in a light commercial vehicle . This application will be referred to hereinafter by way of example .

[0007] STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

[0008] Vehicles for the transport of people or goods increasingly tend to be electri fied in order to reduce pollutant emissions , in particular, all-electric drive vehicles are increasingly being developed .

[0009] These vehicles comprise a battery system suitable for storing energy and exchanging it with one or more electric machines to enable vehicle operation and traction .

[0010] These batteries need to be periodically recharged by means of recharging means comprising a charging socket suitable to be plugged into an electrical socket made in the vehicle .

[0011] The positioning of this socket is crucial for the ergonomics of the vehicle , in particular it is necessary to ensure easy access to the socket for both the user and the recharging means .

[0012] There is therefore a need to optimi ze the ergonomics of the vehicle by ensuring easy acces s to the battery charging socket and easy plug-in of the recharging means .

[0013] The obj ect of the present invention is to meet the above requirements in an optimi zed and cost-ef fective manner .

[0014] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Said obj ect is achieved by means o f a vehicle comprising a grille , as claimed in the appended claims .

[0016] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is described below by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings , wherein :

[0018] • Figures 1 and 2 are schematic front views of a vehicle provided with a grille according to the invention in a first and in a second operating condition;

[0019] • Figures 3 and 4 are schematic side views of a vehicle provided with a grille according to the invention in said first and second operating conditions ; • Figures 5 and 6 are enlarged and schematic side views of a portion of Figures 3 and 4 according to a f irst embodiment of the invention;

[0020] • Figure 7 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0021] • Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view of Figure 7 in a first operating condition;

[0022] • Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view of Figure 7 in a second operating condition; and

[0023] • Figure 10 is an enlarged perspective view of Figure 7 in a third operating condition .

[0024] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] In the attached figures , the reference numeral 1 indicates a vehicle , as a whole , for example a light commercial vehicle , comprising a plurality of walls 2 apt to define a space configured to house people and / or goods and is movable on wheels 3 , as is known .

[0026] The vehicle 1 extends along a longitudinal axis A and is a vehicle with at least partially electric traction, therefore it comprises , although not shown for simplicity, a battery module suitable for storing electrical energy and at least one electric machine suitable for exchanging electrical energy with the battery module to allow the operation of the vehicle and its motion through the wheels The front wall 2 comprises , as is known, a grille 4 defining a plural ity of openings to allow air to pass through the wall 2 .

[0027] According to the invention, the grille 4 comprises a portion 5 which is selectively movable relative to the grille 4 between a first operating position ( Figure 1 ) , in which it is closed and isolates a space 8 at the rear along the axis A in relation to the grille 4 from the external environment , and a second operating position ( Figure 2 ) , in which it is open and allows access to said space 8 . In the first operating position, the portion 5 is integrated and continuous with the profile of the grille 4 .

[0028] In particular, as can be seen better in the attached side views , the space 8 extends on the side opposite the grille 5 in relation to the external environment and is si zed to house an electrical socket 7 , which is electrically connected to the battery system and suitable to cooperate with charging means 9 configured to recharge the battery system via the socket 7 .

[0029] In both embodiments shown in the present application, the movable portion 5 essentially comprises a wall 11 being of a shape consi stent with the shape of the gril le 4 and a movement system 12 configured to move the wall 11 between the first and the second operating condition .

[0030] In particular, the movement system 12 is configured to bring the wall 11 from a first operating condition, in which it is integrated into the grille 4 and isolates the space 8 , to a second operating condition, in which the wall 11 is j uxtaposed frontally in relation to the longitudinal axis A and leaves the space 7 free .

[0031] In particular, in the embodiment described, the wall 11 is frontally j uxtaposed vertically in the upper portion of the grille 4 , but could clearly be j uxtaposed in a lateral portion thereof , as shown in Figures 7 to 10 .

[0032] According to the embodiment in Figures 1 to 6 , the movement means 12 are mechanical and comprise a pantograph mechanism 13 , which is carried by the grille 4 and / or by the walls defining the space 8 and configured to allow the wall 11 to move between the two operating conditions .

[0033] In the preferred embodiment in Figures 7 to 10 , as mentioned above , the pantograph mechanism 13 is configured to bring the wall 11 into the j uxtaposed position in relation to a portion of the grille 4 , laterally in relation to the longitudinal axis A.

[0034] For this purpose , the pantograph mechanism 13 comprises a lever mechanism 14 suitable for moving the wall 11 between the two above conditions and elastic means 15 configured to automatically bring the wall 11 into the second operating condition .

[0035] In particular, the elastic means 15 comprise a helical spring, of the traction type , fixed at the ends to a portion integral with the grille 4 , and a portion integral with the wall 11 , so that , when the wall 11 is allowed to move , it is automatically dragged, following the mechanism imposed by the lever mechanism 14 , by the force exerted by the spring which tends to close .

[0036] Advantageously, the vehicle 1 is provided with selective retention means 16 , which are housed in the space 8 , integral with a portion integral with the grille 4 and configured to selectively keep the wall 11 in the first operating condition integral with the grille 4 .

[0037] In particular, the selective retention means 16 comprise a closing system 17 in contact therewith and configured to cooperate with a respective portion (not visible ) of the wall 11 when the latter is brought into the first operating condition, and to keep it in this position and disengage the portion of the wall 11 when pressure is exerted on it from the outside .

[0038] The vehicle 1 further comprises a door 20 carried freely by a portion integral with the grille 4 and configured to assume a first operating condition, Figures 7 and 8 , in which it isolates the socket 7 from the external environment , and a second operating condition, Figures 9 and 10 , in which it allows the insertion of the charging means 9 .

[0039] In particular, the door 20 is carried by the aforementioned portion via a hinge 21 . Advantageously, the hinge 21 is of the bistable type , i . e . , it is kept in the first or second operating condition unless a force applied to the door 20 exceeds a preset value allowing the passage between the first and the second operating position .

[0040] Advantageously, the rotation axis of the door 20 , i . e . , of the hinge 21 , is parallel to the axis around which the wall 11 moves through the pantograph mechanism 13 .

[0041] The vehicle 1 further comprises control means 22 configured to interrupt the recharging by the electric charging means 9 . Advantageously, these control means 22 are made in the portion integral with the grille 4 in the space 8 as a push button .

[0042] The vehicle 1 further comprises display means 23 configured to display the State Of Charge ( SOC ) of the batteries connected to the socket means 7 . Advantageously, these display means 23 comprise a succession of light sources aligned with each other and configured to light up at a preset percentage of electric battery charging .

[0043] The vehicle 1 may further comprise lighting means 24 configured to illuminate the space 8 when the wall 11 is in the second operating condition . In particular, the lighting means 24 comprise a pair of strips , advantageously of the Light Emitting Diode ( LED) type .

[0044] Preferably, the lighting means 24 are carried by the portion integral with the grille 4 , and the door 20 comprises respective portions made of transparent material able to allow the passage of light radiation even when it i s in the first operating condition .

[0045] The pantograph mechanism 13 is also si zed to cooperate in contact with the door 20 when the latter is in the second operating condition . In particular, the pantograph mechanism 13 is configured to allow the door 20 to close when the wall 11 passes from the second to the first operating condition mentioned above .

[0046] In greater detail , the pantograph mechanism 13 comprises , in the lever mechanism 14 , a plate 25 configured to cooperate in contact with the door 20 in the second operating condition of the door and the wall 11 . Therefore , the plate 25 supports the door 20 in its second operating condition, acting as a stop, and when the wall 11 i s closed again, it exerts a force such as to close the door 20 through the hinge 21 .

[0047] The operation of the vehicle comprising a grille according to the invention as described above is as follows .

[0048] According to the general principle underlying the invention, as shown in Figures 5 and 6 , the driver may, i f necessary, manual ly open the portion 5 that can be opened by acting on the wall 11 and moving it so that it is j uxtaposed on the remaining portion of the grille 4 . In this way, access to the seat 8 is completely free and the user can insert the charging means 9 into the socket 7 without encumbrance .

[0049] According to the embodiment in Figures 7 to 10 , the basic operation is simi lar . The driver can act by pressing on the wall 11 and disengaging the retention means 16 . In this way, the elastic means 15 exert a return force on the wall 11 which is pulled out of the space 8 and j uxtaposed laterally on the grille 4 . At this point , the user can manually open the door 20 which will move to the second operating position and will remain there stably for the time required for recharging through the charging means 9 . When it has to be closed again, the driver will move the wall 11 to the first operating condition until the contact with the retention means 16 allows it to stay in that position . During this movement , the door 20 is moved by the pantograph mechanism 13 so that it is closed and that the charging means 7 are isolated from the external environment .

[0050] While the second operating condition is maintained, the lighting means 24 illuminate the space 8 making it easy to insert the charging means 11 into the socket 7 . The charge level can be easily viewed thanks to the display means 23 and the recharge can be interrupted thanks to the control means 22 .

[0051] The advantages of a vehicle according to the invention are clear from the foregoing . Thanks to the grille according to the invention it is possible to provide an ergonomic socket for recharging the vehicle batteries .

[0052] In fact , thanks to the openable portion, it is poss ible to insert the charging means into the respective socket without encumbrance of the doors of the known type . In fact , since the wall is j uxtaposed on the grille , the socket housing space is freely and easily accessible .

[0053] Again, in the closed configuration, the openable portion does not spoil the aesthetics of the grille , which is one of the features of the vehicle design .

[0054] Furthermore , thanks to an additional door that is connected to the grille in a bistable way and can be closed together with the movable wall , forgetting to isolate the charging means from the external environment is prevented, thus reducing the possibility of mal functions .

[0055] In addition, the bistable door enhances the ergonomics of the system since the door is kept open, thereby allowing the charging means to be inserted into the socket easily .

[0056] In particular, the use of selective retention means and elastic return means for the movable wall facilitates the opening and closing thereof in relation to the grille .

[0057] Moreover, the presence of the lighting, display and control means facilitates the insertion of the charging means into the socket and the display / control of the recharging of the vehicle batteries .

[0058] Lastly, it is clear that modifications and variations may be made to the vehicle according to the present invention, without however departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims .

[0059] In particular, it is clear that the grille can be of any shape and that several openable portions can be provided .

[0060] Again, it is clear that the movement means 12 can be of various types and be purely mechanical and operated manually or operated automatically by actuators , such as electrical actuators .

[0061] Again, the bistable support could be made di f ferently, as well as the lever mechanism of the pantograph mechanism. In addition, the lighting, display or control means may be missing or replaced by equivalent devices .

[0062] Similarly, the retention means or the elastic means could be replaced by elements which operate similarly to what has been described above .

Claims

CLAIMS1.- A vehicle (1) with at least partially electric traction, extending along a longitudinal axis (A) and comprising a battery system suitable for storing electrical energy, said vehicle comprising a grille (4) , said grille (4) comprising at least one portion (5) selectively movable between a first operating position in which it is open and allows access to a space (8) behind the grille (4) along said longitudinal axis (A) and a second operating position in which it isolates said space (8) from the external environment, said space (8) housing at least one socket (7) electrically connected to said battery system and configured to be connected to electric charging means (9) to charge said battery system, wherein in said first operating position said movable portion (5) is juxtaposed frontally along said axis (A) in relation to said grille (4) and wherein said movable portion (5) is integrated and continuous with said grille (4) in said second operating position.2.- The vehicle according to Claim 1, wherein said portion (5) of the grille (4) comprises a wall (11) and a movement system (12) adapted to bring said wall (11) between said first and second operating positions.3.- The vehicle according to Claim 2, wherein said movement system (12) comprises a pantograph mechanism (13) carried by a portion integral with said grille (4) .4.- The vehicle according to Claim 3, wherein said pantograph mechanism (13) comprises a lever mechanism (14) able to move said wall (11) in such a way as to juxtapose on said grille (4) transversely to said space (8) with respect to said axis (A) .5.- The vehicle according to Claim 4, wherein said movement system (12) comprises elastic means (15) configured to exert a return force on said lever mechanism (14) to bring said wall (11) from said first to said second operating condition .6.- The vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, comprising selective retention means (16) configured to keep said wall (11) integral with said grille (4) .7 The vehicle according to one of claims 3 to 6, further comprising a door (20) carried in a movable way by a portion integral with said grille (4) , said door (20) being configured to assume a first, closed, operating condition, , in which it isolates said socket (7) from the external environment and a second, open, operating condition, , in which it allows the communication of said socket (7) with the external environment, said pantograph mechanism (13) being sized to bring said door (20) from said second to said first operating condition when it brings said wall (11) from said second to said first operating condition.8.- The vehicle according to Claim 7, wherein said door(20) is connected to said portion by means of a bistable hinge(21) .9.- The vehicle according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein said pantograph mechanism (13) comprises a wall (25) configured to cooperate in contact with said door (20) in said second operating condition .10.- The vehicle according to one of Claims 2 to 9, comprising lighting means (24) adapted to illuminate said space (8) when said wall (11) is in said second operating condition.11.- The vehicle according to Claim 10, when dependent on Claims 7 to 9, wherein said door (20) comprises portions made of transparent material, lighting means (24) being arranged so as to allow the passage of light radiation through said portions in transparent material.12.- The vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, comprising display means (23) housed in said space (8) and configured to allow a percentage of said battery system to be displayed.13.- The vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, comprising control means (22) housed in said space (8) and configured to interrupt the recharging of said battery system when said recharging means (11) are connected to said socket (7) .

Images