System for attaching batteries of different heights, vehicle and method based on such a system

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for attaching batteries (B1, B2) of different heights to a motor vehicle chassis (C). The system comprises: - two tabs (P) welded to the chassis (C), for flanking and holding the battery (B1, B2) laterally, on a rear face and from below, - a metal strap (S) for flanking and holding the battery (B1, B2) laterally, on a front face and from above, wherein the metal strap (S) includes two lateral attachment structures (SD, SG), and an upper attachment structure (SS), to be attached above the lateral structures (SD, SG), and wherein the attachment system comprises different attachment heights (H1, H2) for the attachment structures (SS). The invention also relates to a chassis, a vehicle and a method based on such a system.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: SYSTEM FOR FIXING BATTERIES OF DIFFERENT HEIGHTS, VEHICLE AND METHOD BASED ON SUCH A SYSTEM

[0003] The present invention claims priority from French application No. 2201079 filed on 08.02.2022, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] The invention relates to the field of battery fastening devices and systems, in particular for batteries of different heights. The invention further relates to the field of methods for fastening such batteries, chassis structures and vehicles based on such systems.

[0005] The applicant has initiated a motor vehicle project called an "O2C vehicle". In the context of the production of this vehicle, two 12V battery configurations are to be considered in the same location, one at 10Ah, and the other at 16Ah. These batteries have the same dimensions in length (along an X axis) and width (along a Y axis). The difference between the two batteries is in height (along a Z axis).

[0006] The applicant proposed a fixing system for a 4Ah B1 battery, comprising a metal strap S, and two welded tabs P on a motor vehicle chassis C. This system is illustrated in figure 1.

[0007] Unfortunately, this prior art solution does not allow for a variety of batteries in terms of Z-heights as in the O2C vehicle project. In this project, the 10Ah battery weighs 4.25 kg and measures 150 x 90 x 130 mm (L x W x H); while the 16Ah battery weighs 5.5 kg and measures 150 x 90 x 160 mm.

[0008] Furthermore, the prior art solution also presents a potential electrical risk (known as “CCA risk”) at the battery terminals.

[0009] Thus, one objective of the invention is to propose a solution for fixing batteries of different heights to a motor vehicle chassis, with the same fixing system.

[0010] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a system for fixing a battery to a motor vehicle chassis, the fixing system comprising

[0011] - two brackets welded to the chassis, configured to frame and hold the battery laterally, on a rear face and from below,

[0012] - a metal strap configured to frame and hold the battery laterally, on a front face and on the top, in which the metal strap comprises two lateral fixing structures cooperating with lateral fixing points for integral fixing to the chassis, and an upper fixing structure cooperating with an upper fixing point for integral fixing to the chassis, above the lateral fixing points, and in which the fixing system comprises different fixing heights for each of the fixing points.

[0013] In particular, the legs have an open top structure to accommodate multiple battery heights, and the strap has a closed top structure to hold either battery from above.

[0014] Thus, the proposed 12V battery fixing system is compatible with different battery heights, it allows the battery to be held in position along the three axes X, Y and Z, to retain it in the event of a front or rear impact, and to improve the protection of the battery terminals against electrical risks.

[0015] Advantageously, the fixing system ensures the compatibility of a single fixing solution with two different battery versions, while ensuring the battery is held in place against vibration and shock, and protection against electrical risks at the battery terminals.

[0016] The battery is held in the vertical Z axis on the top with an upper hook, here in the form of a screwed tab, which can be fixed in two positions, depending on the height of the battery.

[0017] Furthermore, the invention makes it possible to limit the need for different battery mounting systems for different batteries. It also makes it possible to guarantee interchangeability between a 10Ah and 16Ah battery with the same mounting system.

[0018] According to a variant, the side fixing points are arranged on the chassis, the upper fixing point is arranged on a bracket, and the chassis and said bracket have said different fixing heights for each of the fixing points. The upper fixing on the bracket allows for a good hold on top of the battery without needing to fix an upper hook of the strap on another part of the chassis with two heights of upper fixing points.

[0019] According to one variant, the legs include a horizontal branch to hold the battery from below. In particular, there is a horizontal branch on each of the two legs. This allows the battery to be supported from below by resting it on the horizontal branches.

[0020] Alternatively, the metal strap includes two side hooks to frame and hold the battery laterally. This improves the battery's hold on the front and sides.

[0021] Preferably, the side hooks are aligned horizontally.

[0022] In one variation, the metal strap includes a top hook to frame and hold the battery on top. This improves the battery's vertical hold on top.

[0023] According to one variant, the metal strap laterally frames the legs.

[0024] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle chassis comprising a fixing system according to the invention.

[0025] Another subject of the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a fixing system according to the invention.

[0026] The invention further relates to a method for fixing a battery among batteries of different heights, on a motor vehicle chassis, by means of a fixing system according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises steps for:

[0027] - select a battery of a given height,

[0028] - place the selected battery between the welded legs,

[0029] - fix the metal strap fixing structures on the corresponding fixing points, at the height corresponding to the selected battery.

[0030] The invention will be further detailed by the description of non-limiting embodiments, and on the basis of the appended figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which:

[0031] - [Fig.1] schematically illustrates a view in space showing the front of a fixing system according to the prior art;

[0032] - [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a front view of a fixing system according to a preferred variant of the invention, showing two alternatives for superimposed mounting, for two batteries B1, B2 of different heights;

[0033] - [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a view in space showing the underside of the fixing system of figure 2 for the first battery B1;

[0034] - [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a view in space showing the top of the fixing system of figures 2 and 3 for the first battery B1;

[0035] - [Fig.5] schematically illustrates a view in space showing the underside of the fixing system of figures 2 to 4 for the second battery B2; and

[0036] - [Fig.6] schematically illustrates a view in space showing the top of the fixing system of figures 2 to 5 for the second battery B2.

[0037] The invention relates to a battery mounting system, in particular for batteries B1 or B2 of different heights. In the illustrated example, battery B1 is the one with the smallest height. The invention further relates to a method for mounting such batteries, as well as to a chassis and a vehicle based on such a system.

[0038] The battery mounting system allows the battery to be secured to a motor vehicle C-frame, while being suitable for B1 and B2 batteries of different heights.

[0039] The fixing system comprises two tabs P welded to the chassis C. The tabs P are configured to frame and hold the battery B1, B2 laterally, on a rear face and below the battery B1 or B2. A single fixing structure comprising these tabs can be envisaged. In particular, the fixing tabs P each comprise a horizontal branch BH to hold the battery B1, B2 from below.

[0040] The fixing system further comprises a metal strap S configured to frame and hold the battery B1, B2 laterally, on a front face and on the top.

[0041] The metal strap S comprises two lateral hooks CL for framing and holding the battery B1 or B2 laterally. The lateral hooks CL are aligned horizontally. Furthermore, the metal strap S comprises an upper hook BS for framing and holding the battery B1 or B2 on top, namely on an upper face of said battery B1 or B2. In addition, the metal strap S laterally frames the legs P.

[0042] According to the invention, the metal strap S comprises two lateral fixing structures SD, SG cooperating with respective lateral fixing points CD, CG arranged on the chassis C. The metal strap S further comprises an upper fixing structure SS cooperating with an upper fixing point PS arranged on a vertical extension EP of a tab P upwards, here the left tab.

[0043] As can be seen in figures 4 and 6, the upper hook BS resting on the battery B1 or B2 can have a return, here horizontal to the left, so as to join the vertical extension of the fixing lug P.

[0044] The upper attachment point PS is arranged substantially above the side attachment points CD, CG, preferably above the battery B1 or B2. This is implemented using the vertical extension EP.

[0045] Furthermore, the fixing points CD, CG, and PS are arranged at two fixing heights H1, H2 on the chassis C and on the fixing lug P. In other words, there are two fixing points for each of the fixing structures SD, SG, SS. The fixing points CD, CG, PS are preferably at the rear face of the battery B1 or B2.

[0046] The preferred fixing system consists of a metal strap with three fixing points CD, CG, PS positioned on two levels in the Z axis depending on the height of the battery B1 or B2, and two welded tabs P on the chassis C, allowing the installation of the battery B1 or B2.

[0047] The invention further relates to a corresponding fixing method for a battery B1 selected from batteries B1, B2 of different heights, on a chassis C of a motor vehicle. The method is implemented by means of a fixing system as described above.

[0048] The method comprises a selection step for selecting a battery B1 of a given height. The battery B1 is selected to correspond to the selected mounting height H1. The method further comprises a laying step for arranging the selected battery B1 between the welded tabs P, more particularly for laying the selected battery B1 on said horizontal branch BH of the welded tabs P. The method further comprises a fixing step for fixing the fixing structures SD, SG, SS of the metal strap S on the corresponding fixing points CD, CG, PS, at the height H1 corresponding to the selected battery B1.

[0049] The process is implemented in the same way for battery B2 at height H2 if applicable.

[0050] The invention can be used for systems with multiple battery heights such as that of the O2C vehicle. In this context, battery B1 is for example the 10Ah battery with a weight of 4.25 kg, measuring 150 x 90 x 130 mm; and battery B2 is the 16Ah battery with a weight of 5.5 kg, measuring 150 x 90 x 160 mm.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Battery mounting system (B1, B2) on a motor vehicle chassis (C), the mounting system comprising - two tabs (P) welded to the chassis (C), configured to frame and hold the battery (B1, B2) laterally, on one rear face and from below, - a metal strap (S) configured to frame and hold the battery (B1, B2) laterally, on a front face and on top, wherein the metal strap (S) has two lateral fastening structures (SD, SG) cooperating with lateral fastening points (CD, CG) for attachment to the chassis (C), and a top fastening structure (SS) cooperating with a top fastening point (PS) for attachment to the chassis (C), above the lateral fastening points (CD, CG), and wherein the fastening system includes different fastening heights (H1, H2) for each of the fastening points (CD, CG, PS).

2. Fixing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the lateral fixing points (CD, CG) are arranged on the chassis (C), and the upper fixing point (PS) is arranged on a tab (P), and in that the chassis (C) and said tab (P) have said different fixing heights for each of the fixing points (CD, CG, PS).

3. Fixing system according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the tabs (P) comprise a horizontal arm (BH) for holding the battery (B1, B2) from below.

4. Fixing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the metal strap (S) comprises two lateral hooks (CL) for framing and holding the battery (B1, B2) laterally.

5. Fixing system according to claim 4, characterized in that the lateral hooks (CL) are horizontally aligned.

6. Fixing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the metal strap (S) includes a top hook (BS) for framing and holding the battery (B1, B2) on top.

7. Fixing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the metal strap (S) laterally frames the tabs (P).

8. Motor vehicle chassis (C) comprising a fastening system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A motor vehicle comprising a fastening system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. A method for fastening a battery (B1) among batteries (B1, B2) of different heights, on a motor vehicle chassis (C), by means of a fastening system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises steps for: - select a battery (B1) of a given height, - place the selected battery (B1) between the welded tabs (P), - fix the fixing structures (SD, SG, SS) of the metal strap (S) on the corresponding fixing points (CD, CG, PS), at the height (H1) corresponding to the battery (B1) selected.

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