Arrangement of an engine compartment of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Arrangement (7) for a motor vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises a battery (8), a housing (9) containing at least one electric relay (10) and / or at least one fuse, and a support (17) comprising a stamped metal element, the battery (8) and said housing (9) being fixed directly to the support (17).

Description

[0001] TITLE: Layout of an engine compartment of a motor vehicle

[0002] Technical field of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to an arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising a battery, a housing containing at least one electrical relay and / or at least one fuse, and means for fixing the battery and said housing. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such an arrangement. The invention further relates to a method of assembling such an arrangement.

[0004] State of the prior art

[0005] Motor vehicles are carrying an ever-increasing number of electrical devices. Electrical devices are generally electrically connected to a battery, in particular a battery with a voltage of approximately 12 volts at its terminals, and to control means integrated inside the vehicle's passenger compartment. Electrical devices and their electrical connection devices must be integrated into an engine compartment in which the available space is generally very limited. Electrical connection devices include electrical harnesses as well as electrical relays and / or fuses integrated into a housing. These housings also occupy a considerable volume in the engine compartment and require numerous steps for their assembly and fixing. The integration of new electrical equipment therefore involves management and assembly of the numerous components to be assembled within the engine compartment.In addition, the boxes containing the electrical relays and / or fuses must remain easily accessible in the event of maintenance operations. Presentation of the invention.

[0006] The aim of the invention is to provide an arrangement for a motor vehicle which overcomes the above drawbacks and improves the arrangements known from the prior art.

[0007] More specifically, a first object of the invention is an arrangement for a motor vehicle which facilitates the operations of assembling the components of an engine compartment.

[0008] A second object of the invention is an arrangement for a motor vehicle which optimizes the space available to integrate the various components of the engine compartment.

[0009] Summary of the invention

[0010] The invention relates to an arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising a battery, a housing containing at least one electrical relay and / or at least one fuse, and a support comprising a stamped metal element, the battery and said housing being fixed directly to the support.

[0011] The support can be made of a single stamped metal element.

[0012] Said housing can be fixed cantilevered to the support.

[0013] The holder may include at least one opening, and said housing may include at least one fixing clip cooperating with the at least one opening.

[0014] The arrangement may comprise electrical connection means between the battery and the at least one electrical relay and / or the at least one fuse contained in the housing. The support may comprise a first portion extending generally horizontally, the battery resting on the first portion, and the support may comprise a second portion extending generally vertically, said housing being fixed against the second portion.

[0015] Said second portion may extend generally parallel to a transverse axis and a vertical axis of the vehicle. The support may comprise at least one rib extending over the first portion and the second portion. The second portion may comprise a central portion extending in a first plane and at least one lateral portion extending in a second plane parallel to the first plane and offset from the first plane. The second portion may comprise a profiled shape along a vertical axis.

[0016] The arrangement may include:

[0017] - a braking assistance means provided with a brake master cylinder, said housing being positioned along the master cylinder, and / or

[0018] - a gearbox support, and a body element, the gearbox support being fixed directly to the body element, said support being fixed directly to the gearbox support.

[0019] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, comprising an arrangement as defined above.

[0020] The invention also relates to a method of assembling an arrangement as defined above, the assembly method comprising:

[0021] - fixing the support to an element of an engine compartment of a motor vehicle, then

[0022] - fixing the battery to the support, and - fixing said housing to the support by means of at least one fixing clip, by a translational movement of the housing from top to bottom.

[0023] Presentation of figures

[0024] These objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be explained in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment made without limitation in relation to the attached figures among which:

[0025] Figure 1 is a top view of an engine compartment of a motor vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0026] Figure 2 is a top view of an arrangement according to one embodiment of the invention, the arrangement comprising a battery and a housing containing electrical relays.

[0027] Figure 3 is a top view of the arrangement with the battery and a housing cover hidden.

[0028] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the arrangement.

[0029] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the arrangement with the battery hidden.

[0030] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the housing with the housing attached to a support.

[0031] Figure 7 is a side view of the arrangement with the battery hidden. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the arrangement bracket to which the battery and housing are attached.

[0032] Figure 9 is a top view of the bracket of Figure 8

[0033] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the housing with the housing cover hidden.

[0034] Figure 11 is a sectional view of the housing and a portion of the bracket to which the housing is attached. Detailed Description

[0035] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a motor vehicle 1 according to one embodiment. The vehicle 1 comprises an engine compartment 2 positioned at the front of the vehicle. The engine compartment 2 is a volume accommodating in particular an engine 3 useful for traction and / or propulsion of the vehicle but also various components or organs of the vehicle, in particular a braking system 4 as well as various electrical equipment 5. The engine compartment 2 is separated from a passenger compartment 3 of the vehicle 1 by an apron 6, which is a partition extending substantially parallel to a transverse axis and a vertical axis of the vehicle. Among said electrical equipment 5, the vehicle may for example comprise computers or electronic control units, voltage converters, electric heating units, lighting devices, or even detection means. In addition, the vehicle 1 comprises an arrangement 7 according to one embodiment of the invention.The arrangement 7, better visible in Figure 2, comprises in particular a battery 8 and a housing 9 containing at least one electrical relay 10 and / or at least one fuse. The battery 8 is an energy storage device useful for powering various electrical equipment of the vehicle. It may in particular be a so-called "lead" battery, and / or have a voltage of approximately 12 volts at its terminals. On the other hand, the battery 8 is not an energy storage device intended to supply energy to an electric motor useful for traction and / or propulsion of the vehicle. The electrical relays 10 are electrical switches for controlling the power supply of the electrical equipment to which they are connected. The number of electrical relays contained in the housing 9 may be any, for example any number between one and ten, in particular two electrical relays as shown in Figure 3.Alternatively or additionally, the housing 9 could comprise one or more fuses, i.e. electrical protection devices interposed between the battery 8 and the electrical equipment 5 and configured to protect the electrical equipment from excessive electrical currents. The arrangement 7 thus comprises at least one electrical connection means (not shown) between the battery 8 and the at least one electrical relay 10 and / or the at least one fuse contained in the housing 9. The electrical connection means may in particular be formed by one or more electrical wires or electrical harnesses extending between the battery 8 and the at least one electrical relay 10 and / or the at least one fuse contained in the housing 9.

[0036] In this document, the X axis refers to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 1. When traveling forward and in a straight line, the vehicle 1 moves from rear to front in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis. The X axis is oriented from the front to the rear of the vehicle, i.e., in the direction of reverse travel. The Y axis refers to the transverse axis of the vehicle. The Y axis is oriented from left to right, with left and right being defined according to the point of view of a driver of the vehicle. The Z axis refers to the axis perpendicular to the X axis and the Y axis. The vehicle is considered to be resting on horizontal ground. The Z axis is a vertical axis, oriented from bottom to top. The terms "lower" and "upper" refer to an arrangement along the vertical Z axis. The X, Y, and Z axes form an orthogonal XYZ coordinate system.The XYZ reference frame, defined by reference to the vehicle 1, is also used to describe the arrangement 7, even when considered outside the vehicle, since it is intended for mounting in a specific orientation in the vehicle.

[0037] The battery 8 comprises a generally parallelepiped shape. As shown in Figure 2, it comprises a horizontal projection of rectangular shape and whose long side extends parallel to the longitudinal axis X. The terminals 11 of the battery 8 are positioned on its upper face. The housing 9 is positioned at the rear of the battery 8, along a short side of said rectangular shape of the battery 8. The housing 9 also comprises a generally parallelepiped shape. It comprises a horizontal projection of rectangular shape and whose long side extends parallel to the transverse axis Y. The long side of the housing 9 has a length strictly less than the short side of the battery 8. The housing 9 is therefore positioned in direct proximity to the battery 8 which makes it possible to minimize the length of the electrical connection between the electrical relays 10 and / or the fuses on the one hand and the battery 8 on the other hand.

[0038] The braking system 4 of the vehicle 1 comprises a braking assistance means 12 equipped with a braking force amplifier 13, also called mastervac, and a master cylinder 14. The braking force amplifier 13 comprises a generally circular contour and extends vertically and transversely against the bulkhead 4, at the height of a brake pedal. The master cylinder 14 is a member fixed to the braking force amplifier 13 and to which a braking circuit is connected. It extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis X from the center of a front face of the brake force amplifier 13. The master cylinder 14 is surmounted by a brake fluid reservoir 15, which also extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis X. The housing 9 is positioned along the master cylinder 14, that is to say next to the master cylinder 14, without any other element interposed between the housing 9 and the master cylinder 14.The housing 9 is also positioned at the front on one side of the brake force amplifier 13. The master cylinder 14 extends forward to approximately mid-length of the long side of the battery 8. According to the embodiment shown, the vehicle 1 has a cockpit on the left and the arrangement 7 is positioned in a rear left corner of the engine compartment 2. Alternatively, the invention could of course be transposed to a vehicle 1 having a cockpit on the right side of the vehicle, the arrangement then being able to be positioned in a rear right corner of the engine compartment. The positioning of the battery 8 and the housing 9 near the bulkhead 4 is advantageous because it makes it possible to minimize the length of the electrical connection means between these two components on the one hand and the control means integrated inside the passenger compartment on the other hand.

[0039] The vehicle 1 also comprises a body forming a rigid metal structure to which various components are attached. This body comprises not only the bulkhead 4 but also a body element in the form of a longitudinal member 16 extending longitudinally on one side of the engine compartment. As can be seen in Figures 4 and 5, the battery 8 and the housing 9 are attached via a support 17 to the longitudinal member 16. More specifically, the vehicle 1 comprises a gearbox support 18, for example made from cast aluminum, attached directly to the longitudinal member 16. The support 17 is attached directly to the gearbox support 18. More specifically, the gearbox support 18 comprises four uprights 19 extending upwards and the support 17 is attached to the upper end of these uprights 19 via four fixing screws passing through fixing holes 20 provided in the support 17.The battery 8 and the housing 9 are attached directly to the support 17.

[0040] The support 17 comprises a stamped metal element, that is to say an element formed by a process of deformation of a metal sheet. Preferably, the support 17 is made up of a single stamped metal element. Alternatively, the support 17 could also be made up of several metal elements fixed together for example by welding, by crimping or even by screwing. Generally, the support 17 is presented as a single component ready to be fixed within the engine compartment 2. The support 17 comprises a first part 21 extending generally horizontally, and in which the fixing holes 20 are arranged. The support 17 is fixed to the body of the vehicle by means of its first part 21. The first part 21 may optionally be perforated so as to be lightened. The support 17 also comprises a second part 22 extending generally parallel to the vertical axis Z and to the transverse axis Y.The battery 8 rests on the first part 21 of the support and the housing 9 is fixed against the second part 22. As is clearly visible in the embodiment presented, the support 17 may also comprise a third part 23 extending parallel to the vertical axis Z and to the longitudinal axis X. This third part 23 may be useful for holding the battery 8 laterally and / or for fixing a battery cover via a pin 24 provided for this purpose at its upper end.

[0041] As is clearly visible in Figures 5 and 6, the support 17 advantageously comprises at least one rib 25 extending over the first part 21 and over the second part 22. The rib 25 makes it possible to stiffen the support 17 at the connection between the first part 21 and the second part 22. In particular, the rib 25 makes it possible to avoid a phenomenon of vibration or beating of the second part relative to the first part 21. The rib 25 can take the form of a fold of material arranged so that the connection line between the first part 21 and the second part 22 is not rectilinear but on the contrary multidimensional.

[0042] With reference to Figures 6 and 7, it can be seen that the housing 9 is fixed in a cantilevered manner to the support 17, that is to say that the housing 9 is not supported at its lower face. On the contrary, the housing 9 is fixed via its front face, which extends parallel to the transverse axis Y and to the vertical axis Z. This is not a problem since the housing 9 is relatively light. In particular, the housing 9 can be made of plastic and the components it contains are also relatively light. The cantilevered fixing makes it possible to reduce the longitudinal size of the support 17 and to free up space under the housing 9, in particular for the passage of an electrical harness.

[0043] The second part 22 of the support 17 is clearly visible in Figures 8 to 10. It extends upwards from a rear side of the first part 21. The second part 22 comprises a profiled shape along the vertical axis Z. This profiled shape allows the insertion of the second part 22 into a downwardly facing opening 26 provided in the housing 9, by a downward translational movement of the housing when it is fixed to the support 17.

[0044] The second part 22 further comprises a central part 27 extending in a first plane P1 and two lateral parts 28, respectively to the right and to the left of the central part 27, extending in a second plane P2 parallel to the first plane P1 and offset relative to the first plane P1. Such a shape improves the overall rigidity of the second part 22 and provides a means of guiding the housing 9 in translation during its assembly to the support 17.

[0045] The central part 27 also comprises at least one opening 29 or window, for example two openings as is clearly visible in Figure 8. These openings 29 cooperate with a fixing clip 30 formed in the housing 9. Thus, the housing 9 is fixed to the support by means of fixing clips. The fixing clips 30 are formed along a front wall of the housing 9. The fixing clips 30 are positioned inside the opening 26 in which the second part 22 is inserted. The fixing clips advantageously form a single-piece assembly, for example obtained by plastic injection, with at least one wall of the housing 9. As shown in Figure 11, the housing can advantageously be formed of a lower part and an upper part 32 fitted into each other. The fixing clips are integral with the lower part 31.The upper part 32 forms a removable cover which can be easily removed and then replaced for a maintenance operation. The housing 9 further comprises an electrical connector 33 allowing an electrical connection with the electrical relays 10 and / or the fuses which it contains.

[0046] The assembly of such an arrangement 7 to the engine compartment 2 is particularly simple. First, the support 17 is received, ready for use. The support 17 is then fixed, in particular screwed, to an element of the vehicle, in particular to the gearbox support 18. Then, the battery 8 and the housing 9 are fixed to the support 17. It is possible to fix the battery 8 first, or the housing 9 first. The fixing of the housing 9 to the support 17 by means of the fixing clips 30 has the advantage of being very simple to implement: it is sufficient to carry out a vertical translation movement of the housing from top to bottom.

[0047] Finally, thanks to the invention, an arrangement 7 of the engine compartment 2 of the vehicle 1 is provided that is particularly simple to assemble. The same support 17 supports two separate components, namely the battery 8 and the housing 9, which makes it possible to save on the need for a specific support for each of these components. With such an arrangement, it is also possible to optimize the length of the electrical connection means between the battery 8 and the housing 9 and / or between the control means integrated into the passenger compartment and the housing 9. Finally, the battery 8 and the housing 9 remain easily accessible for a possible maintenance operation.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Arrangement (7) for a motor vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises a battery (8), a housing (9) containing at least one electrical relay (10) and / or at least one fuse, and a support (17) comprising a stamped metal element, the battery (8) and said housing (9) being fixed directly to the support (17).

2. Arrangement (7) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the support (17) consists of a single stamped metal element.

3. Arrangement (7) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said housing (9) is fixed in a cantilevered manner to the support (17).

4. Arrangement (7) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (17) comprises at least one opening (29), and in that said housing comprises at least one fixing clip (30) cooperating with the at least one opening (29).

5. Arrangement (7) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an electrical connection means between the battery (8) and the at least one electrical relay (10) and / or the at least one fuse contained in the housing.

6. Arrangement (7) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (17) comprises a first part (21) extending generally horizontally, the battery (8) resting on the first part, and in that the support comprises a second part (22) extending generally vertically, said housing (9) being fixed against the second part. Arrangement (7) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that: - said second part (22) extends generally parallel to a transverse axis (Y) and to a vertical axis (Z) of the vehicle, and / or - the support (17) comprises at least one rib (25) extending over the first part (21) and over the second part (22), and / or - the second part (22) comprises a central part (27) extending in a first plane (P1) and at least one lateral part (28) extending in a second plane (P2) parallel to the first plane and offset from the first plane, and / or - the second part (22) comprises a profiled shape along a vertical axis (Z). Arrangement (7) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises: - a braking assistance means (12) provided with a braking master cylinder (14), said housing (9) being positioned along the master cylinder, and / or - a gearbox support (18), and a body element (16), the gearbox support being fixed directly to the body element, said support (17) being fixed directly to the gearbox support (18). Motor vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises an arrangement (7) according to one of the preceding claims. Method of assembling an arrangement (7) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises: - fixing the support (17) to an element (18) of a compartment engine (2) of a motor vehicle (1), then - fixing the battery (8) to the support (17), and - fixing said housing (9) to the support (17) by means of at least one fixing clip (30), by a translational movement of the housing from top to bottom.

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