Arrangement for holding electrical connection cables and hydraulic connection pipes in a vehicle

Abstract

Disclosed is an arrangement for holding at least one electrical connection cable and / or at least one hydraulic connection pipe in a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, the arrangement (1) comprising at least one enclosure (3) and at least one electrical connection cable (10) and / or at least one hydraulic connection pipe (10), the enclosure (3) comprising at least one hollow tubular element (5) in which an electrical connection cable (10) or a hydraulic connection pipe (10) is accommodated.

Description

[0001] TITLE: Arrangement for holding electrical connection cables and hydraulic connection pipes of a vehicle.

[0002] The invention relates to an arrangement for holding at least one electrical connection cable and / or at least one hydraulic connection pipe. The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising such an arrangement.

[0003] In a motor vehicle, it is important to maintain electrical connection cables and hydraulic connection pipes, to avoid friction between the cables and pipes and the vehicle's sheet metal elements.

[0004] Cables and hoses are known to be mounted around and on parts of a vehicle with clips made of metal or plastic material.

[0005] However, this solution has its drawbacks. In particular, cables for the trunk lighting of a vehicle usually pass through the passenger compartment, passing under the rear seat or along the side of the passenger compartment. This results in problems attaching the cables to the bodywork. It also results in dents under the carpet or sound insulation.

[0006] The aim of the invention is to provide an arrangement for holding at least one electrical connection cable and / or at least one hydraulic connection pipe, overcoming the above drawbacks and improving the devices known from the prior art. In particular, the invention makes it possible to produce an arrangement which is simple and quick to arrange and which does not require tools and has a reduced cost. The invention relates to an arrangement for holding at least one electrical connection cable and / or at least one hydraulic connection pipe of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, the arrangement comprising at least one enclosure and at least one electrical connection cable and / or at least one hydraulic connection pipe, the enclosure comprising at least one hollow tubular element in which an electrical connection cable or a hydraulic connection pipe is housed.

[0007] The enclosure may be an enclosure of a tank intended to store hydrogen, the at least one hollow tubular element being at least partially positioned in the enclosure so as to stiffen the enclosure.

[0008] The arrangement may comprise at least one first hollow tubular element extending in a first direction and at least one second hollow tubular element extending in a second direction, and optionally at least one third hollow tubular element extending in a third direction, the first, second and optionally third directions not being aligned with each other, being in particular perpendicular to each other.

[0009] The enclosure may comprise at least one composite material.

[0010] The at least one hollow tubular member may comprise at least one composite material and the inner surface of the at least one hollow tubular member may be covered with a coating, for example of rubber or non-abrasive plastic.

[0011] The at least one hollow tubular element and the walls of the enclosure may form a single piece, for example formed by molding. The at least one hollow tubular element may pass right through the enclosure.

[0012] At least one connector can be connected to at least one end of the at least one electrical connection cable and / or the at least one hydraulic connection pipe, in particular outside the enclosure.

[0013] The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising an arrangement as defined above.

[0014] The attached drawings represent, by way of example, an embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention.

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an arrangement for holding at least one electrical connection cable and / or at least one hydraulic connection pipe.

[0016] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an arrangement.

[0017] Figure 3 is a front view showing an arrangement.

[0018] Figure 4 is a side view showing an arrangement.

[0019] Figure 5 is a partial view showing a holding system.

[0020] Figure 6 is a partial view showing an arrangement.

[0021] Figure 7 is a partial view showing an arrangement.

[0022] Figure 8 is a top view showing an arrangement.

[0023] Figure 9 is a bottom view showing an arrangement.

[0024] Figure 10 is a sectional view showing an arrangement.

[0025] A vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle equipped with a powertrain using hydrogen, usually comprises a tank, in particular intended to store hydrogen. Such a liquid or gaseous energy tank comprises a volume hermetically sealed by an enclosure. The invention proposes to use tubes already present in an enclosure, in particular such a tank, intended to stiffen the enclosure, to house electrical connection cables and / or hydraulic connection pipes. It is thus possible to pass electrical connection cables and / or hydraulic connection pipes through the volume closed by the enclosure, in particular to supply electricity and / or water to an element located on the other side of the enclosure without bypassing the enclosure.

[0026] An embodiment of an arrangement 1 for holding at least one electrical connection cable 10 and / or at least one hydraulic connection pipe 10 is described below with reference to Figures 1 to 10.

[0027] Arrangement 1 is for example intended to be mounted in a vehicle 100.

[0028] The vehicle 100 may be a motor vehicle. The vehicle 100 is, for example, a vehicle equipped with a powertrain operating, at least partially, with hydrogen.

[0029] We will refer to a direct orthonormal XYZ reference frame usually used in automotive design, in which the X axis designates the front-rear longitudinal direction of the vehicle, oriented towards the rear, the Y axis designates the transverse direction of the vehicle and is oriented from the left to the right of the vehicle, left and right being defined according to the point of view of a driver of the vehicle, the Z axis designates the vertical direction, and is oriented upwards, the vehicle resting on horizontal ground.

[0030] Arrangement 1 comprises at least one enclosure 3.

[0031] The enclosure 3 is for example an enclosure of a tank intended to store hydrogen. The arrangement 1 comprises at least one electrical connection cable 10 and / or at least one hydraulic connection pipe 10.

[0032] The enclosure 3 comprises at least one hollow tubular element 5 in which an electrical connection cable 10 or a hydraulic connection pipe 10 is housed.

[0033] The enclosure 3 may comprise a plurality of hollow tubular elements 5.

[0034] The enclosure 3 may comprise a plurality of hollow tubular elements 5 in which electrical connection cables 10 and / or hydraulic connection pipes 10 are housed.

[0035] The at least one hollow tubular element 5 is for example a tube intended to stiffen the enclosure 3.

[0036] The at least one hollow tubular element 5 is in particular at least partially positioned in the enclosure 3 so as to stiffen the enclosure 3.

[0037] The at least one hollow tubular element 5 may be cylindrical.

[0038] The at least one hollow tubular element 5 may have a circular cross-section. Alternatively, the at least one hollow tubular element 5 may have a hexagonal, square, rectangular or other cross-section.

[0039] Enclosure 3, for example, generally has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0040] The enclosure 3 may comprise a first transverse wall 21 and an opposite second transverse wall 31. The enclosure 3 may comprise a first longitudinal wall 22 and an opposite second longitudinal wall 32. The enclosure 3 may comprise an upper wall 23 and an opposite lower wall 33.

[0041] The at least one hollow tubular element 5 is for example a tube passing through the enclosure 3 from one side to the other.

[0042] According to a variant, the at least one hollow tubular element 5 may not pass through the enclosure 3 from one side to the other. In this case, the enclosure 3 may comprise at least one intersection of two hollow tubular elements 5. As a result, a cable and / or a pipe 10 may be brought out at a chosen location in the enclosure 3.

[0043] The enclosure 3 may comprise at least one first hollow tubular element 6 extending in a first direction. The at least one first hollow tubular element 6 may extend from the first transverse wall 21 of the enclosure 3, for example to the second transverse wall 31 of the enclosure 3.

[0044] The enclosure 3 may comprise at least one second hollow tubular element 7 extending in a second direction. The at least one second hollow tubular element 7 may extend from the first longitudinal wall 22 of the enclosure 3, for example to the second longitudinal wall 32 of the enclosure 3.

[0045] Optionally, the enclosure 3 may comprise at least one third hollow tubular element 8 extending in a third direction. The at least one third hollow tubular element 8 may extend from the upper wall 23 of the enclosure 3, for example to the lower wall 33 of the enclosure 3. The first, second and optionally third directions are not aligned with each other. The first, second and optionally third directions may be perpendicular to each other.

[0046] Preferably, the first second direction is parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction X. Preferably, the second direction is parallel or substantially parallel to the transverse direction Y. Preferably, the third direction is parallel or substantially parallel to the vertical direction Z.

[0047] The enclosure 3 may comprise a plurality of first hollow tubular elements 6 and / or a plurality of second hollow tubular elements 7 and / or a plurality of third hollow tubular elements 8.

[0048] The plurality of first hollow tubular elements 6 is for example arranged so that the ends of the first hollow tubular elements 6 are regularly distributed on the first transverse wall

[0049] 21. The plurality of second hollow tubular elements 7 is for example arranged so that the ends of the second hollow tubular elements 7 are regularly distributed on the first longitudinal wall

[0050] 22. The plurality of third hollow tubular elements 8 is for example arranged so that the ends of the third hollow tubular elements 8 are regularly distributed on the upper wall 23.

[0051] The hollow tubular elements 5 are, for example, spaced apart by a distance of around 120 mm or not.

[0052] The pitch between the plurality of first hollow tubular elements 6, the pitch between the plurality of second hollow tubular elements 7 and the pitch between the plurality of third hollow tubular elements 8 may be equal or different. The at least one hollow tubular element 5 has for example an internal diameter of the order of 12 mm.

[0053] The number of hollow tubular elements 5 is for example chosen so as to satisfy a compromise between the volume which is not available in the enclosure 3, in particular for storing a fluid, and the number of electrical connection cables 10 and / or hydraulic connection pipes 10 to be maintained.

[0054] Advantageously, the enclosure 3 can be made of a rigid material.

[0055] Advantageously, the enclosure 3 may comprise at least one composite material, for example carbon fiber.

[0056] The at least one hollow tubular element 5 comprises, for example, at least one composite material.

[0057] Alternatively, the at least one hollow tubular element 5 may comprise a metallic material. The at least one hollow tubular element 5 may be made of steel, or of an aluminum alloy, or of another material.

[0058] Preferably, the at least one hollow tubular element 5 may be made of the same material as the rest of the enclosure 3, in particular of the same material as the walls 21, 22, 23, 31, 32, 33 of the enclosure 3. Advantageously, the at least one hollow tubular element 5 may be made of the same composite material as the rest of the enclosure 3, in particular of the same composite material as the walls 21, 22, 23, 31, 32, 33 of the enclosure 3.

[0059] The enclosure 3 may comprise hollow tubular elements 5 of different diameters. The enclosure 3 may comprise a plurality of hollow tubular elements 5 of various shapes and / or various dimensions.

[0060] The enclosure 3 may comprise at least one hollow tubular element 5 in addition to the tubes already present in an enclosure, in particular a tank intended to store hydrogen, intended to stiffen the enclosure.

[0061] The enclosure 3 may comprise a plurality of hollow tubular elements 5 of various shapes and dimensions in addition to the tubes usually provided for stiffening an enclosure, in particular a tank intended to store hydrogen.

[0062] An arrangement 1 of the type described above allows a cable 10 or a pipe 10 to be brought in and out at selected locations in the enclosure 3.

[0063] Cavities 41, 42 may be provided in the enclosure 3 to bring out a cable 10 or a pipe 10 at the desired location (figure 2).

[0064] An arrangement 1 of the type described above may comprise a network of hollow tubular elements 5. Such an arrangement 1 provides multiple possibilities for the arrangement of cables 10 and / or pipes 10.

[0065] The enclosure 3 may comprise at least one hollow tubular element 5, in particular of a first diameter, in which an electrical connection cable 10 is housed and / or at least one hollow tubular element 5, in particular of a second diameter, in which a hydraulic connection pipe 10 is housed.

[0066] The arrangement 1 may comprise an electrical connection cable 11. The electrical connection cable 11 is for example a cable intended to supply the lighting of a license plate and / or the trunk of a vehicle 100.

[0067] The electrical connection cable 11 is for example housed in a hollow tubular element 61 passing right through the enclosure 3.

[0068] The hollow tubular element 61 extends, for example, in the first direction, from the first transverse wall 21 of the enclosure 3 to the second transverse wall 31 of the enclosure 3.

[0069] At least one rear wheel set can be attached to the enclosure 3.

[0070] At least one electric wheel motor 112, 114 can be attached to the enclosure 3.

[0071] By "electric wheel motor" we mean an electric motor to drive a wheel.

[0072] The arrangement 1 may comprise at least one electrical connection cable 12, 14 intended to supply electricity to a wheel motor.

[0073] The arrangement 1 may comprise an electrical connection cable 12 intended to supply electricity to a wheel motor 112 for driving the left rear wheel of a vehicle 100.

[0074] The electrical connection cable 12 is for example housed in a hollow tubular element 62.

[0075] The hollow tubular element 62 extends for example in the first direction, from the first transverse wall 21 of the enclosure 3 to the cavity 42 of the enclosure 3. The arrangement 1 may comprise an electrical connection cable 14 intended to supply electricity to a wheel motor 114 for driving the right rear wheel of a vehicle 100.

[0076] The electrical connection cable 14 is for example housed in a hollow tubular element 64.

[0077] The hollow tubular element 64 extends, for example, in the first direction, from the first transverse wall 21 of the enclosure 3 to the cavity 41 of the enclosure 3.

[0078] The at least one hydraulic connection pipe 10 is for example a pipe intended for the circulation of water for the cooling of wheel motors 112, 114.

[0079] An electrical connection cable 10 housed in a hollow tubular element 5 may be intended to be connected to a tank level gauge.

[0080] The at least one electrical connection cable 10 may be a low voltage cable.

[0081] The at least one electrical connection cable 10 may be a high voltage cable, for example greater than 48 V.

[0082] The at least one high-voltage electrical connection cable 10 is, for example, a cable intended for supplying wheel motors.

[0083] Advantageously, the internal surface of the at least one hollow tubular element 5 may be covered with a coating. The coating is intended to protect the at least one electrical connection cable 10 and / or the at least one hydraulic connection pipe 10, in particular in the event of possible contact between the cable 10 and / or the pipe 10 and the at least one hollow tubular element 5.

[0084] The coating is, for example, made of rubber or non-abrasive plastic.

[0085] Advantageously, the walls 21, 22, 23, 31, 32, 33 of the enclosure 3 and the at least one hollow tubular element 5 form a single piece, for example formed by molding.

[0086] The enclosure 3 is for example intended to be fixed to a chassis 102 or to a body of a vehicle 100.

[0087] The enclosure 3 is for example intended to be arranged in the rear part of a vehicle 100.

[0088] The enclosure 3 can be attached to at least one spar 103. A front portion of the enclosure 3 can be attached to a rear end of at least one spar 103. The front portion of the enclosure 3 is for example arranged between the rear end of a first spar 103 and the rear end of a second spar 103.

[0089] A rear portion of the enclosure 3 may not be connected to any side member, in particular due to the high rigidity of the enclosure 3.

[0090] Advantageously, the enclosure 3 can occupy the entire rear part of a vehicle 100. This results in an increased storage volume for such an enclosure.

[0091] A rear portion of the enclosure 3 can be fixed to a shock cross member 105. An advantage of an arrangement 1 of the type described above lies in the fact that an electrical connection cable 12, 14, in particular intended to supply electricity to a wheel motor 112, 114, can take all the possible deflections of the corresponding wheel (figure 9). The cable 12, 14 can follow the wheel of a vehicle more easily than if it were fixed directly to a side member.

[0092] At least one connector 50 associated with the at least one electrical connection cable 10 and / or the at least one hydraulic connection pipe 10 may be of large dimensions, such a connector 50 may not be housed in the hollow tubular element 5 in which the at least one cable 10 or the at least one pipe 10 is housed.

[0093] Connections may be provided towards the front of the vehicle 100.

[0094] Alternatively, at least one electrical connection cable 10 may be housed in a hollow tubular element 5 of large diameter. A connector 50 may also be housed in said hollow tubular element 5 of large diameter.

[0095] The arrangement 1 may comprise at least one hollow tubular element 5 in which an electrical connection cable 10 or a hydraulic connection pipe 10 with at least one connector 50 is housed. According to a variant, an electrical connection cable 10 or a hydraulic connection pipe 10 may be housed in a hollow tubular element 5 without a connector. In this case, at least one connector 50 may be added to the outside of the enclosure 3. Such a variant may be used in the case of a connector 50 that is too large to be housed in a hollow tubular element 5 of the enclosure 3. An advantage of an arrangement of the type described above lies in the fact that its assembly is simple, rapid, and does not require tools.

[0096] An advantage of an arrangement of the type described above is that it does not require any additional parts, as reinforcement tubes already present in an enclosure can be used to hold at least one electrical connection cable and / or at least one hydraulic connection pipe. This results in a reduced cost of such an arrangement.

[0097] An advantage of an arrangement of the type described above is that it allows an electrical connection cable and / or a hydraulic connection hose to be held over a long distance, for example at least 300 mm.

[0098] An advantage of an arrangement of the type described above is that the at least one electrical connection cable and / or the at least one hydraulic connection pipe is protected in the at least one hollow tubular element, unlike cables and pipes fixed under the body. The at least one electrical connection cable and / or the at least one hydraulic connection pipe is not exposed, either above or below the enclosure 3. As a result, this prevents any wear of the cables and / or pipes. Cables without sheaths can thus be provided in the arrangement 1.

[0099] An advantage of an arrangement of the type described above is that it allows cables and / or pipes to be hidden. This results in a high perceived quality of a vehicle comprising such an arrangement. The cables and / or pipes are not visible in the passenger compartment. An advantage of an arrangement of the type described above is that it allows an outer surface of a lower wall 33 and / or an outer surface of an upper wall 23 of the enclosure 3 to be provided which is not in contact with any cables and pipes.

[0100] An advantage of an arrangement of the type described above is that it avoids stressing the interior insulation and / or carpets of a vehicle, by avoiding the creation of bumps by the cables and / or pipes and especially by their attachment devices or fixings usually used. The cables 10 and / or pipes 10 can be routed directly to the desired location by passing through the hollow tubular elements 5 of the enclosure 3, which avoids them cluttering the passenger compartment next to the enclosure 3.

[0101] An advantage of an arrangement of the type described above is that it allows at least one electrical connection cable and / or at least one hydraulic connection pipe to be held while having a reduced mass, no additional fastening device being required for holding at least one electrical connection cable and / or at least one hydraulic connection pipe.

[0102] An advantage of an arrangement of the type described above is the reduced space requirement of such an arrangement.

[0103] An advantage of an arrangement of the type described above is that the dimensions of the enclosure 3 can be maximized, thanks to the space saving provided by passing the cables and / or pipes through the enclosure 3 and not outside the enclosure 3.

[0104] An advantage of an arrangement of the type described above is that the length of the cables and / or pipes can be minimized. This in particular prevents any movement of the cables and / or pipes in the hollow tubular elements along the main direction of elongation of the hollow tubular elements.

[0105] An advantage of an arrangement of the type described above is that the cables and / or pipes can be housed in the hollow tubular members 5 of the enclosure 3 before the arrangement 1 is mounted in a vehicle.

[0106] According to a variant, the arrangement 1 may comprise at least one centering device arranged at at least one location inside the at least one hollow tubular element 5. Such a centering device is intended to center an electrical connection cable 10 and / or a hydraulic connection pipe 10 in the hollow tubular element 5. This makes it possible to avoid any contact between the cable 10 and / or the pipe 10 and the enclosure 3. This makes it possible to avoid any movement of the cable and / or the pipe.

[0107] The at least one centering device may have a washer, saucer, or cylinder shape.

[0108] The at least one centering device is, for example, made of plastic or rubber.

[0109] The arrangement 1 may comprise several centering devices arranged at different locations inside the at least one hollow tubular element 5. Several centering devices may for example be arranged every 20 cm along the main direction of elongation of the at least one hollow tubular element 5.

[0110] An embodiment of a method for mounting an arrangement 1 is described below. In one step, an electrical connection cable 10 or a hydraulic connection pipe 10 is housed in at least one hollow tubular element 5 of an enclosure 3. In one step, at least one connector 50 is connected to at least one end of the electrical connection cable 10 or the hydraulic connection pipe 10, in particular outside the enclosure 3.

[0111] Although the invention has been described above in the case of a tank intended to store hydrogen, the invention can be applied to any fluid tank, gaseous or liquid.

[0112] Although the invention has been described above in the case of a motor vehicle, the invention can be applied to any type of vehicle, private and commercial, for example trucks, buses, coaches, agricultural vehicles, lifting equipment.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Arrangement for holding at least one electrical connection cable and / or at least one hydraulic connection pipe of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, the arrangement (1) comprising at least one enclosure (3) and at least one electrical connection cable (10) and / or at least one hydraulic connection pipe (10), the enclosure (3) comprising at least one hollow tubular element (5) in which an electrical connection cable (10) or a hydraulic connection pipe (10) is housed.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the enclosure (3) is an enclosure of a tank intended to store hydrogen, the at least one hollow tubular element (5) being at least partially positioned in the enclosure (3) so as to stiffen the enclosure.

3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one first hollow tubular element (6) extending in a first direction and at least one second hollow tubular element (7) extending in a second direction, and optionally at least one third hollow tubular element (8) extending in a third direction, the first, second and optionally third directions not being aligned with each other, being in particular perpendicular to each other.

4. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the enclosure (3) comprises at least one composite material.

5. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one hollow tubular element (5) comprises at least one composite material and the internal surface of the at least one hollow tubular element (5) is covered with a coating, for example made of rubber or non-abrasive plastic.

6. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one hollow tubular element (5) and the walls of the enclosure (3) form a single piece, for example formed by molding.

7. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one hollow tubular element (5) passes right through the enclosure (3).

8. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one connector (50) is connected to at least one end of the at least one electrical connection cable (10) and / or the at least one hydraulic connection pipe (10), in particular outside the enclosure (3).

9. Vehicle (100), in particular motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises an arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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