Motor vehicle comprising a device for protecting an electric battery

Abstract

Electric or hybrid motor vehicle (1) comprising a chassis (2) having at least two longitudinal members (4, 5) extending in a longitudinal direction (X), said vehicle comprising a motor vehicle floor supported by the chassis (2), a rear axle (7) extending along a transverse axis (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) and fixed to the chassis (2), and an electric battery (12) fixed under said floor transversely between the longitudinal members (4, 5) of the chassis and axially in front of the rear axle (7). The vehicle comprises a device (20) for protecting the electric battery (12), which device is fixed to the rear axle (7) and extends under said rear axle (7) along a vertical axis (Z) perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse axes (X, Y).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Motor vehicle including a device for protecting an electric battery

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of electric or hybrid motor vehicles comprising at least one electric machine comprising an electric traction battery.

[0004] More particularly, the present invention relates to the protection of said electric battery against external shocks.

[0005] The electric battery of a motor vehicle is generally located under the floor of the vehicle, at a short distance from the ground, for example approximately 10 to 30 cm from the ground.

[0006] When the motor vehicle is moving in reverse, the electric battery may hit external obstacles, such as sidewalks or parking bollards, generally made of concrete.

[0007] In case of impact between such an external obstacle and the battery it may be damaged.

[0008] In order to protect the battery, it is known to cover the electric battery with a sheet metal casing capable of absorbing the forces in the event of impacts with an element external to the vehicle. However, such a solution significantly increases the mass of the vehicle, and proves to be expensive.

[0009] Thus, there is a need to improve the protection of electric batteries, particularly traction batteries, in motor vehicles.

[0010] The objective of the invention is therefore to overcome these drawbacks and to propose a device for protecting an electric battery of a motor vehicle, easy to install in the vehicle, and without increasing the mass and cost of the motor vehicle.

[0011] The present invention relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising a chassis comprising at least two side members extending in a longitudinal direction.

[0012] Said vehicle comprises a motor vehicle floor supported by the chassis, a rear axle extending along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and fixed to the chassis and an electric battery fixed under said floor transversely between the side members of the chassis and axially in front of the rear axle.

[0013] The vehicle comprises an electric battery protection device attached to the rear axle and extending under said rear axle along a vertical axis perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse axes.

[0014] Advantageously, the protection device is configured to generate an audible warning or noise, in particular created by deformation or friction with the external element during contact with an external element in the event of the vehicle moving in reverse.

[0015] The noise generated allows the driver of the vehicle to be warned of the presence of an external element likely to damage the battery.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the protection device comprises a transverse base extending along the transverse axis and at least two fixing lugs each fixed to the base by first fixing means, such as for example by screws or by welding. The fixing lugs are each fixed to the rear axle of the second fixing means, such as for example by screws or by welding. Said lugs extend along the vertical axis between the transverse base and the rear axle.

[0017] For example, each fixing lug comprises a drilling cooperating with screw means of the second fixing means.

[0018] Alternatively, a different number of holes could be provided for the passage of the second screw means, for example greater than or equal to two.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the transverse base comprises a main portion extending in a horizontal plane and at least one secondary portion extending in a vertical plane from a transverse edge of the main portion towards the rear axle, the fixing lugs being fixed to the secondary portion of the base.

[0020] For example, the main portion is delimited by two transverse edges and two longitudinal edges. For example, the main portion of the base comprises a plurality of holes intended to cooperate with means for fixing a rear fairing of the vehicle.

[0021] A "rear fairing" means a streamlined casing covering the rear axle of the vehicle.

[0022] The cross base has, for example, an L-shaped section.

[0023] Alternatively, the base could be provided to have a square or rectangular section.

[0024] The base and the fixing lugs are advantageously made independently of each other from stamped sheet metal, then assembled together by screws or welding.

[0025] For example, the width of the protective device is greater than or equal to 80% of the width of the battery.

[0026] Preferably, the protective device is offset vertically downwards relative to the battery.

[0027] In other words, the distance between the ground and the protection device is less than the distance between the ground and the battery.

[0028] The electric battery is preferably a traction battery.

[0029] For example, the axle supports one rear wheel of the vehicle at each of its ends.

[0030] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0031] [Fig. l] illustrates very schematically a rear part of a motor vehicle according to the invention;

[0032] [Fig.2] represents a front view of the rear part of figure 1;

[0033] [Fig.3] shows in detail a device for protecting a battery of the vehicle of Figure 1; and [Fig.4] illustrates the interaction between the device for protecting a battery of Figure 3 and an external obstacle when the motor vehicle is moving in reverse.

[0034] In the following description, the terms "longitudinal", "transverse", "vertical", "front", "rear", "left" and "right" are defined according to the usual orthogonal reference system for motor vehicles, shown in the drawings, and which includes:

[0035] - a longitudinal axis X, horizontal and oriented from the front to the rear of the vehicle;

[0036] - a transverse axis Y, horizontal, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and oriented from the left to the right of the vehicle when the vehicle is moving forward;

[0037] - a vertical axis Z, orthogonal to the longitudinal and transverse axes X and Y and directed from bottom to top.

[0038] In Figures 1 and 2, a rear part of a motor vehicle, referenced 1 as a whole, comprising a chassis 2 configured to support all of the mechanical components and the bodywork 3 of the vehicle, is shown very schematically. The chassis 2 comprises two longitudinal side members 4, 5 and a plurality of transverse cross members (not visible) arranged between said side members 4, 5. A motor vehicle floor 6 is supported by the chassis 2 and delimits the interior of the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1.

[0039] The vehicle further comprises a transverse rear axle 7 fixed to the chassis 2 of the vehicle and supporting a rear wheel 8, 9 of the vehicle at each of its ends.

[0040] As illustrated, the motor vehicle 1 further comprises a rear bumper 10. The rear axle 7 is located at a distance from the ground less than the distance between the ground and said rear bumper 10.

[0041] The motor vehicle 1 comprises an electric or hybrid transmission member (not shown) and further comprises an electric battery 12 fixed under the floor 6 of the vehicle 1 transversely between the side members 4, 5 and axially in front of the rear axle 7. The electric battery 12 is preferably a traction battery.

[0042] The motor vehicle 1 comprises a device 20 for protecting the electric battery 12 fixed to the rear axle 7 and extending along the vertical axis under said rear axle 7.

[0043] As illustrated in Figure 2, the distance DI between the ground S and the protection device 20 is here less than the distance D2 between the ground S and the battery 12.

[0044] The width of the protective device 20 is here less than the width of the battery 12 by 10%.

[0045] Alternatively, it could be provided that the width of the protection device 20 is greater than or equal to the width of the battery 12. Generally, the width of the protection device 20 is greater than or equal to 80% of the width of the battery 12.

[0046] The protection device 20 is configured to come into contact with an external element E in the event of the vehicle moving in reverse, as seen in FIG. 4.

[0047] When the protection device 20 comes into contact with the external element E, the deformation of said device 20 generates an audible warning or noise for the driver of the vehicle.

[0048] As illustrated in detail in Figure 3, the protection device 20 comprises a transverse base 21 extending along the transverse axis Y of the vehicle 1.

[0049] The transverse base 21 comprises a horizontal and flat main portion 22 delimited by two transverse edges 22a, 22b and two longitudinal edges 22c, 22d. The base 21 further comprises a flat and vertical secondary portion 23 extending vertically along the vertical axis Z from a transverse edge 22b of the main portion 22 towards the rear axle 7.

[0050] The transverse base 21 here has an L-shaped section. Alternatively, it could be provided that the base comprises a square or rectangular section.

[0051] The protection device 20 further comprises two fixing lugs 24, 25 secured to the base 21, in particular to the secondary portion 23 by first fixing means, such as for example screws or welding. Each fixing lug 24, 25 is fixed to the rear axle 7 by second fixing means, such as for example screws or welding.

[0052] Each fixing lug 24, 25 here comprises a bore 24a, 25a for the passage of screws of the second fixing means. A different number of bores could be provided for the passage of the second screw means, for example greater than or equal to two.

[0053] The fixing lugs 24, 25 extend vertically between the base 21 and the rear axle 7.

[0054] Alternatively, a number of fixing lugs greater than or equal to three could be provided.

[0055] The base 21 and the two fixing lugs 24, 25 are produced independently of each other from stamped sheet metal, then assembled together by screws or welding.

[0056] In the example illustrated, and in a non-limiting manner, the main portion 22 of the base 21 comprises a plurality of holes 21a intended to cooperate with means for fixing a rear fairing (not shown).

[0057] In the event of an impact along the longitudinal axis X between the protection device 20 and an element E external to the vehicle, said device 20 is configured to generate a noise, in particular created by the deformation or friction of the base 21 with the external element E. The noise generated makes it possible to warn the driver of the vehicle of the presence of an external element E likely to damage the battery 12.

[0058] Thanks to the invention, it is possible to protect the battery by warning the driver of the vehicle and thus avoid damaging the battery.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Electric or hybrid motor vehicle (1) comprising a chassis (2) comprising at least two side members (4, 5) extending in a longitudinal direction (X), said vehicle comprising a motor vehicle floor (6) supported by the chassis (2), a rear axle (7) extending along a transverse axis (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) and fixed to the chassis (2) and an electric battery (12) fixed under said floor (6) transversely between the side members (4, 5) of the chassis and axially in front of the rear axle (7), characterized in that it comprises a device (20) for protecting the electric battery (12) fixed to the rear axle (7) and extending under said rear axle (7) along a vertical axis (Z) perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse axes (X, Y).

2. Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the protection device (20) is configured to generate an audible warning upon contact with an external element (E) in the event of the vehicle moving in reverse.

3. Vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the protection device (20) comprises a transverse base (21) extending along the transverse axis (Y) and at least two fixing lugs (24, 25) each fixed to the base (21) by first fixing means and to the rear axle (7) by second fixing means, said lugs (24, 25) extending along the vertical axis (Z) between the transverse base (21) and the rear axle (7).

4. Vehicle (1) according to claim 3, in which each fixing lug (24, 25) comprises a bore (24a, 25a) cooperating with screw means of the second fixing means.

5. Vehicle (1) according to claim 3 or 4, in which the transverse base (21) comprises a main portion (22) extending in a horizontal plane (XY) and at least one secondary portion (23) extending in a vertical plane (YZ) from a transverse edge (22b) of the main portion (22) towards the rear axle (7), the fixing lugs (24, 25) being fixed on the secondary portion (23) of the base (21).

6. Vehicle (1) according to claim 5, in which the main portion (22) of the base (21) comprises a plurality of holes (21a) intended to cooperate with means for fixing a rear fairing of the vehicle (1).

7. Vehicle (1) according to claim 5 or 6, in which the transverse base (21) has an L-shaped section.

8. Vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, in which the base (21) and the fixing lugs (24, 25) are produced independently of each other from stamped sheet metal.

9. Vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the width of the protection device (20) is greater than or equal to 80% of the width of the battery (12).

10. Vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protection device (20) is offset vertically downwards relative to the battery (12).

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