Spacer for extending an acid vapour discharge duct of a battery of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Spacer (25) for extending a duct (15) for discharging acid vapours from a battery (1) of a motor vehicle. The spacer (25) comprises a first wall (26) which delimits a first connecting face (27), a second wall (28) which delimits a second connecting face (29), the first connecting face (27) and the second connecting face (29) being parallel to one another, as well as a duct (35) which extends from the first wall (26) to the second wall (28).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Spacer for extending a pipe for discharging acid vapors from a motor vehicle battery.

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The invention relates to the field of road motor vehicles equipped with a Micro hybrid system equipped with an electric machine hereinafter referred to as an electric motor, enabling the thermal engine to be assisted during the start-up phase. More specifically, the invention relates to the evacuation of acid vapors from a battery supplying this electric motor.

[0005] Previous techniques

[0006] There are road vehicles of various sizes and engines. Some are intended for passenger transport, such as cars or buses, while others are intended for freight transport, such as utility vehicles or trucks. When the engine includes assistance from an electric motor, a battery is provided to power the latter.

[0007] This is the case, for example, for hybrid cars, which include a combustion engine and an electric motor. The battery that powers the electric motor, which is relatively heavy and bulky, is generally located in the passenger compartment of the car. This is because the engine compartment is already quite cluttered, and the trunk must maintain an acceptable loading volume. It is common to place the battery under a seat, such as the driver's seat.

[0008] In order to protect the passenger compartment from possible acid vapor emissions from the battery, the evacuation of said vapors is provided. Generally, an evacuation device fulfills this function. For example, the device comprises a pipe, sometimes called a gas tube, which leaves a body of the battery to go outside the vehicle, crossing the floor. One or more joints between the pipe and the floor prevent any intrusion of vapors into the passenger compartment. This arrangement is implemented for different models, that is to say for cars of different sizes, different powers, with two or four drive wheels, and so on.

[0009] In practice, the distance between the battery body and the floor is specific to each model. Indeed, the various components of a car's structure, such as side members, cross members, floor, and other components, are specific. These components have specific dimensions, particularly in relation to the size, weight, and engine power of the car. As a result, each model receives a specific battery, with a line that takes into account the separation distance from the body to the floor. The length of the line is proportional to said separation distance.

[0010] The result of the above is consistency in the manufacturing of the car as such. The location of the battery is compatible with the ergonomics of the car, and any evacuation of acid fumes is outside the passenger compartment, without disturbing the occupants. Battery installations in vehicles, particularly in hybrid cars, are therefore satisfactory, in the sense that each battery is able to operate under the expected conditions.

[0011] However, there are still some drawbacks to having a vehicle-specific battery model. It is not possible to fit a given battery to all of a manufacturer's vehicles, or even to all vehicles in the same range. At most, a few different vehicles in the range can be fitted with the same battery, but not all.

[0012] Differences between batteries include, for example, the acid vapor discharge pipes, particularly in terms of length. This is to take into account the distance between the battery body and the floor to ensure vapor evacuation.

[0013] The lack of battery compatibility forces manufacturers to multiply the number of models. Among the resulting disadvantages is the complexity of the battery production process, considered as such. In fact, specific assembly stations must be provided for each battery structure, and storage areas. Another disadvantage is the complexity of vehicle assembly. Each vehicle must be assigned the appropriate battery, and for this, a selection and verification procedure must be put in place. Another disadvantage is the additional cost generated by the complexity of the production process.

[0014] Statement of the invention

[0015] The invention seeks to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and, in general, aims to simplify the manufacture of vehicles powered at least partly by an electric motor. The simplification particularly concerns hybrid vehicles, such as cars.

[0016] One goal in particular is to simplify and rationalize battery manufacturing.

[0017] Another goal is to simplify and facilitate the installation of a battery in a vehicle.

[0018] Another goal is to reduce the manufacturing costs of a vehicle equipped with an electric motor and dedicated battery.

[0019] To this end, the invention proposes a spacer for extending a pipe for discharging acid vapors from a battery of a motor vehicle. The spacer comprises a first wall which delimits a first connecting face, a second wall which delimits a second connecting face, the first connecting face and the second connecting face being parallel to each other, as well as a conduit which extends from the first wall to the second wall.

[0020] In practice, the first wall faces the battery and comes into contact with a body of said battery, directly or indirectly. The second wall, for its part, faces a surface to be crossed, for example a floor of the vehicle, and comes into contact with said surface, again directly or indirectly. Thus, the spacer participates in bringing the battery into contact with the surface to be crossed. The conduit of the spacer, for its part, extends the pipe coming from the body of the battery to the surface to be crossed, or even beyond, opposite an orifice made in said surface. Finally, the spacer forms with the battery an assembly which delimits an evacuation path for the acid vapors. As a result, the battery can be installed in different ways, namely with or without a spacer. When it is with, the latter can be selected according to its thickness, that is to say the distance between the walls.It is indeed possible to provide several spacers of different thicknesses. This means that the same battery can be installed at different distances from a surface, such as a floor. It is sufficient to match the appropriate spacer to the battery. As a result, a single type of battery is sufficient to equip different vehicles. The resulting advantages include simplified battery manufacturing, simplified vehicle manufacturing, and an overall reduction in production costs.

[0021] In one embodiment, the conduit is flush with the first connecting face and projects from the side of the second connecting face. This facilitates the placement of the spacer on the surface to be crossed.

[0022] In its extended form, the conduit has a generally circular shape. This simple and economical shape facilitates the creation of a seal between the spacer conduit and the battery pipe.

[0023] The conduit has a first section on the side of the first wall, a second section on the side of the second wall, the diameter of the first section being greater than the diameter of the second section. This arrangement makes it possible to maintain a substantially constant diameter for the acid vapor evacuation path.

[0024] At least one section of the conduit has at least one groove. This allows the reception of a circular seal, for example an O-ring, to seal the connection between the pipe and the conduit. This is a simple and inexpensive way to achieve the sealing function.

[0025] The spacer comprises a bridge that connects the first wall to the second wall. The bridge increases the rigidity of the spacer. As a result, it constitutes a part capable of supporting holding forces, or of dealing with possible expansions, in correlation for example with climatic conditions.

[0026] A space is delimited between the conduit and the bridge. This gives the spacer an openwork structure, for better mechanical resistance in relation to weight.

[0027] The first wall is circular, the second wall is circular, and the bridge is ring-shaped. This means that the spacer is a rotating part. It is therefore simple and easy to manufacture. It is also easy to handle, and risks to people are reduced, or even non-existent, because a rotating part has no protruding edges.

[0028] The walls have a diameter greater than the diameter of the bridge. The peripheral areas of the walls are therefore cantilevered relative to the bridge. This allows for a more even distribution of the forces passing through the spacer, in correlation with the weight stresses of the battery.

[0029] The walls, the conduit and the bridge form a single piece. The spacer thus has a simple structure, easy to produce. In a non-limiting manner, the spacer can be made of synthetic material, such as polyoxymethylene or any equivalent, shaped by any known technique. A synthetic material is quite light, and also chemically insulating. Thus, the spacer opposes possible corrosion problems between the battery body and the floor.

[0030] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a spacer, a sealing ring intended to be placed in contact with the second connecting face, and at least one seal intended to be placed in the conduit.

[0031] The invention also relates to a vehicle equipped with the spacer.

[0032] Brief description of the drawings

[0033] 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:

[0034] - [Fig. 1] is a perspective view showing, in general, the installation of a battery in a vehicle interior, such as a car,

[0035] - [Fig. 2] is a schematic side view of the battery in place, in the passenger compartment, in a case where it is close to a floor of the vehicle,

[0036] - [Fig. 3] is a view similar to [Fig. 2], in a case where the battery is further from the floor, with a spacer according to a first embodiment,

[0037] - [Fig.4] is a side view showing mainly a spacer, according to a second embodiment.

[0038] Detailed description

[0039] The installation of a battery 1 in a vehicle passenger compartment, here in a non-limiting manner a hybrid car, is presented succinctly using figure 1. The battery 1 is located for example under the driver's seat, which is not shown.

[0040] It is recalled that the automotive field, as far as design in the broad sense is concerned, uses a direct orthonormal XYZ reference frame. In this reference frame, the X axis designates the front-rear longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is oriented towards the rear, the Y axis designates the transverse direction of the vehicle and is oriented towards the right, and the Z axis designates the vertical direction of the vehicle and is oriented upwards. The XYZ reference frame is visible in Figure 1.

[0041] A chassis 2 comprises, among other things, a central beam 3 oriented along the X axis, a first cross member 4 and a second cross member 5 both oriented along the Y axis, and a floor 6 parallel to the XY plane, or perpendicular to the Z axis. The beam 3, the cross members 4, 5 and the floor 6 are assembled by means such as welds, or any equivalent.

[0042] Now with regard to Figure 2, the battery 1 comprises a body 7, which houses all the components necessary for the accumulation and restitution of electrical energy. The internal structure of the battery is not detailed here. A front extension of the body 7, in the sense of the direct orthonormal reference XYZ, is produced for example in the form of one or more lugs 8, and rests on the first crosspiece 4. Each lug 8 is secured to the crosspiece 4 by a securing means 9, constituted in a non-limiting manner by a screw-nut connection. The connection 9 can alternatively be constituted by a damping device, such as a stud based on synthetic material, or any equivalent. In the same spirit, a rear extension of the body 7, produced for example in the form of one or more lugs 10, rests on the second crosspiece 5.Each leg 10 is secured to the cross member 5 by a securing means 11, consisting in a non-limiting manner of a screw-nut connection. The connection 11 may alternatively be constituted by a damping device, such as a block made of synthetic material, or any equivalent. The connections 9, 11 are removable with or without tools, depending on their structure. As a result, the battery 1 is removable. Maintenance of the car is easier.

[0043] The battery 1 is likely to emit vapors, such as acid vapors, particularly in the event of exceptionally intense use, or in climatic conditions extreme by the temperature level. In order to allow the vapors to be evacuated, a pipe 15 is attached to the body 7 of the battery. The pipe 15 can be permanently placed or removable. It is essentially made up of a pipe which extends from the body 7, for example from below the body, towards the floor 6 and beyond it. In fact, the pipe 15 passes through the floor 6, said floor having an orifice provided for this purpose. The pipe 15 is longer than the distance which separates the body 7 from the floor 6. In fact, the pipe 15 projects relative to the floor 6, on the side opposite the body 7, outside the passenger compartment of the car.

[0044] To ensure the complete evacuation of vapors outside the passenger compartment, a seal is provided between the battery 1 and the floor 6, around the pipe 15. Said seal is twofold, as presented below. First of all, an openwork part 16, made for example in the form of a ring, is placed between the battery 1 and the floor 6, so as to surround the pipe 15, to be in contact with the battery body 7, and to be in contact with the floor 6. The ring 16 has the general shape of a tube trunk, the opposite faces of said ring being flat and parallel to each other. Preferably, a free space 17 remains between the ring 16 and the pipe 15. The ring 16 is made from any suitable synthetic material, such as polyurethane, silicone, rubber, or other. The thickness of the ring 16, measured between its faces, is very slightly greater than the distance which separates the body 7 of the battery 1 from the floor 6.The ring 16 is therefore very slightly compressed when the battery 1 is mounted in the passenger compartment, which ensures a level of sealing around the pipe 15.

[0045] Then another openwork part 18, also made in the form of a ring, is placed directly between the pipe 15 and the floor 6. In a non-limiting manner, the ring 18 has a shoulder 19, which takes place inside the passenger compartment, above and in contact with the floor 6, according to the orthonormal reference XYZ, opposite the battery 1. The shoulder 19 allows precise positioning of the ring 18 in the floor 6. The ring 18 is made for example from a relatively flexible synthetic material, to obtain a seal by wedging effect between the pipe 15 and the floor 6. The ring 18 comprises for example polyurethane, silicone, rubber, or any equivalent material.

[0046] As shown in Figure 3, the same battery 1 can be installed in another vehicle. In this case, the distance separating the battery 1 from the floor 6 is greater. To maintain the ability to evacuate acid vapors, a spacer 25 is arranged between the battery 1 and the floor 6.

[0047] The spacer 25 comprises a first wall 26 which delimits a first connecting face 27, said face 27 being in contact with the ring 16. In other words, the spacer 25 is in indirect contact with the battery 1. The spacer 25 comprises a second wall 28 which delimits a second connecting face 29. Another openwork part 30, also made in the form of a ring, takes place between the spacer 25 and the floor 6. The second connecting face 29 is in contact with the ring 30. In other words, the spacer 25 is in indirect contact with the floor 6. In fact, the spacer 25 is sandwiched between the rings 16 and 30. Given that the first connecting face 27 and the second connecting face 29 are parallel to each other, the seal is produced around the pipe 15. In fact, the contacts between the spacer 25 and each ring 16, 30 are continuous at the periphery of the connecting faces 27, 29.

[0048] The spacer 25 delimits a conduit 35 which is flush with the first connecting face 27, and which projects from the side of the second connecting face 29.

[0049] The pipe 15 penetrates slightly into the conduit 35, and a seal 36 is arranged between said pipe 15 and said conduit 35. In a non-limiting manner, the pipe 15, the conduit 35 and the seal 36 respectively have a circular shape. The seal 36 is for example a torus made of synthetic material, for simplicity and ease of production. The connection between the pipe 15 and the conduit 35 is therefore watertight.

[0050] The conduit 35 passes through the floor 6 and the ring 18 already used in the absence of a spacer. As a result, the connection between the conduit 35 and the floor 6 is watertight. Finally, the pipe 15 and the conduit 35 extend one and the other to form an evacuation path for the vapors emitted by the battery 1. Said path is completely watertight.

[0051] It therefore appears that the double seal is maintained when a spacer 25 is placed between the battery 1 and the floor 6.

[0052] The spacer 25 visible in Figure 3 corresponds to a first embodiment. According to said embodiment, the conduit 35 has a first section on the side of the first wall 26, a second section on the side of the second wall 28, the diameter of the first section being greater than the diameter of the second section. It is thus possible to provide that the respective internal diameters of the pipe 15 and of the second section are equal or close. This gives a regularity of section to the evacuation path of the vapors emitted by the battery 1.

[0053] The spacer 25 also includes a bridge 37 which connects the first wall 26 to the second wall 28. This significantly increases the mechanical strength of the spacer 25, for a small increase in the mass which would be its in the absence of a bridge.

[0054] A second embodiment, for a spacer 40, is visible in Figure 4. We find in particular a first wall 41 with its connecting face 42, a second wall 43 with its connecting face 44, a conduit 45 and a bridge 46.

[0055] In this embodiment, the conduit 45 has a first section on the side of the first wall 41, a second section on the side of the second wall 43, the diameter of the first section being greater than the diameter of the second section. The conduit 45 has a widening 47 at the level of the first wall 41. Said widening 47 facilitates the introduction of the pipe 15 into the conduit 45.

[0056] The seal between the pipe 15 and the conduit 45 is obtained as follows: said conduit 45 has at least one groove 48 in which a seal 49 is placed. In a non-limiting manner, two grooves 48 and two seals 49 are provided. The structure of the latter is toric. An advantage presented by the use of two seals is the provision of a space between the seals, said space having the general shape of a piece of thin tube, between the pipe 15 and the conduit 45. Said space can be filled with grease to reinforce the seal between the pipe and the conduit.

[0057] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described, and includes all equivalents which may fall within the scope of the claims which follow.

[0058] In particular, various shape variants may be provided for the spacer. For example, the conduit may be either flush or protrude at each of the connecting faces. Furthermore, the conduit may have an essentially constant section between the first wall and the second wall, possibly with the exception of a widening at the first wall.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Spacer (25, 40) for extending a pipe (15) for discharging acid vapors from a battery (1) of a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a first wall (26, 41) which delimits a first connecting face (27, 42), a second wall (28, 43) which delimits a second connecting face (29, 44), the first connecting face (27, 42) and the second connecting face (29, 44) being parallel to each other, as well as a conduit (35, 45) which extends from the first wall (26, 41) to the second wall (28, 43), 2. Spacer (25, 40) according to claim 1, for which the conduit (35, 45) is flush with the first connecting face (27, 42) and projects on the side of the second connecting face (29, 44), 3. Spacer (25, 40) according to claim 1 or 2, for which the conduit (35, 45) has a generally circular shape.

4. Spacer (25) according to claim 3, for which the conduit (35) has a first section on the side of the first wall (26), a second section on the side of the second wall (28), the diameter of the first section being greater than the diameter of the second section.

5. Spacer (25, 40) according to claim 3 or 4, for which at least one section of the conduit (35, 45) has at least one groove (48).

6. Spacer (25, 40) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which comprises a bridge (37, 46) which connects the first wall (26, 41) to the second wall (28, 43).

7. Spacer (25, 40) according to claim 6, for which the first wall (26, 41) is circular, the second wall (28, 43) is circular, and the bridge (37, 46) has the shape of a ring.

8. Spacer (25, 40) according to claim 7, for which the walls (26, 28, 41, 43) respectively have a diameter greater than the diameter of the bridge (37, 46).

9. Spacer (25, 40) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, for which the walls (26, 28, 41, 43), the conduit (35, 45) and the bridge (37, 46) form a single piece.

10. Assembly comprising a spacer (25, 40) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a sealing ring (30) intended to be arranged in contact with the second connecting face (29, 44), and at least one seal (36, 49) intended to be placed in the conduit (35, 45).

Images