Arrangement for protecting an item of equipment of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement (90) for protecting an energy reservoir (20) of a motor vehicle (100), the arrangement comprising: - a cradle (30) and, - an energy reservoir (20), at least one first deflector (35) forming part of the cradle (30) and at least one second deflector (25) forming part of the energy reservoir (20), characterised in that the first deflector (35) comprises a first surface (351) and the second deflector (25) comprises a second surface (251), the first and second surfaces being arranged such that a longitudinal overlap distance (d1) between the cradle and the energy reservoir (20) increases during an impact causing a relative longitudinal movement of the cradle (30) towards the energy reservoir (20).

Description

[0001] TITLE: Arrangement for protecting equipment of a motor vehicle.

[0002] The invention relates to an arrangement for protecting equipment of a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a vehicle equipped with such an arrangement.

[0003] Motor vehicles include shock-absorbing devices designed to protect not only vehicle users in the event of a traffic accident, but also the equipment that is most expensive to replace or repair. In addition, in electric vehicles, the high-voltage battery poses a fire risk if damaged in an impact.

[0004] Existing absorption means, particularly in the front area of ​​the vehicle, occupy a significant volume. However, car manufacturers are currently developing vehicles with a reduced overhang compared to the overhangs of previous vehicles, as is the case in particular for electric vehicles. The objective of reducing overhang is to compact, to optimize the compactness of vehicles as much as possible in the front compartment of the vehicle and to maximize the living space or the loading space, while limiting the overall size of the vehicle. The reduction in overhang can be of the order of several tens or hundreds of millimeters. The capacity to absorb the energy of an impact is thus limited due to the reduction in the overhang of the vehicles. In addition, for heavy vehicles, the complexity of managing the crushing and / or denting of the components located at the front of the vehicle is amplified.

[0005] The aim of the invention is to provide a device for protecting equipment which overcomes the above drawbacks and improves the devices for protecting equipment known from the prior art. In particular, the invention makes it possible to produce an arrangement for protecting equipment which is simple and reliable and which offers effective protection.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to an arrangement for protecting an energy tank of a motor vehicle, the arrangement comprising:

[0007] - a cradle and,

[0008] - an energy reservoir, at least one first deflector forming part of the cradle and at least one second deflector forming part of the energy reservoir, the first deflector comprising a first surface and the second deflector comprising a second surface, the first and second surfaces being arranged such that a longitudinal overlap distance between the cradle and the energy reservoir increases upon impact resulting in relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle towards the energy reservoir.

[0009] In one embodiment, the first and second surfaces are arranged so as to deflect, in a vertical direction, in a first direction, in particular downwards, the cradle during an impact causing a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle towards the energy reservoir.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first and second surfaces are arranged so as to deflect, in a vertical direction, in a second direction, in particular upwards, the energy reservoir during an impact causing a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle towards the energy reservoir.

[0011] In one embodiment, the first and second meanings are opposite.

[0012] In one embodiment, the first and second surfaces are arranged such that a vertical footprint of the assembly consisting of:

[0013] - the cradle, and

[0014] - the energy reservoir increases during an impact causing a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle towards the energy reservoir.

[0015] In one embodiment, the overlap distance is measured longitudinally between a posterior end of the cradle and an anterior end of the energy reservoir.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first surface and the second surface are of complementary shapes, in particular planar, and the first deflector and the second deflector are arranged so that the first surface and the second surface are substantially parallel to each other and parallel to a lateral axis of the vehicle.

[0017] In one embodiment, the first surface and / or the second surface forms a first angle greater than 20 degrees or 30 degrees or 40 degrees or 45 degrees with the longitudinal direction.

[0018] In one embodiment, the at least one first deflector is a first prism and the at least one second deflector is a second prism, and / or the first surface is a side face of the first prism and the second surface is a side face of the second prism.

[0019] In one embodiment, the at least one first deflector is a first triangular prism and the at least one second deflector is a second triangular prism, in particular a section of the at least one first deflector and a section of the at least one second deflector along a plane passing through the transverse axis is a right triangle, the first surface being a lateral face of the first prism connecting two strictly acute angles of the first prism, and the second surface of the at least one second deflector is a lateral face of the second prism connecting two strictly acute angles of the second prism.

[0020] In one embodiment, the number of deflectors of the at least one first deflector is equal to the number of deflectors of the at least one second deflector or different from the number of deflectors of the at least one second deflector, each deflector of the at least one first deflector collaborating with at least one deflector of the at least one second deflector.

[0021] In one embodiment, the energy reservoir is a high voltage battery or a hydrogen tank.

[0022] In one embodiment, the at least one second deflector is attached to a sole of a protective housing of the energy tank, the sole being a lower portion of the protective housing located facing the ground.

[0023] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle comprising an arrangement according to the invention.

[0024] In one embodiment, the motor vehicle has a reduced overhang, the overhang of the vehicle being less than 0.9 meters, or even less than 0.8 meters.

[0025] The attached drawings represent, by way of example, an embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention.

[0026] Figure 1 schematically represents a motor vehicle equipped with an arrangement according to the invention.

[0027] Figure 2 defines an orthonormal reference frame of the motor vehicle. Figure 3 is a sectional view of an embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention.

[0028] Figure 4 shows a vehicle cradle equipped with two deflectors according to the invention.

[0029] Figure 5 shows a vehicle equipment equipped with two deflectors according to the invention.

[0030] Figure 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention.

[0031] Figure 7 is a sectional view of a first simulation of a shock applied to an arrangement without implementing the invention comprising equipment and a cradle.

[0032] Figure 8 is a bottom view, before simulation of an impact, of an arrangement without implementation of the invention comprising equipment and a cradle.

[0033] Figure 9 is a bottom view, after simulation of an impact, of an arrangement without implementation of the invention comprising equipment and a cradle.

[0034] Figure 10 is a sectional view of an arrangement without implementing the invention comprising equipment and a cradle, at a first instant preceding an impact.

[0035] Figure 11 is a sectional view of an arrangement without implementing the invention comprising equipment and a cradle, at a second instant during an impact.

[0036] Figure 12 is a sectional view of an arrangement without implementing the invention comprising equipment and a cradle, at a third instant after an impact.

[0037] Figure 13 is a sectional view of an arrangement implementing the invention comprising equipment and a cradle, at the first instant preceding an impact.

[0038] Figure 14 is a sectional view of an arrangement implementing the invention comprising equipment and a cradle, at the second instant during an impact. Figure 15 is a sectional view of an arrangement implementing the invention comprising equipment and a cradle, at a third instant after an impact.

[0039] An embodiment of a motor vehicle 100 is described below with reference to FIG. 1. The motor vehicle 100 is a motor vehicle of any type, including a passenger vehicle or a utility vehicle.

[0040] The motor vehicle 100 is an all-electric or hybrid vehicle: the motor vehicle 100 therefore comprises a high-voltage battery 20, also called equipment 20 in the remainder of the document.

[0041] With reference to Figure 2, we define an orthonormal reference used in the rest of the document:

[0042] - The axis called longitudinal axis X of the motor vehicle 100 is defined as an axis of symmetry of the vehicle parallel to the axis along which the vehicle moves in a straight line, oriented towards the rear of the vehicle.

[0043] - The axis called the lateral axis Y of the motor vehicle 100 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X determining with the X axis an XY plane parallel to the surface on which the vehicle is moving. The lateral axis Y is oriented towards the right of the vehicle, the left and the right being defined according to the driver's point of view.

[0044] - The axis called the vertical axis Z of the motor vehicle 100 is perpendicular to the axes X and Y and is oriented towards the top of the motor vehicle 100.

[0045] The motor vehicle comprises an arrangement 90 comprising:

[0046] - a cradle 30 comprising at least one first deflector 35, and

[0047] - equipment 20 of the energy reservoir type, comprising at least one second deflector 25.

[0048] The arrangement 90 is described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. In one embodiment, the motor vehicle 100 has a reduced overhang, that is to say a reduced distance between a front wheel axle and the front end of the vehicle. For example, in the described embodiment, the overhang of the vehicle is less than 900 millimeters, or even less than 800 millimeters. More generally, when it is necessary to manage the kinematics during an impact between the cradle 30 and the equipment 20, then the system 90 can be used to avoid any damage to the equipment, whatever the value of the overhang.

[0049] Preferably, the equipment 20 and the cradle 30 are substantially aligned along the longitudinal axis X of the motor vehicle 100, that is to say that they have the same size or substantially the same size along the vertical axis Z and that they are positioned at the same level or substantially positioned at the same level along the axis Z.

[0050] In the embodiment described below, the equipment 20 is a high-voltage battery 20, called battery 20, intended to provide the electrical energy necessary for moving the electric or hybrid vehicle. In alternative embodiments, the equipment 20 could be any other type of energy reservoir, in particular a hydrogen tank. The equipment 20 is preferably equipment with safety constraints.

[0051] The equipment 20 is equipped with connectors 21 allowing its connection to the equipment intended to receive electrical energy. The design of the vehicle and the technical constraints of the equipment mean that the connectors 21 of the equipment 20 are located just behind the cradle 30 of the vehicle, in particular the connectors are located on a front face 22 of a protective casing 23 of the equipment 20, the front face 22 being located between the equipment 20 and the cradle 30. In other words, the cradle 30, the connectors of the equipment and the equipment 20 are successively aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis X of the motor vehicle 100. As a note, the protective casing 23 of the equipment 20 can also be called “casing” or “sarcophagus”.

[0052] The cradle 30 and the equipment 20 may be separated from each other by a first distance dO measured along the longitudinal axis X, the first distance dO being shown in Figure 13. The first distance dO may be of the order of a few millimeters or a few centimeters. In the case of an impact causing a relative movement of the cradle and the equipment towards each other (cradle towards equipment or equipment towards cradle), in a first phase of relative movement, the cradle and the equipment may move to fill this first distance, that is to say move relatively along the longitudinal axis X until they come into contact with each other.

[0053] Advantageously, the second deflector has a shape complementary to the shape of the first deflector.

[0054] In addition, a first surface 351 of the at least one first deflector 35 is capable of collaborating with a second surface 251 of the at least one second deflector 25 so that a longitudinal overlap distance d1 between the cradle and the equipment increases during an impact causing a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle 30 towards the equipment 20.

[0055] The overlap distance d1 is advantageously measured longitudinally between a rear end of the cradle 30 and a front end of the equipment 20, as can be seen in FIGS. 13 to 15. The first and second surfaces are advantageously arranged so as to deflect, in a vertical direction, in a first direction, in particular downwards, the cradle during an impact causing a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle 30 towards the equipment 20, and more generally a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle 30 and the equipment 20 closer together.

[0056] Likewise, the first and second surfaces are advantageously arranged so as to deflect, in a vertical direction, in a second direction, in particular upwards, the equipment 20 during an impact causing a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle 30 towards the equipment 20, and more generally a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle 30 and the equipment 20 towards each other.

[0057] The first and second meanings are preferably opposite.

[0058] Thus, the first and second surfaces can be arranged so that a vertical dimension d2 of the assembly constituted by:

[0059] - the cradle, and

[0060] - the energy reservoir increases during an impact causing a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle 30 towards the equipment 20, and more generally a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle 30 and the equipment 20 closer together. Figures 13 to 15 illustrate an increase in the vertical size d2 during a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle 30 towards the equipment 20.

[0061] In an embodiment where the cradle is deflected downwards, the first surface and the second surface each form a first angle a1 oriented accordingly. Alternatively, in an embodiment where the trajectory of the cradle is deflected upwards, the first surface and the second surface each form another first angle a1 also defined accordingly with the longitudinal axis X.

[0062] In some embodiments, an absolute value of the first angle a1 is greater than 20 degrees or 30 degrees or 40 degrees or 45 degrees with the longitudinal axis X.

[0063] Preferably, as shown in Figure 13, the first surface 351 is a plane (or substantially a plane) inclined at the angle a1 relative to a horizontal plane (defined by the longitudinal X and transverse Y axes). Advantageously, 20° <a1 <45°.

[0064] Preferably, as shown in Figure 13, the second surface 251 is a plane (or substantially a plane) inclined at the angle a1 relative to the horizontal plane (defined by the longitudinal X and transverse Y axes). Advantageously, 20° <a1 <45°.

[0065] More preferably, the first and second surfaces are arranged (in a usual configuration, i.e. in a situation where the arrangement has not been subjected to shock) in contact with each other (as illustrated in Figure 13). Alternatively, the first and second surfaces may be arranged (in a usual configuration, i.e. in a situation where the arrangement has not been subjected to shock):

[0066] - at a distance from each other, and

[0067] - so as to come into contact with each other when (under the effect of an impact) the cradle and the equipment are brought closer to each other along the horizontal axis X.

[0068] Figures 3 to 6 illustrate an embodiment in which the at least one first deflector 35 is a first prism, in particular provided with a ramp, and the at least one second deflector 25 is a second prism, in particular provided with a ramp, the first surface 351 being a lateral face of the first prism, and the second surface 251 being a lateral face of the second prism. The term “ramp” could also be used to describe the shape of the deflectors 25 and 35.

[0069] In particular, the first and second deflectors 35, 25 illustrated by FIGS. 3 to 6 are triangular prisms. In one embodiment, a section of the at least one first deflector 35 and / or a section of the at least one second deflector 25 along a plane passing through the transverse axis Y may be a right triangle. In this embodiment, the first surface 351 of the first deflector 35 is a lateral face of the first prism connecting two strictly acute angles of the first prism, and the second surface 251 of the at least one second deflector 25 is a lateral face of the second prism connecting two strictly acute angles of the second prism.

[0070] In the embodiment illustrated by Figures 3 to 6, the equipment 20 and the cradle 30 are each equipped with the same number of deflectors, i.e. two deflectors each. In alternative embodiments, the number and dimensions of the deflectors equipping the equipment 20 and the cradle 30 may differ. For example, the cradle 30 may be equipped with a single first deflector and the equipment 20 may be equipped with several second deflectors. In this case, the dimension of the single first deflector along the lateral axis Y is large enough to allow collaboration between the single first deflector and each of the second deflectors.

[0071] Conversely, the equipment could be equipped with a single deflector, and the cradle could be equipped with several deflectors collaborating with the single deflector of the equipment.

[0072] In summary, the number of deflectors of the at least one first deflector is equal to the number of deflectors of the at least one second deflector or the number of deflectors of the at least one first deflector is different from the number of deflectors of the at least one second deflector, each deflector of the at least one first deflector collaborating with at least one deflector of the at least one second deflector.

[0073] In one embodiment, the at least one second deflector 251 is fixed to a sole 24 of a protective housing 23 of the equipment 20, the sole 24 being a lower part of the protective housing 23 located facing the ground. Advantageously, the sole 24 is made of a material which has significant impact resistance. Thus, the sole 24 will not deform when a force is exerted on the at least one second deflector 251 due to the recoil of the cradle 30.

[0074] During an impact of the motor vehicle 100, in particular during a frontal impact, the cradle 30 moves a longitudinal distance D in the direction of the equipment 20. The longitudinal distance D is a distance projected onto the longitudinal axis X. The distance D depends in particular on the energy of the impact suffered by the vehicle.

[0075] Figures 7 to 12 illustrate a first simulation S1 of an impact between a vehicle not equipped with the invention and a wall, the impact occurring in a longitudinal direction X of the motor vehicle 100.

[0076] Figures 13 to 15 illustrate a second simulation S2 of the same impact, with the difference that the simulated vehicle is equipped with an arrangement 90 according to the invention. On the basis of the first and second simulations S1, S2, the effects of the impact on the equipment 20 are analyzed, in particular the effects of the impact for a motor vehicle not equipped with an arrangement 90 according to the invention (see Figures 11 and 12) are compared with the effects of an impact when the motor vehicle 100 is equipped with an arrangement 90 according to the invention (see Figures 14 and 15). Advantageously, the simulations S1, S2 are defined so as to simulate a frontal impact occurring when the motor vehicle 100 is moving at a speed lying within a given range of longitudinal speeds, for example a range of speeds lying between 50 and 56 kilometers per hour, the range of speeds being able to extend a little more widely, for example up to 60 kilometers per hour.

[0077] Advantageously, the speeds included in the given range are

[0078] - on the one hand sufficiently high to generate a recoil of the cradle likely to damage the equipment 20, and

[0079] - on the other hand sufficiently weak so that the shock does not generate consequences significantly more serious than an alteration of the equipment 20.

[0080] In other words, over the given speed range, the consequences of damage to the equipment 20 during a longitudinal impact are particularly significant compared to the other risks generated by such an impact.

[0081] Figure 7 is a sectional view of a vehicle not equipped with the invention. Arrows diagram a displacement of the cradle 30 during a frontal impact. The displacement comprises a longitudinal component towards the rear of the vehicle and a vertical component towards the top of the vehicle. These two components contribute to damage to the equipment 20 and its connectors 21, this damage creating a risk of fire.

[0082] Figures 8 and 9 are bottom views of the vehicle which simulate the deformation and displacement of the cradle 30 between a first instant preceding the impact (figure 8) and a second instant following the impact (figure 9), an end-of-impact instant corresponding to an instant when the vehicle stops and no longer deforms. Figure 9 illustrates a crushing of the cradle against a front face 22 of the equipment 20. In particular, the cradle 30 crushes against the front face 22 supporting the connectors 21.

[0083] Figures 10 to 12 also illustrate the first simulation S1 but this time through sectional views,

[0084] - the view represented by figure 10 preceding the impact, the view represented by figure 11 being an intermediate view of the impact, and

[0085] - the view represented by figure 12 being a final view of the shock.

[0086] Figures 11 and 12 make it possible in particular to observe a first vertical deformation of the cradle 30 in the case where the vehicle is not equipped with an arrangement 90 according to the invention. In the first simulation S1, it is observed that the cradle bends at its middle, which induces a rise of the rear face 32 of the cradle 30 in the direction of the vertical axis Z (oriented towards the top of the vehicle). As is more specifically visible in Figure 12, the rear face 32 of the cradle becomes embedded on the front face 22 of the equipment 20, and then collides with the connectors 21 of the equipment 20.

[0087] Figures 13 to 15 illustrate the second simulation S2 relating to the same impact, this time between the vehicle equipped with the invention and a wall.

[0088] A relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle and the equipment of a value D is materialized between

[0089] - a first vertical line L1 passing through the rear end of the cradle 30 before the impact, shown in figures 13 and 15, and

[0090] - a second vertical line L2 passing through the rear end of the cradle 30 after the impact, shown in Figure 15. Figures 14 and 15 make it possible in particular to observe a second vertical deformation of the cradle 30 in the case where the vehicle is equipped with an arrangement 90 according to the invention. In the second simulation, it is observed that the cradle bends slightly at its middle but in a much less pronounced manner than in the first simulation. Furthermore, the at least one deflector 35, fixed to the rear face 32 of the cradle 30; directs the movement of the rear face 32 under the sole of the equipment 20. Thus, thanks to the deflectors 35, 25, the vertical component of the trajectory of the rear face 32 of the cradle 30 is oriented downwards.

[0091] In other words, thanks to the invention, the rear face 32 of the cradle 30 passes under the equipment 20, instead of hitting the connectors and / or the front face of the equipment 20.

[0092] Thus, during an impact (frontal impact, or even rear impact) causing a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle and the equipment closer together by a value D, we can observe:

[0093] - a first possible phase of cancellation of the distance dO, then

[0094] - a second phase of increasing the longitudinal overlap d1 and increasing the vertical size d2.

[0095] Thanks to the arrangement according to the invention, as a consequence of what has been described previously, during an impact, the surfaces 251 and 351 come into contact with each other and slide against each other. This tends to cause the cradle and the equipment to pass (at least partially) over each other or above each other (along the vertical axis Z) as illustrated in Figures 13 to 15, which has the consequence of increasing the vertical size (along the vertical axis Z) of the assembly constituted by the cradle and the equipment. The greater the impact energy, the greater the distances D, d1 and d2.

[0096] Finally, in a context of reducing the overhang of the motor vehicle 100, the arrangement according to the invention makes it possible, during frontal impacts of the vehicle, to protect the equipment included in the arrangement. In other words, the arrangement according to the invention contributes to the feasibility of reducing an overhang of a motor vehicle.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Arrangement (90) for protecting an energy reservoir (20) of a motor vehicle (100), the arrangement comprising: - a cradle (30) and, - an energy reservoir (20), at least one first deflector (35) forming part of the cradle (30) and at least one second deflector (25) forming part of the energy reservoir (20), characterized in that the first deflector (35) comprises a first surface (351) and the second deflector (25) comprises a second surface (251), the first and second surfaces being arranged so that a longitudinal overlap distance (d1) between the cradle and the energy reservoir (20) increases during an impact causing a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle (30) towards the energy reservoir (20).

2. Arrangement (90) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first and second surfaces (351, 251) are arranged so as to deflect, in a vertical direction, in a first direction, in particular downwards, the cradle during an impact causing a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle (30) towards the energy reservoir (20).

3. Arrangement (90) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and second surfaces (351, 251) are arranged so as to deflect, in a vertical direction, in a second direction, in particular upwards, the energy reservoir (20) during an impact causing a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle (30) towards the energy reservoir (20).

4. Arrangement (90) according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the first and second directions are opposite.

5. Arrangement (90) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second surfaces (351, 251) are arranged so that a vertical dimension (d2) of the assembly constituted by: - the cradle, and - the energy reservoir increases during an impact causing a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle (30) towards the energy reservoir (20).

6. Arrangement (90) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the overlap distance (d1) is measured longitudinally between a rear end of the cradle (30) and a front end of the energy reservoir (20).

7. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first surface (351) and the second surface (251) are of complementary shapes, in particular flat, and in that the first deflector (35) and the second deflector (25) are arranged so that the first surface (351) and the second surface (251) are substantially parallel to each other and parallel to a lateral axis (Y) of the vehicle.

8. Arrangement (90) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first surface (351) and / or the second surface (251) forms a first angle (a1) greater than 20 degrees or 30 degrees or 40 degrees or 45 degrees with the longitudinal direction.

9. Arrangement (90) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one first deflector (35) is a first prism and the at least one second deflector (25) is a second prism, and / or in that the first surface (351) is a lateral face of the first prism and the second surface (251) is a lateral face of the second prism.

10. Arrangement (90) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the at least one second deflector is fixed to a sole (24) of a protective housing (23) of the energy reservoir (20), the sole (24) being a lower part of the protective housing located facing the ground.

11. Motor vehicle (100) comprising an arrangement (90) according to one of the preceding claims.

12. Motor vehicle (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it has a reduced overhang, the overhang of the vehicle being less than 0.9 meters, or even less than 0.8 meters.

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