Mounting and shock-absorbing device for inductive charging system

Abstract

This shock-absorbing device (1) for an electric vehicle charging system comprising an induction unit (2) includes a housing (8), longitudinal positioning rails (4) for the induction unit (2), and at least one elastically spring-loaded shock-absorbing element capable of positioning the induction unit (2) in an operating position relative to the positioning rails (4) and of absorbing a shock to the housing (8) of the induction unit (2) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig 1

Description

Title of the invention: Fixing and shock-absorbing device for induction charging system Technical field

[0001] The invention relates, in general, to damping and fixing devices for induction charging systems for electric motor vehicles.

[0002] The invention relates in particular to the absorption of shocks applied in a longitudinal direction to the induction charging system when the latter is placed in the underbody of the motor vehicle.

[0003] However, the invention also applies to any other type of electric vehicle such as buses, trucks, agricultural vehicles, trains, or to systems operating with contactless recharging. Previous techniques

[0004] Inductive charging of electric motor vehicles has the advantage of being able to recharge the vehicle without needing to plug it in using a cable. The principle is based on the addition, on the one hand, of an induction block in the underbody of the vehicle, under the battery for example, and on the other hand, of coils in the road on which the vehicle is traveling. The coils in the road create an electromagnetic field generating a current in the coils of the induction block, which after passing through a charger, allows the vehicle's battery to be powered and recharged.

[0005] For example, coils placed in the road at a traffic light can recharge vehicles stopped in front of the light. The same applies to parking spaces.

[0006] However, adding this induction block to the underbody of the vehicle presents a risk of tearing if it suffers an impact. It is indeed common for the underbody of a vehicle to suffer an impact when passing a speed bump or climbing onto a sidewalk. This situation already poses a problem on electric vehicles whose battery is located in the underbody of the vehicle and is exposed to impacts.

[0007] Currently, elastic devices are used to filter vehicle vibrations and allow the induction unit to maintain its operating position. However, these devices are ineffective in the event of an accidental impact.

[0008] If such a shock occurs, there is a risk of tearing off the induction block as well as the battery itself, the latter representing a very high repair or replacement cost. Statement of the invention

[0009] The present invention therefore aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and to improve the resistance of the induction charging system to shocks in the underbody of the vehicle.

[0010] The subject of the invention is therefore a shock-absorbing device for a recharging system of an electric motor vehicle comprising an induction block, comprising a casing, longitudinal positioning rails of the induction block, and at least one elastic return damping element holding the induction block in an operating position relative to the positioning rails and absorbing a shock suffered by the casing of the induction block in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0011] Thus, this device makes it possible to absorb a shock received by the casing of the induction block, using positioning rails and one or more springs or shock absorbers placed in the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. For example, when the vehicle passes over a speed bump hitting the underbody, the casing in contact with the ground will slide thanks to the rails, the shock then being absorbed and cushioned thanks to the spring or shock absorber.

[0012] This helps prevent some damage to the induction block, and more importantly, prevents damage to the battery itself.

[0013] Advantageously, the positioning rails comprise openings complementary to spaces present on the lateral edges of the induction block so that the induction block is orthogonally removable from the rails when the induction block is placed in a determined longitudinal position relative to the positioning rails.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the positioning rails are fixed to the vehicle and are capable of sliding the induction unit and its casing longitudinally between a front stop of the operating position of the induction unit and a rear transverse protection.

[0015] Advantageously, the elastic return damping element is fixed on the one hand to the induction block and on the other hand to the rear transverse protection.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the positioning rails are capable of sliding longitudinally along the induction block between a rear operating position stop of the induction block and a front transverse protection, the induction block being fixed to the vehicle.

[0017] Advantageously, the elastic return damping element is fixed on the one hand to the induction block and on the other hand to the front transverse protection.

[0018] Advantageously, the casing of the induction block is fixed to the positioning rails in order to drive the positioning rails rather than the induction block in the event of an impact on the casing.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the shock absorption device comprises a position sensor of the induction block capable of triggering the stopping of the operation of the induction charging system if the induction block is not in its operating position for a predetermined period. Brief description of the drawings

[0020] 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:

[0021] [fig. 1] is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a shock-absorbing device for an induction charging system of an electric motor vehicle according to the invention;

[0022] [fig.2] illustrates a first embodiment of a damping device of shocks of an induction block according to the invention, in operating position, illustrated without casing;

[0023] [fig.3] illustrates a first embodiment of a damping device of shocks of an induction block according to the invention, in the spring compression position, illustrated without casing;

[0024] [fig.4] is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a shock absorption device for induction charging system of an electric motor vehicle according to the invention; and

[0025] [fig.5] illustrates a second embodiment of a damping device of shocks of an induction block according to the invention, in operating position, illustrated without casing. Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0026] [fig.l] shows a first embodiment of a shock-absorbing device 1 of an induction block 2 according to the invention.

[0027] This device is illustrated in the operating position in which it allows the induction block to be fixed and shock-absorbed, which allows it to recharge the battery if it is placed near suitable coils.

[0028] The shock absorbing device 1 comprises an induction block 2 intended to be placed in the underbody of a vehicle under the chassis, under a battery, not visible in the figures.

[0029] The induction block 2 is a block comprising coils, for example made of copper, and which, when placed near other coils, for example arranged in the road, allows a current to be generated which can supply and recharge the battery.

[0030] The induction block 2 is generally rectangular in shape with a thickness of the order of a centimeter and is preferably placed longitudinally in the underbody of the vehicle.

[0031] The lateral edges of the induction block comprise trapezoid-shaped fins 3 visible in Figures 2 and 3, capable of being housed in rails 4. The number of fins 3 is for example three on each side. They are regularly separated by spaces 5.

[0032] The shock-absorbing device 1 comprises a protective cover 6 for the battery, the remainder of the thickness of the recharging system also acting as a protective means. This cover 6 is intended to be placed between the battery and the induction block. The cover 6 of the battery notably comprises the wiring exiting the induction block towards the charger and the battery (not shown).

[0033] The shock-absorbing device 1 comprises holding parts 7 for fixing the recharging system under the battery. The holding parts 7 are placed on either side of the cover 6 of the battery, opposite the lateral edges of the induction block 2. The fixing under the battery is carried out for example using screws or studs.

[0034] As indicated previously, the shock-absorbing device 1 also comprises rails 4 for positioning the induction block 2. The positioning rails 4 are fixed to the cover 6 and are integral with the cover 6 and the holding parts 7. The positioning rails 4 are two in number, and are spaced apart by the width of the induction block 2 in order to be able to slide the induction block 2 between the rails 4.

[0035] The induction block 2 comprises a casing 8 fixed to the induction block 2 itself in order to protect it from dust for example, and above all to absorb any possible shocks in the first place.

[0036] In this first embodiment, the holding parts 7, the cover 6 and the positioning rails 4 are integral and fixed relative to the rest of the vehicle while the induction block 2 and its casing 8 are movable between the positioning rails 4.

[0037] As shown in [fig.2], the shock absorber device 1 comprises a front stop 9 for the operating position of the induction block 2. The front stop 9 indicates the position against which the induction block 2 is placed when it is in the operating position. This front stop 9 is fixed to the end of the positioning rails 4 and makes it possible to delimit the operating position in which the induction block 2 must be located to operate normally. In this position, the induction block 2 is located against the front stop 9, itself located on the front side of the vehicle.

[0038] In [fig.2], it can be seen that the shock-absorbing device 1 also comprises a rear transverse protection 10 located at the other end of the rails 4. This rear transverse protection 10 makes it possible to finish surrounding the induction block 2 with the front stop 9 and the two positioning rails 4.

[0039] When the induction block 2 is placed against the front stop 9, the distance between the induction block 2 and the rear transverse protection 10 is between 10 and 20 centimeters. The distance is approximately fifteen centimeters.

[0040] A spring 11 is placed at this location between the induction block 2 and the rear transverse protection 10. The spring 11 is for example made up of two V-shaped blades and is in contact with the induction block 2 and the rear transverse protection 10. As a variant, the spring 11 is replaced by a water or air shock absorber, or any other shock absorber element with elastic return.

[0041] The positioning rails 4 allow the induction block 2 and its casing 8 to slide longitudinally along the positioning rails 4 if the casing 8 of the induction block 2 is caught by an obstacle on the road. The compressed spring 11 allows it to absorb the shock as the induction block 2 travels along the rails 4.

[0042] The position of the induction block 2 at the end of its travel is visible in [fig.3].

[0043] This configuration makes it possible to accompany and absorb a shock when the vehicle moves forward but the same system can be used with additional springs and / or shock absorbers located between the front stop 9 and the induction block 2 in order to absorb a shock if the vehicle moves backwards.

[0044] When the shock is over, the spring 11 allows the induction block 2 to be put back in place against the front stop 9.

[0045] The positioning rails 4 are provided with openings 12 of a shape complementary to the shape of the trapezoidal fins 3 spaced with the same regularity. When the induction block 2 is in abutment against the rear transverse protection 10, as in [fig. 3], the fins 3 are aligned with the openings 12 of the rails 4 so that the spaces 5 between the fins 3 allow the induction block 2 and its casing 8 to be removed orthogonally, leaving the spring 11, the front stop 9 and the rear transverse protection 10 in place in the shock-absorbing device 1.

[0046] Disassembly of the induction block 2 is thus made easier, should this be necessary. Damage to the induction block 2 is also preferable to damage to the battery since it is much less expensive and simpler to replace.

[0047] The disassembly of the induction block 2 is for example necessary when the displacement or deformation of the induction block 2 is irreversible. The shock absorption device 1 comprises a position sensor of the induction block 2 capable of triggering the stopping of the operation of the induction charging system if the induction block 2 is not in its operating position for a predetermined period. This sensor also makes it possible to trigger the warning about the need to dismantle the induction block 2.

[0048] In a second visible embodiment [fig.4] and 5, the operation and the components of the shock absorption devices are substantially the same as for the first embodiment except that the induction block 15 is fixed relative to the cover 6, to the holding parts 7 and to the rest of the vehicle while the positioning rails 16 are mobile.

[0049] The casing 17 of the induction block 15 has a U shape and is fixed on the rails 16.

[0050] Thus, when an obstacle on the road comes into contact with the casing 17, it is the rails 16 which slide along the induction block 15 in order to accompany the shock.

[0051] This embodiment has the advantage of keeping the induction block 15 fixed in its operating position.

[0052] To absorb a shock as the vehicle moves forward, the spring 18 is placed at the front so that the rails 16 slide longitudinally from front to rear in the event of a shock.

[0053] In the operating position, the induction block 15 is positioned against a rear stop 19 of the operating position of the induction block 15. Opposite the induction block 15, the spring 18 is fixed to the induction block 15 and to a front transverse protection 20.

[0054] The induction block 15 is fixed to the cover 6 itself fixed to the rest of the vehicle while the rear stop 19 and the front transverse protection 20 are fixed to the rails 16 and are therefore movable together.

Claims

Claims

1. Shock absorbing device (1) for a charging system of an electric motor vehicle comprising an induction block (2; 15), characterized in that it comprises a casing (8; 17), longitudinal positioning rails (4; 16) of the induction block (2; 15), and at least one elastic return damping element (11; 18) holding the induction block (2; 15) in an operating position relative to the positioning rails (4; 16) and absorbing a shock suffered by the casing (8; 17) of the induction block (2; 15) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

2. Shock absorbing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the positioning rails (4; 16) comprise openings (12) complementary to spaces (5) present on the lateral edges of the induction block (2; 15) so that the induction block (2; 15) is orthogonally removable from the rails (4; 16) when the induction block (2; 15) is placed in a determined longitudinal position relative to the positioning rails (4; 16).

3. Shock absorbing device (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, in which the positioning rails (4) are fixed to the vehicle and are capable of sliding longitudinally the induction block (2) and its casing (8) between a front stop (9) of the operating position of the induction block (2) and a rear transverse protection (10).

4. Shock absorbing device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the elastic return damping element (11) is fixed on the one hand to the induction block (2) and on the other hand to the rear transverse protection (10).

5. Shock absorbing device (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, in which the positioning rails (16) are capable of sliding longitudinally along the induction block (15) between a rear stop (19) of the operating position of the induction block (15) and a front transverse protection (20), the induction block (15) being fixed to the vehicle.

6. Shock absorbing device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the elastic return damping element (18) is fixed on the one hand to the induction block (15) and on the other hand to the front transverse protection (20).

7. Shock absorbing device (1) according to one of claims 5

8. and 6, wherein the casing (17) of the induction block (15) is fixed to the positioning rails (16) in order to drive the positioning rails (16) rather than the induction block (15) in the event of an impact on the casing (17). Shock absorbing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a position sensor of the induction block capable of triggering the stopping of the operation of the induction charging system if the induction block (2; 15) is not in its operating position for a predetermined period.

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