METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

Abstract

Method of assembling energy storage units of the same type with a first (PV1) and a second (PV2) motor vehicle, this method carrying out an initial step of supplying the first and second vehicles (PV1, PV2), this method carrying out: - a first step of supplying and attaching with the first vehicle (PV1) a first energy storage unit (B11, B12) and a second energy storage unit (B21, B22) with an energy capacity greater than the energy capacity of the first energy storage unit (B11, B12), and - a second step of supplying and attaching with the second vehicle (PV2) a third energy storage unit (B31, B32) identical to the second energy storage unit (B21, B22) and a fourth energy storage unit (B41, B42) with an energy capacity greater than the energy capacity of the third energy storage unit (B31, B32). Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING ENERGY STORAGE UNITS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

[0001] The invention relates to a method of assembling energy storage systems with two motor vehicles, for example distinct by their different wheelbases.

[0002] The term "vehicle" in this document shall be understood to mean both the vehicle platform or chassis and the vehicle itself, these energy storage units being able, for example, to be assembled: - on the vehicle chassis before the vehicle is assembled, for example during an assembly stage in a vehicle assembly line, or - in maintenance or reworking of the vehicle already assembled, for example when replacing energy storage units.

[0003] These motor vehicles use, for movement, a source of energy generally stored in these energy storage units, energy storage units which are therefore carried in the vehicles.

[0004] These energy storage units can have different sizes and shapes depending on their maximum energy capacity, the nature of the energy (gaseous or liquid fuel, electricity, air or oil under pressure, this list is not exhaustive), and especially the different types of vehicles assembled on the same assembly line or in the same maintenance center, which creates a significant diversity of energy storage units depending on the space available for them in the vehicle.

[0005] For example, depending on the vehicle's wheelbase, equipment (e.g., equipment options), or the vehicle's expected range, there is a wide variety of these energy storage systems. Managing this diversity complicates the assembly line and, above all, puts a strain on the assembly line and / or the maintenance center.

[0006] For example, patent document FR-A1-2616514 describes a liquefied gas tank that optimizes available space by consisting of three liquefied gas energy storage units of different lengths. It can be seen that if two vehicles with different wheelbases and / or different equipment are assembled on the same line, the number of these energy storage units quickly increases exponentially.

[0007] The aim of the invention is to make the problem acceptable by limiting this diversity as much as possible.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a method of assembling energy storage devices of the same type with a first and a second motor vehicle, this method performing an initial step of supplying the first and second vehicles, this process being such that it performs: - a first stage of supplying and attaching to the first vehicle a first energy storage unit and a second energy storage unit with a higher energy capacity than the first energy storage unit, and - a second stage of supplying and attaching with the second vehicle a third energy storage unit identical to the second energy storage unit and a fourth energy storage unit with an energy capacity greater than the energy capacity of the third energy storage unit.

[0009] It will be noted that the first and second vehicles are different at least in that the first and fourth energy storage units have different capacities, and, since the second and third energy storage units are identical, this advantageously allows the diversity of these energy storage units to be limited despite the multiplicity of vehicles assembled.

[0010] By identical, we will understand identical in every way that characterizes an energy storage device: capacity, dimensions, shape and contents of the storage device.

[0011] Throughout this document, the term "energy of the same nature" shall be understood to mean the same form of energy. For example, all energy storage units according to the invention, that is to say, assembled and fixed during the first and second steps, are all tanks containing the same gaseous or liquid fuel, or are all electrochemical energy storage units, or are all tanks of air, or oil, or pressurized gas, this list not being exhaustive.

[0012] Throughout this document, the capacity of an energy storage device will be understood to mean the energy capacity of that device in a predetermined energy charging or filling state, in particular in a nominal or maximum charging or filling state, this state being common to all energy storage devices. To return to the previous examples: - the capacity of a gaseous fuel tank will be determined at the same pressure of this gas for each of the storage tanks, this pressure being predetermined and in particular nominal or maximum permissible, just like air, oil, or pressurized gas tanks, - the capacity of a liquid fuel tank will be determined at an identical nominal or maximum permissible volumetric filling rate for each of the storage tanks, in particular 100%, - the capacity of an electrochemical storage unit will be determined at the same state of charge (as a percentage) for each of the new storage units, in particular at a state of charge of 100%.

[0013] Thus, a different energy capacity according to the invention leads to at least a different dimension of the energy storage, taken in a local frame of reference of each storage oriented in the same way in this frame.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the energy of the same nature is energy from a hydrogen gas under pressure, or from air under pressure, or from a liquid or gaseous fuel, or from batteries comprising electrochemical energy storage cells.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, these energy storage units are fungiform, the first and second stage fixing these energy storage units respectively parallel to the main direction of advance of the vehicle on which they are fixed.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, these energy storage units have a length proportional to their maximum energy capacity.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the initial step supplies the first motor vehicle having a first wheelbase, and the second motor vehicle having a second wheelbase different from the first wheelbase.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the wheelbase of the first vehicle is shorter than the wheelbase of the second vehicle.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first step supplies and fixes two first energy storage units and two second energy storage units, the second step supplies and fixes two third energy storage units and two fourth energy storage units.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first step supplies and fixes a single first energy storage unit and two second energy storage units, the second step supplies and fixes a single third energy storage unit and two fourth energy storage units.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first step supplies and fixes a single first energy storage unit and four second energy storage units, the second step supplies and fixes a single third energy storage unit and four fourth energy storage units.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second stages supply and fix energy storage units of the same nature, this energy being intended for the propulsion of vehicles.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second steps fix these energy storage units in the same plane for each of the vehicles, this method performing a third step of supplying and fixing a first electrical device with the first vehicle, and / or a fourth step of supplying and fixing a second electrical device with the second vehicle, these third and fourth stages fixing these electrical devices in this same plane and: - the first electrical device being fixed in a first housing formed at least in part by the first and second energy storage for the first vehicle, and / or - the second electrical device being fixed in a second housing formed at least in part by the third and fourth energy storage for the second vehicle.

[0024] The invention further relates to a fleet of motor vehicles comprising at least one pair of vehicles, the first vehicle comprising a first energy storage unit and a second energy storage unit with an energy capacity greater than the energy capacity of the first energy storage unit, the second vehicle comprising a third energy storage unit and a fourth energy storage unit with an energy capacity greater than the energy capacity of the third energy storage unit, this pair of vehicles being obtained by an assembly process as previously described, and the second energy storage unit being identical to the third energy storage unit.

[0025] Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of a particular, non-limiting embodiment of the invention, made with reference to the figures in which:

[0026] [Fig-1]: illustrates a perspective view of an example of a fastening means hydrogen energy storage in a vehicle according to a prior art. This fastening means is an illustrative example of a fastening means applicable to hydrogen tanks for the invention.

[0027] [Fig.2]: is an example of two vehicles obtained by the process according to the invention.

[0028] [Fig.3]: is a variant according to the invention of [Fig.2].

[0029] [Fig.4]: is a variant according to the invention of [Fig.2] or 3.

[0030] It should be borne in mind that the figures are given by way of examples and are not These illustrations are not limiting to the invention. They are schematic representations of principle intended to facilitate understanding of the invention and are not necessarily to scale with practical applications.

[0031] Figure 1 shows an arrangement of two energy storage systems according to the prior art, in this case two gas tanks B1L, B2L, comprising hydrogen in the form of a hydrogen cylinder under the floor of the same PV vehicle platform, for example, with the same wheelbase. This PV vehicle is, for example, a vehicle comprising a fuel cell powered by these hydrogen cylinders B1L, B2L. These hydrogen cylinders B1L, B2L are cylindrical in shape, with rounded ends.

[0032] These hydrogen bottles B IL, B2L are installed side-by-side longitudinally, that is to say, along the length of the vehicle, in the direction of travel of the vehicle PV. But these B IL, B2L hydrogen bottles can be installed side-by-side transversely.

[0033] These hydrogen bottles B IL, B2L are fixed under the floor in a suspended manner, at the level of their two rounded ends.

[0034] In this PV vehicle platform, an existing structure within the vehicle platform, in the form of a CP impact protection frame, is used for mounting these B IL, B2L hydrogen cylinders. The CP frame is, for example, a mechanical stiffening frame that is also used in the PV platform for mounting an optional electric battery pack. This same PV platform is then used to produce both fuel cell vehicles and electric vehicles.

[0035] The CP frame is generally rectangular in shape and comprises two longitudinal members LG1, LG2, and two cross members TV1, TV2. It should be noted, however, that the CP impact protection frame is not essential to the invention. The hydrogen cylinders B1L, B2L are mechanically very rigid in order to withstand the internal pressure of the compressed gas. They are designed with a safety factor of approximately two and can withstand pressures up to 1500 bar. In certain vehicle platforms, the mechanical rigidity of the hydrogen cylinders B1L, B2L may prove sufficient, and it will not be necessary to provide a stiffening structure, such as the CP frame illustrated in [Fig. 1], to protect the hydrogen cylinders against impacts.

[0036] Of course, this CP frame is very useful if the energy storage units are not sufficiently rigid, for example if these energy storage units are batteries, or fuel tanks.

[0037] These hydrogen bottles B IL, B2L are fixed under the floor of the vehicle, being suspended by their two rounded ends, using the hydrogen bottle fixing device.

[0038] The hydrogen cylinder mounting device is, for example, formed of two mounting caps clamping the two ends of each cylinder B1L, B2L. The mounting caps are identical standard fasteners, which is advantageous for cost reduction through economies of scale. The mounting caps are fixed with screws to a structural element of the vehicle platform, for example, the LG1, LG2 side members, or the TV1, TV2 cross members.

[0039] This hydrogen bottle fixing device is an example of a usable fixing for the invention described below, but depending on the type of energy storage, this fixing device will of course be adapted: for example for batteries this fixing device will consist of a set of screws fixing the batteries on or under the floor of the PV vehicle, and / or on the CP frame.

[0040] Figures 2 to 4 reveal three variants of a pair of PV1, PV2 vehicles obtained by an energy storage assembly method according to the invention. This method according to the invention is a method for assembling energy storage devices of the same type with a first PV1 and a second PV2 motor vehicle, this method performing an initial step of supplying the first and second PV1, PV2 vehicles.

[0041] This process also performs: - a first stage of supplying and attaching with the first PV1 vehicle a first energy storage unit B11, B12 and a second energy storage unit B21, B22, B23, B24 with an energy capacity greater than the energy capacity of the first energy storage unit B11, B12, and - a second stage of supplying and fixing with the second PV2 vehicle a third energy storage B31, B32 identical to the second energy storage B21, B22, B23, B24 and a fourth energy storage B41, B42, B43, B44 with an energy capacity greater than the energy capacity of the third energy storage B31, B32.

[0042] By convention, energy storage devices according to the invention have signs in the following format: Bxy.

[0043] x is a number from 1 to 4 designating the category of the energy storage unit (1 for first storage unit, 2 for second, 3 for third, 4 for fourth), and y is a number designating a sequence number within the category. For example, B42 means that this storage unit is one (or more) fourth energy storage units, and that among these fourth storage units, this one is the second fourth storage unit. To designate all the storage units, the symbol Bxy will be used, and so on. The index y is not common to the different categories.

[0044] These energy storage units Bxy are for example fungiform, the first and second stage fixing these energy storage units Bxy respectively parallel to the main direction of advance of the vehicle PV1, PV2 on which they are fixed, but this is not mandatory and these energy storage units Bxy are for example fixed transversely to the vehicles PV1, PV2, just as they are not necessarily fungiform, for example cubic or torus-shaped.

[0045] These energy storage units Bxy have, for example, a length proportional to their energy capacity, so that two energy storage units not having the same energy capacity each have a different length, this length being a function, for example, of a wheelbase or a width or a height of each of the two vehicles PV1, PV2.

[0046] More specifically, the initial step supplies the first motor vehicle PV1 having a first wheelbase, and the second motor vehicle PV2 having a second wheelbase different from the first wheelbase.

[0047] Under these conditions, but not necessarily, the wheelbase of the first PV1 vehicle is, for example, shorter than the wheelbase of the second PV2 vehicle. Indeed, the fourth energy storage unit B4y of the second PV2 vehicle having a greater energy capacity than the first energy storage unit Bly of the first vehicle, it is therefore longer (if these energy storage units have, for example, their length proportional to their energy capacity) and is better suited to a PV2 platform with a longer wheelbase.

[0048] Fig. 2 illustrates a first variant obtained by this process, the first step supplying and fixing two first energy storage units B11, B12 and two second energy storage units B21, B22, the second step supplying and fixing two third energy storage units B31, B32 and two fourth energy storage units B41, B42.

[0049] Fig. 3 illustrates a second variant obtained by this process, the first step supplying and fixing a single first energy storage unit B11 and two second energy storage units B21, B22, the second step supplying and fixing a single third energy storage unit B31 and two fourth energy storage units B41, B42.

[0050] Figure 4 illustrates a second variant obtained by this process, the first step supplying and fixing a single first energy storage unit B11 and four second energy storage units B21, B22, B23, B24, the second step supplying and fixing a single third energy storage unit B31 and four fourth energy storage units B41, B42, B43, B44.

[0051] Regardless of the variants, this assembly method performs for example the first and second steps supplying and fixing energy storage units for the propulsion of PV1, PV2 vehicles.

[0052] Finally, in Figures 2 to 4, each pair of vehicles PV1, PV2 is obtained by the assembly process according to the invention, the first and second steps fixing these energy storage units Bxy in the same plane for each of the vehicles PV1, PV2, this process performing a third step of supplying and fixing a first electrical device BATI with the first vehicle PV1, and / or a fourth step of supplying and fixing a second electrical device BAT2 with the second vehicle PV2, these third and fourth steps fixing these electrical devices BATI, BAT2 in this same plane and: - the first BATI electrical device being fixed in a first housing formed at least in part by the first Bly and second B2y energy storage unit for the first PV1 vehicle, and / or - the second electrical device BAT2 being fixed in a second housing formed at least in part by the third B3y and fourth B4y energy storage for the second vehicle PV2.

[0053] These electrical devices BATI, BAT2 are, for example, batteries required for the powertrain of a vehicle comprising a fuel cell, the energy storage units Bxy being all bottle-shaped hydrogen tanks of the same cross-section but varying lengths, as illustrated in Figures 2 to 4. It should be recalled that a fuel cell vehicle comprises, at a minimum, an energy storage unit containing hydrogen Bxy, or ethanol or methanol, or even formic acid, supplying fuel to a fuel cell which generates an electric current from this fuel to power an electric motor propelling the vehicle. This generated electric current is stored in a battery comprising electrochemical cells or supercapacitors, this battery or these batteries being, for example, the electrical device(s) BATI, BAT2 according to the invention.

[0054] But the invention is not limited to hydrogen or fuel cell vehicles, and can for example be applied to a pair of two electric vehicles PV1, PV2 of different wheelbases, the energy storage units Bxy being modules of a traction battery supplying the electric drive machine of this electric vehicle, and the electrical device BATI, BAT2 being for example the electric drive machine, or an inverter supplying this electric drive machine, or an on-board charger supplying the traction battery from a terrestrial electrical network, or even a current converter coupling a high voltage network (the traction battery) to a low voltage network supplying a service battery and multiple accessories of the vehicle such as for example the computers of these vehicles.

[0055] All the energy storage units Bxy in Figures 2 to 4 are hydrogen cylinders of the same cross-section: thus, since the width of these cylinders and their mounting interface are identical, it is easy to interchange them and, above all, the space freed up by the larger capacity energy storage unit B4y can be partially filled by any of the other energy storage units Bly, B2y, B3y, which limits the diversity of the PV1, PV2 platforms. Furthermore, these hydrogen cylinders Bxy are arranged parallel to each other and along the length of the PV1 and PV2 vehicles, so that: - in the first PV1 vehicle, the smaller capacity bottle(s) Bly are shorter than the larger capacity bottle(s) B2y, which frees up space to house the BATI electrical device as an extension of one end of the smaller capacity bottle(s) Bly, - in the second vehicle PV2, the smaller capacity bottle(s) B3y are shorter than the larger capacity bottle(s) B4y, which frees up space to house the electrical device BAT2 as an extension of one end of the smaller capacity bottle(s) B3y.

[0056] Advantageously and as illustrated in these figures, for each of the vehicles PV1, PV2, the smaller capacity storage units Bly, B3y are in a central position, that is to say bordered on each side of the set of storage units Bly or on each side of the set of storage units B3y by at least one larger capacity storage unit B2y, B4y, which advantageously protects the electrical device BATI, BAT2 against lateral shocks.

[0057] This method is advantageously applicable to a fleet of vehicles comprising at least this pair of vehicles PV1, PV2. This fleet of vehicles is, for example, a temporary storage area for vehicles coming off the production line, or a temporary storage area for vehicles undergoing maintenance or after-sales service or awaiting sale.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for assembling energy storage units with a first (PV1) and a second (PV2) motor vehicle, this method performing an initial step of supplying the first and second vehicles (PV1, PV2), characterized in that the method performs: - a first step of supplying and attaching with the first vehicle (PV1) a first energy storage unit (B11, B12) and a second energy storage unit (B21, B22, B23, B24) with an energy capacity greater than the energy capacity of the first energy storage unit (B11, B12), and - a second step of supplying and attaching with the second vehicle (PV2) a third energy storage unit (B31, B32) identical to the second energy storage unit (B21, B22, B23, B24) and a fourth energy storage unit (B41, B42, B43, B44) with an energy capacity greater than the energy capacity of the third energy storage unit (B31, B32),these energy storage units having a length proportional to their energy capacity, the first and second steps fixing these energy storage units in the same plane for each of the vehicles, this method executing a third step of supplying and fixing a first electrical device (BATI) with the first vehicle (PV1), and / or a fourth step of supplying and fixing a second electrical device (BAT2) with the second vehicle (PV2), these third and fourth steps fixing these electrical devices (BATI, BAT2) in this same plane and: - the first electrical device (BATI) being fixed in a first housing formed at least in part by the first and second energy storage units for the first vehicle (PV1), and / or - the second electrical device (BAT2) being fixed in a second housing formed at least in part by the third and fourth energy storage units for the second vehicle (PV2).

2. Assembly method according to claim 1, these energy stores being fungiform, the first and second steps fixing these energy stores respectively parallel to the main direction of advance of the vehicle (PV1, PV2) on which they are fixed.

3. An assembly method according to any one of the preceding claims, the initial step supplying the first motor vehicle (PV1) having a first wheelbase, and the second motor vehicle (PV2) having a second wheelbase different from the first wheelbase.

4. Assembly method according to claim 3, the wheelbase of the first vehicle (PV1) being shorter than the wheelbase of the second vehicle (PV2).

5. Assembly method according to any one of the preceding claims, the first step supplying and fixing two first energy storage units (B 11, B12) and two second energy storage units (B21, B22), the second step supplying and fixing two third energy storage units (B31, B32) and two fourth energy storage units (B41, B42).

6. Assembly method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the first step supplying and fixing a single first energy storage unit (B 11) and two second energy storage units (B21, B22), the second step supplying and fixing a single third energy storage unit (B31) and two fourth energy storage units (B41, B42).

7. Assembly method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the first step supplying and fixing a single first energy storage unit (B 11) and four second energy storage units (B21, B22, B23, B24), the second step supplying and fixing a single third energy storage unit (B31) and four fourth energy storage units (B41, B42, B43, B44).

8. Assembly method according to any one of the preceding claims, the first and second steps supplying and fixing energy storage units for vehicle propulsion (PV1, PV2).

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