MOTOR VEHICLE INCLUDING AN ON-BOARD CHARGING CABLE REWINDING SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising: - a traction battery (B); - at least one onboard charging cable (C) equipped with a charging connector (F), connected to the traction battery (B); - at least one lateral reinforcement piece of the vehicle housing a longitudinal winder (E) comprising: - two rails (RL); - a fixed roller (GF); and - movable rollers (G1, G2) mounted on the rails (RL), moving away from or towards the fixed roller (GF), with corresponding springs (R1, R2) moving the movable rollers (G1, G2) apart, the charging cable (C) being wound around said rollers (G1, G2, GF) so as to unwind when said rollers (G1, G2, GF) are moved towards each other; or away from each other in the opposite case. The invention also relates to a method based on such a vehicle. Figure 3.

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING AN ON-BOARD CHARGING CABLE WINDING SYSTEM

[0001] The invention relates to the field of power supply for electric vehicles, and more specifically to cable charging systems for these vehicles.

[0002] In this field, for connecting an electric vehicle to a charging station, an extension cable is removed from the trunk and connected to an interface on the vehicle, and on the charging station. After use, the cable is stored in the trunk of the vehicle.

[0003] Unfortunately, the cable can be forgotten, or inaccessible when the trunk is loaded.

[0004] The objective of the invention is to remedy the defects of the prior art, and in particular to propose a charging cable solution accessible when the trunk is loaded, limiting the risk of forgetting the cable.

[0005] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a motor vehicle in a spatial reference frame comprising a front-rear axis following a direction of movement of the motor vehicle, a lateral axis perpendicular to the front-rear axis, and a vertical axis perpendicular to the front-rear axis and to the lateral axis, the motor vehicle comprising: - a traction battery; - at least one on-board charging cable comprising one end electrically connected to the traction battery, and one end comprising a charging connector configured to be connected to a charging station; - at least one longitudinal reinforcement piece arranged laterally to the motor vehicle with reference to the lateral axis, characterized in that it further comprises a longitudinal winder arranged in said reinforcing piece, comprising: - at least one longitudinal rail; - at least one fixed roller; and - at least one movable roller mounted on the rail, movable between a distant position where said movable roller is at a first distance from said fixed roller, and a close position where said movable roller is at a second distance from said fixed roller less than the first distance; - at least one return means for driving said movable roller towards the remote position; the charging cable being wound around said fixed roller and said movable roller, so as to take a retracted configuration with the connector retracted to a first length of the reel when said movable roller is in the remote position, and an unwound configuration with the connector remote to a second length of the reel greater than the first length when said movable roller is in the close position.

[0006] Advantageously, the invention makes it possible to integrate a 220V electrical connection into the vehicle instead of the extension charging cable supplied as an accessory in the trunk. In particular, the connector is accessible via an inspection hatch, and makes it possible to directly connect the vehicle to an electrical terminal with ease of use. This also makes it easier for the user to use.

[0007] According to one variant, the reel comprises at least two movable rollers.

[0008] This makes it possible to extend the cable path in the reel, and therefore to lengthen the cable.

[0009] According to a variant, the motor vehicle further comprises a winding actuator receiving the charging cable, the winding actuator being arranged between the reel and the connector, and equipped with a control means, and in that the winding actuator is configured to, according to said control means, hold the charging cable in position, or release the charging cable.

[0010] This makes it easier to use in the unrolled configuration, and to make it easier to wind the cable.

[0011] According to one variant, the connector is equipped with a socket adapter, and at least one specific configuration plug, configured to connect the socket adapter to a corresponding specific configuration charging station socket.

[0012] This makes it possible to adapt the vehicle to different configurations of charging stations.

[0013] According to one variant, the return means comprises a tension spring having one end fixed in the reel, and the other end fixed to said movable roller.

[0014] This makes it easy to wind the cable into the reel.

[0015] According to one variant, the motor vehicle comprises a body, and a connector hatch in the body, configured to provide access to the connector.

[0016] This provides access to the connector in the hatch.

[0017] According to a variant, the motor vehicle comprises two longitudinal reinforcement pieces, and two longitudinal winders.

[0018] The invention further relates to a vehicle charging method for a motor vehicle according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - accessing the connector; - unwind the charging cable by counteracting said return means; - connect the connector to a charging station; - disconnect the connector from the charging station; - wind the charging cable using the reel.

[0019] The invention will be further detailed by the non-limiting description of variants, and on the basis of the appended figures, in which: - [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a view in space of a part of a vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, equipped with a reel closed by a removable cover; - [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a sectional view along II-II of the reel of [Fig.l], without said cover, in a remote configuration where the movable rollers are in a first so-called rest position; - [Fig.3] schematically illustrates the reel of [Fig.2], in a close configuration where the moving rollers are in a second position called rest; - [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a close-up view of a left part of the reel of [Fig.2]; - [Fig.5] schematically illustrates a sectional view along VV of the reel of [Fig.4]; and - [Fig.6] schematically illustrates an elevation view of a chute, a hatch and a connector for the motor vehicle according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0020] The invention relates to an electric motor vehicle which comprises a traction battery B, and an on-board charging cable C connected to the traction battery B. For simplification, [Fig.l] only illustrates part of the vehicle.

[0021] The on-board cable C comprises an F connector, such as an electrical plug, to be connected to a charging station to recharge the vehicle.

[0022] The motor vehicle is described in a reference frame in space comprising a front-rear axis X following a direction of movement of the motor vehicle, a lateral axis Y perpendicular to the front-rear axis X, and a vertical axis Z perpendicular to the front-rear axis X and to the lateral axis Y.

[0023] The invention proposes to integrate an electric reel E with a 220v cable C for example, in a structural element on BEV and PHEV vehicles. The system is partitioned in a battery tray reinforcement laterally to the battery B and to the vehicle, and closed by a removable cover CE. The ultra-compact system is preferably in modular form.

[0024] The connection to the terminal is accessible via an inspection hatch (illustrated in [Fig.6]). It allows the vehicle to be connected directly to the electrical terminal with greater ease of use and convenience for the user.

[0025] Thus, the invention proposes to integrate a compact system into an existing structural element, the battery tray reinforcement, which will be adapted to accommodate a reel E of charging cable C, here parallelepiped. This reinforcement of considerable length is located laterally of the battery, for example on both the right and left sides.

[0026] The reel system comprises movable rollers G1, G2 with sliding axles on integrated rails RL; and a fixed roller GF. The movable rollers G1, G2 are held by tension springs RI, R2, in particular towards a front end of the reel E (to the left of figures 2 and 3). The springs RI, R2 comprise cords to facilitate winding. The fixed roller GF is here fixed to the other end of the reel E (towards a rear end, to the right of figures 2 and 3).

[0027] When the user unwinds the cable C, he acts on the relaxation of the springs RI, R2, and the movable rollers Gl, G2 therefore move towards the fixed connecting roller GF. The minimum gain in the overtravel of the cable C is four times the length of the battery tray reinforcement. For a greater requirement for cable length C, it is possible to add other rollers (the configuration is adaptable according to the profile of the side member of the motor vehicle).

[0028] The cable C is preferably locked in the unwound position by a cable winding system (in the form of a holding part actuator SM) located in the area of ​​the hatch (illustrated in detail in [Fig.6]). This type of system can be that mounted on vacuum cleaners. Winding is done mechanically or electrically via a switch I located for example in the hatch.

[0029] In the preferred variant, the winding of the cable C is carried out by an electrical control via a switch control I located in the hatch. A motor MC integrated in the area of ​​the hatch makes it possible to rewind the cable C. The movement is thus more flexible, and avoids the risks of contact or shocks of the plug F, Fl on the bodywork H.

[0030] The cable harness C runs along a tubular chute T in the fuel filling area of ​​the prior art. This chute T will have a certain flexibility to accept the different positions of the hatch depending on the vehicle platform.

[0031] Thanks to a universal adapter F0, integrated into the electrical wire of the cable C at the connector F, several types of power outlets (for example all those offered in the world: type A, B, C, ..., O: fifteen configurations in total), can be connected to the adapter F0. A specific socket Fl is used for this purpose. The vehicles are supplied with the socket Fl corresponding to the standard of the country of importation.

[0032] In particular, the reel E constitutes a module easily integrated on the vehicle, and representing a saving of time during assembly. This modularity of the system makes it possible to standardize it on all the applicant's vehicle platforms.

[0033] Other advantages in the preferred embodiment are as follows: - ease of use, as there is no extension cord supplied in the trunk; - the reel allows you to manage a significant length of C cable, for greater comfort for the user: integrated into a 170cm battery tray reinforcement, it is possible to quadruple (at least) the length of the C cable, i.e. 680 cm; - compactness: the housing being in a structural element, there is a significant saving of space in the vehicle, the E reel being compact compared to a classic cylindrical reel system; - the reel system being modular, it can be applied on all the applicant's electrical platforms, which implies ease of integration; - the F0 adapter integrated into the C electrical cable allows you to connect all types of sockets used in the world, i.e. 15 in total (the vehicle will be supplied with the socket corresponding to the country of use or importation); - reliability of the winding unlike cylindrical systems which can knot the electric cable C; - the integrated T-shaped chute facilitates guidance and limits the tractive effort; its flexibility allows for different positions of the access hatch depending on the vehicle platform; - the option with the electric winding allows flexibility of use and protects against the risk of contact between the Fl socket and the H body.

[0034] In use, [Fig.2] represents the rest position. The user accesses the hatch, for example by opening a cover (not shown). He can then grasp the connector F and pull it as illustrated in [Fig.3], to connect the plug F to a socket on the charging station.

[0035] By unwinding the cable C, the springs RI, R2 are stretched towards the right of figures 2 and 3, in a manner opposite to their return force. The cable C is held in position by the holding system SM.

[0036] At the end of recharging, the user disconnects the plug F from the socket, and presses the switch I to trigger the winding of the cable C under the effect of the return force of the springs RI, R2 to return to the rest position.

Claims

1. Claims Motor vehicle in a reference frame in space comprising a front-rear axis (X) following a direction of movement of the motor vehicle, a lateral axis (Y) perpendicular to the front-rear axis (X), and a vertical axis (Z) perpendicular to the front-rear axis (X) and to the lateral axis (Y), the motor vehicle comprising: - a traction battery (B); - at least one on-board charging cable (C) comprising one end electrically connected to the traction battery (B), and one end comprising a charging connector (F) configured to be connected to a charging station; - at least one longitudinal reinforcement piece arranged laterally to the motor vehicle with reference to the lateral axis (Y), characterized in that it further comprises a longitudinal winder (E) arranged in said reinforcement piece, comprising: - at least one longitudinal rail (RL); - at least one fixed roller (GF); and - at least one movable roller (Gl, G2) mounted on the rail (RL), movable between a distant position where said movable roller (Gl, G2) is at a first distance from said fixed roller (GF), and a close position where said movable roller (Gl, G2) is at a second distance from said fixed roller (GF) less than the first distance; - at least one return means (RI, R2) for driving said movable roller (Gl, G2) towards the remote position; the charging cable (C) being wound around said fixed roller (GF) and said movable roller (Gl, G2), so as to take a retracted configuration with the connector (F) retracted to a first length of the reel (E) when said movable roller (Gl, G2) is in the remote position, and an unwound configuration with the connector (F) remote to a second length of the reel (E) greater than the first length when said movable roller (Gl, G2) is in the close position, and in that it further comprises a winding actuator (MC) receiving the charging cable (C), the winding actuator (MC) being arranged between the reel (E) and the connector (F), and equipped with a control means (I), and in that the winding actuator (MC) is configured to, according to said control means (I), hold the charging cable (C) in position, or release the charging cable (C).

2. Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the reel (E) comprises at least two movable rollers (G1, G2).

3. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the connector (F) is equipped with a socket adapter (FO), and at least one plug (Fl) of specific configurations, configured to connect the socket adapter (FO) to a charging station socket of corresponding specific configurations.

4. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the return means (RI, R2) comprises a tension spring having one end fixed in the reel (E), and the other end fixed to said movable roller (Gl, G2).

5. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a body (H), characterized in that it further comprises a connector hatch in the body (H), configured to provide access to the connector (F).

6. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising two longitudinal reinforcing pieces, and two longitudinal winders (E).

7. Vehicle charging method for a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - accessing the connector (F), - unwinding the charging cable (C) by counteracting said return means (RI, R2); - connecting the connector (F) to a charging station; - disconnecting the connector (F) from the charging station; - winding the charging cable (C) using the reel (E).

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