CONVERSION KIT FOR TRANSFORMING A THERMAL VEHICLE INTO AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE, CONVERTED VEHICLE AND RELATED PROCESS

Abstract

Conversion kit for transforming a combustion engine vehicle into an electric vehicle, converted vehicle and related method. The invention relates to a conversion kit for transforming a combustion engine vehicle into an electric vehicle, said combustion engine vehicle comprising a device (1) for emitting an electrical accelerator signal (10) and a safety anti-lock braking system (2), said kit being characterized in that it comprises: - a regenerative braking system, - electronic control means to which said accelerator signal (10) is transmitted, - detection means (6) designed to be connected to said safety anti-lock braking system (2), - electronic control means (9) connected to said detection means (6) to transmit an electrical cut-off signal (20) to said electronic control means. Conversion kit for transforming a combustion engine vehicle into an electric vehicle. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: CONVERSION KIT FOR TRANSFORMING A THERMAL VEHICLE INTO AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE, TRANSFORMED VEHICLE AND RELATED METHOD

[0001] The present invention relates to the general technical field of automobiles, and more particularly to the activity of transforming combustion engine vehicles into exclusively electric engine vehicles.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a conversion kit for transforming a road vehicle with a thermal engine into a road vehicle with an electric engine, said road vehicle with a thermal engine comprising at least one member for emitting an electrical accelerator signal having a value which varies according to the position of a mobile accelerator actuable by the user to accelerate said vehicle, and an activatable and deactivatable safety anti-lock device.

[0003] The invention also relates to an electrically powered road vehicle obtained by transforming a thermally powered road vehicle, said electrically powered road vehicle comprising at least one member for emitting an electrical accelerator signal having a value which varies as a function of the position of a mobile accelerator actuable by the user to accelerate said electrically powered road vehicle, and an activatable and deactivatable safety anti-lock device.

[0004] The invention finally relates to a method for transforming a road vehicle with a thermal engine into a road vehicle with an electric engine, said road vehicle with a thermal engine comprising at least one thermal engine, a member for emitting an electrical accelerator signal having a value which varies according to the position of a mobile accelerator actuable by the user to accelerate said vehicle, and an activatable and deactivatable safety anti-lock device.

[0005] Road transport is a major contributor to CO2 emissions, due to the fact that the motor vehicle fleet is still primarily composed of vehicles with internal combustion engines. In order to reduce these CO2 emissions, which contribute to climate change, and reduce pollution linked to exhaust gases, one possibility is to replace the internal combustion vehicles in the current fleet with electric vehicles, i.e. vehicles whose propulsion is provided by an electric motor and not by a combustion engine. To In this regard, most car manufacturers now offer ranges of electric vehicles that are capable of replacing thermal vehicles. Users, whether individuals or professionals, can now obtain a new electric vehicle when they wish to replace their thermal vehicle.

[0006] However, electric vehicles generally still have a relatively high cost, in any case significantly higher than the price of their thermal equivalents, so that even when a thermal vehicle at the end of its life must be replaced, the choice of its owner will not necessarily fall, for this economic reason, on an electric vehicle. In addition, the replacement of a thermal vehicle by a new electric vehicle, independently of the economic considerations mentioned above, is also not without posing environmental problems, in particular due to a carbon footprint which is not necessarily favorable, taking into account the resources and operations required for the manufacture of a new electric vehicle.Finally, the simple "natural" replacement of a thermal vehicle at the end of its life by a new electric vehicle does not allow for a renewal of the road vehicle fleet that is sufficiently rapid to respond to current climatic and environmental challenges, which require an accelerated replacement of thermal vehicles in circulation by electric vehicles.

[0007] This is why, in order to address the various issues set out above, it is now proposed, alongside the production of new electric vehicles, to convert thermal vehicles already in circulation into electric vehicles. Such a conversion operation, also referred to as "electric retrofit", makes it possible to retain most of the components of an already existing thermal vehicle, which is obviously favorable from an environmental point of view but also from an economic point of view.

[0008] However, such a conversion operation can prove to be complex, and therefore expensive, due in particular to the very wide variety of thermal vehicles in circulation, the differences in construction and design of which make the industrialization of conversion operations extremely difficult. These electric conversion operations are all the more delicate since the vehicle thus converted must obviously satisfy all the requirements in terms of safety of use, and must be able to be approved and certified as compliant with the various applicable national and international regulations.

[0009] In this respect, a particular difficulty is encountered when the thermal vehicle to be converted is equipped with an anti-lock safety device (ABS), which is the case for a large number of thermal vehicles currently in circulation.

[0010] Indeed, electric vehicles are advantageously equipped with a system of regenerative braking, which makes it possible to take advantage of slowing down or braking phases to recharge the battery and thus increase the vehicle's range. More precisely, this power regeneration is based on the following general principle: - when the user presses the accelerator pedal, the electric machine, powered by the battery, performs a motor function and rotates the vehicle's wheels to ensure its movement; - when the user releases the accelerator pedal and / or presses the brake pedal and / or manually operates dedicated control devices (for example levers or paddles carried by the steering wheel or the dashboard), the electric machine operates as an electric generator which supplies electricity to the battery to recharge it, while applying a braking torque to the wheels of the vehicle to which the electric machine is connected.

[0011] Thus, when the user presses the brake pedal to slow down or stop his electric vehicle, it is particularly advantageous for the regenerative braking system to be activated to participate in the braking operation while allowing energy recovery. However, when the vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock safety device (ABS), the simultaneous triggering of the anti-lock safety device and the regenerative braking can lead to unexpected behavior of the vehicle, inducing potential safety risks (loss of control of the vehicle). This potentially disruptive behavior of the vehicle comes in particular from the relatively strong negative torque induced by the triggering of the power regeneration combined with the braking jolts associated with the regulation carried out by the ABS.

[0012] Obviously, this problem of the concomitant triggering of the safety anti-lock device and the regenerative braking is taken into account by manufacturers of new electric vehicles, who plan to implement on-board computers executing predetermined control logic to avoid any safety problem that may arise due to a possible triggering of both the anti-lock device and the regenerative braking.

[0013] On the other hand, this problem proves to be particularly difficult to resolve in the context of an electrical conversion operation, in particular if one wishes to implement a standardized electrical conversion operation allowing the reuse as is of the maximum number of components already present on the thermal vehicle to be converted. Thus, in particular, there is currently no electrical conversion method which makes it easy, whatever the vehicle concerned, and at a controlled cost, to transform a thermal vehicle equipped with an anti-lock safety device (ABS) into an electric vehicle always equipped with the same anti-lock safety device.

[0014] The objects assigned to the invention therefore aim to propose a new conversion kit, for transforming a road vehicle with a thermal engine into a road vehicle with an electric engine, which has a universal character and allows, in an extremely simple, rapid and inexpensive manner, to transform a thermal vehicle into an electric vehicle while retaining optimal braking characteristics in all circumstances.

[0015] Another object of the invention is to propose a new conversion kit, for transforming a road vehicle with a thermal engine into a road vehicle with an electric engine, which provides a high level of safety of use and makes it possible to avoid any intervention on the existing braking circuit of the thermal vehicle to be transformed.

[0016] Another object of the invention aims to propose a new conversion kit for transforming a road vehicle with a thermal engine into a road vehicle with an electric engine, the design of which is based on particularly reliable technical principles.

[0017] Another object of the invention is to propose a new conversion kit, for transforming a road vehicle with a thermal engine into a road vehicle with an electric engine, of particularly simple, compact and robust construction.

[0018] Another object of the invention is to propose a new conversion kit, for transforming a road vehicle with a thermal engine into a road vehicle with an electric engine, which is particularly easy and quick to install, and which in particular avoids any intervention at the level of the anti-lock safety device already present on the thermal vehicle to be transformed, and in particular at the level of the mobile components of the latter.

[0019] Another object of the invention aims to propose a new conversion kit, for transforming a road vehicle with a thermal engine into a road vehicle with an electric engine, the installation of which is particularly easy, rapid and does not require any particular expertise in electronics or on-board computing.

[0020] Another object of the invention aims to propose a new road vehicle with an electric motor, obtained by transforming a road vehicle with a thermal motor, which, while presenting a high level of safety of use, in particular in terms of braking, is particularly simple, quick and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0021] Another object of the invention aims to propose a new method for transforming a road vehicle with a thermal engine into a road vehicle with an electric engine which, while being particularly simple, rapid, universal and inexpensive, makes it possible to obtain an electric vehicle with a high degree of safety in use, particularly in terms of braking.

[0022] The objects assigned to the invention are achieved using a conversion kit for transforming a road vehicle with a thermal engine into a road vehicle with an electric engine, said road vehicle with a thermal engine comprising at least one member for emitting an electrical accelerator signal having a value which varies according to the position of a mobile accelerator actuated by the user to accelerate said vehicle, and an activatable and deactivatable safety anti-lock device, said conversion kit being characterized in that it comprises at least: - an activatable and deactivatable regenerative braking system, - electronic control means to which said electrical accelerator signal is transmitted so that it controls the activation or deactivation of said regenerative braking system as a function of said value of said electrical accelerator signal, - detection means designed to be connected to said safety anti-lock device in order to detect the activation of the latter, - electronic control means connected to said detection means for transmitting to said electronic control means, in response to said detection of activation of the safety anti-lock device, an electrical cut-off signal having a predetermined value in place of said electrical accelerator signal having a variable value, said predetermined value being established so that said electronic control means to which the electrical cut-off signal is transmitted deactivate in response said regenerative braking system, independently of the position of said accelerator.

[0023] The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved using an electrically powered road vehicle obtained by transforming a thermally powered road vehicle, said electrically powered road vehicle comprising at least one member for emitting an electrical accelerator signal having a value which varies as a function of the position of a mobile accelerator actuable by the user to accelerate said electrically powered road vehicle, and an activatable and deactivatable safety anti-lock device, said electric road vehicle being characterized in that it is provided with a conversion kit according to the invention as defined above, and the detection means of which are connected to said safety anti-lock device in order to detect the activation of the latter.

[0024] The objects assigned to the invention are finally achieved furthermore using a method for transforming a road vehicle with a thermal engine into a road vehicle with an electric engine, said road vehicle with a thermal engine comprising at least one thermal engine, a member for emitting an electrical accelerator signal having a value which varies according to the position of a mobile accelerator actuable by the user to accelerate said vehicle, and an activatable and deactivatable safety anti-lock device, said method being ca- characterized in that it includes the following steps: - said thermal engine is removed from the thermally powered road vehicle, - an activatable and deactivatable regenerative braking system is installed in the road vehicle without the thermal engine, - electronic control means are installed in the road vehicle and connected at least to said electrical accelerator signal transmission member so that the latter is transmitted to them, said electronic control means being designed to control the activation or deactivation of said regenerative braking system as a function of said value of said electrical accelerator signal, - detection means are connected to said safety anti-lock device in order to detect the activation of the latter, - electronic control means are connected to said detection means for transmitting to said electronic control means, in response to said detection of activation of the safety anti-lock device, an electrical cut-off signal having a predetermined value in place of said electrical accelerator signal having a variable value, said predetermined value being established so that said electronic control means to which the electrical cut-off signal is transmitted deactivate in response said regenerative braking system, independently of the position of said accelerator.

[0025] Other features and advantages of the invention will appear and emerge in more detail on reading the description given below, with reference to the appended drawings, given solely by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, among which:

[0026] [Fig. 1] is a diagram which schematizes the operating principle of a conversion kit in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, and its interaction with other elements of the thermally powered road vehicle to be transformed.

[0027] [Fig.2] is a diagram which schematizes the operating principle of a kit of conversion in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, and its interaction with other elements of the thermally powered road vehicle to be transformed.

[0028] [Fig.3] is a graph schematically illustrating the evolution of the torque at the output of a electric machine, which is part of the conversion kit according to the invention and is intended to replace the thermal engine of the road vehicle to be converted, depending on the position of the accelerator of said vehicle.

[0029] [Fig.4] is a diagram of an electronic circuit included in, or contributing to forming at least the electronic means for controlling a conversion kit according to the invention, for example in accordance with the first embodiment of [Fig.l].

[0030] [Fig.5] repeats the diagram of [Fig.4] and further includes arrows illustrating the cir culation of the electrical accelerator signal when the anti-lock device security is disabled.

[0031] [Fig.6] repeats the diagram of [Fig.4] and further includes arrows which illustrate the circulation of the electrical cut-off signal when the safety anti-lock device is activated.

[0032] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a conversion kit for transforming a road vehicle with a thermal engine into a road vehicle with an electric engine.

[0033] The road vehicle with a thermal engine intended to be converted by means of the conversion kit is a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle, and preferably a rolling vehicle provided with one or more wheels and intended to travel on a road which is preferably passable. Said road vehicle with a thermal engine includes a combustion engine, preferably an internal combustion engine, intended to be powered by a fuel which undergoes combustion within said engine. The fuel in question may for example be based on hydrocarbons (such as gasoline or diesel). The road vehicle with a thermal engine is for example a passenger car, a private car, a utility vehicle (tow truck, van, minivan, pickup truck, etc.), a heavy goods vehicle (tractor or carrier truck, etc.), or a bus or a coach.

[0034] The thermally powered road vehicle to be converted into an electrically powered vehicle comprises a mobile accelerator that can be actuated by the user to accelerate said vehicle. Said mobile accelerator is for example in the form of a pedal that the user can actuate with the foot, by pressing more or less on the pedal to change its position and thus control the speed of movement of the vehicle. Preferably, said mobile accelerator is therefore formed by an accelerator pedal arranged in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, at the level of the driving position. The thermally powered road vehicle in question also comprises at least one member 1 for emitting an electrical accelerator signal 10. Said electrical accelerator signal 10 has a value that varies depending on the position of said mobile accelerator that can be actuated by the user.The member 1 for transmitting said electrical accelerator signal comprises, for example, a position sensor for said accelerator, connected to said accelerator to generate a signal (which corresponds to said electrical accelerator signal 10) representative of the position of said accelerator. Advantageously, said electrical accelerator signal 10 is an electrical voltage, for example a direct voltage, the value of which varies according to the position of said mobile accelerator, a position which itself depends, for example, on the pressure exerted by the user's foot on the accelerator. The electrical accelerator signal 10 is intended to be transmitted to a computer which advantageously equips said thermally powered road vehicle, which uses the electrical accelerator signal 10. as input data to adapt accordingly the power of the thermal engine equipping the road vehicle, and therefore the latter's travel speed.

[0035] In the case where said thermally powered road vehicle is not originally equipped with a member for transmitting an electrical accelerator signal (for example in the case of a thermal vehicle whose original accelerator pedal is purely mechanical, without an electronic position sensor), it will be appropriate, prior to using the conversion kit according to the invention, to provide the vehicle with such a member for transmitting an electrical accelerator signal, for example by replacing the mechanical accelerator pedal with an electric accelerator pedal. This prior replacement operation thus makes it possible to obtain a thermal vehicle equipped with a member 1 for transmitting an electrical accelerator signal 10, which can then be transformed using the conversion kit according to the invention.

[0036] Advantageously, the thermally powered road vehicle which is to be transformed into an electric vehicle also comprises a braking device, advantageously designed to provide friction braking. To this end, the braking device includes, for example: - brake discs mounted on one or more wheels of the vehicle (for example at least two front wheels); - a caliper which locally covers the brake disc; - brake pads, at least one of which is mounted to move relative to the caliper which carries it, the relative movement of the pad and the caliper being preferably controlled by an actuator carried by the caliper, for example a piston connected to a hydraulic braking circuit.

[0037] The thermal vehicle to be converted into an electric vehicle also advantageously comprises a vehicle braking control member that can be actuated by a user. The braking control member makes it possible, for example, to act on the hydraulic braking circuit so that the pistons push the brake pads against the discs in response to an actuation of the braking control member by the user. The braking control member in question advantageously has a mobile character, and preferably includes a braking pedal, intended to be actuated by foot by the user, and which is, for example, positioned within the passenger compartment of the vehicle, for example near the accelerator pedal.

[0038] Of course, the invention is in no way limited to a disc braking device, and it is for example entirely conceivable, according to an alternative embodiment, that the braking device includes a drum system.

[0039] The thermally powered road vehicle to be converted also comprises a safety anti-lock device 2, which is a well-known braking assistance system as such, usually designated in the field by the acronym ABS, and which makes it possible to limit the risk of loss of control of the vehicle by locking the wheels in heavy braking situations. The safety anti-lock device 2 can be activated and deactivated, depending on the braking conditions. Preferably, the road vehicle with a thermal engine comprises, advantageously at each wheel, a wheel speed sensor which makes it possible to detect a possible blocking of the road concerned. The wheel speed sensors in question are advantageously connected to the safety anti-lock device 2 to activate it if such a wheel lock is detected, which may be the case during emergency braking.Activation of the safety anti-lock device 2 thus corresponds to the latter coming into action to regulate braking in order to prevent the wheels from locking. The safety anti-lock device 2 then acts on the hydraulic braking circuit to regulate the pressure within the latter, for example by pumping the brake fluid so as to lower the pressure until the wheel is released. Once the wheel thus released regains grip, the safety anti-lock device 2 this time commands an increase in pressure. In other words, said safety anti-lock device 2 is advantageously provided with hydraulic regulating means for regulating the braking pressure around the point at which the wheel is locked.In order to implement this hydraulic braking pressure regulation function, the safety anti-lock device 2 which equips the thermally powered road vehicle comprises different components, at least some of which are electrically powered, and in particular hydraulic components such as for example: . - solenoid valves, and for example pressure maintenance solenoid valves (normally open) and / or pressure reduction solenoid valves (normally closed); - a recirculation pump...

[0040] When the safety anti-lock device 2 is activated, the normally open pressure maintenance solenoid valve for the wheel in question closes in order to prevent additional pressure from being applied to the disc associated with the wheel in question. Various steps follow involving the other components (pressure reduction solenoid valve, pump, etc.), under the control of an electronic module, to automatically regulate the braking pressure and maintain the steering of the vehicle.

[0041] Such an activatable / deactivatable safety anti-lock device 2 is well known as such, and therefore does not need to be described further here.

[0042] Preferably, the thermally powered road vehicle to be converted into a vehicle electric motor road vehicle comprises a CAN bus, i.e. a communication bus operating according to the CAN (Control Area Network) protocol. Advantageously, said safety anti-lock device 2 is connected to said CAN bus of the thermal motor road vehicle. Preferably, data frames from the safety anti-lock device 2 (or one or more of its components) circulate within the CAN bus 8, and in particular data frames which reflect, directly or indirectly, the activated or deactivated state of said safety anti-lock device 2. To this end, the safety anti-lock device 2 advantageously comprises electronic means connected to the various active components (solenoid valves, pump, etc.) of the safety anti-lock device 2.For example, said electronic means of the safety anti-lock device 2 may be designed to automatically transmit data frames which reflect a change in state of the components of the safety anti-lock device 2, for example a change in state of each of the solenoid valves and / or the pump.

[0043] According to the invention, the conversion kit comprises at least one regenerative braking system that can be activated and deactivated. Such a generative braking system is known as such. It makes it possible to transform the kinetic energy of the vehicle during the deceleration and braking phases into electrical energy transmitted to the battery to be stored there, and thus improve the autonomy of the vehicle. The regenerative braking system is therefore designed to be activated only during the deceleration or braking phases, and on the contrary to be deactivated outside of these deceleration and braking phases, when the vehicle is moving at constant speed, or accelerating.

[0044] Advantageously, the conversion kit includes a battery, which comprises for example one or more elements capable of supplying electric current, for example by transforming energy produced by a chemical reaction into electrical energy. Said battery is intended to be mounted within the thermally powered road vehicle to be converted, for example in the engine compartment and / or in place of the fuel tank of said thermally powered vehicle, which must therefore be removed beforehand.

[0045] The conversion kit also advantageously comprises an electrical machine 3 allowing the conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy and vice versa. Preferably, said electrical machine 3 is a rotating machine including a stator and a rotor. It advantageously forms an electromechanical converter whose operation is based on the principles of electromagnetism. Preferably, said electrical machine 3 is a direct current or alternating current, asynchronous or synchronous, electrical machine. Said electrical machine 3 is intended to be electrically connected to said battery. For this purpose, the conversion kit includes electrical connection means, which are for example in the form of electrical cables. equipped with connectors to ensure the electrical connection between the electric machine 3 and the battery. The electric machine 3 is intended to be installed within the road vehicle with a thermal engine, to transform it into an electric vehicle. For this, the electric machine 3 is advantageously designed to be installed in place of the thermal engine initially equipping the road vehicle with a thermal engine, so that prior disassembly of said thermal engine is advantageously required to install the kit. The conversion kit advantageously comprises means for fixing the stator to the chassis of the vehicle with a thermal engine to be converted, as well as mechanical connection means for mechanically connecting the rotor to the power transmission chain with which the thermal vehicle to be transformed is already equipped, so that the rotor can drive the wheels in rotation and vice versa.

[0046] Advantageously, the electric machine 3 is designed to be alternately, under the influence of an electronic controller 4, either in a driving configuration in which the electric machine 3 is electrically powered by the battery to ensure the propulsion of the vehicle equipped with the kit (generation of an engine torque), or in a generator configuration in which the electric machine 3 electrically powers the battery to recharge it, while slowing down the vehicle equipped with the kit (generation of a braking torque), or in a freewheel configuration in which the electric machine 3 is electrically disconnected from the battery (no torque generated or received by the electric machine 3).The electronic controller 4 is advantageously part of the conversion kit, and it is connected to the electric machine 3 to control its operation, and in particular to switch it from one of its driving, generating and freewheeling configurations to the other, automatically, in response to different signals reflecting the operating conditions of the vehicle and the control instructions of the user. For example, said controller 4 includes an inverter, preferably with variable frequency. In the driving configuration, the rotor transmits driving power to the wheels of the vehicle, which allows the latter to move forward, the level of power communicated to the wheels being controlled by the user by means of the mobile accelerator mentioned above.Conversely, in the generator configuration, it is the wheels that rotate the rotor of the electric machine 3, so as to generate an electric current that is transmitted to the battery to recharge it. Thus, in the generator configuration, the electric machine 3 advantageously forms an alternator. In the freewheel configuration, the stator is no longer electrically connected to the battery, so that no propulsion or braking force is generated, and the battery is not recharged.

[0047] Advantageously, said electric machine 3 and electronic controller 4 contribute to forming said regenerative braking system, the electronic controller 4 being designed to control the maintenance of the electric machine 3 in generator configuration as long as the regenerative braking system is activated. In other words, the activation of the regenerative braking system corresponds to the transition of the electric machine 3 from its driving (or freewheel) configuration to its generator configuration, in which the wheels of the vehicle rotate the rotor to generate an electric current which supplies the battery, the rotor imparting in reaction to the wheels to which it is connected a braking torque. The regenerative braking system therefore advantageously includes the electric machine 3 in generator configuration.

[0048] The conversion kit also comprises electronic control means to which said electrical accelerator signal 10 is transmitted so that said electronic control means control the activation or deactivation of said regenerative braking system as a function of said value of said electrical accelerator signal 10. Preferably, the controller 4 is part of said, or forms said, electronic control means. Part or all of said electronic control means is for example part of an electronic control unit 5, which includes at least one electronic computer and on-board software.

[0049] Preferably, said conversion kit comprises said electronic control unit 5 which forms all or part of said electronic control means. The electronic control means are thus connected to the member 1 for transmitting the electrical accelerator signal 10, to access the latter and in return activate or deactivate the regenerative braking system according to the instantaneous value of the electrical accelerator signal 10. In other words, the electronic control means advantageously access the electrical accelerator signal 10 permanently and in real time, which allows them to activate or deactivate the regenerative braking system in real time to take into account the instantaneous position of said mobile accelerator.In order to ensure the recovery, by the electronic control means, of said electrical accelerator signal 10, the conversion kit advantageously comprises connection means making it possible to ensure an electrical connection between the transmission member 1 which is part of the thermal vehicle to be converted and said electronic control means which are part of the kit to be installed on the thermal vehicle to transform it into an electric vehicle. Preferably, when the value of the electrical accelerator signal 10 corresponds to a slowing down or braking sequence of the vehicle equipped with the conversion kit, said electronic control means transmit to the electronic controller 4 a control signal so that said electronic controller 4 in response switches the electric machine 3 into its generator configuration. Conversely, when the accelerator is actuated by the user to accelerate the vehicle, the value of said electrical signal . accelerator 10 transmitted to the electronic control means causes the latter to send a control signal to the electronic controller 4 which, in response, this time switches the electric machine 3 to the driving configuration.

[0050] Preferably, the electronic control means and / or the electronic control unit 5 of which they are part are designed so that the torque generated or received by the electric machine 3 depends on the position of the accelerator controlled by the user according to a control law which corresponds to that illustrated by [Fig. 3]. This control law advantageously relates to a mobile accelerator preferably formed by a pedal elastically returned to a deployed position, and which the user can gradually depress by pressing on it with his foot until reaching a final stop position corresponding to a maximum acceleration command. More precisely, the control law illustrated by [Fig. 3] is broken down as follows: - In the absence of pressure on the accelerator pedal, the latter occupies a position PO corresponding to the extreme deployed position of the pedal. The electric accelerator signal 10 then has a value which causes the electronic control means to activate, via the electronic controller 4, the regenerative braking system, corresponding to the generator configuration of the electric machine 3. The latter then opposes a maximum torque C2 to the rotation of the wheels, which contributes to braking the vehicle. - Pressing the pedal to the PI position (pedal very slightly pressed) maintains the activation of the generative braking system with the maximum braking torque C2. If the pedal is pressed a little further by the user, the braking torque applied by the electrical machine 3 in generator configuration will gradually decrease until reaching a zero value when the pedal is slightly pressed in a freewheel start position RL1. The first freewheel position RL1 of the pedal corresponds to a freewheel configuration, in which no torque (motor or braking) is applied to the wheels, which then find themselves in free rotation. This free rotation is maintained over a reduced portion of the pedal travel RL, up to a freewheel end position RL2. - Continuing to press the pedal beyond the freewheel end position RL2 results in the emission of an electrical accelerator signal 10 whose value causes the deactivation, by the electronic control means, via the electronic controller 4, of the regenerative braking system. This means that the electric machine 3 then switches from its generator configuration to its motor configuration. The electric machine 3 is thus transformed into a motor which drives the rotating wheels. - Continuing to press the pedal then causes the electric machine 2 to impart increasing engine torque to the vehicle's wheels, which reaches a value maximum Cl when the pedal is almost fully depressed and is in a maximum acceleration position P2. Continuing to press the pedal to the end stop position P3 maintains the engine torque at the maximum value Cl.

[0051] According to the invention, the conversion kit comprises detection means 6 designed to be connected to the safety anti-lock device 2 in order to detect the activation of the latter. The detection means 6 are in other words designed to cooperate with the safety anti-lock device 2, in order to be able to emit a signal representative of the activation or deactivation state of the latter.

[0052] As explained above, the safety anti-lock device 2 which equips the thermal vehicle to be transformed preferably comprises at least one component (for example a solenoid valve or a pump) designed to evolve between at least a first and a second operating state, said first operating state being reached in response to the activation of said safety anti-lock device 2. Preferably, said component is electrically powered by a supply line 7 within which circulates an electric current which the transition from the second operating state to the first operating state varies. Preferably, said component comprises a solenoid valve, for example a normally open pressure maintenance solenoid valve, which evolves between a first operating state (solenoid valve closed) and a second operating state (solenoid valve open).When the safety anti-lock device 2 is activated, said solenoid valve, which is initially in the normally open configuration, switches to the closed configuration. This switch to the closed configuration causes an electric current to flow in the supply line 7, which is concomitant with the triggering (i.e. activation) of the safety anti-lock device 2. Alternatively, the component in question may comprise another electrical component of the safety anti-lock device 2, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0053] Advantageously, the detection means 6 comprise a current sensor designed to measure the electric current flowing within the supply line 7, to thus detect the transition from said second operating state of the component (which is for example a solenoid valve) to said first operating state. Such a current sensor makes it possible to measure the intensity of the current flowing within the supply line of the component of the safety anti-lock device 2, and thus detect, upon activation of the safety anti-lock device 2, a variation in the intensity of the electric current which signals the triggering of the safety anti-lock device 2.

[0054] In this preferred embodiment, the conversion kit provides extremely simple, rapid and inexpensive access to a signal representative of the de triggering (activation) of the safety anti-lock device 2, without it being necessary to dismantle or analyze in any way the safety anti-lock device 2 already present on the road vehicle with thermal engine, nor it being necessary to intervene on the electrical braking circuit or on the hydraulic braking circuit. In fact, in this preferred embodiment, it is sufficient to carry out a simple current measurement to deduce the activation of the safety anti-lock device 2. The operating principle of this embodiment is therefore particularly simple, robust and inexpensive. Such a solution also has the advantage of being universal: it is sufficient to access the electrical supply line 7 of a component of the safety anti-lock device 2 to benefit from a reliable signal, regardless of the vehicle concerned.The conversion kit thus has a universal character which allows it to adapt to any vehicle.

[0055] Preferably, said current sensor is an open-loop Hall effect sensor. The use of an open-loop Hall effect current sensor proves to be particularly advantageous because such a sensor can be easily associated with the power supply line 7 to measure the electric current passing within the latter. Such a sensor in fact has an annular body which simply needs to be positioned around the power supply line 7, without the need for contact with the latter, to obtain a sufficiently reliable measurement allowing the triggering of the safety anti-lock device 2 to be detected. For example, the current sensor is a sensor marketed under the reference DHAB S / 124 by the company LEM International SA, route du Nant d'Avril 152 CH 1217 Meyrin, Switzerland.

[0056] Of course, the invention is not limited to a particular current sensor, and it is for example conceivable, according to an alternative embodiment, to use a current sensor electrically mounted in series, instead of the above-mentioned open loop Hall effect sensor.

[0057] Advantageously, in addition to the current sensor, or instead of the latter, the detection means 6 comprise electronic processing means, which are for example part of the electronic control unit 5, and are designed to analyze data frames transiting within the CAN bus 8 to which said safety anti-lock device 2 is connected. In this case, the electronic processing means which are part of the detection means 6 identify, from the analyzed data frames which transit within the CAN bus 8, the activation of the safety anti-lock device 2 at the moment when this occurs. In order to allow this analysis of the data frames coming from the safety anti-lock device 2, the electronic control unit 5, which advantageously includes said electronic processing means, is intended to be connected to the CAN bus 8 already present and connected to the safety anti-lock device 2 in the thermal vehicle to be converted. This means that the conversion kit advantageously comprises connection means making it possible to establish a functional link, for example by means of connectors and electrical cables, between the electronic control unit 5 which is part of the conversion kit and the CAN bus 8 which pre-exists within the thermally powered road vehicle. In this alternative embodiment, advantage is thus taken of the presence of a CAN bus already installed in the thermal vehicle, before conversion, which may possibly make it possible to avoid using a current sensor. On the other hand, in the absence of a CAN bus, the current sensor proves to be an extremely simple, robust and reliable universal solution.It is also possible that the detection means 6 comprise both a current sensor and electronic processing means designed to analyze data frames transiting within the CAN bus 8 to which the safety anti-lock device 2 is connected, which makes it possible to obtain an increased level of safety, through the redundancy thus implemented.

[0058] According to the invention, the conversion kit comprises electronic control means 9 connected to said detection means 6 for transmitting to said electronic control means, in response to the detection of the activation of the safety anti-lock device 2, an electrical cut-off signal 20 in place of said electrical accelerator signal 10. In the embodiment of [Fig. 1], said electronic control means 9 are preferably embedded, in whole or in part, in a module separate from the electronic control unit 5, to which said module is advantageously connected, as illustrated by [Fig. 1]. However, it is perfectly conceivable that said electronic control means 9 are integrated, in whole or in part, in the electronic control unit 5 (embodiment of [Fig. 2]), without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0059] The electrical cut-off signal 20 has a predetermined value, unlike the electrical accelerator signal 10 which has a variable value dependent on the position of the mobile accelerator. Said predetermined value of the cut-off signal 20 corresponds for example to a predetermined electrical voltage value, which is for example preset by means of an adjustment resistor 11. Thus, the detection means 6 advantageously communicate to the electronic control means, and for example to the electronic control unit 5, a detection signal 60 having a value which varies to reflect the activation or deactivation of the safety anti-lock device 2.When the value of said detection signal 60 corresponds to the activation of the safety anti-lock device 2, the electronic control means 9 transmit in response to said electronic control means, of which at least the controller 4 advantageously forms part, said electrical cut-off signal. 20.

[0060] Said predetermined value of the electrical cut-off signal 20 is established so that the electronic control means, of which the controller 4 advantageously forms part, to which the electrical cut-off signal 20 is transmitted, deactivate in response to said electrical cut-off signal 20 the regenerative braking system, independently of the position of the accelerator.

[0061] In other words, the conversion kit according to the invention is designed to detect the activation of the safety anti-lock device 2 and in response to deactivate the regenerative braking system, independently of the position of the accelerator, by the emission of the electrical cut-off signal 20, the value of which is advantageously fixed and chosen to command the deactivation, by the electronic control means, of the regenerative braking system.

[0062] The invention is thus based on an extremely simple and reliable technical principle, according to which the conversion kit is capable, autonomously, of detecting the activation of the safety anti-lock device 2 previously present on the thermal vehicle to be converted, and of immediately controlling in response the deactivation of the regenerative braking system, to avoid any risk of seeing, during emergency braking, a braking torque applied to the drive wheels which could disturb the driver if the safety anti-lock device 2 is activated. When, on the contrary, the safety anti-lock device 2 is not activated, the conversion kit makes it possible to activate and deactivate the regenerative braking system according to the actual position of the accelerator, itself controlled by the user.The design of the conversion kit according to the invention thus avoids any analysis of the triggering conditions of the anti-lock safety device 2 pre-existing on the thermal vehicle to be converted, thanks to the simple detection of the triggering (activation) of the anti-lock safety device 2, without it being necessary to go back to the triggering conditions, and for example to the data from the speed sensors on board the wheels. The invention also makes it possible to avoid any direct intervention on the hydraulic and electrical braking circuits with which the thermal vehicle is already equipped before its transformation into an electric vehicle.

[0063] This contributes to significantly simplifying and making the conversion operation more reliable. This simplification is amplified by the fact that, when the conversion kit detects the activation of the safety anti-lock device 2, it in turn forces the deactivation of the regenerative braking system, to avoid any risk of disturbance to the driver in the event of emergency braking. This again avoids any specific integration work allowing the concomitant triggering of the safety anti-lock device 2 and the regenerative braking system.

[0064] Thanks to this double simplification, the conversion kit has a universal character, which allows its immediate adaptation whatever the vehicle concerned, while preserving perfectly safe and reliable behavior of the vehicle in all circumstances.

[0065] Advantageously, said electronic control means are designed to deactivate the regenerative braking system in response to said value of the electrical accelerator signal 10 reaching a threshold value corresponding to the occupation, by said mobile accelerator, under the effect of a predetermined actuation by the user, of a neutral position associated with freewheeling of the vehicle, said predetermined value of the electrical cut-off signal 20 being in this case advantageously equal to said threshold value. For example, in the embodiment corresponding to [Fig. 3], said neutral position of the accelerator is part of the freewheeling range RL, that is to say that said neutral position is either the freewheeling start position RL1, or the freewheeling end position RL2, or any one of the positions located between said positions RL1 and RL2.When the accelerator is in such a neutral freewheel position, the member 1 emits an electrical accelerator signal 10 whose value causes the regenerative braking system to be deactivated by the electronic control means. In this case, the predetermined value of the electrical cut-off signal 20 is set to be advantageously equal to said aforementioned threshold value, so that the electrical cut-off signal 20, which replaces the electrical accelerator signal 10, is perceived by the electronic control means as an electrical accelerator signal 10 reflecting a position of the movable accelerator belonging to the freewheel range RL. In other words, the electronic control means 9 are advantageously designed in this case to communicate to the electronic control means a signal which simulates a freewheel position of the accelerator, independently of the actual position of the latter.For example, said predetermined value of the electrical cut-off signal 20 is a voltage value which is equal to the voltage value returned by the member 1 in response to a positioning of the accelerator in the freewheel range RL, under the effect of an actuation of said accelerator by the user.

[0066] Preferably, the electronic control means 9 include a selector connected to said detection means 6 to authorize the electronic control means to access, to control the activation or deactivation of the regenerative braking system, either the electrical accelerator signal 10 or the electrical cut-off signal 20, depending on whether the safety anti-lock device 2 is deactivated or activated.

[0067] The selector in question is formed for example by an electronic circuit such as that which corresponds to the diagram in figures 4 to 6.

[0068] The specific embodiment corresponding to figures 4 to 6 makes it possible to hold takes into account in particular the following constraints: - the deactivation of the regenerative braking system cannot be obtained directly and solely by means of the electronic control unit 5, but by means of the controller 4 which controls the operation of the electric machine 3; - the electrical accelerator signal 10 is associated with an analog ground specific to the electronic circuit of the transmission member 1 and has a value, corresponding to a voltage, between 0 and 5 V.

[0069] The electronic circuit of Figures 4 to 6 thus makes it possible to receive as input an output signal from the electronic control unit 5 which forms a logic input (active ABS signal 0 or 1). Depending on the value of this logic input, the logic inverter formed by the electronic circuit makes it possible to alternately supply to the controller 4 the electrical cut-off signal 20 whose value equals the threshold value reflecting a freewheel position, or the electrical accelerator signal 10 which reflects the actual instantaneous position of the accelerator. The circuit of Figures 4 to 6 allows a certain way of emulating a neutral accelerator pedal position (low release) when the safety anti-lock device 2 is operating (is activated) in order to prevent the controller 4 from activating the power regeneration.

[0070] More precisely, in this embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 to 6, the electronic control unit 5 transmits to the electronic control means 9 a control signal 50 whose value varies depending on whether or not the detection means 6 detect an activation of the safety anti-lock device 2, whether by means of a current sensor and / or by an analysis of the data frames transiting within the CAN bus 8. In the case where the signal 50 reflects the inactivation of the safety anti-lock device 2, the electronic control means 9 communicate to the controller 4 the electrical accelerator signal 10, as illustrated by [Fig.5].Conversely, when the control signal 50 reflects the activation of the safety anti-lock device 2, the electronic control means 9 are designed to communicate to the controller 4 not the electrical accelerator signal 10 coming from the transmission member 1 connected to the accelerator, but the cut-off signal 20 of predetermined value, as illustrated by [Fig.6].

[0071] The electronic circuit of figures 4 to 6 further gives the signals 10, 20 transmitted to the controller 4 an analog character, which allows the reading of the signal concerned 10, 20 by the controller 4.

[0072] The circuit of figures 4 to 6, which advantageously contributes to forming the electronic control means 9, and in particular the selector, advantageously implements, as illustrated, an optocoupler and transistors to form in particular a logic inverter making it possible to alternately supply to the controller 3 the electrical accelerator signal 10 and the electrical cut-off signal 20 as a function of the value of the control signal 50 at the output of the electronic control unit 5. The optocoupler is chosen to allow the separation of the analog grounds (and in particular of the analog ground of the circuit of the transmission member 1) from the vehicle ground, while a first transistor 13 forms a logic inverter, and second and third transistors 14, 15 form locking transistors.

[0073] In the particularly advantageous embodiment implementing detection means 6 including a current sensor, the latter is sensitive to the magnetic field produced by the current draw of the safety anti-lock device 2 associated for example with a change in configuration of a hydraulic component, such as a solenoid valve. The signal 60 from the current sensor is read by the appropriate software element of the on-board electronic card of the electronic control unit 5, which in return communicates a control signal 50 to the electronic control means 9 so that the latter transmit to the controller 4 either the actual electrical accelerator signal 10 or an emulated electrical signal, which forms the electrical cut-off signal 20.

[0074] The circuit of figures 4 to 6 thus makes it possible to provide a particularly simple solution, based on an analog system, allowing safe management of the regenerative braking system and the safety anti-lock device 2.

[0075] Advantageously, in both cases (electrical accelerator signal 10 transmitted to the controller 4 or electrical cut-off signal 20 transmitted to the controller 4), a real-time torque feedback is transmitted by the controller 4 to the electronic control unit 5 to enable the latter to manage operational safety.

[0076] Advantageously, said electronic control means 9 are designed to be connected to said user-actuable vehicle braking control member mentioned above, so as to transmit to said electronic control means said electrical cut-off signal 20 instead of said electrical accelerator signal 10 only if said braking control member is actuated by the user, i.e. if the user controls the braking of the vehicle by actuating said braking control member. Thanks to this technical measure, the conversion kit has a particularly safe and reliable character, with a limited risk of malfunction.

[0077] Advantageously, the electronic control unit 5 is designed to cut off the power supply to the controller 4 of the electrical machine 3 in the event of a failure of said controller 4. The controller 4 is advantageously connected to the CAN bus 8, so that a possible failure of the controller 4 can be detected by the electronic control unit 5 by analyzing the data frames transiting within the CAN bus 8.

[0078] According to a second aspect, the invention also relates to an electrically powered road vehicle obtained by transforming a motorized road vehicle thermal, by means of the conversion kit according to the invention, as described above. Therefore, the preceding description concerning the conversion kit applies, mutatis mutandis, to the road vehicle according to the invention. Said electrically powered road vehicle in question comprises at least one member 1 for emitting an electrical accelerator signal having a value which varies according to the position of a mobile accelerator actuable by the user to accelerate the electrically powered road vehicle. Said road vehicle according to the invention also comprises an activatable and deactivatable safety anti-lock device 2. As mentioned above, the electric road vehicle in question is provided, in accordance with the invention, with a conversion kit according to the preceding description, and the detection means of which are connected to the safety anti-lock device 2 in order to detect the activation of the latter.

[0079] Finally, according to a third aspect, the invention also relates to a method for transforming a road vehicle with a thermal engine into a road vehicle with an electric engine.

[0080] Preferably, the transformation method according to the invention is carried out by means of the conversion kit according to the invention, as described above. Therefore, the above description concerning the conversion kit applies, mutatis mutandis, to the transformation method according to the invention, and vice versa.

[0081] The road vehicle with a thermal engine which is the starting point of the conversion process comprises at least one thermal engine, a member 1 for emitting an electrical accelerator signal having a value which varies according to the position of a mobile accelerator actuated by the user to accelerate said vehicle, and an activatable and deactivatable safety anti-lock device 2.

[0082] The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: - The thermal engine is removed from the thermally powered road vehicle. - An activatable and deactivatable regenerative braking system is installed in the road vehicle without the thermal engine. For example, an electric machine 3 is installed in place of the thermal engine, said electric machine 3 being designed to be alternately, under the influence of an electronic controller 4, either in a driving configuration, or in a generator configuration, or in a freewheel configuration, as explained previously. - Electronic control means are installed in the road vehicle and connected at least to said member 1 for transmitting the electric accelerator signal 10 so that said electric accelerator signal 10 is transmitted to said electronic control means. The electronic control means are designed to control the activation or deactivation of the regenerative braking system as a function of the value of said electric accelerator signal 10. - Detection means 6 are connected to the safety anti-lock device 2 in order to detect the activation of the latter. - Electronic control means 9 are connected to said detection means 6 to transmit to said electronic control means, in response to said detection of the activation of the safety anti-lock device 2, an electrical cut-off signal 20 having a predetermined value in place of said electrical accelerator signal 10 having a variable value.

[0083] Said predetermined value is established so that the electronic control means to which the electrical cut-off signal 20 is transmitted deactivate in response the regenerative braking system, independently of the position of said accelerator.

[0084] Advantageously, as already explained in the foregoing in relation to the conversion kit according to the invention, the safety anti-lock device 2 which initially equips the thermal vehicle to be converted comprises at least one component (preferably a hydraulic component, for example a solenoid valve or a pump) designed to evolve between at least a first and a second operating state, said first operating state being reached in response to the activation of the safety anti-lock device 2. As explained previously, said component is electrically powered by a power supply line 7 already present in the thermal vehicle and within which circulates an electric current which the transition from the second operating state to the first operating state causes to vary.

[0085] The detection means 6 connected to the safety anti-lock device 2 within the framework of the method according to the invention advantageously comprise a current sensor designed to measure the electric current flowing within the supply line 7 to thus detect the transition from said second operating state to said first operating state.

[0086] According to an alternative or complementary embodiment, the thermally powered vehicle which is the subject of the transformation method according to the invention comprises a CAN 8 bus to which the safety anti-lock device 2 is connected. In this case, the detection means 6 installed within the framework of the method according to the invention advantageously comprise electronic processing means designed to analyze data frames transiting within said CAN 8 bus, in order to detect the activation of the safety anti-lock device 2.

[0087] The invention thus makes it possible, in an extremely simple, rapid and inexpensive manner, to transform a thermal vehicle into an electric vehicle, while retaining as much of the initial equipment of the thermal vehicle as possible, and in particular its safety anti-lock device 2 and the associated braking circuit. Thanks to its universal nature, the invention can be deployed on an industrial scale, and allows standardized operations that require a minimum of skills, particularly in electronics and on-board computing.

Claims

Claims

1. Conversion kit for transforming a road vehicle with a thermal engine into a road vehicle with an electric engine, said road vehicle with a thermal engine comprising at least one member (1) for emitting an electrical accelerator signal (10) having a value which varies according to the position of a mobile accelerator actuated by the user to accelerate said vehicle, and an activatable and deactivatable safety anti-lock device (2), said conversion kit being characterized in that it comprises at least: - an activatable and deactivatable regenerative braking system, - electronic control means to which said electrical accelerator signal (10) is transmitted so that they control the activation or deactivation of said regenerative braking system according to said value of said electrical accelerator signal (10),- detection means (6) designed to be connected to said safety anti-lock device (2) in order to detect the activation of the latter, - electronic control means (9) connected to said detection means (6) for transmitting to said electronic control means, in response to said detection of the activation of the safety anti-lock device (2), an electrical cut-off signal (20) having a predetermined value in place of said electrical accelerator signal (10) having a variable value, said predetermined value being established so that said electronic control means to which the electrical cut-off signal (20) is transmitted deactivate in response said regenerative braking system, independently of the position of said accelerator.,

2. Conversion kit according to the preceding claim characterized in that said electronic control means (9) are designed to be connected to a braking control member of the vehicle actuable by a user, so as to transmit to said electronic control means said electrical cut-off signal (20) in place of said electrical accelerator signal (10) only if said control member braking is operated by the user.

3. Conversion kit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further includes on the one hand a battery and on the other hand an electric machine (3) which is intended to be electrically connected to said battery and is designed to be alternately, under the influence of an electronic controller (4), either in a driving configuration in which it is electrically powered by the battery to ensure the propulsion of said vehicle, or in a generator configuration in which it electrically powers the battery to recharge it while slowing down said vehicle, said electric machine (3) and electronic controller (4) contributing to forming said regenerative braking system, or in a freewheel configuration in which the electric machine (3) is electrically disconnected from the battery,said electronic controller (4) being designed to control the maintenance of said electric machine (3) in generator configuration as long as the regenerative braking system is activated.,

4. Conversion kit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electronic control means are designed to deactivate said regenerative braking system in response to said value of said electrical accelerator signal (10) reaching a threshold value corresponding to the occupation, by said mobile accelerator, under the effect of a predetermined actuation by the user, of a neutral position associated with freewheeling of the vehicle, said predetermined value of the electrical cut-off signal (20) being equal to said threshold value.

5. Conversion kit according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said electronic control means (9) include a selector connected to said detection means (6) to authorize said electronic control means to access, to control the activation or deactivation of the regenerative braking system, either the electric accelerator signal (10) or the electric cut-off signal (20), depending on whether the safety anti-lock device (2) is deactivated or activated.

6. Conversion kit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said safety anti-lock device (2) comprises at least one component designed to evolve between at least a first and a second operating state, said first operating state being reached in response to the activation of said safety anti-lock device (2), said component being electrically powered by a power supply line (7) within which circulates an electric current which the transition from the second operating state to the first operating state varies, said detection means (6) comprising: - a current sensor designed to measure said electric current flowing within the power supply line to thus detect the transition from said second operating state to said first operating state, and / or - electronic processing means designed to analyze data frames transiting within a CAN bus (8) to which said safety anti-lock device (2) is connected.

7. Conversion kit according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said current sensor is an open loop Hall effect sensor.

8. An electrically powered road vehicle obtained by transforming a thermally powered road vehicle, said electrically powered road vehicle comprising at least one member (1) for emitting an electrical accelerator signal (10) having a value which varies as a function of the position of a mobile accelerator actuable by the user to accelerate said electrically powered road vehicle, and an activatable and deactivatable safety anti-lock device (2), said electric road vehicle being characterized in that it is provided with a conversion kit according to any one of the preceding claims, and the detection means (6) of which are connected to said safety anti-lock device (2) in order to detect the activation of the latter.

9. Method for transforming a road vehicle with a thermal engine into a road vehicle with an electric engine, said road vehicle with a thermal engine comprising at least one thermal engine, a member (1) for emitting an electrical accelerator signal having a value which varies according to the position of a mobile accelerator actuable by the user to accelerate said vehicle, and a safety anti-lock device (2) activatable and deactivatable, said method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - said thermal engine is removed from the thermally powered road vehicle, - an activatable and deactivatable regenerative braking system is installed in the road vehicle without a thermal engine, - electronic control means are installed in the road vehicle and connected at least to said member (1) for transmitting the electric accelerator signal (10) so that the latter is transmitted to them, said electronic control means being designed to control the activation or deactivation of said regenerative braking system as a function of said value of said electric accelerator signal (10), - detection means (6) are connected to said safety anti-lock device (2) in order to detect the activation of the latter, - electronic control means (9) are connected to said detection means (6) for transmitting to said electronic control means, in response to said detection of the activation of the safety anti-lock device (2), an electrical cut-off signal (20) having a predetermined value in place of said electrical accelerator signal (10) having a variable value, said predetermined value being established so that said electronic control means to which the electrical cut-off signal (20) is transmitted deactivate in response said regenerative braking system, independently of the position of said accelerator.

10. Transformation method according to the preceding claim characterized in that said safety anti-lock device (2) comprises at least one component designed to evolve between at least a first and a second operating state, said first operating state being reached in response to the activation of said safety anti-lock device (2), said component being electrically powered by a power supply line within which an electric current flows that the passage from the second operating state to the first operating state varies, said detection means (6) comprising a current sensor designed to measure said electric current flowing within the power supply line to thereby detect the transition from said second operating state to said first operating state.

11. Transformation method according to claim 9 or 10 characterized in that said thermally powered vehicle comprises a CAN bus (8) to which said safety anti-lock device (2) is connected, said detection means (6) comprising electronic processing means designed to analyze data frames transiting within said CAN bus (8).

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