ELECTRIC OR HYBRID MOTOR VEHICLE WITH MEANS FOR HOLD AN ADDITIONAL BATTERY IN POSITION

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric motor vehicle (100), comprising a body (200) including a compartment (1) arranged to receive a removable additional battery (10) with a carrying handle (11) and coupling head and comprising an interface housing (3) for cooperating electrically and mechanically with the coupling head, this compartment (1) includes a first holding and locking mechanism (4), movable between a release position and a locking position, for holding and locking the carrying handle (11) to immobilize the removable additional battery (10) in a locked manner and ensure permanent contact and continuity of energy transmission between the removable additional battery (10) and the motor vehicle (100),This first holding and locking mechanism (4) comprises a pivoting arm with a hook (6) to grip the carrying handle (11) and immobilize it in the locked position. Figure 1,

Description

Title of the invention: ELECTRIC OR HYBRID MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING MEANS FOR MAINTAINING AN ADDITIONAL BATTERY IN POSITION

[0001] The invention relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, intended to receive at least one removable additional battery with at least one carrying handle and at least one coupling head, said motor vehicle comprising a body including at least one compartment arranged for receiving said removable additional battery, said at least one compartment comprising at least one first housing arranged to receive and position said removable additional battery in a road position of said motor vehicle, said at least one compartment comprising at least one interface box arranged to cooperate electrically and mechanically with said coupling head of said removable additional battery in said road position of said motor vehicle to ensure the electrical connection of said removable additional battery with energy storage and / or traction equipment that said motor vehicle comprises.

[0002] The invention relates to the field of power supply for electric or hybrid motor vehicles, and more particularly the equipment of such vehicles with additional batteries intended to increase their autonomy.

[0003] Increasing the autonomy of electric vehicles is a concern for users. Fast charging is a solution that requires the availability of charging stations along the route.

[0004] Carrying additional batteries is difficult due to the mass and bulk of such batteries, and the ergonomics for installing them often leaves something to be desired. In addition, vehicles are generally not predisposed for this purpose, and have little available space, except to the detriment of the vehicle occupants and their luggage.

[0005] Document EP2340951B1 is known from the prior art, which discloses a battery bay configured to be arranged on the underside of a vehicle, this vehicle comprising a cavity for housing the batteries, and a locking mechanism with pairs of locks opposite relative to the cavity, capable of vertically lifting the battery blocks into the cavity, and locking it there. Such a configuration requires a suitable installation, with an overhead crane and / or a pit, and is therefore reserved for professional use.

[0006] As access to the batteries from above is difficult, other solutions have come up with the opposite, for example by placing additional batteries on the tray of a pickup-type vehicle. But such a configuration drastically reduces the carrying capacity of the vehicle, which must also be prepared for this use.

[0007] The significant mass of additional batteries requires them to be carefully wedged, which does not allow them to be placed in the trunk of a vehicle, or even in the passenger compartment. In addition, the electrical connection with the electrical systems of the electric or hybrid vehicle must be perfectly secure, as must the mechanical connection. This does not allow the transport of batteries on wheels, similar to suitcases, offered on the market, but which cannot be secured for dynamic use.

[0008] The objective of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a vehicle that can easily be equipped by the user himself, under satisfactory safety conditions, and without special handling equipment. It is therefore a question of defining an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising means for holding an additional battery in position.

[0009] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, intended to receive at least one removable additional battery with at least one carrying handle and at least one coupling head, said motor vehicle comprising a body including at least one compartment arranged for receiving said removable additional battery, said at least one compartment comprising at least one first housing arranged to receive and position the removable additional battery in a road position of said motor vehicle,said at least one compartment comprising at least one interface box arranged to cooperate electrically and mechanically with said coupling head of said removable additional battery in said road position of said motor vehicle to ensure the electrical connection of said removable additional battery with energy storage and / or traction equipment included in said motor vehicle. According to the invention, said at least one compartment comprises at least one first holding and locking mechanism, which is movable between a release position and a locking position, for holding and locking at least one said carrying handle of said removable additional battery to immobilize said removable additional battery in a locked manner in said locking position,in said road position of said motor vehicle and to ensure permanent contact and continuity of energy transmission between said removable additional battery and said motor vehicle, and said at least one first holding and locking mechanism comprises at least one arm pivoting around a first pivot axis and comprising at least one hook arranged to cooperate in a complementary manner with said carrying handle and immobilize it in said locking position in said road position of said motor vehicle.

[0010] Thanks to the invention, each additional battery can be perfectly maintained, with electrical connections ensured in complete safety. The invention makes it possible to equip a vehicle with several compartments, and any number of additional batteries, each able to cooperate with such a compartment comprising an interface box and a first holding and locking mechanism. The simplicity of the first holding and locking mechanism according to the invention makes it very inexpensive, which allows it to be duplicated in each of the compartments. The invention also allows the use of additional batteries of reduced unit mass, which makes handling by the user easier.

[0011] Advantageously, said at least one compartment comprises at least one opening arranged on one side of said bodywork for access to a user when said motor vehicle is placed on the ground, and said at least one compartment comprises at least one movable hatch which is movable between an open position and a closed position and which is arranged to close all or part of at least said opening, in said road position of said motor vehicle in which each said movable hatch that said motor vehicle comprises is in said closed position, and said at least one movable hatch is arranged to allow the unloading or loading of said removable additional battery, in a stationary service position of said motor vehicle where said at least one first holding and locking mechanism is in said release position, when said movable hatch is in said open position,to release said additional removable battery and allow its handling by a user by means of said at least one carrying handle.

[0012] Thus, lateral access facilitates the handling of the batteries, and does not require means of lifting the vehicle or the batteries to load or unload them. Side compartments at the bottom of the body contribute to lowering the vehicle's center of inertia. The use of movable hatches allows good compatibility with the line of the vehicle's body, and correct aerodynamic behavior.

[0013] Advantageously, said at least one movable hatch comprises a second housing arranged to cooperate with said removable additional battery for its complementary maintenance in said transport position, which second housing is further arranged to maintain said removable additional battery during the transition from said open position to said closed position of said at least one movable hatch, or vice versa.

[0014] In this way the additional battery remains at least partially held during the operation of the hatch, which reduces the user's efforts. The second housing provides good support complementary to the first housing, the The additional battery can thus be wedged into its service position on all sides.

[0015] Advantageously, said at least one movable hatch is pivotable relative to a second pivot axis parallel to the ground when said motor vehicle is in said road position, and is arranged to be lowered towards the ground while remaining above the ground, from said road position to said service position of said motor vehicle, to facilitate the handling of said removable additional battery by a user by means of said carrying handle.

[0016] Thus the additional battery can be placed in the hatch, and guided during its transfer when the hatch is pivoted. Any contact with the ground is avoided, and handling is carried out just above ground level.

[0017] Advantageously, said at least one compartment and / or said at least one corresponding movable hatch comprises at least one second holding and locking mechanism which is controlled by said at least one first holding and locking mechanism or by control means which said motor vehicle comprises, to ensure that said movable hatch is kept in the closed position in the road position of said motor vehicle.

[0018] Thus the safety of closing each hatch is ensured when the vehicle is in its road position, with all hatches closed, and ready to travel or in the process of traveling.

[0019] More particularly, said motor vehicle comprises, between said at least one compartment and said at least one movable hatch, at least one electric cylinder and / or a gas cylinder or a motorized hatch operating means, to facilitate the opening and / or closing operation of said at least one movable hatch.

[0020] Thus handling is facilitated when the hatch carries one or more additional batteries during their loading or unloading.

[0021] More particularly still, said motor vehicle comprises said control means which are arranged to control at least one said motorized hatch operating means which also constitutes said second holding and locking mechanism.

[0022] Thus a centralized control of the vehicle manages the safety features in the road position of the vehicle.

[0023] Advantageously, said motor vehicle comprises said control means capable of detecting a collision of said motor vehicle, and which are arranged to release each said first holding and locking mechanism and each said second holding and locking mechanism in the event of a collision.

[0024] This allows access to the batteries by fire or emergency services, in the event of overheating due, for example, to a collision with another vehicle.

[0025] More particularly, said at least one first holding and locking mechanism comprises at least one toggle or eccentric mechanism with a first pivoting stroke arranged to allow the contact docking of said at least one hook on a said carrying handle, and a second additional stroke following said first stroke to immobilize with tightening a said carrying handle in said locking position, in said road position of said motor vehicle.

[0026] This configuration allows excellent mechanical strength, while requiring moderate effort at the level of an operating means, such as an electric jack, motor or similar, actuating this first holding and locking mechanism.

[0027] Advantageously, said motor vehicle is intended to receive a plurality of said removable additional batteries, and said bodywork comprises either a plurality of said compartments each arranged to receive at least one said removable additional battery, or a single said compartment comprising a plurality of said first housings each arranged to receive and position a said removable additional battery.

[0028] Thus it is possible to allocate volumes, which are unsuitable for the transport of passengers or luggage, to the carrying of additional batteries.

[0029] The invention will be further detailed by the description of non-limiting embodiments, and on the basis of the appended figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which: - [Fig.l] illustrates schematically and in perspective, an electric or hybrid motor vehicle according to the invention, comprising control means and energy storage and / or traction equipment such as main batteries; this vehicle comprises, in the lower part of its bodywork, several hatches for closing compartments for receiving additional batteries. This vehicle is shown in a service position, in which one of its hatches is still open. Inside the open compartment, we see a first housing in which is placed an additional battery connected to an interface box, and hooked, at the level of a handle which it comprises, by a first holding and locking mechanism shown in a locking position.The pivoting hatch designed to close this compartment has a second housing designed to cooperate with the same additional battery; the operation of this hatch is facilitated by lateral jacks; . - [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a similar way to [Fig.l], a detail of the same motor vehicle, where a compartment can be closed by a single hatch pivotally mounted around an axis parallel to the ground, this compartment has housings for two additional batteries arranged side by side; the first holding and locking mechanism is not visible on this view; the two additional batteries are each positioned in a second housing of the hatch, we see their handle, as well as a coupling head arranged for the coupling of the respective additional battery with an interface box housed in the compartment; - [Fig.3] illustrates schematically and in cross-sectional view passing through the handle and the coupling head of one of the additional batteries of [Fig.2] and through an interface box, in a position of release of the first holding and locking mechanism visible on the left, with an arm here in a vertical position; the hatch is shown in the fully open position; the extreme positions of an additional battery, loading / unloading on the right, and service on the left, are shown in phantom. The compartment here comprises, in the upper right part, a second holding and locking mechanism comprising a hook arranged to cooperate with a notch in the hatch for its locking. The ground level is represented, under the body of the vehicle, by a line above a hatched area; - [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a similar way to [Fig.3], the same mechanism. The hatch in broken line is folded down towards the ground, in the open position; its second housing carries an additional battery; the first holding and locking mechanism is in its release position; the future additional battery service position is visible in broken line; - [Fig.5] schematically illustrates, in a similar way to [Fig.4], the same mechanism. The hatch in broken line is folded down to close the opening of the compartment, in the closed position; its second housing carries the additional battery, now held in its first housing; the first holding and locking mechanism is still in its released position; - [Fig.6] schematically illustrates, in a similar way to [Fig.5], the same mechanism. The first holding and locking mechanism is tilted into its locking position.

[0030] The principle of the invention consists of maintaining additional batteries (also called "add-ons") in the vehicle, in order to guarantee permanent contact, so as to guarantee continuity in the transmission of energy to the vehicle. In particular, it consists of using the battery carrying handle, in order to hook it using an ad hoc mechanism.

[0031] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates an electric or hybrid motor vehicle 100, intended to receive at least one additional removable battery 10 with at least at least one carrying handle 11 and at least one coupling head 12. This motor vehicle 100 comprises a body 200, which includes at least one compartment 1, which is arranged for receiving at least one removable additional battery 10.

[0032] As visible in [Fig.l] and [Fig.2], this at least one compartment 1 comprises at least one first housing 2, which is arranged to receive and position a removable additional battery 10 in a road position of the motor vehicle 100. This at least one compartment 1 comprises at least one interface box 3, which is arranged to cooperate electrically and mechanically with a coupling head 12 of a removable additional battery 10, in the road position of the motor vehicle 100, to ensure the electrical connection of the at least one removable additional battery 10 with energy storage and / or traction equipment 300 that the motor vehicle 100 comprises.

[0033] According to the invention, and as visible in [Fig.l], and [Fig.3] to [Fig.6], this at least one compartment 1 comprises at least one first holding and locking mechanism 4, which is movable between a release position and a locking position, for holding and locking at least one carrying handle 11 of a removable additional battery 10, for immobilizing the removable additional battery 10 in a locked manner in the locking position, in the road position of the motor vehicle 100, and for ensuring permanent contact and continuity of energy transmission between the removable additional battery 10 and the motor vehicle 100.

[0034] And this at least one first holding and locking mechanism 4 comprises at least one arm 5, which is pivotable about a first pivot axis D1, and which comprises at least one hook 6 arranged to cooperate in a complementary manner with a carrying handle 11 and immobilize it in the locking position.

[0035] More particularly and as visible in [Fig. 3], this at least one compartment 1 comprises at least one opening 8, which is arranged laterally on one side of the bodywork 200, for access to a user when the motor vehicle 100 is placed on the ground. And the at least one compartment 1 comprises at least one movable hatch 9, which is movable between an open position as visible in [Fig. 2], [Fig. 3], [Fig. 4], and a closed position as visible in [Fig. 5], [Fig. 6], and which is arranged to close all or part of at least one opening 8, in the road position of the motor vehicle 100 in which each movable hatch 9 that the motor vehicle 100 comprises is in the closed position.And this at least one movable hatch 9 is arranged to allow the unloading or loading of at least one additional removable battery 10, in a stationary service position of the motor vehicle 100 where the at least one first holding and locking mechanism 4. is in the release position, in the opening position of the movable hatch 9, to release the at least one removable additional battery 10 and allow its handling by a user by means of the at least one carrying handle 11.

[0036] More particularly, as visible in [Fig.3] and [Fig.4], the at least one movable hatch 9 comprises a second housing 91, which is arranged to cooperate with a removable additional battery 10 for its additional maintenance in the transport position, which second housing 91 is further arranged to maintain such a removable additional battery 10 during the transition from the open position to the closed position of the at least one movable hatch 9, or vice versa.

[0037] More particularly, as visible in [Fig.3] and [Fig.4], the at least one movable hatch 9 is pivotable relative to a second pivot axis D2, parallel to the ground when the motor vehicle 100 is in the road position, and is arranged to be lowered towards the ground while remaining above the ground, from the road position to the service position of the motor vehicle 100, to facilitate the handling of each removable additional battery 10 by a user by means of the at least one carrying handle 11.

[0038] More particularly, the at least one compartment 1 and / or the at least one corresponding movable hatch 9 comprises at least one second holding and locking mechanism 92, which is controlled by this at least one first holding and locking mechanism 4, or by control means 400 that the motor vehicle 100 comprises, to ensure that the movable hatch 9 is kept in the closed position in the road position of the motor vehicle 100. [Fig.3], [Fig.5] and [Fig.6] show a non-limiting example of such a second holding and locking mechanism 92, comprising a hook 93 arranged to cooperate with a notch 94 of the hatch 9 for its locking.

[0039] More particularly, as visible in [Fig.l], the motor vehicle 100 comprises, between the at least one compartment 1 and the at least one movable hatch 9, at least one electric cylinder and / or a gas cylinder or a motorized hatch operating means, to facilitate the opening and / or closing operation of the at least one movable hatch 9.

[0040] More particularly still, the motor vehicle 100 comprises control means 400, which are arranged to control at least one motorized hatch operating means which also constitutes the second holding and locking mechanism 92.

[0041] More particularly, the motor vehicle 100 comprises control means 400 which are capable of detecting a collision, or an accident for example in the event of overheating of a battery, of the motor vehicle 100, and which are arranged to release each first holding and locking mechanism 4 and each second holding and locking mechanism 92 in the event of a collision, or an accident.

[0042] More particularly, the at least one first holding and locking mechanism 4 comprises at least one toggle or eccentric mechanism, in particular a toggle, or latch, or similar, with a first pivoting stroke arranged to allow the contact docking of the at least one hook 6 on a carrying handle 11, and a second additional stroke following the first stroke to immobilize with tightening a carrying handle 11 in the locking position, in the road position of the motor vehicle 100.

[0043] More particularly, the motor vehicle 100 is intended to receive a plurality of such removable additional batteries 10, and the bodywork 200 comprises either a plurality of compartments 1 each arranged to receive at least one removable additional battery 10, or a single compartment 1 comprising a plurality of first housings 2 each arranged to receive and position a removable additional battery 10.

[0044] More particularly still, these removable additional batteries 10 are identical and therefore interchangeable.

[0045] In short, the invention provides a satisfactory and economical solution, by proposing an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising means for holding an additional battery in position, ensuring electrical safety as well as mechanical safety within the vehicle. It allows the additional batteries to be positioned as close as possible to the ground, without requiring lifting equipment for the vehicle or the batteries. This solution is ergonomic, and allows the user to carry out the loading and unloading of additional batteries of reasonable mass himself, without risk, while ensuring the safety features necessary for the proper operation of the vehicle.

Claims

Claims

1. Electric or hybrid motor vehicle (100), intended to receive at least one removable additional battery (10) with at least one carrying handle (11) and at least one coupling head (12), said motor vehicle (100) comprising a body (200) including at least one compartment (1) arranged for receiving said removable additional battery (10), said at least one compartment (1) comprising at least one first housing (2) arranged to receive and position said removable additional battery (10) in a road position of said motor vehicle (100),said at least one compartment (1) comprising at least one interface box (3) arranged to cooperate electrically and mechanically with said coupling head (12) of said removable additional battery (10) in said road position of said motor vehicle (100) to ensure the electrical connection of said removable additional battery (10) with energy storage and / or traction equipment (300) that said motor vehicle (100) comprises, characterized in that said at least one compartment (1) comprises at least one first holding and locking mechanism (4), which is movable between a release position and a locking position, for holding and locking at least one said carrying handle (11) of said removable additional battery (10) to immobilize said removable additional battery (10) in a locked manner in said locking position,in said road position of said motor vehicle (100) and to ensure permanent contact and continuity of energy transmission between said removable additional battery (10) and said motor vehicle (100), and in that said at least one first holding and locking mechanism (4) comprises at least one arm (5) pivoting around a first pivot axis (Dl) and comprising at least one hook (6) arranged to cooperate in a complementary manner with said carrying handle (11) and immobilize it in said locking position.,

2. Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 1 characterized in that said at least one compartment (1) comprises at least one opening (8) arranged on one side of said bodywork (200) for access to a user when said motor vehicle (100) is placed on the ground, and in that said at least one compartment (1) comprises at least one movable hatch (9) which is movable between an open position and a closed position and which is arranged to close all or part of at least said opening (8), in said road position of said motor vehicle (100) in which each said movable hatch (9) which said motor vehicle (100) comprises is in said closed position, and in that said at least one movable hatch (9) is arranged to allow the unloading or loading of said removable additional battery (10), in a stationary service position of said motor vehicle (100) where said at least one first holding and locking mechanism (4) is in said release position, when said movable hatch (9) is in said open position, to release said removable additional battery (10) and allow its handling by a user by means of said at least one carrying handle (11).

3. Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 2 characterized in that said at least one movable hatch (9) comprises a second housing (91) arranged to cooperate with said removable additional battery (10) for its complementary maintenance in said transport position, which second housing (91) is also arranged to maintain said removable additional battery (10) during the passage from said open position to said closed position of said at least one movable hatch (9), or vice versa.

4. Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 2 or 3 characterized in that said at least one movable hatch (9) is pivotable relative to a second pivot axis (D2) parallel to the ground when said motor vehicle (100) is in said road position, and is arranged to be lowered towards the ground while remaining above the ground, from said road position to said service position of said motor vehicle (100), to facilitate the handling of said removable additional battery (10) by a user by means of said carrying handle (11).

5. Motor vehicle (100) according to one of claims 2 to 4 characterized in that said at least one compartment (1) and / or said at least one corresponding movable hatch (9) comprises at least one second holding and locking mechanism (92) which is controlled by said at least one first holding and locking mechanism (4) or by control means (400) which said motor vehicle (100) comprises, to ensure that said at least one compartment (1) and / or said at least one corresponding movable hatch (9) is kept in the closed position. said movable hatch (9) in the road position of said motor vehicle (100).

6. Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 5 characterized in that said motor vehicle (100) comprises, between said at least one compartment (1) and said at least one said movable hatch (9), at least one electric cylinder and / or a gas cylinder or a motorized hatch operating means, to facilitate the opening and / or closing operation of said at least one movable hatch (9).

7. Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 6 characterized in that said motor vehicle (100) comprises said control means (400) which are arranged to control at least one said motorized hatch operating means which also constitutes said second holding and locking mechanism (92).

8. Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 5 or 6 characterized in that said motor vehicle (100) comprises said control means (400) capable of detecting a collision of said motor vehicle (100), and which are arranged to release each said first holding and locking mechanism (4) and each said second holding and locking mechanism (92) in the event of a collision.

9. Motor vehicle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that said at least one first holding and locking mechanism (4) comprises at least one toggle or eccentric mechanism with a first pivoting stroke arranged to allow the contact docking of said at least one hook (6) on a said carrying handle (11), and a second additional stroke following said first stroke to immobilize with clamping a said carrying handle (11) in said locking position, in said road position of said motor vehicle (100).

10. Motor vehicle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said motor vehicle (100) is intended to receive a plurality of said removable additional batteries (10), and in that said bodywork (200) comprises either a plurality of said compartments (1) each arranged to receive at least one said removable additional battery (10), or a single said compartment (1) comprising a plurality of said first housings (2) each arranged to receive and position a said removable additional battery (10).

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