REMOVABLE POWER SUPPLY UNIT AND VEHICLE WITH PROTECTED CONNECTORS

Abstract

REMOVABLE POWER SUPPLY UNIT AND VEHICLE WITH PROTECTED CONNECTOR Removable power supply unit (1) for vehicle, comprising: - an electrical storage battery (2), - an output connector (23), arranged in a front orientation at the first end (6) of the power supply unit (1), shaped to engage axially in a separable manner with a vehicle connector and thus establish an electrical connection with said electrical storage battery (2) to power the vehicle equipment, - at least one covering flap (8, 9), movable transversely between a covering position in which it covers the output connector (23) and a retracted position in which it provides access to the output connector (23), - a return means for bringing said at least one covering flap (8, 9) to its covering position, - a flap cam (21, 22), provided on said at least one flap of occultation (8, 9),and configured to cooperate with a thrusting element provided in a receiving compartment of the vehicle so as to move said at least one blackout flap (8, 9) to its retracted position when the power supply unit (1) is engaged in the receiving compartment of the vehicle. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 5,

Description

Title of the invention: REMOVABLE POWER SUPPLY UNIT AND VEHICLE WITH PROTECTED CONNECTORS TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of on-board electrical power supply for vehicles, in particular for light electrically assisted vehicles such as bicycles, scooters, tricycles, ....

[0002] In this application, the electrical power source for the electric assist motor is an electrical power unit mounted on the vehicle chassis and comprising a battery. The battery is often recharged by an external charger that the user connects to it. The external charger is either permanently connected to an external power source or can be connected to that external power source at will.

[0003] To charge the electric accumulator battery at different connection points to an external source of electrical energy, the user must carry his external charger in a bag, which is not very convenient and carries a risk of forgetting or losing the charger.

[0004] To avoid the inconvenience of carrying an external charger in a bag, and the risk of forgetting or losing it, it has already been proposed to integrate an onboard charger into the power supply unit. This charger is attached to one end of the battery and permanently connected to the battery. An electrical connection cable allows the user to establish an electrical connection between the onboard charger and an external power source to recharge the battery.

[0005] The most commonly used power supply units are removable, elongated in shape, and have, at one of their ends, an output connector shaped to cooperate with a corresponding vehicle connector provided on the vehicle to establish the conduction of electric current between the electric storage battery and a vehicle assist motor.

[0006] The output connector and the vehicle connector are most often equipped with a system of magnets which ensure the attraction of the connectors to each other and which thus help to achieve a clean connection and a clean disconnection, reducing the risk of corrosion of the conductors by sparks.

[0007] Recharging the electric accumulator battery using a charger Onboard power supply is most often performed when the power supply unit is removed from the vehicle, usually to be transported to a controlled location where there is a connection to an external power source. The power supply unit is then typically placed on the floor or on a stand, and its output connector is accessible. The output connector wires are then usually exposed.

[0008] Under normal operating conditions, the only voltage present between the output connector conductors is a DC voltage equal to the output voltage of the rechargeable battery, typically 36 V or 40 V, which can reach 55 V when the battery is fully charged. Such a DC voltage, below 60 V, meets the applicable safety standards for use in a wet environment. Therefore, it poses no danger to the user, who can touch the output connector conductors without risk to their health.

[0009] However, in the event of a fault in the on-board charger, a higher and particularly dangerous alternating voltage may appear, at least temporarily, between the conductors of the output connector. This can occur, for example, in the event of a galvanic insulation fault in a transformer typically present in the charger. This transformer converts the 220 V input alternating current into a lower-voltage alternating current, which is then rectified to provide a direct current for charging the battery. Indeed, the battery management system (BMS) is insufficient to completely eliminate the temporary alternating overvoltage that may occur in this situation. Fuses may then activate, but not immediately and only if the current is high, which does not eliminate the risk of electric shock.

[0010] Another difficulty is that a connector incorporating magnets presents the risk of attracting ferromagnetic metal parts in a lasting manner. These metal parts may become lodged between the two output conductors of the connector, generating a short circuit. The electronic circuit managing the battery may enter protection mode, but the battery will then be unusable.

[0011] Therefore, there is a need to prevent any contact between metallic elements or the user and the output connector conductors when the power supply unit is removed from the vehicle. This function can be achieved by one or more shutters that are normally in the closed position and are retracted when the output connector and the vehicle connector are brought towards each other.

[0012] However, in the specific case of electrically assisted vehicles, more particularly electrically assisted bicycles, a first additional difficulty results from the lack of space, the vehicle compartment receiving the electrical power unit must be as short as possible, and the blackout shutters must not increase this length significantly.

[0013] Furthermore, in this particular case, during the step of inserting the power supply unit into the vehicle compartment, the user holds it by one end, while the other end is inserted into the compartment. A second, additional difficulty arises from the fact that, during its insertion, the power supply unit may exhibit an oscillating movement, may be positioned in a way that is generally not correctly aligned with the compartment, and may not be inserted in a straight line. This makes it difficult to reliably retract the cover flaps so that the connectors can correctly engage with each other at the end of the power supply unit's insertion.There is also a risk that the other end of the power supply unit may strike and damage the vehicle connector during this engagement step. Description of the invention.

[0014] One problem proposed by the present invention is to design an on-board and removable power supply unit, in which retractable covering means make it possible to prevent any contact with the conductors of the output connector of the power supply unit when the latter is not engaged in the receiving compartment of the vehicle.

[0015] Simultaneously, the present invention aims to prevent the presence of retractable obscuring means from significantly increasing the length of the electrical power supply unit, and the corresponding length of the vehicle's receiving compartment.

[0016] Simultaneously, the present invention aims to produce the reliable and automatic retraction of the concealment means when the power supply unit is presented in the vehicle's receiving compartment, even in the event of oscillations or misalignment of the power supply unit carried by the user.

[0017] Preferably, the invention makes it possible to avoid any degradation of the vehicle connector by the power supply unit when the latter is presented in the vehicle compartment.

[0018] Thus, the user must be able to install the power supply unit in the vehicle's receiving compartment without special precautions to ensure the operation of the shading means, to avoid damage to the connectors, and to ensure the correct engagement of the connectors with each other.

[0019] To reach these objects and others, according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a removable vehicle power supply unit, having a unit body with a length between a first end and a second end along an elongation direction, shaped to be inserted into a corresponding receiving compartment of the vehicle, and comprising: - a battery of electrical accumulators, - an output connector, arranged in a front orientation at the first end of the unit body of the power supply unit, having electrical conductors connected to said electric storage battery, and shaped to engage axially in a separable manner with a vehicle connector and thus establish an electrical connection with said electric storage battery to power the vehicle equipment, - at least one blackout flap, movable transversely within the unit body between a blackout position in which it covers the output connector and a retracted position in which it provides access to the output connector, - a means of recalling said at least one blackout flap back to its blackout position, - a flap cam, provided on said at least one blackout flap, and shaped to cooperate with at least one push member provided in the vehicle's receiving compartment so as to move said at least one blackout flap to its retracted position when the electrical power supply unit is engaged in the vehicle's receiving compartment.

[0020] In principle, the output connector has a cross-section significantly smaller than that of the power supply unit itself. Therefore, there is sufficient space laterally to the output connector to accommodate one or more blackout flaps away from the output connector in their retracted position. According to the invention, this sufficient lateral space is thus used to construct the blackout means in the form of transversely moving flaps, so that the blackout means occupy only a very small and negligible longitudinal space, compatible with the need to limit the length of the power supply unit and the corresponding length of the vehicle's receiving compartment.

[0021] The power supply unit of the present invention may further include one or more of the following features.

[0022] Thus, for example, the movement of the blackout shutter(s) can be a rotational movement around respective axes of rotation.

[0023] The obscuring means may comprise two obscuring flaps which, in the obscuring position, each cover a portion of the output connector, and which, to reach their retracted position by being pushed back along their respective cams by one or more pushing devices, move transversely away from each other against return means.

[0024] According to one embodiment: - two blackout shutters are mounted to rotate around respective axes of rotation, said axes of rotation being fixed in the unit body, offset on either side of a median longitudinal plane of the output connector, and arranged in the vicinity of a first respective end of said blackout shutters, - the respective cams of the blackout flaps are oriented towards each other, arranged on either side of said median longitudinal plane of the output connector, between said axes of rotation, in a longitudinal groove of the power supply unit opening at its first end, and shaped so as to be pushed apart from each other by the same pushing member which is itself shaped to gradually engage between them in said longitudinal groove when the power supply unit is engaged in the receiving compartment of the vehicle.

[0025] A difficulty may arise when the blackout flap(s) are held in the closed position solely by elastic return means. Indeed, the holding force of the elastic return means is necessarily less than the retraction force that the pusher must exert to retract the blackout flap(s), which retraction force is necessarily limited to avoid requiring additional effort from the user when engaging the power supply unit in the vehicle's receiving compartment. Furthermore, the available space would not allow for an increase in the force of the elastic return means.

[0026] In practice, it appears that elastic return means such as springs do not sufficiently prevent the movement of the blackout flap(s) towards their retracted position when the user engages a finger radially against the flap cam(s), or when the user seeks to rotate the blackout flap(s) by fingers gripping the outer face of the blackout flap(s).

[0027] To overcome this difficulty, the power supply unit may include means for retaining the blackout shutters in the blackout position, to prevent accidental manipulation by a user from too easily bringing the blackout shutters into their retracted position.

[0028] For this purpose, initial retention means can be provided, according to which the blackout shutters comprise, on an inner face, in the vicinity of their second end opposite the axes of rotation, engagement means shaped to may come into conflict with corresponding fixed retaining means within the unit body during an axial push exerted by a user on an external face of said shading flaps. In such a conflict, the engagement and retaining means oppose the rotation of said shading flaps away from their shading position. Thus, the user cannot rotate the shading flap(s) by means of fingers gripping the external face of said shading flap(s).

[0029] Alternatively or in addition, secondary retaining means may be provided, whereby the shading shutters comprise, near their second end opposite the axes of rotation, magnetic attraction means arranged to produce a retaining force opposing the relative rotation of said shading shutters away from each other from their shading position. In this way, the user cannot easily rotate the shading shutter(s) by inserting a finger to push back the cam(s) of the shading shutter(s).

[0030] The power supply unit may include a clearance, open on the first end and on the upper face opposite said longitudinal groove, and shaped to permit penetration of the protruding vehicle connector when engaging the power supply unit in the corresponding receiving compartment of the vehicle.

[0031] This protects the vehicle connector against shocks or forces produced by the power supply unit when it enters the vehicle's receiving compartment.

[0032] The power supply unit may include at its first end one or more guide housings into which guide fingers protruding into the corresponding receiving compartment of the vehicle may penetrate and ensure the guidance of the power supply unit when it is engaged in the corresponding receiving compartment of the vehicle.

[0033] The power supply unit may include an on-board charger, having an output connected to said electric accumulator battery, having an input configured for its connection to an external source of electrical power, and preferably forming the first end of said power supply unit.

[0034] To achieve these same objectives, according to a second aspect, the invention proposes a vehicle comprising a receiving compartment shaped to receive and contain a power supply unit as defined above, the receiving compartment having a length along an elongation direction between a first end comprising a vehicle connector and a second opposite end, the receiving compartment being limited by two lateral walls opposite each other. The two compartments are connected by a bottom, with an opening opposite the bottom for the insertion and removal of the power supply unit. The bottom has a longitudinal fin forming a thrust element against which the flap cam(s) abut and are pushed back to move the cloaking flap(s) into their retracted position when the power supply unit is inserted into the receiving compartment.

[0035] The vehicle of the present invention may further include one or more of the following characteristics.

[0036] For example, the receiving compartment may have, at its first end, one or more protruding guide fingers shaped to engage in corresponding guide housings of the first end of the power supply unit, to ensure the guidance of the power supply unit when it is engaged in the receiving compartment.

[0037] Alternatively, the receiving compartment may have, at its first end, protruding protective fingers, shaped to oppose the transverse penetration of the power supply unit into the area occupied by the vehicle connector.

[0038] According to another aspect, the present invention proposes a vehicle as defined above, comprising an electrical power supply unit as defined above.

[0039] According to another aspect, the present invention proposes an external charger, comprising a base having a receiving housing shaped to receive and retain the first end of a power supply unit as defined above, the receiving housing having a base provided with a charger connector shaped to engage axially in a separable manner with the output connector of said power supply unit and thus establish an electrical connection with said battery of electrical accumulators for recharging it, the receiving housing having a fin forming a thrust member against which the flap cam(s) butt and are pushed back to move the blackout flap(s) into their retracted position when the power supply unit is introduced into said receiving housing.

[0040] Such an external charger is therefore compatible with the presence of blackout flaps, the blackout flaps being automatically retracted as soon as the power supply unit is brought into the receiving slot of the base, simultaneously allowing the interconnection of the charger connector and the output connector. The advantage of such an external charger is that it allows for faster charging of the power supply unit. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from The following description of particular embodiments, made in relation to the attached figures, among which:

[0042] [Fig.1] Fig.1 is a perspective view from below of a power supply unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, the blackout shutters being in the blackout position;

[0043] [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] is a partial perspective view from below and at a larger scale of the power supply unit of the [Fig.1], the blackout shutters still being in the blackout position;

[0044] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is an end view of the first end of the power supply unit of the [Fig.1], the blackout shutters still being in the blackout position;

[0045] [Fig.4] The [Fig.4] is a partial view from below showing the first end area of ​​the power supply unit of the [Fig.1];

[0046] [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] is a top perspective view of the power supply unit according to the embodiment of the [Fig.1], with the blackout shutters in the retracted position;

[0047] [Fig.6] The [Fig.6] is a partial perspective and cross-sectional view of a bicycle frame comprising a receiving compartment according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] [Fig.7] The [Fig.7] is a partial perspective view of the first end area of ​​the receiving compartment according to the [Fig.6], during the introduction of a power supply unit of the [Fig.1];

[0049] [Fig.8] The [Fig.8] is a partial view, in perspective from another angle, of the first end area of ​​the receiving compartment according to the [Fig.6], during the introduction of a power supply unit from the [Fig.1];

[0050] [Fig.9] The [Fig.9] is a cross-sectional view of the bicycle frame in the first end area of ​​the receiving compartment;

[0051] [Fig. 10] The [Fig. 10] is a side view illustrating the power supply unit being introduced into a bicycle frame itself shown in longitudinal section, the power supply unit being substantially vertical and in conflict with the upper protective fingers;

[0052] [Fig. 11] The [Fig. 11] is a top perspective view illustrating the power supply unit being introduced into a bicycle frame itself shown in longitudinal section, the vehicle connector being engaged in the release of the power supply unit;

[0053] [Fig. 12] The [Fig. 12] is another side perspective view illustrating the power supply unit being introduced into a bicycle frame itself shown in longitudinal section;

[0054] [Fig. 13] The [Fig. 13] is a side perspective view illustrating the power supply unit fully housed within the bicycle frame itself shown in longitudinal section;

[0055] [Fig. 14] The [Fig. 14] is a bottom view of the first end of the power supply unit, illustrating the forces exerted by the fingers of the hand to attempt to open a blackout flap by pressing on the external face of said blackout flap, and illustrating an embodiment of the first means for retaining the blackout flaps in the blackout position;

[0056] [Fig. 15] The [Fig. 15] is a front view of the first end of the power supply unit, illustrating the force exerted by a finger to attempt to open a blackout shutter by pressing on the external face of said blackout shutter, and illustrating an embodiment of the first means for retaining the blackout shutters in the blackout position;

[0057] [Fig. 16] The [Fig. 16] is a perspective view of an external charger according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0058] [Fig. 17] Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the external charger of Fig. 16 receiving a power supply unit according to the invention; and

[0059] [Fig. 18] The [Fig. 18] is a side view of a bicycle in which the power supply unit is incorporated. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED IMPLEMENTATION METHODS

[0060] When identical numerical references are used in several embodiments of the invention, these numerical references designate identical or similar elements in each of the embodiments.

[0061] We first consider the power supply unit 1 as illustrated in general terms in [Fig. 1], viewed in perspective from below towards its front face at the first end. It is a removable power supply unit, designed to be mounted on a vehicle, in particular on a light electrically assisted vehicle such as a bicycle, a scooter, or a tricycle.

[0062] This power supply unit 1 comprises a unit body including an electric accumulator battery 2 and an electrical connection cable 4 with a plug 5.

[0063] This power supply unit 1 is elongated between a first end 6 and a second end 7 along an elongation direction II.

[0064] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the unit body of this power supply unit 1 also includes an onboard charger 3. The onboard charger 3 advantageously forms said first end 6 of the power supply unit 1, has an output connected to said electric storage battery 2, and has an input including the cable of Electrical connection 4 and plug 5 for its connection to an external source of electrical power. The on-board charger 3 is structured in a known way to transform an alternating electrical current, supplied to the charger 3 by an external source of electrical power, into a direct electrical current, supplied by the on-board charger 3 to the electrical storage battery 2, and suitable for recharging the latter.

[0065] In [Fig. 1], two blackout shutters 8 and 9 are also visible at the first end 6 of the power supply unit 1. These shutters are in the closed position to prevent access to an output connector that will be visible in other figures. The blackout shutters 8 and 9 are rotatably mounted in the unit body about respective longitudinal axes of rotation 10 and 11. The respective axes of rotation 10 and 11 are fixed in the unit body, offset on either side of a median longitudinal plane 12 containing the elongation direction II, and arranged in the vicinity of a respective first end 8a or 9a ([Fig. 3]) of the blackout shutters 8 and 9. The blackout shutters 8 and 9 can thus be moved transversely by rotation around their respective axes of rotation 10 and 11, and are stressed by return springs (not shown) which tend to bring them back permanently to their blackout positions.A longitudinal groove 13 occupies part of the lower face of the power supply unit 1, and opens at the first end 6 between the rotation axes 10 and 11.

[0066] At the first end 6 of the power supply unit 1, a clearance 16 is further distinguished, open on the first end 6 and on the upper face of the power supply unit 1 opposite the longitudinal groove 13. Two upper guide housings 17 and 18 are also distinguished on the front face of the first end 6 in the vicinity of the upper corners of the face, and two lower guide housings 19 and 20 in the vicinity of the lower corners of the face.

[0067] At the second end 7 of the power supply unit 1, there is a carrying handle 14, retractable by rotation around a transverse axis 15, and illustrated in the retracted position against the front face of the second end 7 in [Fig.1].

[0068] In [Fig. 2], at a larger scale, the structure of the elements present at the first end 6 of the power supply unit 1 is shown in greater detail. The same elements are found as in [Fig. 1], identified by the same numerical references. It is further shown that each of the blackout shutters 8 and 9 has, in the vicinity of its respective axis of rotation 10 or 11, a shutter cam 21 or 22. The shutter cams 21 and 22 are oriented towards each other, arranged on either side of the aforementioned median longitudinal plane 12 ([Fig. 1]), between the aforementioned axes of rotation 10 and 11, in the longitudinal groove 13 of the power supply unit 1.

[0069] In figures 3 and 4, respectively in end view and bottom view, the flap cams 21 and 22 can again be distinguished, the flaps 8 and 9 being in the occulting position.

[0070] Figure 5 again illustrates the power supply unit 1, seen in perspective. from above towards its front face of first end 6, but this time the blackout flaps 8 and 9 are in retracted position, pivoted away from each other on either side of the median longitudinal plane 12. Thus, in this figure, we can distinguish the output connector 23 of the power supply unit 1, which was previously blackout by the blackout flaps 8 and 9 in figures 1 to 4.

[0071] We now consider [Fig. 6], illustrating a vehicle embodiment designed to receive the power supply unit 1. In this embodiment, the vehicle is a bicycle, the frame 24 of which is shown in perspective and in longitudinal section in the figure. The bicycle frame 24 includes a receiving compartment 25 into which the power supply unit 1 can be engaged with minimal clearance. In practice, the receiving compartment 25 is formed in an oblique beam 26 of the bicycle frame 24 between the handlebars 27 and the crankset 28 ([Fig. 18]).

[0072] The receiving compartment 25 is elongated along an elongation direction ILII between a first end 29 having a vehicle connector 30 and a second opposite end 31. As can be seen more clearly in cross-section in [Fig. 9], the receiving compartment 25 is bounded by two lateral walls 32 and 33 opposite to each other and connected to each other by a bottom 34, with a top opening 35 opposite to the bottom 34 and closable by a cover 36 which, in the open position as illustrated, allows the insertion and extraction of the power supply unit 1.

[0073] As can be seen in [Fig.13], when housed in the receiving compartment 25, the power supply unit 1 is arranged with its elongation direction II substantially aligned with the oblique beam 26, its first end 6 is arranged in the lower part at the first end 29 of the receiving compartment 25, and the electrical connection cable 4 is located below the electrical storage battery 2, facing the bottom 34 of the receiving compartment 25.

[0074] At the first end 29 of the receiving compartment 25, the vehicle connector 30 protrudes (Figures 6, 7, 9) and is shaped to cooperate with the output connector 23 of the power supply unit 1 when the latter is engaged in the receiving compartment 25. In the area of ​​the first end 29 of the receiving compartment 25, the bottom 34 has a median longitudinal fin 37 (Figures 6 to 9), having a section forming an edge of decreasing height as it moves away from the first end 29, and forming a fixed thrust member against which the flap cams 21 and 22 abut and are pushed back to force the pivoting of the blackout flaps 8 and 9 against their return spring until they are retracted when the power supply unit 1 is introduced into the receiving compartment 25.

[0075] Around the vehicle connector 30, two lower guide fingers 38 and 39 and two upper protective fingers 40 and 41 are further distinguished, projecting longitudinally from the front face of the first end 29 of the receiving compartment 25. The upper protective fingers 40 and 41 are arranged and shaped to engage in the respective upper guide slots 17 and 18 of the power supply unit 1, while the lower guide fingers 38 and 39 are arranged and shaped to engage in the respective lower guide slots 19 and 20, during the introduction of the power supply unit 1 into the receiving compartment 25, in order to guide the movement of the power supply unit 1 to reliably present the output connector 23 in line with the vehicle connector 30 in order to ensure interconnection.

[0076] As can be seen for example in [Fig.8], during the engagement of the power supply unit 1, the fin 37 gradually enters the longitudinal groove 13, between the flap cams 21 and 22, pushing them apart, forcing the automatic pivoting of the blackout flaps 8 and 9. Thus, in the intermediate position illustrated in [Fig.8], the blackout flaps 8 and 9 are in the retracted position, revealing the output connector 23.

[0077] During its engagement in the receiving compartment 25, the power supply unit 1 is further guided by the particular shape of the bottom 34, having a trapezoidal cross-section illustrated in [Fig.9], to which corresponds the lower trapezoidal surface of the power supply unit 1, producing the return of the power supply unit 1 into alignment with the receiving compartment 25.

[0078] We now consider figures 10 to 13, illustrating more generally the insertion movement of the power supply unit 1 as described above into the receiving compartment 25 provided for this purpose in a bicycle frame 24.

[0079] Initially, the user carries the power supply unit 1 by its handle 14, so that the power supply unit 1 is oriented vertically (or obliquely if held with both hands) with its first end 6 pointing downwards. The user inserts the first end 6 into the receiving compartment 25. Figure 12 illustrates the power supply unit 1 being inserted normally into the receiving compartment 25, with its first end 6 inserted into the receiving compartment 25 near, but slightly away from, the first end 29 of the receiving compartment 25, and its second end 7 still at the outside of the receiving compartment 25, supported by the user holding the handle 14. [Fig. 13] illustrates the power supply unit 1 fully inserted into the receiving compartment 25, before closing the cover 36.

[0080] In the scenario illustrated in [Fig. 10], the user brings the power supply unit 1 too directly into the vicinity of the first end 29 of the receiving compartment 25, in the area occupied by the vehicle connector 30. The first end 6 of the power supply unit 1 then comes to rest against the upper protective fingers 40 and 41, thus avoiding contact with and damage to the vehicle connector 30. The first end 6 of the power supply unit 1 is then slightly moved away by the user from the vehicle connector 30, so that it can be inserted into the receiving compartment 25 without touching the vehicle connector 30.

[0081] Next, the user can tilt the power supply unit 1 as illustrated in [Fig. 1 1], while progressively engaging the first end 6 towards the vehicle connector 30. During this progressive engagement, the vehicle connector 30 engages in the clearance 16, thus avoiding being touched and damaged by the power supply unit 1.

[0082] We now consider figures 14 and 15, which respectively illustrate first and second retaining means for substantially increasing the force that a finger of the user must apply to move the blackout flap(s) away from their blackout position.

[0083] On the [Fig.

[14] , the first retention means comprise, on a respective inner face 8b, 9b of the blackout shutters 8, 9, in the vicinity of their second end 8c, 9c ([Fig.3]) opposite the axes of rotation 10, 11, engagement means 42 configured to cooperate with corresponding retention means 43 arranged in the body of the power supply unit 1 to oppose the rotation of said blackout shutters 8, 9 away from their blackout position during an axial thrust FN exerted by a user on an outer face 8d, 9d of said blackout shutters 8, 9. In practice the engagement means 42 and the retention means 43 can be teeth facing each other and engaging with each other when the axial thrust FN elastically deforms the corresponding blackout shutter 8 or 9.

[0084] In a practical embodiment, in the absence of the engagement means 42 and the retention means 43, an axial thrust FN of 0.6 N was sufficient to ensure the adhesion of a finger to the outer face of a shutter, allowing the shutter to be driven by a transverse thrust FT of 0.4 N; however, in the presence of the engagement means 42 and the retention means 43, the same axial thrust FN of 0.6 N caused the engagement means 42 and the retention means 43 to engage with each other, preventing the shutter from being driven. occultation by a transverse thrust FT.

[0085] In [Fig. 15], the second retaining means comprise, in the vicinity of the second end 8c, 9c of the shading shutters 8, 9 opposite the axes of rotation 10, 11, magnetic attraction means 44 and 45 arranged to produce a retaining force opposing the relative rotation of said shading shutters 8, 9 away from each other from their shading position. In practice, the magnetic attraction means 44 may be a neodymium magnet, and the magnetic attraction means 45 may be a steel shaft.

[0086] In a practical embodiment, in the absence of the magnetic attraction means 44 and 45, a thrust FD of 12 N on the cams was sufficient to ensure the rotation of the occultation flap(s) 8, 9; on the other hand, in the presence of the magnetic attraction means 44 and 45, the thrust FD required to ensure the rotation of the occultation flap(s) 8, 9 was greater than 45 N.

[0087] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the power supply unit 1 includes an on-board charger 3, allowing, via its electrical connection cable 4, a connection to an external source of electrical energy when the power supply unit 1 is placed outside the vehicle.

[0088] Alternatively, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a power supply unit 1 without an on-board charger 3.

[0089] In both cases, i.e. in the presence or absence of an on-board charger 3, the charging of the accumulator battery 2 can be done by connection to an external charger 47, for faster charging.

[0090] According to a first fast charging option, the power supply unit 1 remains housed in the vehicle. The external charger 47 is then connected to an auxiliary socket 46 (Figures 7 and 8) of the vehicle, which is itself connected to the vehicle connector 30 to ensure continuity of the electrical connection to the battery 2.

[0091] According to a second fast-charging option, the power supply unit 1 is moved outside the vehicle. The external charger 47, for example as illustrated in Figures 16 and 17, then comprises a base 48 shaped to perform the following three functions: - to receive, in a housing 49 provided for this purpose, the first end 6 of the electrical power supply unit 1 and to maintain the latter in a vertical position, ensuring its stability and reducing the floor space occupied, - push back the blackout flaps 8 and 9 into the retracted position using a flap opening fin 50 similar to the fin 37 of the reception compartment 25, - ensure the electrical connection between a charger connector 51 and the output connector 23 of the power supply unit 1.

[0092] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments that have been explicitly described, but includes the various variants and generalizations contained within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

Demands

1. Removable vehicle power supply unit (1), having a unit body with a length between a first end (6) and a second end (7) in an elongation direction (II), shaped to be inserted into a corresponding receiving compartment (25) of the vehicle, and comprising: - an electrical storage battery (2), - an output connector (23), arranged in a front orientation at the first end (6) of the unit body of the power supply unit (1), having electrical conductors connected to said electrical storage battery (2), and shaped to engage axially in a separable manner with a vehicle connector (30) and thus establish an electrical connection with said electrical storage battery (2) to power vehicle equipment, - at least one blackout flap (8, 9),movable transversely within the unit body of the power supply unit (1) between a concealed position in which it covers the output connector (23) and a retracted position in which it provides access to the output connector (23), - at least one return means urging said at least one concealing flap (8, 9) towards its concealed position, characterized in that it comprises:, - two of said blackout flaps (8, 9), which can be moved transversely in the unit body of the power supply unit (1) between a blackout position in which they each cover a part of the output connector (23) and a retracted position in which they provide access to the output connector (23), - means of recalling the blackout flaps (8, 9) towards said blackout position, - a respective flap cam (21, 22), provided on each of said blackout flaps (8, 9), and shaped to be pushed back by one or more fixed push members (37) provided in the receiving compartment (25) of the vehicle so as to move said blackout flaps (8, 9) transversely away from each other against said return means until said retracted position upon engagement of the electrical power supply unit (1) in the direction of the vehicle connector (30) in the vehicle receiving compartment (25).

2. Power supply unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: - the blackout shutters (8, 9) are rotatably mounted about respective axes of rotation (10, 11), said axes of rotation (10, 11) being fixed in the unit body of the power supply unit (1), offset on either side of a median longitudinal plane (12) of the output connector (23), and arranged in the vicinity of a respective first end of said blackout shutters (8, 9), - the respective cams (21, 22) of the blackout shutters (8, 9) are oriented towards each other, arranged on either side of said median longitudinal plane (12) of the output connector (23), between said axes of rotation (10, 11), in a longitudinal groove (13) of the power supply unit (1) opening at its first end (6),and shaped so as to be pushed apart from each other by a single fixed thrust member (37) which is itself shaped to progressively engage between them in said longitudinal groove (13) when the power supply unit (1) is engaged towards the vehicle connector (30) in the receiving compartment (25) of the vehicle.

3. Power supply unit (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the blackout shutters (8, 9) comprise, on a respective inner face (8b, 9b), in the vicinity of their respective second end (8c, 9c) opposite the respective axes of rotation (10, 11), engagement means (42) shaped to cooperate with corresponding retaining means (43) arranged in the unit body of the power supply unit (1) to oppose the rotation of said blackout shutters (8, 9) away from their blackout position during an axial thrust (FN) exerted by a user on a respective outer face (8d, 9d) of said blackout shutters (8, 9).

4. Power supply unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the blackout shutters (8, 9) comprise, in the vicinity of their respective second end (8c, 9c) opposite the respective axes of rotation (10, 11), magnetic attraction means (44, 45) arranged to produce a restraining force opposing the relative rotation of said blackout shutters (8, 9) away from each other from their blackout position.

5. Power supply unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a clearance (16), open on the first end (6) and on the upper face of the power supply unit opposite said longitudinal groove (13), and shaped to permit penetration of the protruding vehicle connector (30) when engaging the power supply unit (1) in the corresponding receiving compartment (25) of the vehicle.

6. Power supply unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises at its first end (6) one or more guide housings (19, 20) into which guide fingers (38, 39) protruding into the corresponding receiving compartment (25) of the vehicle can penetrate and ensure the guidance of the power supply unit (1) when it is engaged in the corresponding receiving compartment (25) of the vehicle.

7. Power supply unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises an on-board charger (3), having an output connected to said electric accumulator battery (2), having an input shaped for its connection to an external source of electrical power, and forming the first end (6) of the power supply unit (1).

8. A vehicle comprising a receiving compartment (25) shaped to receive and contain a power supply unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the receiving compartment (25) having a length along an elongation direction (II-II) between a first end (29) comprising a vehicle connector (30) and a second opposite end (31), the receiving compartment (25) being bounded by two opposing side walls (32, 33) connected to each other by a bottom (34), with an opening (35) opposite the bottom (34) for the insertion and removal of the power supply unit (1), characterized in that the bottom (34) comprises a longitudinal fin (37) forming a fixed thrust member against which said flap cams (21, 22) abut and are pushed back to move the cloaking flaps (8,9) until in their retracted position when the power supply unit (1) is inserted towards the vehicle connector (30) into said receiving compartment (25).

9. Vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that the compartment receiving compartment (25) has, at its first end (29), one or more protruding guide fingers (38, 39) shaped to engage in corresponding guide housings (19, 20) of the first end (6) of the power supply unit (1), to ensure the guidance of the power supply unit (1) when it is engaged in the receiving compartment (25).

10. Vehicle according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the receiving compartment (25) has, at its first end (29), protruding protective fingers (40, 41) shaped to oppose the transverse penetration of the power supply unit (1) into the area occupied by the vehicle connector (30).

11. Vehicle according to any one of claims 8 to 10, comprising a power supply unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

12. External charger (47), comprising a base (48) having a receiving housing (49) shaped to receive and retain the first end (6) of a power supply unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the receiving housing (49) having a base provided with a charger connector (51) shaped to engage axially in a separable manner with the output connector (23) of said power supply unit (1) and thus establish an electrical connection with said electric accumulator battery (2) for recharging it, the receiving housing (49) having a fin (50) forming a fixed thrust member against which said flap cams (21, 22) butt and are pushed back to move the cloaking flaps (8, 9) into their retracted position when the power supply unit (1) is introduced into said receiving housing (49).

Images