ELECTRIC OR HYBRID MOTOR VEHICLE FEATURING A COOLING SYSTEM BETWEEN THE CHASSIS AND A BATTERY PACK

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle (100) comprising a chassis (200) from which a removable battery pack (10) is suspended, positioned by centering pins (11) cooperating with holes (21) in the chassis (200), which comprises a hollow side member (20) having these holes (21), wherein the side member (20) has at least one opening (25) for the insertion of a cooling and / or extinguishing fluid in case of abnormal heating in the battery pack (10), and wherein at least one centering pin (11) of the battery pack (10) cooperating with the side member (20) is hollowed out to allow the passage of this fluid from the inside of the side member (20) to a cooling channel in the battery pack (10) and which is arranged to externally and / or internally cool at least one battery of the battery pack (10). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: ELECTRIC OR HYBRID MOTOR VEHICLE FEATURING A CIRCULATION OF COOLING METHODS BETWEEN THE CHASSIS AND A BATTERY PACK

[0001] The invention relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising a running gear arranged for the ground support of said motor vehicle in a road position, said running gear defining a lower side of said motor vehicle, said motor vehicle comprising a passenger compartment arranged for the carrying of passengers and / or loads and defining an upper side of said motor vehicle, said motor vehicle comprising a chassis from which is suspended, in said road position, and fixed by fastening means, at least one battery pack positioned by centering pins projecting towards the upper side of said motor vehicle and cooperating with holes that have in said chassis towards said lower side of said motor vehicle, which chassis comprises at least one hollow side member having said holes.

[0002] The invention relates to the field of electric or hybrid motor vehicles, and more particularly to the batteries equipping these vehicles and mounted in a container called a battery pack.

[0003] The invention relates more particularly to the safety of these vehicles in the event of overheating of their batteries during an incident such as a collision, or when an abnormal temperature rise is observed.

[0004] Prior art document FR2987001A1 is known, which describes a vehicle with a chassis fixed under a body, and a battery tray fixed to the chassis in a way that is directly removable from under the vehicle.

[0005] Document FR30002910A1 describes a support structure for a hybrid or electric motor vehicle, used for extinguishing battery fires. This support structure comprises hollow bodies forming channels located near a compartment containing traction batteries, and it includes, on the one hand, an external access means allowing the channels to be filled with a fire-extinguishing fluid, and on the other hand, orifices for diffusing this fluid from these channels to the battery compartment.

[0006] This load-bearing structure is a single unit, and the battery pack is necessarily attached to the chassis in a complex manner that does not allow for easy replacement of the battery pack, or the installation of different types of battery packs. The battery pack is therefore very difficult to remove.

[0007] In addition, a gravity discharge of the cooling or extinguishing fluid is not provided, and therefore the extinguishing takes place essentially under pressure, and the turbulence of the extinguishing fluid flow does not always guarantee its proper delivery to the battery pack and batteries.

[0008] In the event of a battery fire, it is essential to be able to flood the vehicle's batteries. The principle is to allow water to flow from the chassis rails to the battery. It is therefore necessary to ensure optimal water flow from the rails to a high-capacity battery.

[0009] The invention endeavors to retain the removable character of the battery pack, and its ease of quick attachment under the chassis, with centering by centering pins, and fixing by screws, and proposes to make a battery pack more versatile, in particular suitable for cooperating with a chassis equipped for fluid circulation according to the teachings of FR30002910A1 or similar, without modification of the chassis, and at the cost of minor modifications of the mechanical components of the battery packs usable for the type of vehicle considered, with standardized positions of centering pins and fixing screws.

[0010] The objective of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks by proposing to equip the battery pack with hollow battery centering pins, to allow the passage of cooling and / or extinguishing fluid for the cooling and / or extinguishing of an overheating battery.

[0011] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising a running gear arranged for the ground support of said motor vehicle in a road position, said running gear defining a lower side of said motor vehicle, said motor vehicle comprising a passenger compartment arranged for the carrying of passengers and / or loads and defining an upper side of said motor vehicle, said motor vehicle comprising a chassis to which is suspended, in said road position, and fixed by fastening means, at least one removable battery pack, positioned by centering pins projecting towards said upper side of said motor vehicle and cooperating with holes that have in said chassis towards said lower side of said motor vehicle, which chassis comprises at least one hollow side member having said holes.

[0012] According to the invention, said side member has at least one orifice for the insertion of a cooling and / or extinguishing fluid in case of abnormal heating in said battery pack, and at least one of said centering pins of said battery pack cooperating with said drilling of said side member has a distal end distant from the internal walls of said side member and is hollowed out to allow the passage of said cooling and / or extinguishing fluid from the interior of said side member to at least one cooling channel that is included in said battery pack and which is arranged to externally and / or internally cool at least one battery contained in said battery pack

[0013] Thanks to the invention, without modifying an existing chassis with centering holes and mounting threads, it is possible to modify an existing battery pack at low cost, simply by replacing the centering pins with hollow pins and connecting them to a cooling channel that is generally already present on the battery pack. The modification is very inexpensive and preserves the removable nature of the battery packs.

[0014] Advantageously, said at least one opening is covered by a movable hatch which is movable under the action of emergency services in the event of an accident occurring to said motor vehicle and / or in the event of a finding of battery overheating observed by control means included in said motor vehicle.

[0015] Thus the cleanliness of the inside of the chassis and the side member is ensured, and no pollution can circulate in the latter or in the cooling channel.

[0016] Advantageously, said movable hatch is pivoting and / or tilting.

[0017] Thus the hatch remains on the vehicle after an intervention, and can be reused.

[0018] Advantageously, said movable hatch is motorized and controlled by said control means.

[0019] This provision allows the opening of the movable hatch as soon as the control means detect abnormal heating of a battery, or the existence of a disaster.

[0020] Advantageously, said motor vehicle includes a coolant and / or extinguishing fluid reservoir arranged to discharge said fluid into said side member on command of said control means.

[0021] This arrangement, well suited to heavy goods vehicles, allows the opening of the mobile hatch as soon as the control means detect abnormal heating of a battery, or the existence of an incident, and the start of autonomous cooling, even before the arrival or intervention of emergency services.

[0022] Advantageously, at least one sealing gasket is interposed between said side member and said battery pack at the level of each said hollow centering pin, to limit the circulation of said cooling and / or extinguishing fluid only within said side member and said battery pack.

[0023] Thus, the installation of a battery pack arranged according to the invention can be carried out safely while guaranteeing the overall sealing of the cooling channel and the internal volume of the side member.

[0024] Advantageously, all of said centering pins of said battery pack cooperating with said side member are hollowed out.

[0025] This ensures the maximum flow of cooling fluid towards the cooling channel.

[0026] Advantageously, said battery pack is fixed to said chassis by fixing screws cooperating with threads that comprise said chassis or said longitudinal member.

[0027] Attaching a battery pack is therefore very simple and quick.

[0028] In a particular embodiment, said battery pack includes at least one gas evacuation channel connected to a centering pin which is of a height greater than said centering pins arranged to conduct said cooling and / or extinguishing fluid to said cooling channel, to return hot gases to said side member.

[0029] Thus it is possible to evacuate hot gases from the battery pack and to allow proper flow of coolant towards the battery pack.

[0030] More particularly, said longitudinal member includes at least one fitting and / or a valve for the evacuation of said hot gases and for the control of the evacuation of said hot gases by fire rescue services.

[0031] Thus it is possible to evacuate, in a controlled manner, the hot gases during a rescue operation.

[0032] The invention will be further detailed by describing non-limiting embodiments, and based on the accompanying figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which: - [Fig.1] schematically illustrates, partially and in exploded perspective, a motor vehicle according to the invention, in road position, and of which only a chassis with a side member is represented, from which a battery pack is suspended, and centralized means for controlling and supplying cooling fluid; the battery pack has, on its periphery, a base which carries hollowed centering pins specific to the invention, as well as screw passages, and the side member has holes for receiving these drilling pins, and tapped holes for receiving the fixing screws; - [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in perspective, the cooperation between this battery pack and this side member, we can see the hollowed-out centering pins which come approximately halfway up the internal volume of the side member; this side member here has an opening at the end for the insertion of cooling fluid; - [Fig.3] illustrates schematically, partially, and in cross-section passing through a hollowed centering pin, the assembly is shown in [Fig.2]; we see the interposition of a sealing gasket between the longitudinal member and the base of the battery pack; - [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, similarly to [Fig.3], the beginning of rem pleating of cooling and / or extinguishing fluid in the internal volume of the longitudinal member, the fluid level (represented by hatching) being still lower than that of the openings of the hollowed-out centering pins; - [Fig.5] schematically illustrates, similarly to [Fig.4], the continuation of the filling of cooling and / or extinguishing fluid in the internal volume of the spar, the level of the fluid is higher than that of the openings of the hollowed centering pins, and the fluid (represented by hatching) pours homogeneously into the cooling channel of the battery pack to which the hollows of the hollowed centering pins are connected; - [Fig.6] schematically illustrates, similarly to [Fig.2], another variant where the filling orifice of the side member can be covered by a hatch, here pivoting and shown in the open position, for example after it has been pushed in using a fire hose; this hatch is in a lateral position on the side member, very easy to access for the emergency services.

[0033] A vehicle according to the invention is schematically illustrated in [Fig. 1]. This 100% electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprises a running gear, which is arranged to provide ground support for the vehicle in a road position. This running gear defines a lower side of the vehicle. This motor vehicle comprises a passenger compartment, which is arranged for carrying passengers and / or cargo, and which defines an upper side of the vehicle.

[0034] The motor vehicle 100 comprises a chassis 200, from which, in the road position, at least one removable battery pack 10 is suspended and secured by fastening means, including but not limited to screws 2 and threaded holes 22. This removable battery pack 10 is positioned under the chassis 200 by centering pins 11 projecting towards the upper side of the motor vehicle 100, which centering pins 21 cooperate with holes 21 in the chassis 200 projecting towards the lower side of the motor vehicle 100. It is understood that the chassis 200 may consist of a self-supporting body, or support a body, and is not necessarily made of a completely tubular structure.

[0035] This chassis 200 includes at least one hollow side member 20, which has, on one side only towards the lower side of the vehicle 100, such holes 21 for receiving the centering pins 11 of a battery pack 10.

[0036] According to the invention, the side member 20 has at least one orifice 25 for the insertion of a cooling and / or extinguishing fluid in case of abnormal heating in the battery pack 10. And at least one of the centering pins 11 of the battery pack 10 cooperating with a bore 21 of the side member 20 has a distal end distant from the internal walls of the side member 20, and is hollowed out, to allow the passage of the cooling and / or extinguishing fluid from the inside of the side member 20 to at least one cooling channel 13 that comprises the battery pack 10 and which is arranged to externally and / or internally cool at least one battery included in the battery pack 10.

[0037] More particularly, this at least one opening 25 is covered by a movable hatch 26 which is movable under the action of emergency services in the event of an accident occurring to the motor vehicle 100 and / or in the event of a finding of battery overheating observed by control means 300 which comprise the motor vehicle 10.

[0038] More specifically, the movable hatch 26 is pivoting and / or tilting.

[0039] More specifically, the movable hatch 26 is motorized and controlled by the piloting means 300.

[0040] In a particular variant, the motor vehicle 100 includes a coolant and / or extinguishing fluid reservoir 400, which is arranged to discharge fluid into the side member 20 on command from the control means 300.

[0041] More particularly, at least one sealing gasket 29 is interposed between the side member 20 and the battery pack 10 at the level of each hollowed centering pin 11, to limit the circulation of the cooling and / or extinguishing fluid only inside the side member 20 and the battery pack 10.

[0042] More specifically, all the centering pins 11 of the battery pack 10 cooperating with the longitudinal member 20 are hollowed out.

[0043] More particularly, the battery pack 10 is fixed to the chassis 200 by fixing screws 2 cooperating with threads 22 which are present in the chassis 200 or the longitudinal member 20.

[0044] More particularly, the battery pack 10 includes at least one gas evacuation channel connected to a centering pin 11 which is of a height greater than the centering pins arranged to conduct the cooling and / or extinguishing fluid to a cooling channel 13, to return hot gases to the side member 20.

[0045] More specifically, the longitudinal member 20 includes at least one fitting and / or a valve for the evacuation of hot gases and for the control of the evacuation of hot gases by fire rescue services.

[0046] In summary, the invention makes it possible to use a vehicle chassis already designed to channel a flow of cooling and / or extinguishing fluid, without any modification of this chassis, and to adapt very easily battery packs usable for the type of vehicle considered, with the same standardized positions of centering pins and fixing screws, at the cost of minor modifications of the mechanical components which amount to the substitution of the solid centering pins of the prior art by hollow centering pins communicating directly with a cooling channel in the battery pack.

Claims

Claims

1. Electric or hybrid motor vehicle (100) comprising a running gear arranged for supporting said motor vehicle (100) on the ground in a road position, said running gear defining a lower side of said motor vehicle (100), said motor vehicle (100) comprising a passenger compartment arranged for carrying passengers and / or loads and defining an upper side of said motor vehicle (100), said motor vehicle (100) comprising a chassis (200) from which is suspended, in said road position, and fixed by fixing means (2; 22), at least one removable battery pack (10), positioned by centering pins (11) projecting towards said upper side of said motor vehicle (100) and cooperating with holes (21) included in said chassis (200) towards said lower side of said motor vehicle (100), which chassis (200) comprises at least one hollow longitudinal member (20) comprising said holes (21),characterized in that said spar (20) comprises at least one orifice (25) for the insertion of a cooling and / or extinguishing fluid in the event of abnormal heating in said battery pack (10), and in that at least one of said centering pins (11) of said battery pack (10) cooperating with a said bore (21) of said spar (20) comprises a distal end distant from the internal walls of said spar (20) and is hollowed out, to allow the passage of said cooling and / or extinguishing fluid from the interior of said spar (20) towards at least one cooling channel (13) which said battery pack (10) comprises and which is arranged to cool externally and / or internally at least one battery which said battery pack (10) comprises.,

2. Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 1 characterized in that said at least one orifice (25) is hidden by a movable hatch (26) which is movable under the action of emergency services in the event of an accident occurring to said motor vehicle (100) and / or in the event of battery heating being observed by control means (300) included in said motor vehicle (10).

3. Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 2 characterized in that said movable hatch (26) is pivoting and / or tilting.

4. Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 2 or 3 characterized in that said movable hatch (26) is motorized and controlled by said control means (300).

5. Motor vehicle (100) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said motor vehicle (100) comprises a cooling and / or extinguishing fluid reservoir (400) arranged to discharge said fluid into said side member (20) on command from said control means (300).

6. Motor vehicle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that at least one seal (29) is interposed between said longitudinal member (20) and said battery pack (10) at the level of each said hollow centering pin (11), to limit the circulation of said cooling and / or extinguishing fluid only inside said longitudinal member (20) and said battery pack (10).

7. Motor vehicle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that all said centering pins (11) of said battery pack (10) cooperating with said side member (20) are hollowed out.

8. Motor vehicle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that said battery pack (10) is fixed to said chassis (200) by fixing screws (2) cooperating with threads (22) included in said chassis (200) or said side member (20).

9. Motor vehicle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that said battery pack (10) comprises at least one gas evacuation channel connected to a centering pin (11) which is of a height greater than said centering pins arranged to conduct said cooling and / or extinguishing fluid towards a said cooling channel (13), to bring hot gases back into said side member (20).

10. Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 9 characterized in that said longitudinal member (20) comprises at least one connection and / or one valve for the evacuation of said hot gases and for the control of the evacuation of said hot gases by fire rescue services.

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