Motor vehicle equipped with an offset wiring harness mounting bracket for securing a ground cable and corresponding assembly method

Abstract

A motor vehicle comprising an engine compartment delimited by at least two longitudinal members, two longitudinal member bends, and a passenger compartment bulkhead equipped with a reinforcing crossmember fixed to said longitudinal members and longitudinal member bends, the vehicle comprising at least one electric motor equipped with a ground cable. The motor vehicle includes an offset cable mounting bracket (10) comprising a central portion (11a) in a first plane and an intermediate perpendicular portion (11b) disposed in a second plane intersecting the first plane, the central portion (11a) being fixed to the reinforcing crossmember, the intermediate perpendicular portion (11b) being integral with the central portion (11a), the intermediate portion (11b) also being equipped with means for securing a retaining device designed to prevent displacement of the ground cable. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig 2

Description

Title of the invention: Motor vehicle equipped with a remote wiring fixing lug for fixing a ground cable and corresponding assembly method Technical field

[0001] The technical field of the invention is motor vehicles, and more particularly, the arrangement of the engine compartment of such vehicles.

[0002] In the engine compartments of current motor vehicles, the space allocated to each component is precisely determined. It is therefore essential to be able to predict the routes of the various wiring, in particular the ground cables.

[0003] This is even more important in the case of electric vehicles, in which the ground cables have a much larger cross-section than in the case of vehicles with thermal engines.

[0004] Indeed, the grounding of high-voltage components is an obligation, and must be guaranteed even after an impact, so as to ensure the safety of occupants or rescuers. The ground cables must therefore remain intact after an impact.

[0005] Regardless of the type of engine, the prediction of the path of the ground cable in a motor vehicle is generally compromised by the rotation of the ground cable when its terminal is tightened.

[0006] It is necessary to have a holding device to ensure the positioning of the ground cable.

[0007] Furthermore, on certain recent vehicles, the very short overhang does not allow the ground points to be located correctly, particularly those of the electric motor and the on-board charger, in an electric vehicle.

[0008] There is then a risk of the ground cable breaking in the event of an impact. Previous techniques

[0009] Prior techniques for combating the rotation of a terminal during tightening, in particular of a ground cable terminal, are specific to each vehicle, and rely on structural elements specific to these vehicles.

[0010] In some cases, two studs are used to prevent rotation during tightening. However, this involves additional cost due to the additional components relating to the second stud, and requires more space to accommodate the second stud, as well as a longer ground cable.

[0011] The technical problem is thus not resolved by the state of the prior art. Statement of the invention

[0012] The subject of the invention is a motor vehicle comprising a compartment engine delimited by at least two side members, two side member elbows and a passenger compartment bulkhead provided with a reinforcing cross member fixed to said side members and side member elbows, the vehicle comprising at least one electric motor provided with an earth cable, the vehicle comprising an offset wiring fixing bracket comprising a central part in a first plane and an intermediate perpendicular part arranged in a second intersecting plane of the first plane, the central part being fixed to the reinforcing cross member, the intermediate perpendicular part being integral with the central part, the intermediate part being further provided with means for fixing a holding device designed so as to prevent the movement of the earth cable.

[0013] The motor vehicle may comprise a point for fixing the lug of the ground cable fixed on the side member elbow at a predetermined distance from the device for holding the ground cable on the remote wiring fixing lug.

[0014] The predetermined distance may be at least 100mm.

[0015] The motor vehicle may comprise a battery for supplying an electric motor and a charging base intended to receive a charging cable, the charging base being connected by a high-voltage cable to the battery, the offset wiring fixing lug then being able to be provided with a perpendicular end portion comprising means for fixing a holding device designed so as to prevent the high-voltage cable from moving.

[0016] The motor vehicle may comprise a water heating box, the offset wiring fixing lug then being able to be provided with a fixing plate included in a plane substantially parallel to the first plane, the fixing plate being fixed to the central part and comprising at least one means for fixing said water heating box.

[0017] The motor vehicle may be equipped with a braking system comprising at least one brake fluid pipe, the offset wiring fixing lug then being able to comprise an adjacent part secured to the central part, the adjacent part comprising at least one fixing means capable of receiving a device for holding the at least one brake fluid pipe by pressure.

[0018] The perpendicular end portion and the additional fixing lug may each comprise a finger arranged laterally, cooperating with the at least one fixing means in order to prevent rotation of a holding device.

[0019] At least a portion of the offset wiring fixing lug and the central portion may be made by folding.

[0020] At least a portion of the remote wiring fixing lug may be produced individually and then attached and fixed to the central portion.

[0021] The invention also relates to a method of assembling a motor vehicle as described above, in which the ground cable is fixed to the lug of remote wiring attachment, then the bulk cable lug is attached to the attachment point. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which: - figure [Fig.l] illustrates a partial view of an engine compartment, - figures [Fig.2] to [Fig.4] illustrate different views of a remote wiring fixing bracket according to the invention, and - figures [Fig.5] to [Fig.8] illustrate different views of an engine compartment equipped with a remote wiring fixing bracket according to the invention. Detailed description

[0023] For the purposes of the description, reference will be made to a direct orthonormal reference frame XYZ conventionally used in automobile design, in which the X axis designates the front-rear longitudinal direction of the vehicle, oriented towards the rear, the Y axis designates the transverse direction and is oriented towards the right of the vehicle, the Z axis designates the vertical direction, and is oriented upwards.

[0024] Figure [Fig.l] illustrates a partial view of an engine compartment intended to receive at least one electric motor and an on-board charger.

[0025] The engine compartment 1 is defined by two side members 2 fixed to a cross member 3 reinforcing the bulkhead 4 delimiting the passenger compartment of the vehicle, two side member elbows 5 each fixed to one of said side members 2 and to said cross member 3 as well as a cross member and a front bulkhead on which the front grille are fixed. On top, the engine compartment 1 is delimited by a hood.

[0026] One of the side members 2, one of the side member elbows 5, the front cross member, the front apron and the hood are not illustrated in the figure [Fig.l].

[0027] The inventors identified that, during a frontal impact, the side member elbows 5 were the only parts of the structure of the engine compartment 1 not to be impacted (i.e. not to undergo deformation or displacement).

[0028] The inventors deduced from this that the side member elbows 5 were the only elements of the structure of the engine compartment 1 on which the ground cable could be fixed, in order to ensure that its position does not change after an impact.

[0029] However, the side member elbows 5 are made of hot-stamped steel, which presents a very high risk of corrosion. It is not acceptable to make an unobstructed hole in such a material, in order to fix a stud, because this would create a risk of corrosion. Corrosion of a side member elbow is likely to weaken the structural integrity of the vehicle.

[0030] The inventors have further identified that the rigidity of a ground cable with a cross-section greater than 40mm2 is sufficiently high to withstand a tightening torque of 8Nm as used in the automotive industry.

[0031] To utilize this effect, a remote wiring fixing lug has been designed, so as to hold the ground cable in position away from a fixing point 20c of the ground cable lug on the vehicle structure. Figures [Fig.2] to [Fig.4] illustrate different views of said remote wiring fixing lug, referenced 10.

[0032] Figure [Fig.2] illustrates a perspective view of the remote wiring fixing bracket 10, which comprises a folded metal strip forming a central portion 11a and a perpendicular portion 11b,11e.

[0033] The perpendicular part 1 lb,l le extends from a first end of the central part 11a, in the -x direction, the central part 11a extending in the y direction.

[0034] The perpendicular portion 11b, 11c comprises an intermediate perpendicular portion 11b and an end perpendicular portion 11c. The intermediate perpendicular portion 11b is provided with a fixing hole 20a, while the end perpendicular portion 11c is provided with a fixing means 22a, such as a welded screw.

[0035] An additional fixing lug 1 Id extends in the -z direction in a plane offset in the -x direction relative to the plane comprising the central part 1 la. The additional fixing lug 1 Id may be attached and fixed to the second end of the central part 1 la or be formed by bending. The additional fixing lug 1 Id is also provided with a fixing means 22b, such as a welded screw.

[0036] The perpendicular end portion 11c and the additional fixing lug 11d comprise a finger arranged laterally, cooperating with the fixing means 22a, 22b in order to prevent rotation of a holding device.

[0037] A fixing plate 11e provided with at least two fixing means, such as welded screws, is also arranged above the central part 11a in the +z direction. The fixing plate 11e comprises several folds forming shoulders in the lower part (-z direction) so as to be able to be arranged in contact with the central part 11a. In figures [Fig.2] to [Fig.4], three welded screws 21a, 21b, 21c are provided. In figure [Fig.2], the fixing plate 11e is arranged above the additional fixing lug 11d, itself arranged above the central part 11a. Other embodiments are provided, in which these different parts are arranged in a different order. In certain embodiments, the fixing plate 11e may be omitted.

[0038] An adjacent part 1 If is integral with the central part 1 la at the second end. In the figure [Fig.2], the adjacent part 1 If takes a triangular shape. Other shapes are possible. The adjacent part 1 If is provided with a fastening means 23, such as a welded screw, so as to receive a pressure holding device.

[0039] A hole 10a is provided near the first end of the central part 11a, so as to fix the offset wiring fixing lug 10 to the structure of the engine compartment, in particular by means of a fixing means, such as a welded screw.

[0040] Regardless of the embodiment, a second hole 10b is provided through the three stacked parts (central part 11a, additional fixing lug 11d and fixing plate 11c) near the second end of the central part 11a. As for the first hole 10a, the second hole 10b allows the fixing of the remote wiring fixing lug 10 to the structure of the engine compartment, in particular by means of a fixing means, such as a welded screw.

[0041] Figure [Fig.3] illustrates a front view of the remote wiring fixing lug 10.

[0042] Figure [Fig.4] illustrates a top view of the remote wiring fixing lug 10. This view illustrates the relative positions of the central part 11a, the perpendicular part 11b,11e, the additional fixing lug 11d, the fixing plate 11e and the adjacent part 11f.

[0043] More precisely, the central part 11a and the adjacent part 11f are arranged substantially in the same first plane, the additional fixing lug 11d and the fixing plate 11e are arranged in a plane offset in the -x direction relative to the first plane.

[0044] The perpendicular part 1 lb,1 le is arranged in a plane perpendicular to the first plane comprising the central part 11a.

[0045] Figure [Fig.5] illustrates the offset wiring fixing lug 10 fixed to the reinforcing cross member 3 of the deck 4. A side member 2 and a side member elbow 5 are also illustrated.

[0046] The remote wiring fixing bracket 10 is fixed to the reinforcing crosspiece 3 by means of two welded screws 10c, 10d installed on the reinforcing crosspiece 3, inserted into the holes 10a, 10b and corresponding nuts.

[0047] A ground cable referenced 20 is held in place by a holding device 20b fixed to the hole 20a provided in the intermediate perpendicular part 11b.

[0048] The holding device 20b forms an intermediate fixing point for the ground cable 20 making it possible, with the section and rigidity of the ground cable 20, to combat the tightening torque when fixing the terminal of the ground cable 20 to the structure of the vehicle.

[0049] Advantageously, the remote wiring fixing lug 10 also allows the fixing of a water heating box 21, a high voltage cable 22 and a brake fluid pipe 24.

[0050] The water heating box 21 is a box for heating the battery coolant via a resistor. It makes it possible to raise the temperature of the battery when the surrounding temperature is low. Indeed, it is known that low temperatures limit the energy exchangeable with the battery. The water heating box 21 is fixed to the fixing plate 11e via the three welded screws 21a, 21b, 21c that it has.

[0051] The high-voltage cable 22 is a cable connecting the vehicle charging base to the battery. The high-voltage cable 22 thus allows the transfer without conversion of the energy supplied by a direct current (DC) charging terminal to the battery via a charging cable attached on the one hand to the charger and on the other hand to the charging base.

[0052] The fixing means 22a of the perpendicular end part 11c and the fixing means 22b of the additional fixing lug 11d each make it possible to accommodate a holding device in order to fix the high voltage cable 22 of an electric vehicle.

[0053] The adjacent part 1 If receives a pressure holding device 24b on the holding means 1 If, so as to hold the brake fluid pipes 24.

[0054] Figure [Fig.6] is the counterpart of figure [Fig.5] according to a plunging perspective from above (essentially direction -z).

[0055] This view makes it possible to appreciate the fact that the perpendicular part 1 lb, 1 le and the fixing plate 1 le do not have any other fixing than their fixing to the central part 11a.

[0056] Figure [Fig.7] illustrates a view of the remote wiring fixing lug 10 fixed in the engine compartment without any of the wiring and components. Figure [Fig.7] shows the same viewpoint as Figure [Fig.5]. This figure illustrates in particular the fixing point 20c of the terminal of the earth cable 20 welded to the elbow 5 of the side member.

[0057] Figure [Fig.8] is a top view, illustrating the remote wiring fixing lug 10 fixed in the engine compartment, the ground cable 20 with the fixing point 20c of the ground cable lug 20, as well as the high voltage cable 22.

[0058] The distance between the holding means 22a allowing the fixing of the ground cable 20 on the remote wiring fixing lug 10 and the fixing point 20c of the ground cable lug is in particular 100mm.

[0059] The associated mounting method requires the ground cable 20 to be clipped onto said remote wiring fixing lug 10 before fixing the ground cable lug to the ground stud 20c.

[0060] In the above description, the various parts of the remote wiring fixing bracket 10 have been described as being formed by bending or as being reported. The embodiments described are not exclusive, so that parts described as formed by folding may be reported and parts described as reported may be formed by folding, without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, it will be understood that the attachment of the high voltage cable, the attachment of the heater box and the attachment of the brake fluid lines are optional.

Claims

Claims

1. Motor vehicle comprising an engine compartment delimited by at least two side members (2), two side member elbows (5) and a passenger compartment bulkhead (4) provided with a reinforcing cross member (3) fixed to said side members (2) and side member elbows (5), the vehicle comprising at least one electric motor provided with an earth cable (20), characterized in that it comprises an offset wiring fixing lug (10) comprising a central part (11a) in a first plane and an intermediate perpendicular part (11b) arranged in a second intersecting plane of the first plane, the central part (11a) being fixed to the reinforcing cross member (3), the intermediate perpendicular part (11b) being integral with the central part (11a), the intermediate part (11b) being further provided with means for fixing a holding device designed so as to prevent the movement of the earth cable (20).

2. Motor vehicle according to claim 1, comprising a fixing point (20c) of the lug of the ground cable fixed on the side member elbow (5) at a predetermined distance from the device for holding the ground cable (20) on the remote wiring fixing lug (10).

3. A motor vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined distance is at least 100mm.

4. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a battery for supplying an electric motor and a charging base intended to receive a charging cable, the charging base being connected by a high voltage cable (22) to the battery, the offset wiring fixing lug (10) being provided with a perpendicular end portion (11c) comprising means for fixing a holding device designed to prevent the high voltage cable (22) from moving.

5. Motor vehicle according to claim 4, comprising a water heating box (21), the remote wiring fixing lug (10) being provided with a fixing plate (11e) included in a plane substantially parallel to the first plane, the fixing plate (11e) being fixed to the central part (11a) and comprising at least one fixing means (21a, 21b, 21c) of said water heating box (21).

6. Motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 4, provided with a braking system comprising at least one brake fluid pipe, in which the remote wiring fixing lug (10) comprises an adjacent part (1 If) integral with the central part (11a), the adjacent part (1 If) comprising at least one fixing means capable of receiving a pressure-holding device for the at least one brake fluid pipe.

7. Motor vehicle according to one of claims 4 to 6, in which the perpendicular end part (11e) and the additional fixing lug (11d) each comprise a finger arranged laterally, cooperating with the at least one fixing means (22a, 22b) in order to prevent rotation of a holding device.

8. Motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which at least a part of the remote wiring fixing lug (10) and the central part (11a) are produced by folding.

9. Motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which at least part of the remote wiring fixing lug (10) is produced individually then attached and fixed to the central part (Ha).

10. Method of assembling a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the ground cable (20) is fixed to the remote wiring fixing lug (10), then the terminal of the ground cable is fixed to the fixing point (20c).

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