ELECTRIC OR HYBRID MOTOR VEHICLE FEATURING A RETRACTABLE UNDER-BOTTOM PROTECTOR FOR AN ADDITIONAL BATTERY

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric motor vehicle (100) comprising a main battery (16) supported by a chassis of longitudinal members (2) and cross members (4), and, for receiving an additional battery (20), a compartment (30) comprising a retractable protective device including a slide (95) supported by the chassis and guiding a first (91) and a second (92) protective barriers linked by a hinge (90), to protect users located above the chassis, and to protect the additional battery (20) from a side impact in at least one transverse direction. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: ELECTRIC OR HYBRID MOTOR VEHICLE FEATURING A RETRACTABLE LOWER PROTECTOR FOR AN ADDITIONAL BATTERY

[0001] The invention relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, comprising a running gear whose contact with the ground defines a base plane along a first longitudinal direction corresponding to the direction of travel in a straight line of said motor vehicle and along a second transverse direction orthogonal to said first longitudinal direction, and comprising a motorization, and, for the supply of said motorization, at least one main battery carried by a chassis comprising longitudinal members and cross members, said motor vehicle comprising at least one trunk arranged to receive at least one additional battery.

[0002] The invention relates to the field of battery implantation, and more particularly of additional batteries, on an electric or hybrid motor vehicle.

[0003] The invention relates more particularly to the field of protecting the undercarriage and batteries of an electric vehicle in the event of a collision.

[0004] Battery packs of electric vehicles integrated into the underbody of electric vehicles require protection in the event of a side impact (barrier impact, pole impact, or impact by a third party) and therefore incorporate energy absorption systems opposite the path of force (side member, passenger compartment side).

[0005] In the specific case of electric or light hybrid motor vehicles, known as "microcars" (L category homologation for light or heavy quadricycles), it is advantageous to be able to supplement the standard on-board energy (approximately 6 kWh) with additional portable replacement modules of approximately 1 to 1.25 kWh and weighing around ten kilograms. These additional modules ("removable battery packs") are installed primarily, but not exclusively, via the chassis rail, exposing the battery packs in the event of a side impact (with an associated risk of fire).

[0006] US patent 11161401B2 describes a structural component for guiding the engine under the vehicle floor and thus preventing a collision with the battery. Specifically, it is provided that, when a rear-end collision occurs and moves the engine forward, the battery pack's anti-collision structure can modify the engine's displacement to a certain extent, so that the engine moves downward to avoid striking the battery located in front of the engine, thereby preventing the battery to prevent crushing or ejection. This document is limited to protecting the main battery in the event of a rear-end collision to prevent contact with the vehicle's engine, but does not offer a reliable solution for a side impact, or other types of collisions.

[0007] The objective of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a simple and effective solution so that the additional modules installed in the vehicle (in particular a light quadricycle) can be protected in the event of a side impact by means of a protective barrier, and to prevent crushing in the tubular structure.

[0008] The invention describes a principle for protecting the main battery of the electric vehicle in the event of a side impact in order to avoid contact with the additional battery (“add-on battery”).

[0009] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a mechanism for deploying this side protection depending on whether or not the additional batteries are present at the time of impact. To protect the additional batteries, this mechanism includes a retractable side protection device installed under the vehicle floor.

[0010] More particularly, this device includes a structure for protecting the additional batteries in case of impact with two protective faces and a hinge which serve to prevent the batteries from being crushed.

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, comprising a running gear whose contact with the ground defines a base plane along a first longitudinal direction corresponding to the direction of travel in a straight line of said motor vehicle and along a second transverse direction orthogonal to said first longitudinal direction, and comprising a motorization, and, for the supply of said motorization, at least one main battery carried by a chassis comprising longitudinal members and cross members, said motor vehicle comprising at least one trunk arranged to receive at least one additional battery.

[0012] According to the invention, said at least one box includes a retractable protective device, which includes at least one slide carried by said chassis and guiding at least one first protective barrier and at least one second protective barrier articulated to each other by a joint and arranged to protect users located above said chassis and said at least one additional battery along a third vertical direction orthogonal to said first longitudinal direction and to said second transverse direction, and to protect said at least one additional battery from a lateral impact along at least said second transverse direction.

[0013] Thanks to the invention, it is possible to effectively protect, by means of the first protective barrier, the users of such a vehicle, especially when it is a A light vehicle, such as a quadricycle or microcar, is protected against the uncontrolled movement of an additional battery that can weigh around ten kilograms or more. The second protective barrier, hinged to the first, protects the additional battery against a side impact.

[0014] Advantageously, said at least one first protective barrier is always parallel to said base plane, and is movable between, on the one hand, a retracted position where it is in its position closest to said longitudinal member and in which retracted position said articulation is captive of said at least one slide and in which retracted position said second protective barrier which is articulated with said at least one first protective barrier is also in a position parallel to said base plane, and on the other hand, an extended position where said articulation is free with respect to said at least one slide and allows rotation of said second protective barrier which is articulated with said at least one first protective barrier.

[0015] Thus, the retractable protective device is particularly rigidly secured, since its main component is a slide fixed directly to the chassis. The horizontal position of the first protective barrier reinforces the chassis and improves user protection, while also lowering the center of gravity, as all additional elements are located in the lower part of the vehicle, under the chassis. The travel of the first protective barrier is limited, which requires it to remain parallel to the chassis. Deployment and retraction of the second safety barrier is only possible when the hinge is extended from the slide.

[0016] More particularly, said at least one slide and / or said longitudinal member includes at least one spring and / or a stop at the end of travel for stopping said at least one first protective barrier in the event of an impact from outside said motor vehicle at least along said second transverse direction.

[0017] This configuration allows the absorption of very violent shocks such as that caused by another vehicle, and above all allows the main battery to be isolated from the additional batteries in such a circumstance.

[0018] More particularly, in said position when extended from said at least one first protective barrier, said second protective barrier, which is articulated with said at least one first protective barrier, is movable between a service position in which it is folded substantially vertically under the effect of its weight and opposes the exit of at least one said additional battery present in said trunk and protects it against shocks from outside said motor vehicle, and a maneuvering position in which said second protective barrier is substantially coplanar with said at least one first protective barrier with which it is articulated to allow the insertion or removal of at least one said additional battery.

[0019] Thus, the second protective barrier fulfills a dual function, preventing the ejection of an additional battery from the vehicle, and protecting it against an external shock.

[0020] In a particular variant, said articulation includes return means tending to pivot said second protective barrier towards said service position when said articulation is free with respect to said at least one slide.

[0021] Thus, by default, the second protective barrier is maintained in its position of protecting the additional battery.

[0022] In another particular variant, said at least one first protective barrier and / or said at least one second protective barrier comprises disengageable means arranged to maintain their coplanarity during an insertion or removal operation of at least one said additional battery.

[0023] Simple means, such as a latch or similar, can facilitate the task of the user when operating on an additional battery.

[0024] Advantageously, said at least a first protective barrier and / or said at least a second protective barrier is a structure forming a grid or a ladder comprising protective bars.

[0025] It is thus possible to provide excellent protection with a reduced mass, in particular when the protective barriers have tubular structures, especially in light alloy, comparable to ladder sections or the like.

[0026] Advantageously, said chassis carries at least one pivot pivot of an external hood movable by pivoting and arranged to close on said at least one second protective barrier in a road position of said motor vehicle.

[0027] Such a hood provides additional protection, contributes to the vehicle's aerodynamics, and enhances the attractiveness of its bodywork. Advantageously designed in a boxed shape, this hood can facilitate the removal or insertion of additional batteries, particularly when it can be extended towards the ground, allowing these batteries to be safely placed and guided within it.

[0028] Preferably, each said main battery is separated from each said additional battery by at least one said longitudinal member and / or one said cross member.

[0029] This arrangement is advantageous for the protection of the main batteries, which are the most difficult to reach in the event of a disaster, particularly a fire.

[0030] Advantageously, said chassis includes mechanical deflection means arranged to deflect each said additional battery towards the ground, along said third vertical direction, during a side impact, originating from outside said motor vehicle at least along said second transverse direction, in the event of destruction of said second protective barrier ensuring the protection of said additional battery.

[0031] Such a deflector constitutes the ultimate protection in the event of a very violent impact, to guide a battery towards the ground rather than towards the passenger compartment.

[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, in a partial, top view, a motor vehicle according to the invention; the main batteries are in a central position, protected by a frame formed by the side members and cross members; the additional batteries are in lateral boxes, on either side of the main batteries, and beyond the side members; in the upper part of the figure, we see a first and a second protective barriers, articulated together, coplanar, guided in the rails of a slide, in the retracted position of the first barrier, which corresponds to an operating position of the additional batteries; in the lower part of the figure, the first barrier is in the extended position, the articulation is free and the second barrier is folded down in a substantially vertical plane; - [Fig.2] illustrates schematically, partially, and in cross-section transverse, a detail of the chassis carrying the slide, butting against a longitudinal member, in which the first protective barrier is visible; the articulation is outside the slide, and the second protective barrier is in its service position, substantially vertical (here with an angle of 95°), where it protects an additional battery stopped by the longitudinal member; - [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a similar way to [Fig.2], the same together, in the retracted position of the first barrier, where the second barrier is coplanar with it, and where manipulations of the additional battery are possible for the user or the maintenance service; a pivoting cover is visible in the open position on the left side of the figure; - [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a similar way to [Fig.3], the position of exit of the first barrier: the joint then comes out of the slide, and the second barrier can pivot, from its coplanar position with the first barrier and represented by a dashed line, towards its service position during a rotation shown by an arrow; - [Fig.5] schematically illustrates, in a similar way to [Fig.4], the same First barrier exit position: the second barrier is in its service position; the pivoting cover is folded down onto the second barrier, according to a rotation shown by an arrow.

[0033] The invention thus relates to a 100% electric or hybrid motor vehicle, as seen in [Fig. 1]. This 100% electric motor vehicle comprises a running gear whose contact with the ground defines a base plane XY, visible in [Fig.l], along a first longitudinal direction X corresponding to the direction of straight-line traffic of the motor vehicle 100 and along a second transverse direction Y orthogonal to said first longitudinal direction X; a third vertical direction Z is orthogonal to the first longitudinal direction X and to the second transverse direction Y.

[0034] This motor vehicle 100 comprises, more particularly, but not limited to, a motor 12, and, for powering said motor 12, an electric machine driving, for example, the wheels of the rear axle 14, and which is powered by at least one main battery 16 mounted on a chassis. This chassis here conventionally, but not limited to, longitudinal members 2 and cross members 4. The invention is naturally applicable to a monocoque body, or to any other type of chassis. Each main battery 16 is preferably arranged flat on a floor between the longitudinal members 2 of the chassis.

[0035] In the case of light vehicles, quadricycle regulations impose a power limit on the motor, in particular a power of 6kW. The main battery 16 mounted in series on these vehicles has a small capacity, on the order of 6kWh, in order to obtain a reduced size and mass suitable for this type of vehicle.

[0036] The vehicle 100 includes a steering system controlling a front axle 8 arranged in front of a driver's seat 10.

[0037] This motor vehicle 100 includes at least one box 30, which is arranged to receive at least one additional battery 20. Each box 30 is formed here on each side of the vehicle, between the two wheels, and arranged transversely between the chassis rail 2 and a movable outer cover 22 closing each box 30.

[0038] According to the invention, this at least one box 30 comprises a retractable protective device, which includes at least one guide rail 95 supported by the chassis and guiding at least one first protective barrier 91 and at least one second protective barrier 92, which are hinged to each other by a joint 90. The guide rail 95 comprises, for example, two rails or two U-shaped profiles, or the like. The protective barriers 91 and 92 are arranged to protect users located above the chassis and at least one additional battery 20 along the third vertical direction Z. And these protective barriers are designed to protect the at least one additional battery 20 from a lateral impact along at least the second transverse direction Y.

[0039] More particularly and as seen in [Fig.2] to [Fig.5] represented in a YZ plane, the at least one first protective barrier 91 is always parallel to the XY base plane, and is mobile between a retracted position and an extended position.

[0040] [Fig.3] shows the retracted position where the first protective barrier 91 is in its closest position to a longitudinal member 2, and in which the articulation 90 is captive of at least one slide 95; in this same retracted position the second protective barrier 92, which is articulated with at least one first protective barrier 91, is also in a position parallel to the XY base plane.

[0041] [Fig.4] and [Fig.5] show the extended position, where the joint 90 is free with respect to at least one slide 95 and allows the rotation of the second protective barrier 92 which is articulated with at least one first protective barrier 91.

[0042] More particularly, at least one slide 95 and / or the longitudinal member 2 includes at least one spring and / or a stop at the end of travel, not illustrated in the figures, for stopping at least one first protective barrier 91 in the event of an impact from outside the motor vehicle 100 at least along the second transverse direction Y.

[0043] More particularly, and as can be seen in [Fig.4], in the extended position of at least one first protective barrier 91, the second protective barrier 92, which is articulated with at least one first protective barrier 91, is movable between a service position in which it is folded substantially vertically under the effect of its weight and opposes the exit of at least one said additional battery 20 present in the trunk 30 and protects it against shocks coming from outside the motor vehicle 100, and a maneuvering position in which the second protective barrier 92 is substantially coplanar with at least one first protective barrier 91 with which it is articulated to allow the insertion or removal of at least one said additional battery 20.

[0044] More particularly, the joint 90 includes return means, not illustrated in the figures, and tending to pivot the second protective barrier 92 towards the service position when the joint 90 is free with respect to at least one slide 95.

[0045] More particularly, at least one first protective barrier 91 and / or at least one second protective barrier 92 includes disengageable means, not illustrated by the figures, such as a latch or similar, which are arranged to maintain their coplanarity during an insertion or removal operation of at least one of said additional battery 20.

[0046] More specifically, at least one first protective barrier 91 and / or at least one second protective barrier 92 is a structure forming a grid or a ladder comprising protective bars.

[0047] More particularly, the chassis carries at least one pivot 40 of an outer hood 22 movable by pivoting and arranged to close on at least a second protective barrier 92 in a road position of the motor vehicle 100.

[0048] More specifically, each main battery 16 is separated from each additional battery 20 by at least one longitudinal member 2 and / or a cross member 4.

[0049] More particularly, the chassis includes mechanical deflection means which are arranged to deflect towards the ground, along the third vertical direction Z, each additional battery 20 during a side impact, originating external to the motor vehicle 100 at least along the second transverse direction Y, in the event of destruction of the second protective barrier 92 ensuring the protection of the additional battery 20.

[0050] With the integration of such means of deflection, such as a metallic guide in the structure of the vehicle (in the shape of an inverted ski) between the additional battery of the vehicle and the chassis of the platform allowing to guide the pack towards the underside of the light vehicle, and the installation of a retractable side protection device (as needed) upstream of the battery pack, the passengers of the vehicle benefit from optimal protection, as do the various batteries it contains.

[0051] This technical solution makes it possible to avoid the crushing of the additional battery module against the vehicle structure and to keep them protected by a retractable device (which is present when the batteries are installed).

[0052] In summary, the solution provided by the invention to the problem of protecting batteries against side impacts consists of protecting the additional batteries by a retractable side protection device installed under the floor and / or chassis of the vehicle, in particular between the chassis and the additional batteries.

Claims

1.

2.

3. Claims Electric or hybrid motor vehicle (100), comprising a running gear whose contact with the ground defines a base plane (XY) in a first longitudinal direction (X) corresponding to the direction of straight travel of said motor vehicle (100) and in a second transverse direction (Y) orthogonal to said first longitudinal direction (X), and comprising a motorization (12), and, for the power supply of said motorization (12), at least one main battery (16) carried by a chassis comprising side members (2) and cross members (4), said motor vehicle (100) comprising at least one trunk (30) arranged to receive at least one additional battery (20), characterized in that said at least one trunk (30) comprises a retractable protection device,which comprises at least one slide (95) carried by said chassis and guiding at least one first protective barrier (91) and at least one second protective barrier (92) articulated to each other by an articulation (90) and arranged to protect the users located above said chassis and said at least one additional battery (20) in a third vertical direction (Z) orthogonal to said first longitudinal direction (X) and to said second transverse direction (Y), and to protect said at least one additional battery (20) from a lateral impact in at least said second transverse direction (Y)., Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 1 characterized in that said at least one first protective barrier (91) is always parallel to said base plane (XY), and is movable between, on the one hand a retracted position where it is in its position closest to a said side member (2) and in which retracted position said articulation (90) is captive to said at least one slide (95) and in which retracted position said second protective barrier (92) which is articulated with said at least one first protective barrier (91) is also in a position parallel to said base plane (XY), and on the other hand an extended position where said articulation (90) is free relative to said at least one slide (95) and allows rotation of said second protective barrier (92) which is articulated with said at least one first protective barrier (91). Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 2 characterized in that said at least one slide (95) and / or said side member (2) comprises at least at least one spring and / or an end stop for stopping said at least one first protective barrier (91) in the event of an impact originating from outside said motor vehicle (100) at least in said second transverse direction (Y).

4. Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 2 or 3 characterized in that, in said extended position of said at least one first protective barrier (91), said second protective barrier (92) which is articulated with said at least one first protective barrier (91) is movable between a service position in which it is folded substantially vertically under the effect of its weight and opposes the exit of at least one said additional battery (20) present in said trunk (30) and protects it against impacts coming from outside said motor vehicle (100), and an operating position in which said second protective barrier (92) is substantially coplanar with said at least one first protective barrier (91) with which it is articulated to allow the insertion or removal of at least one said additional battery (20).

5. Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 4 characterized in that said articulation (90) comprises return means tending to pivot said second protective barrier (92) towards said service position when said articulation (90) is free relative to said at least one slide (95).

6. Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 4 or 5 characterized in that said at least one first protective barrier (91) and / or said at least one second protective barrier (92) comprises disengageable means arranged to maintain their coplanarity during an operation of insertion or removal of at least one said additional battery (20).

7. Motor vehicle (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that said at least one first protective barrier (91) and / or said at least one second protective barrier (92) is a structure forming a grid or a ladder comprising protective bars.

8. Motor vehicle (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that said chassis carries at least one pivot (40) for articulation of an external hood (22) movable by pivoting and arranged to close on said at least one second protective barrier (92) in a road position of said motor vehicle (100).

9. Motor vehicle (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that each said main battery (16) is separated from each said additional battery (20) by at least one said side member (2) and / or one said cross member (4).

10. Motor vehicle (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said chassis comprises mechanical deflection means arranged to deflect towards the ground, in said third vertical direction (Z), each said additional battery (20) during a lateral impact, originating from outside said motor vehicle (100) at least in said second transverse direction (Y), in the event of destruction of said second protective barrier (92) ensuring the protection of said additional battery (20).

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