MOTOR VEHICLE WITH EXTERNAL BATTERY CHARGING PORT AND REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER

Abstract

An electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising an external charging socket for a traction battery via a charging cable (10) connected to a terminal on an electricity distribution network, and a rear windshield wiper system having a support (20) fixed to the vehicle body, comprising a retractable portion (30) which, when deployed, forms an external hook for receiving loops (12) of the charging cable (10). Figure 5

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE WITH EXTERNAL SOCKET FOR RECHARGING A TRACTION BATTERY AND REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising an external socket for recharging a traction battery by a cable connected to a terminal of an electricity distribution network, and a rear window wiper system, as well as a method of using such a motor vehicle.

[0002] A known type of vehicle equipped with a rechargeable traction battery, presented in particular by document EP-A1-2505417, comprises a cable reel integrated into the bodywork of the vehicle, comprising an electrical joint with rotating contacts which makes it possible to unwind a cable equipped at its end with a connector coming onto a socket of an electricity distribution network.

[0003] In this way the driver can take out the necessary quantity of cable in order to reach the distribution network socket, which avoids taking out too much cable which could be lying on the ground. A length of cable laid on the ground leads to risks of incidents or accidents, for example with a pedestrian falling on this cable, or with a vehicle driving over it and damaging it.

[0004] In addition, the cable trailing on the ground can get wet in puddles, or get dirty if it trails in the mud. The operator storing the cable or the next person picking it up gets their hands dirty. However, for a vehicle equipped with an external charging socket receiving the connector of a cable connected to a charging station, this cable winding in the vehicle is not applicable. The same problems are found with a cable that can be laid on the ground.

[0005] Another type of known vehicle, presented in particular by document DE-Al-102011087324, comprises a retractable hook stored in a housing of the bodywork comprising the external socket, closed by a hatch, which comes out when this hatch is opened to connect the connector of the cable of a charging station.

[0006] After opening the hatch, removing the hook and connecting the cable connector to the socket, the operator can make loops with the excess cable length to hang them from this hook. However, this system requires the cable loops to be formed and hung at the hook location, right next to the vehicle's exterior socket.

[0007] However, in the case of a fairly significant distance between the charging station and the vehicle's external socket, without an intermediate attachment point, we obtain with the weight of the cable causes a bend that can touch the ground. To avoid problems with soiling or incidents with the cable laid on the ground, it is then necessary to provide tension on the cable which is difficult to apply and maintain.

[0008] Another type of known cable attachment system, presented in particular by document US-A1-2019135122, comprises a hook arranged on one side of a plate which has on its opposite face an electromagnet for attachment to the bodywork of the vehicle. An interface makes it possible to act on a control module of the electromagnet in order to attach it to the bodywork to suspend loops of the charging cable from the hook, and then to detach it from this bodywork.

[0009] This system requires the handling of a hook which must be removed from the vehicle and then stored in a dedicated location in the vehicle occupying space, which complicates the operations of connecting and disconnecting the charging cable which can be carried out frequently.

[0010] In addition, this hook system with its electromagnet and its control module is complex to produce and has a high cost.

[0011] Alternatively, the driver can use existing exterior elements of the vehicle to create an intermediate suspension point for the cable, such as a side mirror or a rear wiper arm. However, this use of supports not intended for this purpose can cause damage problems. In particular, the wiper arm remains a fragile element which is not designed to support a load. The mirrors can have an automatic folding device; the cable trapped behind risks damaging its motorization during a maneuver.

[0012] The present invention aims in particular to avoid these problems of the prior art.

[0013] To this end, it proposes an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising an external socket for recharging a traction battery by a recharging cable connected to a terminal of an electricity distribution network, and a rear window wiper system having a support fixed to the body of the vehicle, this vehicle being remarkable in that the support of the wiper system comprises a retractable part which, when deployed, forms an external hook for receiving loops of the recharging cable.

[0014] An advantage of this motor vehicle is that by adapting an existing wiper blade support on most vehicles, without modifying the bodywork of the vehicle already comprising a fixing for this support, with the addition of the retractable part, a strong external hook forming a suspension point capable of receiving loops of the cable is obtained in a simple and economical manner.

[0015] The hook can be arranged at an intermediate point between the charging terminal and the external socket of the bodywork, which makes it possible, without tension on the cable, to avoid leaving it trailing on the ground.

[0016] The motor vehicle according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, which may be combined with each other.

[0017] Advantageously, the retractable part deploys by sliding relative to the support along a pivot axis of the windscreen wiper blade.

[0018] In this case, advantageously the retractable part comprises an output spring which allows automatic sliding.

[0019] Advantageously, the support includes a manual control stop notch which locks the retractable part in its retracted position.

[0020] The stop notch may include a spring maintaining the locking of the retractable part which is retracted.

[0021] Advantageously, the stop notch has shapes allowing, by axial thrust on the retractable part, a retraction of this part and an automatic blocking by the stop notch.

[0022] Advantageously, the retractable part comprises a removable end stop for retaining the cable loops.

[0023] In this case, advantageously the removable stop comprises an automatic device for extending this stop when the retractable part is deployed, comprising a spring.

[0024] The invention also relates to a method of using a motor vehicle comprising any one of the preceding characteristics, remarkable in that when connecting the cable to the external socket of the vehicle, the operator deploys the external hook, then forms with this cable at least one loop which is placed on this external hook.

[0025] The invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will appear more clearly on reading the description below given by way of example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0026] [Fig. 1] is a rear view of an electric or hybrid vehicle according to the prior art being recharged at a terminal connected to an electricity distribution network;

[0027] [Fig.2] is a diagram showing the attachment of the cable of this terminal to the rear windscreen wiper system of this vehicle;

[0028] [Fig.3] is a diagram showing the windshield wiper system of an electric or hybrid vehicle according to the invention;

[0029] [Fig.4] shows the deployment of the retractable part of this windshield wiper system; and

[0030] [Fig.5] shows the hook outlet of this retractable system and cable loop attachment.

[0031] Figures 1 and 2 show an electric or hybrid motor vehicle 2 comprising a rear window wiper system 6, which is parked next to a terminal 8 of an electricity distribution network having a charging cable 10 equipped at its end with a connector.

[0032] The windscreen wiper system comprises a support 20 elongated along an axis A perpendicular to the bodywork, containing a rotary shaft connected inside this bodywork to a motorization 22, and at its outer end to an arm 24 receiving in the upper part a windscreen wiper blade 26 resting on the rear window 6.

[0033] Since the external socket of the vehicle 2 is located on the side opposite the terminal 8, the charging cable 10 runs along the rear of the vehicle to reach this socket. Because of the large distance between the terminal 8 and the vehicle socket, the operator uses an intermediate attachment point on the vehicle, arranged between these two end elements of the cable 10, by lifting the windscreen wiper arm 24, and making loops with the cable which are passed behind the windscreen wiper 26 in order to rest on the axial support 20.

[0034] However, this operation requires maneuvering of the wiper arm 24, and entails risks of catching its blade 26 which is fragile, with possibilities of deterioration.

[0035] [Fig. 3] shows a windscreen wiper blade support 20 comprising an axial hollow receiving a slider 30 bearing on a helical output spring 32 arranged at the bottom of this hollow, which is compressed. A stop notch 34 pushed by a locking spring 42 moves transversely to lock the slider 30 at the bottom of the axial hollow of the support 20.

[0036] [Fig.4] shows a pull on the stop notch 34 compressing its locking spring 42, which releases the slide 30 automatically allowing with its spring 32 its exit from its axial hollow to come to bear on an exit stop.

[0037] The outer end of the slide 30 comprises a transverse stop 36 mounted on a pivot 38, equipped with a spring 40 which allows this stop to tilt automatically to come transversely upwards when this slide is fully extended. Behind the support 20 and the wiper arm 24, projecting from the body of the vehicle, a strong hook is obtained directly connected to the support 20 which is put into position quickly by a simple action on a stop notch 34.

[0038] [Fig. 5] shows, when connecting the charging cable 10 to the external socket of the vehicle, running along the rear of the vehicle, the creation of loops 12 which are placed on the slide 30 and held by its rear stop 36 forming the hook. The operator thus has a support point for the cable 10 directly accessible without any other maneuver, located in the middle of the vehicle, in an intermediate position between the terminal 8 and the external socket of the vehicle which makes it possible to avoid a curvature of this cable towards the ground.

[0039] After recharging the traction battery, the operator stores the cable 10 in the charging terminal 8, and by simply applying axial pressure on the rear end of the slider 30 retracts it by compressing the spring 32. The operator presses the slide 30 until the stop notch 34 is activated, pushed by its locking spring 42, which is triggered, automatically locking it in its retracted position.

Claims

Claims

1. Electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising an external socket for recharging a traction battery by a recharging cable (10) connected to a terminal of an electricity distribution network (8), and a rear window wiper system having a support (20) fixed to the body of the vehicle, characterized in that the support of the wiper system (20) comprises a retractable part (30) which, when deployed, forms an external hook for receiving loops (12) of the recharging cable (10).

2. Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the retractable part (30) deploys by sliding relative to the support (20) along a pivot axis (A) of the windscreen wiper blade (26).

3. Motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the retractable part (30) comprises an output spring (32) which allows automatic sliding.

4. Motor vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the support (20) comprises a manually controlled stop notch (34) which blocks the retractable part (30) in its retracted position.

5. Motor vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the stop notch (34) comprises a spring (42) maintaining the locking of the retractable part (30) which is retracted.

6. Motor vehicle according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the stop notch (34) has shapes allowing, by axial thrust on the retractable part (30), a retraction of this part and automatic blocking by the stop notch (34).

7. Motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retractable part (30) comprises a removable end stop (36) for retaining the loops of the cable (12).

8. Motor vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that the removable stop (36) comprises an automatic device for extending this stop when the retractable part (30) is deployed, comprising a spring (40).

9. Method of using a motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when connecting the cable (10) to the external socket of the vehicle, the operator deploys the external hook, then forms with this cable (10) at least one loop (12) which is placed on this external hook.

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