EXTERNAL ACCESS CABLE PORT SYSTEM FOR AN AUTOMOBILE TRACTION BATTERY

Abstract

An external charging cable access system for a traction battery of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, comprising a housing (6) containing a cable passage (20), and comprising a closing hatch (4) for the housing (6) equipped with a hinge allowing it to open towards one side of the housing (6), this system comprising a flap (14) mounted on a pivot (A) which, when the hatch (4) is opened, pivots, interposing itself between the cable passage (20) and the open hatch (4), this flap (14) comprising a stop which, at the end of its pivoting motion, locks it retracted from the open hatch. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: EXTERIOR HATCH SYSTEM FOR A CHARGING CABLE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE TRACTION BATTERY

[0001] The present invention relates to an external hatch system for a charging cable for a traction battery of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, as well as a motor vehicle equipped with such a hatch system.

[0002] A known type of electric vehicle charging cable hatch, presented in particular by document FR-A1-2889115, comprises an external hatch closing a housing formed on the body of the vehicle, which covers a connector fixed to the end of a charging cable, allowing the cable to be removed by pulling on this connector to make a connection to a socket of a charging terminal of an electricity distribution network.

[0003] The hatch is mounted on a support comprising a tube perpendicular to the surface of the bodywork, which, when this hatch is opened, causes a sliding movement which moves the hatch outwards and at the same time a rotation which pivots the hatch around the axis of this tube. A helical movement is obtained which opens the hatch, widely releasing the housing to make the connector located inside easily accessible.

[0004] Generally speaking, when the vehicle is parked in a parking space with a charging terminal, depending on the location of this terminal in relation to the parking space and the position of the hatch on the body of the vehicle, to make the connection it is possible in certain cases to obtain a cable which goes from the housing in the direction where the open hatch is located.

[0005] If the operator pulls on the connector to have more cable to reach the terminal, this cable is then bent and can press and force on the open hatch. In particular, the cable can catch on the hatch and transmit to it the forces delivered by the operator to pull on it; these stresses on the hatch can cause damage to the hatch, in particular with a helical movement mechanism which is more fragile.

[0006] Damage to the hatch can occur that prevents it from functioning properly, including poor protection of the connector inside and necessary repairs.

[0007] The present invention aims in particular to avoid these problems of the prior art.

[0008] For this purpose, it proposes an external charging cable hatch system of a traction battery of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, comprising a housing containing a cable passage, and comprising a housing closing hatch equipped with a hinge allowing it to open towards one side of this housing, this system being remarkable in that it comprises a valve mounted on a pivot which, when the hatch is opened, pivots by interposing itself between the cable passage and the open hatch, this valve comprising a stop which, at the end of pivoting, blocks it back from the open hatch.

[0009] An advantage of this hatch system is that it allows, with the addition of a valve mounted on a pivot fixed in the housing, equipped with its end-of-pivot stop, to protect the hatch by guiding the cable bearing on this valve which is stopped behind the hatch by its stop.

[0010] A cable is obtained in a simple and economical manner, bearing on the flap blocked by the stop if it starts from the side of the open hatch, this flap directly taking up the tensile forces when the cable is pulled, which protects the hatch and its articulation.

[0011] The trapdoor system according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, which may be combined with each other.

[0012] Advantageously, the valve being supported on its stop, its movable end opposite the pivot comprises a folded edge turned in the direction of the open hatch, which covers the edge of this hatch directed towards the cable passage.

[0013] In this case, advantageously, the valve resting on its stop has a minimum clearance relative to the edge of the hatch.

[0014] Advantageously, the minimum clearance is between 5 and 15 millimeters.

[0015] Advantageously, the cable passage comprises a duct forming a contour closed receiving the cable inside, which is arranged on the inner face of the flap opposite the open hatch.

[0016] Advantageously, the inner face of the valve comprises a guide groove for this cable forming part of the chute.

[0017] Advantageously, the inner face of the valve comprises an attached flange forming part of the channel which surrounds the cable.

[0018] The invention also relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle equipped with a cable for recharging its traction battery, remarkable in that it comprises a hatch system comprising any one of the preceding characteristics.

[0019] In particular, since the hatch opens relative to the housing towards the rear direction of the vehicle, the flap can tilt rearwards when the cable is released.

[0020] The invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will appear more clearly on reading the description given below by way of example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0021] [Fig.l] shows a trapdoor system according to the invention comprising the open trapdoor

[0022] [Fig.2] shows this trapdoor system with the connector tilted to prepare its exit;

[0023] [Fig.3] shows this trapdoor system after pulling on the connector starting to pull out the cable in the axis of the cable passage perpendicular to the surface of the bodywork;

[0024] [Fig.4] shows the cable which is pulled towards the rear of the vehicle in the direction of the open hatch; and

[0025] [Fig.5] shows for this last position the clearance between the valve and the open hatch.

[0026] Throughout the document the rear direction of the hatch system presented is relative to the forward direction of travel of the vehicle indicated by the AV arrow.

[0027] [Fig. 1] shows a hatch system for a charging cable of a traction battery of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, comprising a hatch 4 closing a housing 6, which in its closed position is in continuity with the surface of the wing 2. The hatch 4 is shown open, after a first helical movement M1 of separation of the bodywork and at the same time of rotation towards the rear of the vehicle in order to clear access to the housing 6.

[0028] A handle 8 for connection to a charging terminal comprises an elongated part arranged horizontally, substantially parallel to the surface of the bodywork, extending towards the rear by a substantially conical shape 18 from which the cable 10 starts, and having at the front a connector 12 for connection to the charging terminal which is turned towards the interior of the vehicle.

[0029] A protective valve 14 integrated in the housing 6 forms a plate produced by a plastic molding, arranged flat above the cable outlet 18, in a plane parallel to the surface of the bodywork, comprising at the rear a substantially vertical pivot A. The front edge of the valve 14 comprises over the height of the plate a rim 16 folded at 90° towards the outside of the vehicle which gives rigidity to this plate.

[0030] [Fig.2] shows a second movement M2 applied by an operator, who pulls on the handle 8 to tilt it outwards. The valve 14 follows the same movement by pivoting around its axis A.

[0031] The inner face of the valve 14 facing the front of the vehicle comprises a chute 20 forming a cable passage surrounding the handle 8 and the cable 10 arranged along an axis parallel to this face, receiving in an adjusted manner the cable outlet 18, constituted towards the rear by a groove 22 formed in the plate of the valve, and towards the front by a flange 24 which goes around the handle 8 while providing longitudinal guidance for this elongated part of the handle.

[0032] The valve 14 comprises a stop for the end of the pivoting stroke around its axis A, which forms in this position of maximum opening of the valve a support leaving the outer end of this valve a little in front of the front edge 26 of the hatch 4 with a minimum clearance J, the folded edge 16 of this valve covering this front edge of the hatch towards the outside.

[0033] Advantageously, the clearance J is between 5 and 15 mm in order to ensure sufficient proximity while avoiding the risks of contact with the flexions of the different components.

[0034] [Fig.3] shows a third movement M3 applied by the operator, of traction on the handle 8 in the axial direction of the chute 20 of the valve 8, substantially perpendicular to the surface of the bodywork. The cable 10 stored in the bodywork of the vehicle, exits the chute 20 by passing through a hole formed at the bottom of the inner wall of the housing 6, in the axis of the chute.

[0035] Figures 4 and 5 show a fourth movement M4 applied by the operator, who pulls the handle 8 towards the rear of the vehicle to reach a charging terminal arranged in this direction.

[0036] By pulling the handle 8 backwards, the cable 10 follows this same movement while continuing to run in the chute 20, and bearing on the groove 22 of the inner face of the valve 14 and on its folded edge facing backwards 16, which guide this cable.

[0037] The folded edge 16 of the flap 14, maintained at a minimum distance from the front edge of the hatch 26 with the clearance J, guides the cable 10 both towards the rear and towards the inside of the vehicle by undergoing the forces of the cable and by protecting this hatch 4 which cannot be caught by the cable.

[0038] When the cable 10 is unrolled with the operator continuing to pull on the handle 8 to reach a distant charging terminal, this cable slides over the groove of the flap 22 and the folded edge 16, ensuring protection of the hatch 4 which may be somewhat fragile due to its relatively complex movement mechanism. In particular, a risk of the hatch 4 being snagged by the cable 10 when it comes out with a backward pull is avoided.

[0039] Generally speaking, the hatch system according to the invention can be arranged on the vehicle in all directions.

Claims

Claims

1. External hatch system for a charging cable (10) for a traction battery of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, comprising a housing (6) containing a cable passage (20), and comprising a hatch (4) for closing the housing (6) equipped with a hinge allowing it to open towards one side of this housing (6), characterized in that it comprises a valve (14) mounted on a pivot (A) which, when the hatch (4) is opened, pivots by interposing itself between the cable passage (20) and the open hatch (4), this valve (14) comprising a stop which, at the end of pivoting, blocks it back from the open hatch (4).

2. Trapdoor system according to claim 1, characterized in that the flap (14) being supported on its stop, its movable end opposite the pivot (A) comprises a folded edge (16) turned in the direction of the open trapdoor (4), which covers the edge of this trapdoor (26) directed towards the cable passage (20).

3. Trap system according to claim 2, characterized in that the flap (14) resting on its stop has a minimum clearance (J) relative to the edge of the trap (26).

4. Trapdoor system according to claim 3, characterized in that the minimum clearance (J) is between 5 and 15 millimeters.

5. A hatch system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cable passage (20) comprises a channel forming a closed contour receiving the cable (10) inside, which is arranged on the inner face of the flap (14) opposite the open hatch (4).

6. Trap system according to claim 5, characterized in that the inner face of the flap (14) comprises a groove (22) for guiding this cable (10) forming part of the chute.

7. A trapdoor system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the inner face of the flap (14) comprises an attached flange (24) forming part of the chute which surrounds the cable (10).

8. Electric or hybrid motor vehicle equipped with a cable (10) for recharging its traction battery, characterized in that it comprises a hatch system according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. Motor vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that the hatch (4) opens relative to the housing (6) towards the rear direction of the vehicle, the valve (14) tilts backwards when the cable (10) comes out.

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