MOTOR VEHICLE INCLUDING CHARGING CABLE SUPPORTS

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, comprising wheels in wheel arches, wheel arch covers, one or more articulated cable support(s) (3) mounted on a wheel arch cover element, in the area of ​​their apex, each cable support being movable between a retracted position (P1) and an extended position (P2), the cable support being configured in the extended position to support an electric charging cable, the cable support being configured to be located above the wheel in the retracted position, not visible from the outside. Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING CHARGING CABLE SUPPORTS

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle, in particular of the rechargeable hybrid or 100% electric type, comprising one or more charging cable supports.

[0002] In this type of vehicle, it is necessary to recharge the batteries, otherwise called herein electrical energy storage means, from time to time from a charging station or an electrical outlet available in the usual home of the user of the vehicle.

[0003] To carry out this recharging, it is necessary to use an electric recharging cable intended to connect on the one hand a recharging base on the vehicle side and on the other hand a power supply socket on the opposite side, namely the station side or the household electrical socket.

[0004] This electric charging cable can be supplied with the equipment of the charging station. This electric charging cable can be unwound from the station in which the cable is located, for example on a reel system.

[0005] In certain cases, the electric charging cable can be transported in the vehicle, in particular in the rear trunk of the vehicle or any other storage space, so that it can be used regardless of the geographical location of the vehicle and / or to cover any eventual need for charging.

[0006] The electric charging cable comprises a first connection connector intended to be connected to the station-side power supply socket or residential electrical socket, and a second connection connector intended to be coupled to the vehicle charging base.

[0007] In practice, it turns out that in usual charging configurations, the electric charging cable is in the open air for a long period, often including at night. In addition, the electric charging cable is located in a public or semi-public space without any particular surveillance. In addition, very often, part of the cable is on the ground.

[0008] For the reasons set out in the preceding paragraph, it appears that the charging cable is exposed to various types of soiling linked to the weather and that the cable is exposed to receiving domestic animal droppings, in particular liquid and / or solid dog droppings.

[0009] It is therefore desirable to reduce the risk of seeing a charging cable, lying on the ground, soiled by bad weather and / or by animal droppings, in particular of dogs.

[0010] US 10549653 discloses a solution with a hook forming a support for the charging cable in order to prevent the latter from resting on the ground. This hook can be fixed by magnetization to an external metal part of the vehicle. However, it is noted that the permanent magnet, the battery and the electromagnet of this arrangement are heavy and expensive. Furthermore, the proposed solution does not work on parts made of aluminum or non-metallic composite.

[0011] The objective of the present invention is to remedy at least one of the drawbacks of the known art by proposing a new solution for managing the route of the electric charging cable.

[0012] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a motor vehicle comprising at least one wheel in a wheel arch and a wheel arch trim, said motor vehicle having a reference in space comprising a longitudinal axis along a direction of movement of said motor vehicle, a lateral axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a vertical axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and to the lateral axis, the vertical axis being directed from bottom to top, characterized in that the motor vehicle comprises at least one cable support mounted on an element of the wheel arch trim, the cable support being movable between a retracted position and an extended position, the cable support being configured in the extended position to support an electric charging cable, the cable support being configured to be located above the wheel in the retracted position.

[0013] Thanks to these arrangements, in its extended position, the cable support projects from the bodywork outwards above the wheel arch and allows a user to install a portion of the charging cable there so that it remains raised above the ground. Furthermore, in its retracted position, the cable support is discreet and generally invisible from the outside.

[0014] Furthermore, in its retracted position, the cable support does not hinder the movement of the wheel in a dynamic driving situation. Furthermore, in its retracted position, the cable support does not cause any undesirable aerodynamic effect, e.g. neither noise nor undesirable drag.

[0015] It is noted that the cable support is always available, it cannot be lost, because it is hingedly connected to an element of the vehicle. The user simply has to move the cable support from the retracted position to the extended position when he needs to support the electric charging cable, and vice versa to store it in the retracted position.

[0016] It is noted that the trim element may be a body lining at the level of the wing which surrounds the wheel or may be a mudguard arranged in the wheel arch or even an integrated mudguard.

[0017] According to one option, the element of the wheel arch trim is a mudguard. This element is usually made of plastic and shapes can be provided for the mounting and kinematics of the cable support, for example an integrated plate forming a base for the cable support.

[0018] According to an alternative option, the element of the wheel arch cladding is a body liner or a fender liner. This may correspond to the case where there is no mud flap per se.

[0019] Advantageously, the cable support is rotatably mounted on the element of the wheel arch trim, with an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

[0020] Thus, the assembly proves in practice to be particularly simple and robust. It is an intuitive movement and simple to understand from the user's point of view.

[0021] Advantageously, the angular travel between the retracted position and the extended position is between 150° and 180°.

[0022] Thus, the cable support is pivoted by an angle close to half a turn in one direction to extract it to the extended position and vice versa in the other direction to store it in the retracted position. The respective positions, retracted and extended, are the extreme positions of said angular travel.

[0023] According to an option, a bead or a projecting element may be provided to facilitate gripping of the cable support by a fingertip of the user when he seeks to pivot the cable support from the retracted position.

[0024] According to an alternative option, the cable support is mounted in translation on the element of the wheel arch trim. For example, an inclined slide can be provided.

[0025] Advantageously, the cable support is located in a top area of ​​the wheel arch, and the cable support in the retracted position is not visible from a viewpoint located at a height greater than or equal to a wheel height from the ground. Typically this height is of the order of 50 cm.

[0026] Whereby, the cable support being located at the height of the high point of the wheel arch, it is sufficiently far from the ground to tolerate a deflection of the cable between two distant support points. In addition, the presence of the cable support when it is in the retracted position has no general impact on the aesthetic appearance of the wheel arch area. The cable support in the retracted position is only visible if one stands at ground level and looks inside the wheel arch, which is a literally extraordinary situation.

[0027] According to one option, the positions, respectively retracted and extended, are mechanically stable.

[0028] For the extended position, this allows a given position to be maintained even if the cable exerts downward pressure due to its weight. For the retracted position, This keeps the cable support outside the wheel travel area and maintains the retracted position even in the event of vibrations and shocks when traveling on a bumpy road.

[0029] According to one option, the positions, respectively retracted and extended, are indexed. This provides a firm and robust hold on the extreme positions forming stops.

[0030] According to one option, elastomer buffers may be provided.

[0031] This makes it possible to avoid any noise from the cable support, particularly during driving phases on road surfaces which generate bumps and jolts.

[0032] According to one option, the cable support can be made of flexible plastic material. For example, the cable support can be made of polyamide, polyethylene or any other synthetic material. Such a support is inexpensive and can include a multiplicity of molded shapes.

[0033] According to one option, the cable support may comprise a shaft journal, an arm extending from the shaft journal and a channel extending from the arm, the channel allowing a cable with a diameter of between 8 mm and 16 mm to be accommodated therein.

[0034] According to one option, the channel has a length in the longitudinal direction of between 10 mm and 40 mm.

[0035] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a motor vehicle as described above, characterized in that it comprises two cable supports as described above. Preferably, the two cable supports are located on the same side of the vehicle, for example on the side where the charging socket is located.

[0036] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a motor vehicle as described above, characterized in that it comprises four cable supports as described above, that is to say a support at the level of each wheel arch.

[0037] The invention will be further detailed by the description of non-limiting embodiments, and on the basis of the appended figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which: - [Fig.l] schematically illustrates two possible configurations for recharging an electric vehicle connected to a recharging station by an electric recharging cable; - [Fig.2] schematically illustrates two other possible configurations of charging of an electric vehicle connected to a charging station by an electric charging cable; - [Fig.3] illustrates, in sectional view, a wheel passage area, with a cable support shown respectively in a retracted position (PI) and in an extended position (P2); - [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a cable support in the retracted position (PD; - [Fig.5] schematically illustrates, in profile view, a cable support in retracted position (PI); - [Fig.6] schematically illustrates a cable support in the extended position (P2); - [Fig.7] schematically illustrates, in profile view, a cable support in output position (P2); - [Fig.8] illustrates the angular travel of the cable support between position retracted (PI) and extended position (P2); - [Fig.9] illustrates in perspective view an example of the production of a support for cable;

[0038] In the various figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements. For reasons of clarity of the description, certain elements are not necessarily represented to scale.

[0039] A motor vehicle has a reference frame in space comprising a longitudinal axis X along a direction of movement of said motor vehicle, a lateral axis Y perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, and a vertical axis Z perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and to the lateral axis Y, the vertical axis being directed from bottom to top.

[0040] Thus, in the following description, the terms 'up' and 'down' are understood in relation to the direction generally perpendicular to the local ground on which the vehicle rests; in other words, it is the vertical axis Z in the vehicle reference frame.

[0041] Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate possible charging configurations with an electric charging cable.

[0042] The vehicle 1 can be of any type, namely: classic saloon, estate, convertible, with three, four or five doors, or even van or MPV, without excluding other possible types of road vehicles.

[0043] The vehicle 1 comprises a battery 71 as known per se.

[0044] The vehicle 1 may be an all-electric vehicle, i.e. without a thermal engine. Vehicle 1 can also be a plug-in hybrid vehicle.

[0045] The electric charging cable 2 connects, in charging use, on the one hand a charging base 72 on the vehicle side and on the other hand on the opposite side a power supply socket, namely here a socket marked 13 on the side of the charging terminal 12. The power supply socket can also be a domestic socket in the context of charging at home.

[0046] According to a fairly widespread configuration, outside of the recharging sequences, the electric cable 2 is wound inside the terminal 12.

[0047] According to another configuration, the electric cable is folded back on itself in a loop and stored on board the vehicle, for example in the rear area and / or the trunk, or more generally any available storage space.

[0048] The electric charging cable 2 comprises a first connection connector intended to be connected to the station-side power supply socket or residential electrical outlet, and a second connection connector intended to be coupled to the charging base 72 of the vehicle.

[0049] The electric charging cable 2 has a diameter in its current section of between 8 mm and 20 mm, preferably between 8 mm and 16 mm.

[0050] The electric charging cable comprises several conductors. The electric charging cable 2 comprises 3 to 7 conductors depending on the type of charging cable. The cross-section of the conductors can be quite substantial, for example 4 mm2, or 6 mm2 or more. The cross-sections of the conductors are not necessarily identical to each other.

[0051] Charging can be done in single-phase alternating current or in three-phase alternating current or, for high-intensity charging cases, in direct current.

[0052] The electric charging cable 2 has a length generally between 4 meters and 10 meters, most often between 4 meters and 7 meters.

[0053] As seen in [Fig.l], on the left side, the vehicle in the charging situation has its charging base located at the rear and it has been parked in forward gear towards the charging terminal 12. Advantageously according to the present invention, cable supports 3 are provided to prevent the cable from resting on the ground. Each cable support 3 is located in a top zone 15 of the wheel arch. Each cable support 3 is articulated and mounted on an element of the wheel arch trim. The cable support 3 is mounted captive, it cannot be lost inadvertently. Once installed, the cable support is permanently connected to the wheel arch trim.

[0054] Each cable support 3 is movable between a retracted position PI and an extended position P2 which projects outwards relative to the side bodywork, e.g. the wing above the wheel. Other characteristics relating to the cable support will be seen later.

[0055] In the example on the left side of [Fig.l], the electric charging cable 2 rests on a cable support 3 at the level of the right front wheel arch and on a cable support 3 at the level of the right rear wheel arch.

[0056] As seen in [Fig.l], on the right side, the vehicle in the charging situation has its charging base located in front of its rear wheel and it has been parked in forward gear towards the charging terminal 12. The electric charging cable 2 rests on a cable support 3 at the level of the left front wheel arch and optionally on a cable support 3 at the level of the left rear wheel arch.

[0057] As seen in [Fig.2], on the left side, the vehicle in the charging situation has its charging base located behind its right front wheel and it has been parked in forward gear towards the charging terminal 12.

[0058] The electric charging cable 2 rests on a cable support 3 at the level of the right front wheel arch. In this case, it is not necessary to apply the cable support from the rear side.

[0059] As seen in [Fig.2], on the right side, the vehicle in the charging situation has its charging base located behind its right front wheel and it has been parked in reverse towards the charging station 12. The electric charging cable 2 rests on a cable support 3 of the right rear wheel arch. The cable support at the front is not used here.

[0060] We can thus see that there are multiple physical arrangements and relative positions of the vehicle being recharged in relation to the charging terminal.

[0061] Thus, the vehicle may comprise four cable supports, i.e. one support at each wheel arch or the vehicle may comprise two cable supports, i.e. only on the side where the vehicle's charging socket is located. The different cable supports are similar.

[0062] [Fig.3] shows in section a wheel passage area, with a cable support shown respectively in a retracted position PI and in an extended position P2.

[0063] The wheel W comprises a rim 9 and a tire 8 as known per se. The maximum upward travel of the wheel is represented by the dot-and-dash line marked 80.

[0064] Around the wheel W, the outer skin of the vehicle is formed by a wing 6. This wing 6 is not very thick, it is generally painted in the color of the vehicle, and it is generally a replaceable part.

[0065] The wheel W is located in a wheel arch covered by a wheel arch trim. The wheel arch trim may comprise one or more elements. In the example illustrated, the wheel arch trim comprises as an element a mudguard 4. The wheel arch trim may comprise a body liner or a fender liner without being protected by a specific mudguard.

[0066] In the extended position, the cable support can support an electrical charging cable 2, for example a charging cable with a diameter between 8 mm and 20 mm. In an illustrated example, the cable is received in a channel 33 having a concave shape. Alternatively, the distal part of the support can be formed as a simple hook, or a curved tab.

[0067] In the example illustrated, the cable support 3 is rotatably mounted on the element of the wheel arch trim, with an axis of rotation A1 substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X.

[0068] In the example illustrated, notably visible in [Fig.8], the angular travel 01 between the retracted position PI and the extended position P2 is between 150° and 180°.

[0069] In another example (not shown), the cable support may be mounted in translation on the element of the wheel arch trim. The translation may be rectilinear or along a curved path. A guide rail system for the cable support may be provided between the retracted position and the extended position. In the case of a tra straight jectory, the slide can be inclined relative to the vertical, for example by 30°. To move the cable support to the extended position, the cable support must be lowered relative to the slide, and to store it, conversely, it must be raised along the slide.

[0070] In the retracted position, the cable support 3 is located above the wheel. In the retracted position, the cable support is not visible from a PV viewpoint located at a height greater than or equal to a wheel height from the ground. This height H2 has a value of approximately 50 cm or even 55 cm for off-rim wheels of 15 inches or more.

[0071] The cable support 3 is mounted to move relative to a plate 5 which may or may not be integrated into the mudguard.

[0072] The plate 5 comprises a main body 50 equipped with a first bearing 51 and a second bearing 52, these bearings being capable of forming the rotational mounting for the cable support. The plate 5 comprises elastomer buffers 53.

[0073] As seen in the figures, in particular in [Fig.9], the cable support 3 comprises an axle journal 31, an arm 32 extending perpendicularly from the axle journal and a channel 33 extending perpendicularly from the arm.

[0074] A notching system is provided between the axle journal 31 and the first and second bearings 51, 52. The journal 31 may be notched, and the bearings may comprise ribs of complementary shape.

[0075] The channel 33 is intended to receive the charging cable 2 as already presented above. The channel has a length L3 in the longitudinal direction X of between 10 mm and 40 mm. The channel has a depth T of between 8 mm and 20 mm.

[0076] Optionally provided is a bead 34 which forms a gripping element to assist in maneuvering the cable support from the retracted position.

[0077] As illustrated in Figures 4 to 7, the arm 32 is captive in the elastomer buffers 53 both in the retracted position PI and in the extended position P2. In fact, the width of the arm 32 is greater than the gap available between the two facing elastomer buffers. Once the two elastomer buffers have passed through the gap, the arm 32 is held in the current extreme position, either retracted or extended. The elastomer buffers thus form an indexing screen for the extreme positions.

[0078] The plate 5 which forms a base for the cable support may be made from the same material, in part or completely, as the mudguard 4.

[0079] The cable holder may be made of a flexible plastic material. For example, the cable holder 3 may be made of polyamide or polyethylene. The cable holder is preferably a single-piece, single-material part. The cable holder weighs a few grams. Even with two or four cable holders, this does not significantly increase the weight of the vehicle.

[0080] By using the proposed cable supports, the charging cable is supported by the cable supports as well as by the charging station and its path does not touch the ground. The charging cable is thus protected from the risk of soiling by dog ​​droppings.

[0081] It should be noted that if the user forgets to retract a cable support, the latter will produce, when the vehicle is moving, a small whistle which will notify this situation to the user.

Claims

Claims

1. Motor vehicle (1) comprising at least one wheel (W) in a wheel arch and a wheel arch trim, said motor vehicle having a reference in space comprising a longitudinal axis (X) along a direction of movement of said motor vehicle, a lateral axis (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X), and a vertical axis (Z) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X) and to the lateral axis (Y), the vertical axis being directed from bottom to top, characterized in that the motor vehicle comprises at least one cable support (3) mounted on an element of the wheel arch trim, the cable support being movable between a retracted position (PI) and an extended position (P2), the cable support being configured in the extended position to support an electric charging cable (2), the cable support being configured to be located above the wheel in the retracted position.

2. Motor vehicle according to claim 1 characterized in that the element of the wheel arch trim is a mudguard (4).

3. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the cable support (3) is rotatably mounted on the element of the wheel arch trim, with an axis of rotation (Al) substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (X).

4. Motor vehicle according to claim 3 characterized in that the angular travel (01) between the retracted position (PI) and the extended position (P2) is between 150° and 180°.

5. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cable support is located in a top zone (15) of the wheel arch, and the cable support in the retracted position is not visible from a point of view located at a height greater than or equal to a wheel height from the ground.

6. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the positions, respectively retracted and extended, are mechanically stable.

7. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that elastomer buffers are provided.

8. A motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cable support (3) comprises an axle journal, an arm extending from the axle journal and a channel extending from the arm, the channel allowing a cable of diameter between between 8 mm and 16 mm.

9. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises two cable supports.

10. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises four cable supports.

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