MOTOR VEHICLE WITH TRACTION BATTERY CHARGING CABLE SUPPORT HOOK

Abstract

An electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising an external charging socket for a traction battery via a charging cable (4) connected to a terminal on an electricity distribution network, and on one side of the vehicle body (14) a wheel arch trim (10) with a movable element comprising a position offset from the body (14) forming an external hook for receiving loops (24) of the charging cable (4). Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE WITH TRACTION BATTERY CHARGING CABLE SUPPORT HOOK

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising an external socket for charging a traction battery by a cable connected to a terminal of an electricity distribution network, and a wheel arch contour trim fixed to the bodywork, 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, includes a cable reel integrated into the vehicle body, comprising an electrical joint with rotating contacts which allows a cable equipped at its end with a connector to be unwound, which connects to a socket on an electricity distribution network.

[0003] In this way the conductor can pull out the necessary amount of cable to reach the outlet of the distribution network, which avoids pulling out too much cable that could drag on the ground.

[0004] A length of cable lying on the ground poses risks of incidents or accidents, for example, a pedestrian falling on the cable, or a vehicle driving over it and damaging it. Furthermore, a cable lying on the ground can get wet in puddles or soiled if it drags through mud, and the operator stowing the cable or the next person handling it will get their hands dirty.

[0005] However, for a vehicle equipped with an external charging socket receiving the connector of a cable linked to a charging station, this cable winding in the vehicle is not applicable, which poses the same problems with a cable linked to the station that can drag on the ground.

[0006] Another known type of vehicle, presented in particular by document DE-Al-102011087324, includes a retractable hook stored in a housing in the bodywork comprising the external socket, closed by a hatch, which comes out when this hatch is opened to connect the charging station cable connector.

[0007] After opening the hatch, extending the hook, and connecting the cable connector to the socket, the operator can loop the excess cable length to hang it from the hook. However, this system requires the cable loops to be formed and attached to the hook's location, which is right next to the vehicle's exterior socket.

[0008] However, if there is a significant distance between the charging station and the vehicle's external socket, without an intermediate attachment point, the weight of the cable can cause it to bend and touch the ground. To prevent soiling or damage to the cable while it is lying on the ground, tension must be applied to the cable, which is difficult to achieve and maintain.

[0009] Another known type of cable attachment system, described in particular by document US-A1-2019135122, comprises a hook located on one side of a plate which has an electromagnet on its opposite face for attaching it to the vehicle body. An interface allows control of the electromagnet to attach it to the body in order to suspend loops of the charging cable from the hook, and then to detach it from the body.

[0010] This system requires the handling of a hook which must be taken out of the vehicle and then stored in a dedicated space in the vehicle, which occupies space, thus complicating the operations of connecting and disconnecting the charging cable which may be carried out frequently.

[0011] Moreover, this hook system with its electromagnet and control module is complex to manufacture and has a high cost.

[0012] Alternatively, the driver can use existing external vehicle components to create an intermediate suspension point for the cable, such as a side mirror or a rear wiper arm. However, using supports not designed for this purpose can lead to damage. In particular, the wiper arm remains a fragile component not designed to bear a load. Mirrors may have an automatic folding mechanism; a cable caught behind it could damage the motor during a maneuver.

[0013] The present invention aims in particular to avoid these problems of the prior art.

[0014] To this end, it proposes an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising an external socket for charging a traction battery by a charging cable connected to a terminal of an electricity distribution network, and on one side of the vehicle body a wheel arch surround, this vehicle being remarkable in that the surround comprises a movable element including a position away from the body forming an external hook for receiving loops of the charging cable.

[0015] One advantage of this motor vehicle is that by adapting an existing wheel arch trim on a number of vehicles, with the addition of the moving element, a resistant external hook forming a suspension point that can receive loops of the cable, which integrates into the style of the vehicle, is obtained simply and economically.

[0016] Furthermore, the hook located away from the vehicle's socket can be in a position intermediate between the terminal and this socket which allows the cable to be supported in a central part in order to prevent it from dragging on the ground, without applying significant tension to it.

[0017] The motor vehicle according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, which may be combined with each other.

[0018] Advantageously, the movable trim element forms a band attached to the contour of the trim.

[0019] In particular, the movable element can be attached to an edge of the trim which is arranged in its upper part.

[0020] Advantageously, the movable trim element is fixed to one end of a slide arranged substantially along the transverse direction of the vehicle.

[0021] In this case, advantageously the slide includes an automatic exit mechanism.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the output mechanism includes an automatically actuated cylinder.

[0023] According to another embodiment, the release mechanism includes a spring which tends to release the movable trim element.

[0024] In this case, advantageously the exit mechanism includes a manually controlled stop notch, which holds the movable trim element in the retracted position with its spring compressed.

[0025] Moreover, advantageously the stop notch has shapes allowing, by a push on the moving element, its retraction and automatic locking by this stop notch.

[0026] 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 moving element, then forms with this cable at least one loop which is placed on the external hook.

[0027] The invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will become more apparent upon reading the following description given by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0028] [Fig.1] is a rear view of an electric vehicle according to the prior art being recharged on a terminal connected to an electricity distribution network;

[0029] [Fig.2] is a rear view of an electric vehicle according to the invention being recharged on the charging station;

[0030] [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional diagram along a vertical plane of the wheel arch of this vehicle including the retracted hook; and

[0031] [Fig.4] is a cross-sectional diagram showing the extended hook receiving loops of the cable.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows an electric or hybrid motor vehicle equipped with a traction battery rechargeable by an electricity distribution network, which is parked next to a terminal of the distribution network 2 arranged at the front on its left side.

[0033] The charging station 2 includes a charging cable 4 equipped at its end with a connector that is plugged into an external socket on the vehicle, located on its right rear fender. The cable 4 runs along the side of the vehicle to reach the external socket; the excess length of this cable forms loops lying on the ground on the side of the vehicle, which are liable to get wet in the presence of a puddle.

[0034] To avoid laying the cable 4 on the ground, the operator can form loops and attach them to the exterior side mirror 6 or the rear wiper 8, which can be damaged by this maneuver. Furthermore, if the cable 4 is pulled while attached behind the mirror 6 or the rear wiper 8, a force is applied to them, which can damage them.

[0035] Figures 2 and 3 show the left rear wheel of the vehicle 10 surrounded on top by a protective plate 12 which is fitted inside the rear wing 14.

[0036] A wheel arch trim 16, fixed to the rear wing 14, forms a continuous band which surrounds the wheel arch along its entire length to protect it and to ensure an aesthetic finish of the vehicle.

[0037] A complementary movable trim element, forming a band 18 with a short length, is attached to this trim in its upper part along its contour to form an aesthetic continuity.

[0038] The band 18 is fixed to the outer end of a slide 20 arranged along the transverse direction of the vehicle, guided by rails arranged in the bodywork, comprising at its inner end an output mechanism 22. The [Fig.4] shows, after a command from the operator, the output mechanism 22 which has pushed the slide 20 outwards in order to obtain a band 18 offset from the rear wing 14 by about ten centimeters.

[0039] With the slide 20 arranged transversely, rigidly fixed to the bodywork, and the band 18 fixed to the end of this slide, a transverse space is obtained between the rear wing 14 and this band forming a hook allowing to receive several loops 24 of the charging cable 4.

[0040] An operator taking the cable 4 out of the charging station 2 forms loops 24 with the excess cable length, which are simply hung from the hook to avoid leaving this length trailing on the ground.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the exit mechanism 22 includes a cylinder comprising in particular an electric motor, which in the event of a demand for recharging the vehicle's traction battery can be activated to remove the band 18 and obtain the hook.

[0042] According to another embodiment, the output mechanism 22 includes a spring that pushes the strip 18 outwards after being activated by the operator. In particular, the slide 20 may include a manually operated stop that releases the spring to extend the slide.

[0043] After the vehicle battery has been recharged, the operator having stored the cable 4 in the charging terminal 2, a simple push on the band 18 compressing its exit spring returns it to its folded position, the stop notch of the slide 20 automatically holding it in this position.

[0044] The operator thus has an easily accessible support point for the loops 24 of the cable 4, located on one side of the vehicle, in a position that can be intermediate between the charging station 2 and the external socket 14, making it possible to avoid laying this cable on the ground.

[0045] The hook formed by the band 18 and its slide 20, having the necessary resistance for the support of cable loops 24, avoids the use of other attachment means on the vehicle which are not intended for this purpose.

Claims

Claims

1. Electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising an external socket for recharging a traction battery by a recharging cable (4) connected to a terminal of an electricity distribution network (2), and on one side of the vehicle body (14) a wheel arch trim (16) (10), characterized in that the trim (16) comprises a movable element (18) comprising a position spaced from the body (14) forming an external hook for receiving loops (24) of the recharging cable (4).

2. Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable trim element (18) forms a strip attached to the contour of the trim (16).

3. Motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the movable element (18) is attached to an edge of the trim (16) which is arranged in its upper part.

4. Motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable trim element (18) is fixed to one end of a slide (20) arranged substantially in the transverse direction of the vehicle.

5. Motor vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the slide (20) comprises an automatic exit mechanism (22).

6. Motor vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the output mechanism (22) comprises an automatically actuated cylinder.

7. Motor vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the output mechanism (22) comprises a spring which tends to output the movable trim element (18).

8. Motor vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that the output mechanism (22) comprises a manually controlled stop notch, which holds the movable trim element (18) in the retracted position with its compressed spring.

9. Motor vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that the stop notch has shapes allowing, by pushing on the movable element (18), its retraction and its automatic blocking by this stop notch.

10. Method of using a motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when connecting the cable (4) to the external socket of the vehicle, the operator the mobile element (18) comes out, then forms with this cable (4) at least one loop (24) which is placed on the external hook.

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