VEHICLE INCLUDING A DEVICE PROTECTING A CURRENT INVERTER

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle comprising: - a chassis (40); - an engine block (10); - a connecting piece (30) attaching the engine block (10) to the chassis (40); - an electronic device (20) fixed to the engine block (10); and - the vehicle further comprising a protective device (50) for the electronic device (20). Abstract figure: Fig. 2A

Description

Title of the invention: VEHICLE COMPRISING A DEVICE FOR PROTECTING A CURRENT INVERTER

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle comprising a device for protecting an electronic device, which may in particular be a current inverter, protecting it from damage during a vehicle accident. Prior art

[0002] A hybrid vehicle comprises a thermal engine block and an electric motor. The thermal engine block itself is composed of a thermal engine linked to a gearbox and is fixed to the chassis, at the front of the vehicle by means of a connecting piece. Furthermore, a current inverter intended to supply the electric motor with alternating current is fixed to the thermal engine block.

[0003] During an accident and a frontal impact of the vehicle, the engine block moves back violently under the influence of the impact, and the current inverter collides strongly against the connecting part which damages it and risks destroying it.

[0004] Currently, beyond the recommendations for caution when driving, nothing is done to avoid or even reduce the shock between the current inverter and the connecting part.

[0005] An objective of the present invention is to remedy the defects of the prior art by protecting the current inverter in the event of a shock.

[0006] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a vehicle comprising: - a chassis; - an engine block; - a connecting piece attaching the engine block to the chassis; - an electronic device fixed to the engine block; - the vehicle also including a protective device for the electronic device.

[0007] Advantageously, the protective device is provided so that the connecting part does not damage the electronic device during an impact during which the engine block and the electronic device rapidly approach the chassis.

[0008] The protective device is an independent part partially covering the electronic device.

[0009] The protective device is a prismatic piece of stamped sheet metal provided with an opening allowing the electronic device to be inserted.

[0010] Advantageously, the protective device is designed to deform and protect the electronic device when the electronic device quickly approaches the connecting part.

[0011] The prismatic part has sides comprising ribs.

[0012] Advantageously, the ribs stiffen the protective device, which makes it possible to obtain resistance equivalent to that of a thicker and heavier casing and, during a vehicle accident, the ribs deform, absorb the energy of the impact and the orientation of the ribs directs and orients the deformation of the protective device.

[0013] In an alternative, the protective device comprises a flat and inclined side.

[0014] Advantageously, during an impact, the connecting part is deflected by the inclined plane and does not collide with the electronic device.

[0015] In another alternative, the protective device is integrated into the connecting piece, the connecting piece comprising an inclined plane.

[0016] Advantageously, the inclined plane is arranged so that during an impact, the connecting part is deflected and does not collide with the electronic device.

[0017] The vehicle has a hybrid, thermal or electric engine, the electronic device being a current inverter. Brief description of the figures

[0018] The invention will be further detailed by the description of non-limiting embodiments and, on the basis of the appended figures. - [Fig.lA] schematically illustrates an assembly composed of an engine block, an electronic device, a connecting part and a chassis of a vehicle according to the prior art and before an accident. - [Fig.lB] illustrates the whole of [Fig.lA] after an accident. - [Fig.2A] schematically illustrates the assembly of [Fig.1A] to which is added a protective device for the electronic device according to one embodiment of the invention. - [Fig.2B] schematically illustrates the whole of [Fig.2A] after an accident. - [Fig.2C] schematically illustrates the protection device of figures 2A and 2B. - [Fig.3A] is similar to [Fig.2A] but with an alternative protective device. - [Fig.3B] schematically illustrates the whole of [Fig.3A] after an accident. - [Fig.3C] schematically illustrates the protection device of figures 3A and 3B. - [Fig.4A] schematically illustrates the engine block assembly, the electronic device, the connecting piece and the chassis of the vehicle before an accident, the protective device being integrated into the connecting piece. - [Fig.4B] schematically illustrates the whole of [Fig.4A] after a accident. Detailed description

[0019] Figures 1A and 1B schematically illustrate an engine block 10 to which an electronic device 20 is fixed, this subassembly being fixed by a connecting piece 30 to the chassis 40 of a vehicle (not shown).

[0020] In a normal situation, shown in [Fig.lA], the connecting piece 30 and the electronic device 20 are at a distance from each other and, during an accident of the vehicle, [Fig.lB], the engine block 10 quickly approaches the connecting piece 30 which then strikes and damages the electronic device 20. The movement of the engine block is indicated by the arrow F.

[0021] In order to prevent possible damage to the electronic device 20, a protective device 50 is proposed, a first version of which is illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C.

[0022] The invention was first designed for a hybrid motor vehicle comprising a thermal engine block 10 with fluid fuel (gasoline, diesel, hydrogen, LPG, etc.) and an electric motor requiring, for operation, a current inverter 20 which creates alternating current from the direct current of a driving battery. The thermal engine block 10, located at the front of the vehicle, is fixed to the chassis 40 of the vehicle by a connecting piece 30 and the current inverter 20 is fixed to the thermal engine block 10. However, the invention presented here can be used in a context which goes far beyond that of this initial idea by protecting other electronic devices 20.

[0023] The protective device 50 comprises, like a box without a cover, side surfaces 60 and an opening which allows the electronic device 20 to be adjusted and covered. The protective device 50 is typically made of stamped sheet metal and is provided with ribs 70 on its side surfaces 60. To prevent unwanted untimely movements, the protective device 20 is also provided with eyelets 80 allowing the passage of screws or other means of fixing the protective device 20 to the engine block 10.

[0024] The ribs 70 stiffen the protective device 20 and give it a strength equivalent to that of a thicker housing while having a lower mass. During a vehicle accident, the ribs 70 deform and absorb the energy of the impact and the orientation of the ribs 70 directs and orients the deformation of the protective device 50.

[0025] In an alternative presented with the aid of figures 3A, 3B and 3C, the protection device 50 still has the shape of a box which covers the electronic device 20 but the protection device 50 comprises at least one flat and inclined side 90. The protection device 50 is arranged so that said at least one flat side 90 is oriented towards the connecting piece 30 so that during an impact, the engine block 10 approaches the chassis 40 and the flat side 90 deflects the connecting piece, which possibly breaks, but does not strike the electronic device 20.

[0026] In another alternative presented with the aid of figures 4A and 4B, the protective device 50 of the electronic device 20 is directly integrated into the connecting piece 30 which comprises an inclined surface 100 oriented towards the electronic device 20. During an impact of the vehicle, the engine block 10 approaches the chassis 40 and, thanks to the inclined surface 100, the connecting piece 30 is deflected by the electronic device 20 which avoids a full-force impact.

Claims

Claims

1. Vehicle comprising: - a chassis (40); - an engine block (10); - a connecting piece (30) attaching the engine block (10) to the chassis (40); - an electronic device (20) fixed to the engine block (10); characterized in that the vehicle further comprises: - a protective device (50) for the electronic device (20).

2. Vehicle according to claim 1 characterized in that the protective device (50) is an independent part partially covering the electronic device (20).

3. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the protective device (50) is a prismatic part made of stamped sheet metal provided with an opening allowing the electronic device (20) to be inserted.

4. Vehicle according to claim 3 characterized in that the prismatic part has sides comprising ribs (70).

5. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the protective device (50) further comprises a flat and inclined side (90).

6. Vehicle according to claim 1 characterized in that the protective device (50) is integrated into the connecting piece (30), the connecting piece (30) comprising an inclined plane.

7. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the vehicle has a hybrid, thermal or electric motor, and in that the electronic device (20) is a current inverter.

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