VEHICLE WITH REMOVABLE POWER SUPPLY UNIT PROTECTION HOOD

Abstract

VEHICLE WITH REMOVABLE POWER SUPPLY UNIT PROTECTION HOOD In a vehicle having a receiving compartment (3) with an opening (4) for receiving and containing a removable power supply unit, and a hood (5) for closing the opening, hinged on a hinge (6) comprising a fixed hinge part (9) integral with the vehicle and a movable hinge part (10) rotatably mounted about an axis (9a) of the fixed hinge part, the following are provided: - a hinge arm (12), integral with the movable hinge part, - a longitudinal groove (13) on an inner face of the hood for receiving said hinge arm, - a retractable distal stop (15), for selectively assuming a retained state in which it retains in said longitudinal groove a second end (12b) of the hinge arm,and a release state in which it releases the second end of the hinge arm from the longitudinal groove when at least one mechanical stress forcing the hood away from the moving part of the hinge exceeds a predetermined release threshold; a proximal stop (14) to retain the first end (12a) of the hinge arm in said longitudinal groove when the distal stop is in the retained state, and to oppose the hood moving away from the moving part of the hinge beyond a predetermined separation stroke and to allow limited oscillation of the hood relative to the moving part of the hinge when the distal stop is in the release state. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 2,

Description

Title of the invention: VEHICLE WITH REMOVABLE ELECTRICAL POWER UNIT PROTECTIVE HOOD TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of on-board electrical power supply for vehicles, in particular for light electrically assisted vehicles such as bicycles, scooters, tricycles, etc.

[0002] In this field, the source of electrical energy for powering the electric assistance motor is an electrical power supply unit on board the chassis of the vehicle and comprising an electric storage battery. The recharging of the electric storage battery is generally ensured by a charger designed to transform the 220 V input alternating current from an external source of electrical energy into lower voltage alternating current which is then rectified to provide a direct current for recharging the storage battery.

[0003] The charger may be on-board, fixed and permanently connected to the electric storage battery, being connectable at will to said external source of electrical energy. Alternatively, the charger is either fixed and permanently connected to the external source of electrical energy, or connectable at will to the electric storage battery and to said external source of electrical energy.

[0004] The recharging of the electric storage battery is normally carried out when the electric power unit is removed from the vehicle, generally to be transported to a monitored room where there is an access connection to the external source of electric power.

[0005] In normal operation to power an electric assistance motor on a vehicle, the on-board electrical power supply unit is housed in a receiving compartment provided for this purpose on the vehicle and shaped both to secure the electrical power supply unit to the vehicle and to protect it against external aggressions such as impacts and rain runoff.

[0006] To ensure these functions while facilitating the insertion and removal of the power supply unit, the receiving compartment is usually adapted to permanently cover five faces of the power supply unit, with an opening corresponding to the sixth face and closable by a retractable cover.

[0007] In the application to the electric bicycle, a removable cover has already been proposed, not integral with the electric power supply unit, and which fits over the opening of the receiving compartment to close it. A major drawback of this solution is the risk of losing the cover in the event of an impact or incorrect engagement on opening, or the risk of forgetting the cover at the end of charging. Another disadvantage is that removing or adapting the cover complicates the maneuver to replace or remove the power supply unit, because one hand is required to hold the cover or place it on the ground before removing a locking key, the other hand being occupied to grasp the power supply unit.

[0008] As an alternative, a cover formed by the power supply unit itself, or permanently secured to it, has already been proposed. A disadvantage of this solution is the absence of closure of the receiving compartment during recharging, which could encourage malicious acts and could allow water to enter the connectors. Another disadvantage of this solution is that it complicates the shape of the power supply unit.

[0009] Much more confidentially, a hood has already been proposed that is permanently secured to the bicycle by a hinge. However, in the open position, there is a very high risk of damaging the hinge because the hood, which is elongated, constitutes a relatively long lever arm and is likely to cause significant stress in the hinge, even in the case of a mild mechanical stress on the hood.

[0010] There is therefore a need to prevent the hinge from being damaged or destroyed during the mechanical stresses usually applied to the hood during normal use.

[0011] At the same time, there is a need to ensure a watertight closure of the receiving compartment, preventing the intrusion of liquids both during the presence of the electrical power supply unit on the vehicle and during its absence. Statement of the invention

[0012] A problem proposed by the present invention is to design a closing and protective cover for an on-board and removable electrical power supply unit, in which a hinge allows the cover to be permanently secured to a vehicle while allowing the opening and closing of a receiving compartment for the electrical power supply unit, and in which protective means make it possible to prevent the hinge from deteriorating or breaking during mechanical stresses applied to the cover in the open position.

[0013] Another problem proposed by the present invention is to design such a closing and protective cover for an on-board electrical power supply unit which, in the closed position, ensures good sealing of the receiving compartment in order to prevent the intrusion of liquids.

[0014] To achieve these and other objects, according to a first aspect, the invention provides a vehicle having a receiving compartment shaped to receive and contain a removable power supply unit, the receiving compartment comprising: - an opening shaped to allow the introduction of the power supply unit into the receiving compartment and its extraction from the receiving compartment, - a cover, movable between a closed position in which it conceals said opening and a retracted position in which it releases said opening to allow the introduction or extraction of the electrical power supply unit through said opening, - a hinge, comprising a fixed hinge part, secured to the vehicle, and a movable hinge part connected to the hood and rotatably mounted around an axis of the fixed hinge part, the hinge connecting the hood to the vehicle and allowing the movement of said hood by rotation between its closed position and its retracted position; furthermore, according to the invention: - the movable hinge part is connected to the hood by disengageable mechanical connection means and retaining stop means, - the disengageable mechanical connection means are designed to ensure a fixed connection between the hood and the movable hinge part in the absence of mechanical stresses forcing the hood away from the movable hinge part with an intensity greater than a predetermined trigger threshold, - the disengageable mechanical connection means are shaped to inhibit their effect of retaining the hood with respect to the movable hinge part in the presence of at least one mechanical stress forcing the hood away from the movable hinge part at an intensity greater than said predetermined trigger threshold, - the disengageable mechanical connection means are designed to allow the hood to be reconnected in a fixed manner to the movable hinge part by bringing the hood and the movable hinge part together, - the retaining stop means are shaped to oppose the separation of the hood with respect to the movable hinge part beyond a predetermined separation travel and to allow limited oscillation of the hood with respect to the movable hinge part, after disengagement of the disengageable mechanical connection means.

[0015] The disengageable mechanical connection means make it possible to limit the mechanical stress undergone by the hood and by the articulation. Such mechanical stress can occur for example during an external mechanical thrust exerted on the hood in the direction of its opening beyond its retracted position, or during an external mechanical thrust exerted on the hood in a transverse direction relative to its pivoting plane. If this external mechanical thrust exceeds a threshold of de predetermined engagement, the disengagement allows further movement of the hood, which eliminates or significantly reduces the resistance exerted by the hood against the external mechanical thrust, which eliminates or significantly reduces the mechanical stress experienced by the hood and by the joint.

[0016] Simultaneously, after disengagement, the retaining stop means prevent the hood from falling, so that the user can then re-engage the joint when the external mechanical thrust has disappeared.

[0017] In practice, it is possible to provide a vehicle having a receiving compartment shaped to receive and contain a removable electrical power supply unit, the receiving compartment comprising: - an opening shaped to allow the introduction of the power supply unit into the receiving compartment and its extraction from the receiving compartment, - a cover, movable between a closed position in which it conceals said opening and a retracted position in which it releases said opening to allow the introduction or extraction of the electrical power supply unit through said opening, - a hinge, comprising a fixed hinge part, secured to the vehicle, and a movable hinge part connected to the hood and mounted to rotate around an axis of the fixed hinge part, the hinge connecting the hood to the vehicle and allowing the movement of said hood by rotation between its closed position and its retracted position, wherein the movable hinge part is connected to the hood by disengageable mechanical connection means and retaining stop means, which means comprising: - a hinge arm, integral with the movable hinge part, and extending longitudinally between a first proximal end and a second distal end of the hinge arm, - a longitudinal groove, provided on an internal face of the hood, and shaped to receive said hinge arm, - a retractable distal stop, shaped to selectively assume a retaining state in which it retains the second end of the hinge arm in said longitudinal groove, and a releasing state in which it releases the second end of the hinge arm with respect to the longitudinal groove, - the retaining stop means being shaped to retain the first end of the hinge arm in said longitudinal groove when the distal stop is in the retained state, and shaped to oppose the separation of the first end of the hinge arm from said longitudinal groove beyond a stroke predetermined spacing and to allow limited oscillation of the hood relative to the first end of the hinge arm, when the distal stop is in the released state.

[0018] This produces a particularly simple and reliable structure, capable of producing a certain disengagement and facilitating subsequent re-engagement.

[0019] According to a practical embodiment, it is expected that: - the retractable distal stop comprises axial engagement means between the second end of the hinge arm and the corresponding distal end of the longitudinal groove, - a first elastic return means, engaged between the cover and the hinge arm, forces the cover in translation towards the first end of the hinge arm to ensure the interpenetration of the axial engagement means between them.

[0020] To ensure good disengagement capacity during transverse mechanical stress, it is advantageous to provide that: - the longitudinal groove has a trapezoidal cross-section, comprising a large base constituting the open face of the groove, and comprising a small base constituting the bottom of the groove, the lateral faces being oblique and oriented symmetrically on either side of the bottom of the groove, - the hinge arm also has a trapezoidal cross-section, and is shaped to engage by complementary shapes in the longitudinal groove.

[0021] In practice, the axial engagement means may comprise: - a head-shaped protrusion, axially projecting from one of the second end of the hinge arm and the distal end of the longitudinal groove, - a retaining housing and return ramps, provided in a frontal position in the other of the second end of the hinge arm and the distal end of the longitudinal groove.

[0022] It can advantageously be provided that: - the retaining housing is a cavity in the form of a spherical cap with a flared peripheral edge into which the head, of hemispherical shape, penetrates to a depth less than its radius, - the rappel ramps include two frontal ramps bordered by an upper rappel ramp and a lower rappel ramp, - the upper return ramp comprises a projecting shoulder comprising a concave central section, extending longitudinally the retaining housing by a distance at least equal to the radius of the head, and two lateral sections oriented obliquely away from the retaining housing to corresponding oblique lateral faces of the hinge arm, - the lower return ramp comprises a projecting shoulder comprising two sections oriented obliquely in a V-shape upwards from the lower top of the retaining housing to the said corresponding oblique lateral faces of the hinge arm, - the front ramps are inclined at a slope away from the retaining housing.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, promoting the sealing of the hood in the closed position, elastic retaining means are engaged between the hood and the movable hinge part, and are arranged so as to permanently bring the hood closer to the movable hinge part and thus to press the hood against a peripheral edge of the opening when the hood is in the closed position.

[0024] According to one possibility, the elastic return means allow for subsequent automatic re-engagement as soon as the external mechanical thrust that caused disengagement disappears. In this way, the user does not have to worry about the hood while handling the electrical power unit. However, re-engagement by manual thrust and guidance by slopes may be preferred.

[0025] Preferably, a hood return spring is provided, shaped to urge the movable hinge portion into rotation towards the retracted position of the hood.

[0026] To facilitate the practical production of the hood by molding, said longitudinal groove can be made in a centering rail attached and fixed to the inner face of the hood.

[0027] The retaining stop means may advantageously comprise: - on the centering rail, two opposite lateral fins, two lateral lugs, and a cylindrical central lug, - on the hinge arm, two opposite lateral wings facing the opposite lateral fins and the lateral lugs, and a cylindrical housing in which the cylindrical central lug is engaged with a predefined lateral clearance.

[0028] In the application of the invention to a bicycle in particular, such a disengageable hinge structure prevents damage to the cover and the hinge during external mechanical thrust. The receiving compartment can then be placed inside a beam forming part of a bicycle frame, without this affecting the reliability of the cover. Preferably, the opening is located on the upper face of said beam, to significantly facilitate handling of the electrical power supply unit when it is introduced into the receiving compartment and when it is removed for recharging outside. The beam may be oblique.

[0029] In all cases of application to a vehicle, it can advantageously be provided that: - the hinge connects a first end of the hood to the vehicle along a first end of the opening, - hood locking means, operable by a user, are provided to reversibly hold and lock a second end of the hood to the vehicle along a second end of the opening, - user-operable battery locking means are arranged to reversibly hold and lock a second end of the power supply unit in the receiving compartment in the vicinity of the second end of the opening, - the hood locking means and the battery locking means are connected to each other so as to operate simultaneously under the effect of a single user action producing the locking and / or unlocking of the hood and the electrical power supply unit. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the following description of particular embodiments, made in relation to the attached figures, among which:

[0031] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a side view of a bicycle having a device according to the invention, the hood being in the retracted position;

[0032] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic side sectional view illustrating the organs essentials of the articulation of the hood according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the hood being in the closed position;

[0033] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic side view in section, illustrating the organs entials of the hood articulation according to the embodiment of [Fig.2], the hood being in the closed position, in the case where the axis of rotation of the hood is further away

[0034] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view from above, illustrating a moving part hinge and the hinge arm according to a second embodiment of the invention

[0035] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a perspective view from below, illustrating the movable part of hinge and hinge arm according to the embodiment of [Fig.4], with an enlarged detail of the second end of the hinge arm showing the distal stop retaining housing;

[0036] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a perspective view from above, illustrating a centering rail which can constitute the longitudinal groove of the hood receiving the movable hinge part and the hinge arm according to the embodiment of [Fig.4];

[0037] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a perspective view from below, illustrating the centering rail of [Fig.6];

[0038] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is another perspective view from below, illustrating the centering rail of [Fig.6], with an enlarged detail of the distal end of the centering rail showing the head of the distal stop;

[0039] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a perspective view from below illustrating the cover receiving on its inner face the centering rail forming the groove in which the hinge arm is engaged, with a larger-scale detail of the hinge part;

[0040] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a partial side sectional view illustrating a detail of the retaining stop means;

[0041] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] is a partial side sectional view illustrating on an enlarged scale a stop spring of the retaining stop means;

[0042] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] is a sectional side view of a section of bicycle frame beam incorporating a receiving compartment containing an electrical power supply unit, with a hinged cover and locking means according to one embodiment of the invention, the assembly being in the closed and locked position;

[0043] [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] is a sectional side view illustrating the assembly of [Fig. 12] when the hood is in the retracted, undisengaged position; and

[0044] [Fig. 14] [Fig. 14] is a sectional side view illustrating the assembly of [Fig. 12] when the hood is in the retracted and disengaged position. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] When identical reference numerals are used in several figures, embodiments or variants of the invention, these reference numerals designate identical or similar elements in each of the figures, embodiments or variants.

[0046] We first consider [Fig.l] which illustrates a vehicle according to the present invention, in a bicycle type embodiment.

[0047] In this embodiment, the bicycle 1 comprises a frame with an ascending oblique central beam 2 in which a receiving compartment 3 is arranged having an opening 4 located on the upper face of said beam 2. The opening 4 is shaped to allow the introduction of an electrical power supply unit into the receiving compartment 3 and its extraction from the receiving compartment 3.

[0048] A cover 5 makes it possible to conceal the opening 4 in a closed position, and makes it possible to provide access to the opening 4 in a retracted position as illustrated in [Fig.l]. For this, the cover 5 is articulated on the beam 2 by a hinge 6 at the lower end 4a of the opening 4.

[0049] In its closed position, the cover 5 is folded down onto the upper face of the beam 2, and cover locking means 7 are arranged at the upper end 4b of the opening 4 to hold and reversibly lock the free end 8 of the cover 5.

[0050] We now consider Figures 2 and 3, which schematically illustrate from the side in section the essential members of an articulation of the hood 5 on the beam 2. The cover 5 is shown in the closed position.

[0051] We find the beam 2, the opening 4 and its lower 4a and upper 4b ends, the cover 5 and its free end 8, the cover locking means 7, and the hinge 6.

[0052] The hinge 6 comprises on the one hand a fixed hinge part 9, integral with the vehicle, that is to say in this case integral with the beam 2, and comprising a fixed axis of rotation 9a. The hinge 6 comprises on the other hand a movable hinge part 10 connected to the hood 5 and mounted to rotate around the fixed axis of rotation 9a of the fixed hinge part 9. The hinge 6 is shaped so as to allow the hood 5 to move by rotation between its closed position illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 and its retracted position illustrated in [Fig.l].

[0053] The movable hinge part 10 is connected to the cover 5 by disengageable mechanical connection means 11. In their state illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the disengageable mechanical connection means 11 are not disengaged, and provide a fixed mechanical connection between the cover 5 and the movable hinge part 10. This non-disengaged state is maintained as long as a mechanical stress forcing the cover 5 away from the movable hinge part 10 remains below a predetermined triggering threshold.

[0054] In the detail of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the disengageable mechanical connection means comprise a hinge arm 12, integral with the movable hinge part 10, and extending longitudinally between a first proximal end 12a and a second distal end 12b of the hinge arm 12. A longitudinal groove 13 is provided on an internal face of the cover 5, and is shaped to receive and selectively retain said hinge arm 12.

[0055] To retain the hinge arm 12 in the longitudinal groove 13 of the cover 5, retaining stop means 14 are provided, shaped to retain the first end 12a of the hinge arm 12 in said longitudinal groove 13, and a retractable distal stop 15 is provided, shaped to selectively assume a retaining state in which it retains the second end 12b of the hinge arm 12 in said longitudinal groove 13, and a release state in which it releases the second end 12b of the hinge arm 12 from the longitudinal groove 13.

[0056] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the retaining stop means 14 are arranged so as to allow a slight relative movement between the cover 5 and the hinge arm 12, in particular in translation 14a along the hinge arm 12, as well as in translation 14b towards and away from the hinge arm 12. It can be seen in the figures that the retaining stop means 14 are arranged so as to limit the relative translation movements 14a and 14b. A first elastic return means 14c is engaged between the cover 5 and the hinge arm 12, and stresses according to the translation 14a the cover 5 towards the first end 12a of the hinge arm 12. Elastic retaining means 14d are engaged between the cover 5 and the hinge arm 12, and urge the cover 5 according to the translation 14b in the direction of the hinge arm 12, so as to press the cover 5 against a peripheral edge of the opening 4 when the cover 5 is in the closed position.

[0057] In practice, in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the retaining stop means 14 comprise a rod 14g secured to the hinge arm 12, which enters a housing 14h secured to the cover 5 and which ends with a head loosely trapped in said housing 14h. A possible movement of the head in the housing 14h allows the translations 14a and 14b, while limiting said translations 14a and 14b.

[0058] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the retractable distal stop 15 comprises axial engagement means between the second end 12b of the hinge arm 12 and the corresponding distal end 13a of the longitudinal groove 13. In this embodiment, the axial engagement means comprise a head-shaped protrusion 15a, projecting axially inward from the end 13a of the longitudinal groove 13, and a retaining housing 15b provided on the front face of the second end 12b of the hinge arm 12. The retaining housing 15b is a cavity in the form of a spherical cap with a flared peripheral edge into which the head 15a, of hemispherical shape, penetrates to a depth less than its radius.In this way, a transverse force applied to the cover 5 can cause the head 15a to come out of the retaining housing 15b, thus disengaging the mechanical connection 11, thanks to the possibility of displacement according to the translation 14a of the cover 5 relative to the hinge arm 12, when this transverse force is sufficient to counter the retaining force exerted by the first elastic return means 14c.

[0059] When the mechanical connection 11 is disengaged, that is to say when the retractable distal stop 15 releases the cover 5 with respect to the distal end 12b of the hinge arm 12, the cover 5 remains connected to the first end 12a of the hinge arm 12 by the retaining stop means 14, which allow limited translations 14a and 14b as well as limited relative rotations of the cover 5 with respect to the hinge arm 12.

[0060] When the mechanical connection 11 is engaged, that is to say when the retractable distal stop 15 retains the cover 5 with respect to the distal end 12b of the hinge arm 12, and when the cover 5 is in the closed position as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the elastic retaining means 14d press the cover 5 against a peripheral edge of the opening 4, guaranteeing a good seal opposing the penetration of water through the lower part of the opening 4. Simultaneously, thanks to the translation capacity 14b and the elasticity of the elastic retaining means 14d, the retaining stop means 14 allow the maintenance of a good seal whatever whatever the relative position of the axis of rotation 9a with respect to the surface of the beam 2 in a range of possible positions. In other words, these retaining stop means 14 make it possible to compensate for any dispersions of dimensions which may occur during the manufacture of the vehicle, and illustrated by the difference in positions of the axis of rotation 9a between Figures 2 and 3.

[0061] The following figures illustrate the device of the invention according to the second embodiment.

[0062] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate in perspective a hinge arm structure 12 according to this second embodiment of the invention. This hinge arm 12 is integral with a movable hinge part 10 comprising a transverse tube 10a pivotally mounted around the fixed rotation axis 9a of a fixed hinge part not shown in these figures. The hinge arm 12 has a trapezoidal cross-section, having lateral faces inclined at approximately 45°, to facilitate its introduction, its holding and its guidance in the longitudinal groove 13 of the cover 5. The proximal end 12a of the hinge arm 12 comprises two projecting lateral wings 12c and 12d, as well as a cylindrical housing 12e having its axis perpendicular to the hinge arm 12 and to the transverse tube 10a.

[0063] In [Fig.5], we can see the detail of the front face of the second end 12b of the hinge arm 12, comprising the central retaining housing 15b in the form of a spherical cap between two front ramps 15m and 15n bordered by an upper return ramp 15c and a lower return ramp 15d. The upper return ramp 15c comprises a concave central section 15e, axially extending the retaining housing 15b by a distance at least equal to the radius of the head 15a, and two lateral sections 15f and 15g oriented obliquely away from the retaining housing 15b to corresponding oblique lateral faces of the hinge arm 12. The lower return ramp 15d is a projecting shoulder comprising two oblique sections 15h and 15i oriented obliquely in a V upwards from the lower apex of the retaining housing 15b to said corresponding oblique lateral faces of the hinge arm 12.

[0064] From the retaining housing 15b, the lateral section 15f gradually moves away from the oblique section 15h, and the lateral section 15g gradually moves away from the oblique section 15i. The front ramps 15m and 15n are inclined at a slope away from the retaining housing 15b to facilitate the reintroduction of the head 15a into the retaining housing 15b after disengagement.

[0065] Figures 6 to 8 illustrate a centering rail 18, intended to be attached and fixed to the inner face of the cover 5, and shaped to produce the longitudinal groove 13. [Fig.6] shows the upper face 18a, intended to be fixed under the inner face of the cover 5. Figures 7 and 8 show the lower face 18b intended to face the compartment receiving rail 3, and shaped to constitute the longitudinal groove 13. The proximal section of the centering rail 18 comprises two lateral lugs 18c and 18d, two lateral fins 18e and 18f, and a perpendicular cylindrical central lug 18g.

[0066] As seen in Figures 7 and 8, the longitudinal groove 13 has a trapezoidal cross-section, comprising a large base constituting the open face of the groove, and comprising a small base constituting the bottom of the groove, the oblique lateral faces being oriented symmetrically on either side of the bottom of the groove. Considering again Figures 4 and 5, it can be seen that the hinge arm 12 also has a trapezoidal cross-section, and that it is shaped to engage by complementary shapes in the longitudinal groove 13.

[0067] We now consider [Fig. 9], illustrating the inner face of the cover 5, on which the centering rail 18 retaining the hinge arm 12 and the movable hinge part 10 is attached. In this embodiment, two parallel stop springs 140 and 141 each provide the first elastic return means 14c and the elastic retaining means 14d previously illustrated in [Fig. 3]. Each of the stop springs 140 and 141 comprises a central part wound in a helix around a lateral lug 18c or 18d of the centering rail 18, and two oblique tabs such as tabs 14e and 14f engaged respectively against the cover 5 and under a lateral wing 12c or 12d of the movable hinge part 10.

[0068] [Fig. 11] illustrates on a larger scale, in side view, the arrangement of the stop spring 140 around the lug 18c, with the oblique tabs 14e and 14f. The oblique tab 14f is supported under the lateral wing 12c, so that the spring 140 urges the cover 5 downwards.

[0069] In [Fig.9], we can also see the presence of a hood return spring 16, engaged between the movable hinge part 10 and the beam 2, and arranged to permanently urge the hood 5 in rotation about its axis 9a towards its retracted position. In this way, the hood return spring 16 facilitates the opening of the hood 5, then constrains and retains the hood 5 at least in its retracted position.

[0070] [Fig. 10] illustrates in side view in median section the cylindrical central lug 18g engaged with a predefined clearance in the cylindrical housing 12e.

[0071] After disengagement, the lateral wings 12c and 12d, the lateral fins 18e and 18f, the lateral lugs 18c and 18d, as well as the cylindrical lug 18g in its housing 12e, participate in limiting the movements of the hood 5 away from the hinge arm 12, thus fulfilling the function of retaining stop means 14.

[0072] In practice, the lateral wings 12c and 12d are arranged to come, if necessary, into abutment against the lateral fins 18e and 18f, and the central lug 18g is arranged to come, if necessary, into abutment against the peripheral wall of the housing 12e, to limit the rotation of the hood 5 beyond its opening rotation. On the other hand, the lateral lugs 18c and 18d are arranged to come, if necessary, to abut against the lateral wings 12c and 12d, and the central lug 18g is arranged to come, if necessary, to bear on the peripheral wall of the housing 12e, to limit lateral movement of the hood 5.

[0073] We now consider Figures 12 to 14, which illustrate, in a general side view in section, the beam section 2 which comprises the receiving compartment 3, the upper opening 4, the cover 5 articulated according to the hinge 6 and the free end 8 of which can be held in the closed position by the cover locking means 7. In these figures, an electrical power supply unit 17 is shown housed in the receiving compartment 3.

[0074] In [Fig. 12], the cover 5 is in the closed position, pressed tightly around the perimeter of the opening 4. In [Fig. 13], the cover 5 is in the retracted position, allowing access to the receiving compartment 3 through the upper opening 4, the cover 5 remaining rigidly fixed to the movable hinge part 10 by the fact that the distal stop 15 is not unlocked. In [Fig. 14], the cover 5 is in the retracted position, but the distal stop 15 is in the released position, the second end 12b of the hinge arm 12 being released with respect to the cover 5. In this position, the cover 5 remains retained with respect to the movable hinge part 10 by the retaining stop means 14, which allow limited translational and rotational movements of the cover 5 with respect to the movable hinge part 10.

[0075] In these same figures 12 to 14, we now consider more specifically the hood locking means 7. These hood locking means 7 are arranged to hold and reversibly lock the second end 8 of the hood 5 on the beam 2 according to the second end 4b of the opening 4.

[0076] In the illustrated embodiment, these hood locking means 7 comprise a lever 19, rotatably mounted around a fixed transverse axis 20 of the beam 2 between a locking position illustrated in [Fig. 12] and a release position illustrated in Figures 13 and 14. The lever 19 comprises a distal hood latching beak 21. In the locking position of the lever 19, the distal hood latching beak 21 cooperates with a hood protrusion 22, when the hood 5 is in the closed position, to hold the free end 8 of the hood pressed in a sealed manner against a peripheral rim of the opening 4. In the release position of the lever 19, the distal hood latching beak 21 remains away from the hood protrusion 22, allowing the free pivoting of the hood 5, which pivots towards its retracted position under the action of the hood return spring 16.

[0077] In the illustrated embodiment, the lever 19 comprises a proximal battery attachment beak 23. In the locking position of the lever 19, the proximal battery attachment beak 23 cooperates with a battery protrusion 24, when the power supply unit 17 is engaged in the bottom of the receiving compartment 3, to hold the power supply unit 17 pressed against the bottom of the receiving compartment 3. In the release position of the lever 19, the proximal battery hooking beak 23 remains away from the battery protrusion 24, allowing the power supply unit 17 to be manipulated through the opening 4 for its insertion or removal. When the lever 19 is rotated towards its release position, the power supply unit 17 is slightly pushed outwards by a battery spring 25, facilitating its gripping.

[0078] The lever 19 can be rotated by a user, for locking and unlocking. It is understood that, in this embodiment, the hood locking means 7 and the battery locking means 23 and 24 are connected to each other by the common lever 19 so as to operate simultaneously under the effect of a single request from the user producing the locking and / or unlocking of the hood 5 and the electrical power supply unit 17.

[0079] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been explicitly described, but it includes the various variations and generalizations contained within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. Claims Vehicle (1) having a receiving compartment (3) shaped to receive and contain a removable electrical power supply unit (17), the receiving compartment (3) comprising: - an opening (4) shaped to allow the introduction of the electrical power supply unit (17) into the receiving compartment (3) and its extraction from the receiving compartment (3), - a hood (5), movable between a closed position in which it conceals said opening (4) and a retracted position in which it releases said opening (4) to allow the introduction or extraction of the electrical power supply unit (17) through said opening (4), - a hinge (6), comprising a fixed hinge part (9), integral with the vehicle (1), and a movable hinge part (10) connected to the hood (5) and rotatably mounted about a fixed axis of rotation (9a) of the fixed hinge part (9), the hinge (6) connecting the hood (5) to the vehicle (1) and allowing the movement of said hood (5) by rotation between its closed position and its retracted position, characterized in that: - the movable hinge part (10) is connected to the cover (5) by disengageable mechanical connection means (11) and retaining stop means (14), - the disengageable mechanical connection means (11) are shaped to ensure a fixed connection between the cover (5) and the movable hinge part (10) in the absence of mechanical stresses forcing the cover (5) away from the movable hinge part (10) with an intensity greater than a predetermined triggering threshold, - the disengageable mechanical connection means (11) are shaped to inhibit their effect of retaining the cover (5) with respect to the movable hinge part (10) in the presence of at least one mechanical stress forcing the cover (5) away from the movable hinge part (10) with an intensity greater than said predetermined triggering threshold, - the disengageable mechanical connection means (11) are shaped to allow the cover (5) to be fixedly reconnected to the movable hinge part (10) by bringing the cover (5) and the movable hinge part (10) together, - the retaining stop means (14) are shaped to oppose the separation of the cover (5) with respect to the movable hinge part (10) beyond a predetermined spacing stroke and to allow limited oscillation of the hood (5) with respect to the movable hinge part (10), after disengagement of the disengageable mechanical connection means (H).

2. Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises: - a hinge arm (12), integral with the movable hinge part (10), and extending longitudinally between a first proximal end (12a) and a second distal end (12b) of the hinge arm (12), - a longitudinal groove (13), provided on an internal face of the hood (5), and shaped to receive said hinge arm (12), - a retractable distal stop (15), shaped to selectively assume a retaining state in which it retains in said longitudinal groove (13) the second end (12b) of the hinge arm, and a release state in which it releases the second end (12b) of the hinge arm (12) with respect to the longitudinal groove (13),- the retaining stop means (14) being shaped to retain the first end (12a) of the hinge arm (12) in said longitudinal groove (13) when the distal stop (15) is in the retained state, and shaped to oppose the separation of the first end (12a) of the hinge arm (12) with respect to said longitudinal groove (13) beyond a predetermined separation stroke and to allow limited oscillation of the cover (5) with respect to the first end (12a) of the hinge arm (12), when the distal stop (15) is in the released state.,

3. Vehicle (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that: - the retractable distal stop (15) comprises axial engagement means (15a, 15b) between the second end (12b) of the hinge arm (12) and the corresponding distal end (13a) of the longitudinal groove (13), - a first elastic return means (14c), engaged between the cover (5) and the hinge arm (12), urges the cover (5) in translation towards the first end (12a) of the hinge arm (12) to ensure the interpenetration of the axial engagement means (15a, 15b) between them.

4. Vehicle (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that: - the longitudinal groove (13) has a trapezoidal cross-section, comprising a large base constituting the open face of groove, and comprising a small base constituting the bottom of the groove, the lateral faces being oblique and oriented symmetrically on either side of the bottom of the groove, - the hinge arm (12) also has a trapezoidal cross-section, and is shaped to engage by complementary shapes in the longitudinal groove (13).

5. Vehicle (1) according to claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the axial engagement means (15a, 15b) comprise: - a head-shaped protrusion (15a), axially projecting from one of the second end (12b) of the hinge arm (12) and the distal end (13a) of the longitudinal groove (13), - a retaining housing (15b) and return ramps (15c, 15d, 15m, 15n), provided in a frontal position in the other of the second end (12b) of the hinge arm (12) and the distal end (13a) of the longitudinal groove (13).

6. Vehicle (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that: - the retaining housing (15b) is a cavity in the form of a spherical cap with a flared peripheral edge into which the head (15a), of hemispherical shape, penetrates to a depth less than its radius, - the return ramps comprise two front ramps (15m, 15n) bordered by an upper return ramp (15c), and a lower return ramp (15d), - the upper return ramp (15c) comprises a projecting shoulder comprising a concave central section (15e), extending longitudinally the retaining housing (15b) by a distance at least equal to the radius of the head (15a), and two lateral sections (15f, 15g) oriented obliquely away from the retaining housing (15b) to corresponding oblique lateral faces of the hinge arm (12), - the lower return ramp (15d) includes a projecting shoulder comprising two sections (3 p.m.,15i) oriented obliquely in a V upwards from the lower top of the retaining housing (15b) to the said corresponding oblique lateral faces of the hinge arm (12), - the front ramps (15m, 15n) are inclined in a slope away from the retaining housing (15b).,

7. Vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that elastic retaining means (14d, 140, 141) are engaged between the hood (5) and the movable hinge part (10), and are arranged so as to permanently bring the hood (5) closer to the movable hinge part (10) and thus pressing the cover (5) onto a peripheral edge of the opening (4) when the cover (5) is in the closed position.

8. Vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a hood return spring (16) shaped to urge the movable hinge part (10) into rotation towards the retracted position of the hood (5).

9. Vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that said longitudinal groove (13) is produced in a centering rail (18) attached and fixed to the inner face of the hood (5).

10. Vehicle (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the retaining stop means (14) comprise: - on the centering rail (18), two opposite lateral fins (18e, 18f), two lateral lugs (18c, 18d), and a cylindrical central lug (18g), - on the hinge arm (12), two opposite lateral wings (12c, 12d) opposite the opposite lateral fins (18e, 18f) and the lateral lugs (18c, 18d), and a cylindrical housing (12e) in which the cylindrical central lug (18g) is engaged with a predefined lateral clearance.

11. Vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the receiving compartment (3) is made inside a beam (2) forming part of a bicycle frame, and the opening (4) is located on the upper face of said beam (2).

12. Vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: - the hinge (6) connects a first end of the hood (5) to the vehicle (1) along a first end (4a) of the opening (4), - hood locking means (7), actuable by a user, are arranged to reversibly hold and lock a second free end (8) of the hood (5) to the vehicle (1) along a second end (4b) of the opening (4), - battery locking means (23, 24), actuable by the user, are arranged to reversibly hold and lock a second end of the power supply unit (17) in the receiving compartment (3) in the vicinity of the second end (4b) of the opening (4), - the hood locking means (7) and the battery locking means (23,24) are connected to each other so as to operate simultaneously under the effect of a single user request, producing the locking and / or unlocking of the hood (5) and the power supply unit (17).

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