CLIP FOR MOUNTING A HARNESS OF LARGE DIAMETER ELECTRICAL CABLES ON A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a clip for mounting cable harnesses on a motor vehicle, comprising a base (1) provided with orifices for installing fixing members on the vehicle and at least two cylindrical conduits (10) opening on either side of the base and the internal wall of which carries at least one transverse rib (11), said conduits being intended for housing and retaining sections of cables, characterized in that said base (1) is further provided, at a first end (10a) of said conduits, with an upper reinforcing boss (12) and, at a second end (10b) of said conduits, with a peripheral shoulder (13) for installing a tightening strap. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: CLIP FOR MOUNTING A HARNESS OF LARGE DIAMETER ELECTRICAL CABLES ON A MOTOR VEHICLE

[0001] The invention relates, in general, to the field of fixing cables to a motor vehicle structure and is more particularly concerned with a clip suitable and intended for mounting a bundle of several large diameter cables on the body of motor vehicles and, in particular, those equipped with an electric motor.

[0002] Motor vehicles with electric or hybrid engines incorporate large cable harnesses which run throughout the vehicle to provide connections and / or power to various electrical components (engine, gearbox, air conditioning, on-board network, etc.).

[0003] Today, electric vehicles increasingly use high-voltage cables (50 to 1000 Volts) which are sized to support high power. However, these cables have both large diameters (their cross-section is generally around 90 mm2 and their diameter exceeds 20 mm, i.e. four to five times greater than that of traditional cables) and greater rigidity. Indeed, a larger cross-section helps limit heating of the cables and promote heat dissipation at the connectors.

[0004] Thus, the mechanical stresses applied to these dynamic loop cable bundles are ultimately greater than those that have to be managed on the cables used for thermal engine vehicles. However, just like thermal engines, electric motors are subject to high frequency vibrations and significant amplitude movements by being mechanically associated with various mobile functional elements and, in particular, with inverters.

[0005] There already exist clips intended for fixing cables which allow them to be mechanically held by means of ribs located in their housings. However, the very high rigidity of the large cables to which the invention aims to apply requires the development of clips meeting translational retention constraints which are much more severe than those of the clips used until now. In particular, the ribs currently intended for holding cables do not allow them to withstand the stresses exerted by new generation cables during transverse movements of the motor to which they are connected and which cause harmful sliding of these cables through the clip.

[0006] Patent application US5115542A describes a four-way cable clip including each has a double transverse rib.

[0007] Patent FR3094446B1 describes another four-way cable clip, one of which has a curve.

[0008] Patent FR2901594B1 also describes a cable clip reinforced by a metal plate.

[0009] Furthermore, document CN208011080U describes a cable clip provided with a reinforcing rib.

[0010] Therefore, there are already staples for four-way straight and / or curved cables, possibly articulated, provided with reinforcing elements, either in the form of transverse ribs or metal reinforcements.

[0011] However, the structure of all these clips is clearly not suitable for fixing cables of large sections and large diameters subjected to significant tensile and deformation forces in three dimensions. However, the stresses applied to these cables within the dynamic loop of electric vehicles are notably greater than those which have to be managed on the cables managed by the previous clips.

[0012] In this context, the invention aims to propose a simple and economical technical solution making it possible to overcome the problems and inadequacies of known staples by means of an improved staple reinforced by complementary means adapted to the specific constraints generated by the use of new generation cables.

[0013] This object is achieved, according to the invention, by means of a clip for mounting cable bundles on a motor vehicle, comprising a base provided with orifices for the installation of fixing members on the vehicle and at least two cylindrical conduits opening on either side of the base and the internal wall of which carries at least one transverse rib, said conduits being intended for housing and retaining sections of cables, characterized in that said base is further provided, at a first end of said conduits, with an upper reinforcing boss and, at a second end of said conduits, with a peripheral shoulder for the installation of a tightening strap.

[0014] According to an advantageous characteristic of the clip of the invention, the base is provided, on its upper face, with a metal stiffening plate.

[0015] According to a specific variant embodiment of the clip of the invention, the internal wall of the conduits is provided with at least three transverse ribs.

[0016] According to another characteristic of the clip of the invention, the conduits have a curvilinear longitudinal profile.

[0017] According to another variant embodiment of the clip of the invention, the base is made up of two separable parts provided with a hinge and members assembly.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base of the clip is provided with four cylindrical conduits for housing and retaining a cable bundle, one of whose ends is provided with a clamping interface.

[0019] In this case, the upper reinforcing boss and the peripheral shoulder for receiving a tightening strap are associated with the two conduits located in the center of the base.

[0020] According to yet another variant embodiment of the clip of the invention, the peripheral groove is intended to receive a tightening strap of the Rilsan type.

[0021] Another object of the invention is a use of a clip as defined above for mounting on a motor vehicle a high-voltage cable harness whose diameter is greater than 20 mm.

[0022] Yet another object of the invention is an electrically powered motor vehicle provided with at least one clip as defined above for mounting cable harnesses.

[0023] The invention makes it possible to increase the mechanical strength of the clips and to reinforce the strength of the cables intended for high power currents under forces of up to 270Nm per cable, which can represent an overall force exerted on the clip of the order of 800Nm. The clip of the invention can be assembled and delivered by being previously mounted on the cable bundle with all of its reinforcement elements on board.

[0024] Thus, thanks to the invention, it is possible to guarantee mechanical strength of the new generation cables in the harness mounting clip which complies with the very high level required by the design of the dynamic loop and whatever the movement of these cables in the engine environment.

[0025] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, for which:

[0026] [Fig. 1] is a partial perspective view of the electric motorization of a motor vehicle equipped with a cable harness mounted by means of an embodiment of the clip of the invention.

[0027] [Fig.2] is a perspective view from above of a preferred embodiment of the staple of the invention.

[0028] [Fig.3] is a front view of the clip of [Fig.2].

[0029] [Fig.4] is a top view of the clip of [Fig.2].

[0030] [Fig.5] is a top view of the stiffening plate attached to the clip of [Fig.2],

[0031] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs in the description and in the figures.

[0032] Naturally, the embodiment of the clip of the invention illustrated schematically by the figures presented above and described below, is given only as a non-limiting example. It is explicitly provided within the framework of the invention that different modes can be proposed and combined with each other to propose others.

[0033] Generally speaking, the invention relates to means for fixing electrical cables to motor vehicles and aims at a clip suitable and intended for mounting a bundle of several cables.

[0034] The invention relates, more particularly, to the assembly of bundles of cables C of large diameters (greater than 20 mm), conductors of high power currents, intended to equip an electric motor M and which are mounted, more precisely, on a so-called dynamic loop subjected to vibrations and / or significant movements of the cables in three dimensions.

[0035] The staples A used for mounting the cable harnesses C generally comprise, as illustrated in particular by [Fig. 1], a base provided with orifices for installing fixing members F on the vehicle and at least two cylindrical conduits opening out on either side of the base 1 and intended for housing the cables C.

[0036] The base 1 of the clip shown in Figures 1 to 5 is made up of two separable parts provided with a hinge and assembly members and is here provided with several cylindrical conduits 10 forming at least four ways for housing and retaining a bundle of cables C (not shown in these figures).

[0037] Preferably, at least some of the conduits 10 have a curvilinear longitudinal profile in order to orient the cables according to their connection destination and the necessary clearance.

[0038] The internal wall of these conduits carries, in a known manner, at least one transverse rib 11 ensuring the retention of these cable sections. This rib 11, which follows the profile of the internal wall of the conduits, is intended to come into bearing contact directly against the cable or against its sheath after tightening to block it in translation and thus ensure its longitudinal wedging through the base 1.

[0039] However, the constraints linked to the specific structural and dimensional characteristics of new generation cables, which have a large cross-section (at least 90 mm2) and are therefore more rigid, require the structure of traditional staples to be modified to avoid assembly difficulties and eliminate the risks of breakage and / or detachment of the bundle.

[0040] In this context and as illustrated by figures 2 to 4 representing a preferred embodiment of the clip of the invention, the base 1 is provided, in addition to the elements described above, with an upper reinforcement boss 12 extending to a first end 10a of the conduits 10 and, to a second end 10b of these conduits, a peripheral shoulder 13 possibly extended by a groove 13a and intended for the installation of a strap or a clamp (not shown). Such a strap is, for example, a Rilsan type strap.

[0041] The conduits 10 are contiguous and, where appropriate, of different diameters in order to accommodate cables of variable cross-sections. Here, within the framework of the invention, the cross-sections of the cables are generally all greater than 90 mm2 (with diameters greater than 20 mm), possibly with shielding because they are high-voltage current-conducting cables. In this case, the upper reinforcing boss 12 and the peripheral shoulder 13 for receiving a tightening strap are preferably associated with the two conduits 10 located in the center of the base 1, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4.

[0042] The conduits 10 are optionally provided with clamping interfaces 14 arranged at one of their ends 10a or 10b, as illustrated in particular by [Fig.4].

[0043] In order to reinforce the retention of the cables C in the base 1, the internal wall of the conduits 10 is provided here with at least three transverse ribs 11 and this base 1 is provided, on its upper face, with a metal stiffening plate 2 which is attached and fixed by gluing, snap-fastening, screwing or riveting. This plate 2 has a notch 20 to adapt to the contours of the upper face of the base 1 and to go around the boss 12.

[0044] Thanks to the invention, the clip A has a mechanical resistance capable of ensuring the retention of cables intended for high power currents under forces of up to 270Nm per cable, this represents an overall force exerted on the base 1 of the order of 800Nm. This clip can be assembled and delivered by being previously mounted on the cable bundle with all of its on-board reinforcing elements.

Claims

Claims

1. Clip for mounting cable bundles (C) on a motor vehicle, comprising a base (1) provided with orifices for the installation of fixing members on the vehicle and at least two cylindrical conduits (10) opening on either side of the base and the internal wall of which carries at least one transverse rib (11), said conduits being intended for housing and retaining sections of cables, characterized in that said base (1) is further provided, at a first end (10a) of said conduits, with an upper reinforcing boss (12) and, at a second end (10b) of said conduits, with a peripheral shoulder (13) for the installation of a tightening strap.

2. Staple according to claim 1, characterized in that said base is provided, on its upper face, with a metal stiffening plate (2).

3. Staple according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal wall of said conduits (10) is provided with at least three transverse ribs (11).

4. Staple according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said conduits (10) have a curvilinear longitudinal profile.

5. Staple according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said base (1) is made up of two separable parts provided with a hinge and assembly members.

6. Clip according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said base (1) is provided with four cylindrical conduits (10) for housing and retaining a cable bundle (C) one of their ends (10a, 10b) of which is provided with a clamping interface (14).

7. Staple according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the upper reinforcement boss (12) and the peripheral shoulder (13) for placing a tightening strap are associated with the two conduits (10) located in the center of the base (1).

8. Staple according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said peripheral shoulder (13) is intended to receive a tightening strap of the Rilsan type.

9. Use of a clip (A) according to one of the preceding claims for mounting on a motor vehicle a high-voltage cable harness (C) whose diameter is greater than 20 mm.

10. Electrically powered motor vehicle provided with at least one clip (A) according to one of the preceding claims for mounting cable bundles.

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