MOTOR VEHICLE WITH TRACTION BATTERY CHARGING CABLE STORED ON THE FRONT GRILLE

Abstract

Electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising an on-board charging cable (26) for connection to a socket of an electricity distribution network, which supplies a traction battery charger arranged in this vehicle, and comprising on its front face (2) an air inlet grille (4) for cooling heat exchangers (20) comprising a movement system which allows this grille (4) to exit towards the front of the vehicle, by clearing its contour comprising a gutter (16) for winding the cable forming a closed contour arranged behind this grille (4). Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE WITH TRACTION BATTERY CHARGING CABLE STORED ON THE FRONT GRILLE

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle equipped with a cable for recharging a traction battery of this vehicle stored on the front grille, as well as a method for implementing the cable of such a motor vehicle.

[0002] A known type of electric vehicle equipped with a rechargeable traction battery, presented in particular by document DE-A1-102021200796, comprises a cable arranged on a reel integrated in the rear trunk of the vehicle, which is permanently connected to the traction battery by an on-board battery charger.

[0003] A channel containing the cable guides it towards the front of the vehicle, towards a hatch on the bodywork containing a connector fixed to the end of this cable to pull it out with an unwinding of the reel in order to connect the connector to a socket of an electricity distribution network.

[0004] In this way the cable is stored in the vehicle, the driver can take out the necessary length in order to reach the network socket, which avoids taking out too much cable which could be dragging on the ground.

[0005] A length of cable laid on the ground leads to risks of incidents or accidents, for example, with a pedestrian tripping over the cable or a vehicle driving over it and damaging it. In addition, the cable lying on the ground can get wet or dirty in puddles of water or mud, and the operator storing the cable or picking it up during the next use gets his hands dirty.

[0006] However, this arrangement uses a significant amount of space in the trunk of the vehicle which is taken from the volume available for luggage. Generally speaking, an on-board cable with a section large enough to allow the passage of a current intensity, has a size which poses problems for housing it in the passenger compartment, in a location which remains easily accessible from the outside.

[0007] The present invention aims in particular to avoid these problems of the prior art.

[0008] To this end, it proposes an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising an on-board charging cable for connection to a socket in an electricity distribution network, which supplies a traction battery charger arranged in this vehicle, and comprising on its front face an air intake grille for cooling heat exchangers, this vehicle being remarkable in that the air intake grille comprises a movement system which allows an outlet from this grille towards the front of the vehicle, clearing its outline including a cable winding gutter forming a closed outline arranged behind this grille.

[0009] An advantage of this motor vehicle is that by keeping the same bodywork, with a modification of the fixings of the air intake grille to integrate a displacement system, after its displacement we obtain access to its rear face equipped with the gutter with a closed contour allowing a length of cable to be wound on it which can be significant, without using space in the passenger compartment.

[0010] In addition, the grid arranged on the front face of the vehicle provides, after its exit, direct access to the cable thus located outside the vehicle, without having to open this vehicle, which is therefore easily grippable to connect its connector to the socket of a charging station.

[0011] The motor vehicle according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, which may be combined with each other.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the movement system comprises a movement along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

[0013] In this case, advantageously the movement system comprises at least two slides arranged along the longitudinal axis, fixed between the chassis of the vehicle and the grid.

[0014] In addition, advantageously the movement system comprises an actuator fixed between the chassis of the vehicle and the grid delivering a movement along the longitudinal axis.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the movement system comprises a pivot arranged along the transverse axis of the vehicle, fixed between the chassis of the vehicle and the grid.

[0016] In this case, advantageously the movement system comprises a hook which locks the grid in its retracted position.

[0017] The actuator or hook may include a manual control.

[0018] Alternatively, the actuator or hook may include an automated control including a control button in the vehicle or a remote control.

[0019] Advantageously, the chute comprises a face parallel to the grid arranged behind external air passage bars, and a perpendicular internal strip which connects this parallel face to the bars receiving the cable winding.

[0020] The invention also relates to a method for implementing a motor vehicle comprising any one of the preceding characteristics, remarkable in that it comprises, near a terminal for recharging the traction battery, steps comprising a control of the front facade grille to move it towards the front of the vehicle, then an unwinding of at least part of the cable wound in the gutter, then a connection of a connector of this cable on the terminal.

[0021] The invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will appear more clearly on reading the description below given by way of example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] shows the front face of a vehicle according to the invention;

[0023] [Fig.2] is a diagram in vertical section along a longitudinal axis of the front face of this vehicle, including a sliding grille which is retracted;

[0024] [Fig.3] is a vertical sectional diagram of this grid which is taken out;

[0025] [Fig.4] is a view of the front face of a vehicle alternatively comprising a grille swivel that is open;

[0026] [Fig.5] is a vertical sectional diagram of this grid which is retracted; and

[0027] [Fig.6] is a vertical sectional diagram of this grid which has pivoted forward.

[0028] Throughout the document the forward direction is relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle.

[0029] Figures 1 and 2 show an electric or hybrid motor vehicle equipped with a traction battery rechargeable by an electricity distribution network. The front face of the vehicle 2 comprises a central grille 4 elongated along the transverse direction of the vehicle, which is framed on each side by the headlights 6, below by a lower shield 8 and above by a front part of the engine hood 10.

[0030] The grid 4, formed by a plastic molding, has on the front a crossing of bars 12 allowing air to pass through while ensuring protection against projected objects, which is framed by a closed contour 14 comprising a chute 16 forming a peripheral groove in the plane of the grid 4, open towards the outside, which follows this complete contour.

[0031] Heat exchangers 20 arranged flat behind the grille 4 receive the flow of fresh air passing through this grille to cool a heat transfer fluid of the cooling circuit of the thermal engine, a condenser of an air conditioning circuit, or a compressed intake air cooling exchanger for a hybrid vehicle equipped with a turbocharger.

[0032] The grid 4 is connected to the vehicle body by a movement system comprising at least two linear guides 22 which allow it to slide forward along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The movement system also comprises an actuator 24 fixed on one side to the vehicle chassis and on the other to the grid 4, which controls the sliding movement of this grid.

[0033] The chute 16 receives a cable 26 for recharging the vehicle's traction battery, which from a terminal of an electricity distribution network makes it possible to supply an on-board charger. The outline of the grid 4 having a sufficiently large development, with a few turns of winding of the cable 26 on the chute 16 we easily obtain a significant length of this cable allowing us to reach a charging station a little far from the vehicle.

[0034] In the retracted position of the grid 4 shown [Fig.2], the cable 26 arranged on the chute 16 behind the front face 2, in the engine compartment, is not accessible or visible from outside the vehicle, which protects it by avoiding incidents or malicious actions.

[0035] [Fig.3] shows the actuator 24 which carried out the movement of the grid 4 towards the front following its linear guides 22, completely removing the chute 16 in front of the front face 2.

[0036] The actuator 24 can be controlled in different ways, in particular with a manual control located on the front face, which is more economical, or with an automatic control by a button in the passenger compartment, or by a remote transmitter, for example the one which allows the vehicle doors to be locked.

[0037] The entire cable 26 is then accessible by an operator, who can grasp the end connector 28 to unwind it a number of turns corresponding to the distance from the charging station. In this way, a protected and always clean length of cable 26 is obtained, which corresponds to the need, which avoids having too much cable trailing on the ground with risks of soiling. In particular, a length of cable 26 of between 6 and 10 m, for example 8 m, can be provided, which is suitable for a large number of uses.

[0038] Figures 4, 5 and 6 show the grid 4 comprising a movement system comprising at its base a connection firstly presenting a curve 32 turned downwards, then at its end towards the front a horizontal pivot 30 arranged in the transverse direction.

[0039] A controlled hook 36 arranged between the chassis of the vehicle and the upper part of the grid 4 keeps this grid vertical. In particular, the hook 36 may have a manual control or an automatic control.

[0040] The chute 16 comprises an annular face parallel to the grille 38 arranged at the rear, around air passage bars 12, and a continuous perpendicular inner strip 40 which connects this face parallel to the outline of the bars, receiving the cable 26 wound on it, forming the air passage inside. The cable 26 wound in the chute 16 is entirely entered behind the front face 2 of the vehicle.

[0041] A deflector 34 arranged above the curve of the connection 32 at the base of the grid 4, leaves the pivot 30 to reach the bars of the grid 12 in order to guide the air towards this grid 4.

[0042] Figures 4 and 6 show the hook 36 which has been unlocked, which allows the grid 4 to tilt by gravity around its pivot 30. In this case the lower loop of the connection 32 of the grid 4 has followed the movement by receiving in its hollow the die deflector 34, which allows the movement of this grid at an angle of 90° to bring it into a horizontal position.

[0043] Access is obtained to the cable 26 held between the edges of the chute 16 arranged in a horizontal plane, which allows an operator by turning the cable around the grid 4 to undo the number of loops necessary to obtain a sufficient length of cable.

[0044] Generally speaking, in all cases of movement of the grid 4, after using the cable 26 the operator winds it in the chute 16 around this grid, then applies its sliding backwards or its raising around its pivot 30, manually or automatically.

Claims

Claims

1. Electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising an on-board charging cable (26) for connection to a socket of an electricity distribution network, which supplies a traction battery charger arranged in this vehicle, and comprising on its front face an air inlet grille (4) for cooling heat exchangers, characterized in that the air inlet grille (4) comprises a movement system which allows this grille (4) to exit towards the front of the vehicle, releasing a chute (16) for winding the cable (26) forming a closed contour arranged behind this grille (4).

2. Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the movement system comprises a movement along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

3. Motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the movement system comprises at least two linear guides (22) arranged along the longitudinal axis, fixed between the chassis of the vehicle and the grid (4).

4. Motor vehicle according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the movement system comprises an actuator (24) fixed between the chassis of the vehicle and the grid (4), delivering a movement along the longitudinal axis.

5. Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the movement system comprises a pivot (30) arranged along the transverse axis of the vehicle, fixed between the chassis of the vehicle and the grid (4).

6. Motor vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the movement system comprises a hook (36) which locks the grid (4) in its retracted position.

7. Motor vehicle according to claim 4 or 6, characterized in that the actuator (24) or the hook (36) comprises a manual control.

8. Motor vehicle according to claim 4 or 6, characterized in that the actuator (24) or the hook (36) comprises an automated control comprising a control button in the vehicle or a remote control.

9. Motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chute (16) comprises a face parallel to the grille (38) arranged behind the external air passage bars (12), and a perpendicular internal strip (40) which connects this parallel face (38) to the bars (12) receiving the winding of the cable (26).

10. Method for implementing a motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, near a terminal for recharging the traction battery, steps comprising controlling the front facade grille (4) to move it towards the front of the vehicle, then unwinding at least part of the cable (26) wound in the chute (16), then connecting a connector of this cable (28) to the terminal.

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