ELECTRIC OR HYBRID CAR DOOR EQUIPPED WITH A REEL FOR AN ELECTRIC CHARGING CABLE

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a door 1 of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle equipped with a battery, the door 1 comprising a reel 7 for a battery charging cable, the charging cable comprising a plug for connection to external charging means, said door 1 comprising a cavity 5 delimited by an outer skin and an inner lining 3 facing each other, the inner lining 3 having an opening 6 through which it opens into the cavity 5, the reel 7 being inserted into the cavity 5 through the opening 6. Figure 1b

Description

Title of the invention: ELECTRIC OR HYBRID MOTOR VEHICLE DOOR EQUIPPED WITH A WINDER FOR AN ELECTRIC CHARGING CABLE

[0001] The technical field of the invention relates to motor vehicles, in particular of the electric or hybrid type, comprising an electric charging cable reel.

[0002] One aspect of the invention relates more particularly to a door of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle equipped with a battery, the door comprising a reel for an electric charging cable for said battery.

[0003] Electric or hybrid vehicles draw their electrical energy from on-board batteries. These batteries must be regularly recharged by connecting them to a charging station powered by an electricity distribution network. To do this, vehicles are generally supplied with an electric charging cable equipped at one end with a plug suitable for connecting it to the charging station on one side and at the other end with a connector suitable for connecting the electric charging cable to the batteries. When the vehicle is not connected to a charging station, the electric charging cable is generally stored in the vehicle for later use. However, the electric charging cable is bulky and its storage is difficult.

[0004] In order to facilitate storage, it is known in particular from document EP-B1-2695262, an electric charging cable which can be wound in a front door of the vehicle. In order to access the electric charging cable, a hatch is provided in the outer skin of the front door. This hatch also makes it possible to protect the electric charging cable against theft, bad weather and intentional or accidental damage.

[0005] This mechanism is obviously expensive and must be adapted to each vehicle.

[0006] The aim of the invention is in particular to propose an electric or hybrid motor vehicle door allowing the storage of the electric charging cable which is inexpensive.

[0007] In this context, the invention thus relates, in its broadest sense, to a door of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle equipped with a battery, the door comprising a reel for an electrical charging cable for the battery, the electrical charging cable comprising a socket for connection to electrical charging means external to the vehicle. The door comprises a cavity delimited by an outer skin and an inner lining facing each other, the inner lining being crossed by an orifice opening into the cavity.

[0008] The door according to this aspect of the invention is remarkable in that the winder is inserted into the cavity through the orifice.

[0009] Thanks to the invention, a user wishing to recharge his battery simply has to open the vehicle door to access the electric charging cable and to remove a desired length of cable from the reel. Since the reel is arranged in the space formed between the outer skin and the inner lining and inserted into an orifice that the inner lining usually has, there is no need to produce an expensive locking hatch to protect the electric cable against theft, bad weather and intentional or accidental damage. The door equipped with such a reel is therefore inexpensive.

[0010] In addition to the characteristics which have just been mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the door according to the invention may have one or more additional characteristics among the following, considered individually or according to all technically possible combinations.

[0011] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, a portion of the thickness of the winder is disposed in the cavity and another portion of the thickness of the winder extends through the orifice towards the outside of the inner lining.

[0012] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the door comprises a housing for the socket that comprises the electric charging cable, the housing being arranged in a section of the door connecting the outer skin with the inner lining or in the inner lining.

[0013] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the door comprises means constructed and arranged to drive the winder in rotation.

[0014] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the means constructed and arranged to drive the reel in rotation are formed by a return spring, an electric motor or a crank.

[0015] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the door comprises first means for clamping, on the inner lining of the door, one end of the electric charging cable, the end of the electric charging cable being opposite the other end of the electric charging cable provided with the socket.

[0016] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the door comprises second means for clamping, on the reel, one end of the electric charging cable, the end of the electric charging cable being opposite the other end of the electric charging cable provided with the socket.

[0017] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the door is constructed and arranged to be assembled on a type M vehicle.

[0018] Another aspect of the invention relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, the vehicle being remarkable in that it comprises a door according to one of any of the aforementioned aspects of the invention.

[0019] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the vehicle comprises a door pillar provided with an outer skin flush with the outer skin of the door when it is in the closed position, the outer skin of the door pillar comprising an edge arranged opposite an edge of the outer skin of the door, the edge of the outer skin of the door pillar forming an opening allowing the passage of the electric cable when the door is in the closed position.

[0020] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the door comprises a stamping extending towards the exterior of the vehicle, the stamping being arranged opposite the opening.

[0021] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the vehicle is of type M.

[0022] The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures.

[0023] [Fig. 1a] and [Fig. 1b] illustrate, schematically, an electric motor vehicle door according to one aspect of the invention.

[0024] [Fig.2] illustrates, schematically, a three-dimensional view of the thickness of the door illustrated in figures 1a and 1b.

[0025] [Fig.3] illustrates, schematically, a vehicle door according to another aspect of the invention.

[0026] The figures are presented for information purposes only and in no way limit the invention.

[0027] Unless otherwise specified, the same element appearing in different figures has a single reference.

[0028] Figures 1a and 1b illustrate a door 1 of an electric motor vehicle, more particularly of a utility vehicle.

[0029] More particularly, [Fig. 1a] shows the outer skin 2 of the door 1 and [Fig. 1b] shows an inner lining 3, indifferently called the inner skin, of the door 1.

[0030] The outer skin 2 is arranged on the outer side of the vehicle, while the inner lining 3 is arranged on the inner side of the vehicle. As illustrated in [Fig.2], a slice 4 joins the outer skin 2 to the inner lining 3.

[0031] When the door 1 is closed, the outer skin 2 and the inner lining 3 extend generally in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The edge 4 extends, for its part, generally in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The edge 4 may form a single-piece assembly, or not, with at least the outer skin 2 and / or the inner lining 3.

[0032] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the outer skin 2 and the inner lining 3 are opposite each other and delimit a cavity 5.

[0033] The inner lining 3 of such a door 1 usually comprises multiple orifices 6 opening into the cavity 5. According to this aspect of the invention, the door 1 comprises a reel 7 for an electric charging cable 8 inserted into the cavity 5 through one of the orifices 6 provided in the interior lining 3. The location of the reel 7 is compatible with the opening and closing mechanism of the window (not shown) with which the door 1 is equipped.

[0034] The reel 7 is fixed to the door 1. It is held in position during the winding and unwinding operations of the electric charging cable 8.

[0035] The electric charging cable 8 is suitable for the electric charging of a vehicle battery and comprises at one of its ends, a socket 9 for connection to electric charging means external to the vehicle. These external electric charging means can be formed by an electric charging terminal or even a simple socket present on a home installation.

[0036] Usually, vehicles have a flexible sheath extending within the vehicle from the passenger compartment to the inside of the door 1. The flexible sheath provides protection for the cables at the junction between the passenger compartment and the door 1. The flexible sheath is conventionally called an electrical harness passage joint. This flexible sheath can be used for the crossing of the charging cable or for connecting one of the ends of the electric charging cable 8 to an electric charger of the battery.

[0037] According to a non-limiting embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 2], a part of the thickness of the winder 7 is arranged in the cavity 5 and another part of the thickness of the winder 7 extends through the orifice 6 towards the outside of the inner lining 3, in other words into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. When the door 1 is provided with a storage compartment (not illustrated), the other part of the thickness (e) of the winder 7 extending towards the outside of the inner lining 3 is located in the storage compartment.

[0038] According to the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.2], the door 1 further comprises a housing 10 for the socket 9 which the electric charging cable 8 comprises.

[0039] According to this embodiment, the housing 10 is arranged in the edge 4 of the door 1. Indeed, this part of the door 1 is located inside the vehicle when the door 1 is in the closed position and is easily accessible to a user when the door is in the open position. The electric charging cable 8 is then not accessible from outside the vehicle when the door is in the closed position. Furthermore, the housing is located in a wet area which is compatible with the cleanliness conditions of the passenger compartment.

[0040] The shape of the housing 10 may be at least partially complementary to the shape of the socket 9 so that the socket 9 may be nested in the housing 10.

[0041] In a different non-limiting embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 3], the housing 10 is arranged in the inner lining 3.

[0042] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the door 1 further comprises means 11 constructed and arranged to drive the reel 7 in rotation. These means 11 may be formed by a crank 11 arranged to drive a toothed wheel 11a in rotation. In order to allow this reel 7 to be rotated, the latter also comprises teeth 7a arranged to cooperate with the toothed wheel 11a.

[0043] Furthermore, the door 1 comprises first clamping means 12. According to the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.lb], these first clamping means 12 are secured to the inner lining 3 of the door 1. These first clamping means 12 make it possible to secure one end of the electric charging cable 8, opposite the end of the electric cable 8 provided with the plug 9, to the inner lining 3.

[0044] These first clamping means 12 make it possible to guide the electric charging cable 8 during its winding and also make it possible to avoid tearing the electric charging cable 8 during its deployment.

[0045] Furthermore, according to an embodiment not illustrated, the door 1 may also comprise second means for clamping, on the reel 7, one end of the electric charging cable 8.

[0046] These second clamping means may be formed by a groove formed in the winding surface of the reel 7. This groove may be provided, for example, with bulges or holding pins, making it possible to hold the electric charging cable 8 in the groove. The plastic deformation of the electric charging cable 8 over its diameter makes it possible to insert it through the holding bulges.

[0047] These second clamping means facilitate the winding of the electric charging cable 8. More particularly, they make it possible to prevent the electric charging cable 8 from slipping on the winding surface of the reel 7.

[0048] Furthermore, as illustrated in [Fig.1a], when the door 1 is mounted on a vehicle, it cooperates with a door pillar 13 provided with an outer skin 14 flush with the outer skin 2 of the door 1 when it is in the closed position.

[0049] The outer skin 14 of the door jamb 13 has an edge 15 arranged opposite an edge 16 of the outer skin 2 of the door 1.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the invention, the edge 15 of the outer part 14 of the door jamb 13 forms an opening 17 allowing the passage of the electric charging cable 8 when the door 1 is in the closed position.

[0051] Thus, to access the electric charging cable 8, the user opens the door 1. He takes the electric charging cable 8, for example via the socket 9 accessible in the housing 10, then unwinds the electric charging cable 8 by pulling on the electric charging cable 8 until he obtains the desired length. Only the length of the electric charging cable 8 required is deployed.

[0052] The user closes door 1 and connects plug 9 to charging station 18 as shown in [Fig.1a].

[0053] The opening 17 provided in the door jamb 13 allows the electric charging cable 8 to pass between the door 1 and the door jamb 13 even when the door 1 is closed.

[0054] As illustrated in [Fig.1a], the door 1 may comprise a stamping 19 extending towards the outside of the vehicle, the stamping 19 being arranged opposite the opening 17. This stamping further facilitates the passage of the electric charging cable 8 when the door 1 is closed.

[0055] Thanks to the invention, a user wishing to recharge his battery simply has to open the door 1 of the vehicle to access the electric charging cable 8 and to remove a desired length of the electric charging cable 8 from the reel 7. The door 1 is then closed during recharging so that the driver can move away from his vehicle without fear of his vehicle being stolen.

[0056] Furthermore, when the electric charging cable 8 is not in use, it is stored inside the door 1 so that it is protected against theft, bad weather and intentional or involuntary damage (cutting the extension cord). Furthermore, it is not necessary to provide a locking hatch to protect the electric charging cable.

[0057] Since door 1 does not have any protrusion on the outside, the aerodynamic behavior of the vehicle is not degraded.

Claims

Claims

1. Door (1) of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle equipped with a battery, said door (1) comprising a reel (7) for an electric charging cable (8) of said battery, said electric charging cable (8) comprising a socket (9) for connection to electric charging means (18) external to said vehicle, said door (1) comprising a cavity (5) delimited by an outer skin (2) and an inner lining (3) facing each other, said inner lining (3) being crossed by an orifice (6) opening into said cavity (5), said door (1) being characterized in that said reel (7) is inserted into said cavity (5) through said orifice (6).

2. Vehicle door (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a part of the thickness (e) of the winder (7) is arranged in the cavity (5) and another part of the thickness (e) of the winder (7) extends through the orifice (6) towards the outside of the inner lining (3).

3. Vehicle door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the door (1) comprises a housing (10) for the socket (9) which the electric charging cable (8) comprises, said housing (10) being arranged in a section (4) of the door (1) connecting the outer skin (2) with the inner lining (3) or in the inner lining (3).

4. Vehicle door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (11) constructed and arranged to drive the winder (7) in rotation.

5. Vehicle door (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the means (11) constructed and arranged to drive the winder (7) in rotation are formed by a return spring, an electric motor or a crank.

6. Vehicle door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises first clamping means (12), on the inner lining (3) of the door (1), of one end of the electric charging cable (8), said end of the electric charging cable (8) being opposite the other end of the electric charging cable (8) provided with the socket (9).

7. Vehicle door (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises second clamping means, on the reel (7), of one end of the electric charging cable (8), said end of the electric charging cable (8) being opposite the other end of the electric charging cable (8) provided with the plug (9).

8. Electric or hybrid motor vehicle characterized in that it comprises a door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. Vehicle according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a door pillar (13) provided with an outer skin (14) flush with the outer skin (2) of the door (1) when it is in the closed position, said outer skin (14) of said door pillar (13) comprising an edge (15) arranged opposite an edge (16) of said outer skin (2) of said door (1), said edge (15) of said outer skin (14) of said door pillar (13) forming an opening (17) allowing the passage of the electric charging cable (8) when said door (1) is in the closed position.

10. Vehicle according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the door (1) comprises a stamping (19) extending towards the outside of said vehicle, said stamping (19) being arranged opposite the opening (17).

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