Front structure of an electric motor vehicle equipped with a sound generator

Abstract

Front structure of an electric motor vehicle comprising: - two front lateral side members (10); - a sound generator (94) adapted to generate a warning sound; - a first connecting piece (28) adapted to be mounted in a fixed position on one of said two front lateral side members (10), said connecting piece (28) having a receiving area (30) for receiving said sound generator (94) so ​​as to rigidly connect said sound generator and said one of said two front lateral side members (10); characterized in that it comprises a second connecting piece (27) comprising a cable receiving portion (86, 88), the second connecting piece (27) having a thickness greater than the thickness of the first connecting piece (28) so as to protect the cables (86, 88). Figure for the abstract: 3

Description

Title of the invention: Front structure of an electric motor vehicle equipped with a sound generator

[0001] The invention relates to a front structure for an electric motor vehicle comprising a sound generator. The invention further relates to an electric motor vehicle equipped with a front structure according to the invention.

[0002] Electric motor vehicles are equipped with new functions and equipment that did not exist on internal combustion engine vehicles. This includes, in particular, the DC fast charging plug wiring as well as the AC charging plug cable, and also the sound generator which makes it possible to simulate the noise of a traditional internal combustion engine motor vehicle, particularly in urban areas at low speeds.

[0003] Also, in order to produce inexpensive electric motor vehicles, the components of internal combustion engine vehicles are retained as far as possible without significant modification. Furthermore, attempts are made to maintain the same assembly processes.

[0004] However, cabling with a relatively large linear mass requires the installation of cable trays and special fasteners regularly spaced from each other in order to hold it there.

[0005] For some models, a cable path extends above the front wheel arch and joins on one side the charging connectors opening to the outside, and on the other side, extends back under the front side member inside the vehicle to then join the accumulator batteries in particular.

[0006] However, this configuration has a weakness. In the event of a shock or collision, particularly a low-speed collision, for example below 16 km / h, one of the front-facing lights on the vehicle could be crushed against the cables and damaged. Replacing these cables, especially the charging port cable, is very expensive, as it is a relatively costly part and its replacement requires many hours of labor.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a part that remedies the above drawbacks. In particular, the invention aims to provide a part that simultaneously serves as a support for a sound generator, houses at least a portion of the cables, and protects said cables in the event of a shock or low-speed collision.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a front structure of an electric motor vehicle comprising two lateral front side members, each having a front end and an outer face opposite an inner face, the respective outer faces of said two front lateral longitudinal members being opposite each other; two wheel arch plates running along said outer faces of said two front lateral longitudinal members respectively; a sound generator adapted to generate a warning sound; a first connecting piece adapted to be mounted in a fixed position on one of said two front lateral longitudinal members, said connecting piece having a receiving area for receiving said sound generator so as to be able to rigidly connect said sound generator and said one of said two front lateral longitudinal members; the structure being characterized in that it comprises a second connecting piece including a portion for receiving cables, the second connecting piece having a thickness greater than the thickness of the first connecting piece so as to protect the cables.

[0009] In one embodiment, the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece are joined together by a weld.

[0010] In one embodiment, the second connecting piece includes at least one positioning hook configured to ensure that the cables are held in position.

[0011] In one embodiment, the second connecting piece includes at least one stiffening relief.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the thickness of the second connecting piece is between 1.5 times and 4 times the thickness of the first connecting piece.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the thickness of the second connecting piece is twice the thickness of the first connecting piece.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the cable reception portion of the second connecting piece has two support plates spaced apart from each other and respectively equipped with hooking elements.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the second connecting piece comprises a central appendage with a fixing hole.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the second connecting piece is attached to both one of the wheel arch sheets and a wheel arch screen.

[0017] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle equipped with a front structure according to the invention.

[0018] These objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures, among which:

[0019] [Fig-1] is a partial schematic perspective view of a front structural element of a motor vehicle;

[0020] [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective view of the first connecting piece suitable for cooperate with the object of [Fig. 1] and the second connecting piece attached to the first connecting piece;

[0021] [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of the structural element before motor vehicle cooperating with the object of [Fig.2] and with the first element of the invention of [Fig.2] and cooperating with an additional element;

[0022] [Fig.4] is another schematic perspective view of the object in [Fig.3].

[0023] The object of [Fig. 1] is inscribed in an orthogonal coordinate system X, Y, Z, in which the X-axis extends along a front-to-back longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle, oriented towards the rear; the Y axis extends along a transverse direction of the vehicle, oriented from left to right in a driving situation; and the Z axis extends along a vertical direction, oriented away from the ground.

[0024] Fig. 1 thus partially shows a left front side member 10 of a motor vehicle, having an outer face 12 opposed to an inner face 14 and extending longitudinally to a front end 16. In addition, the side member 10 has a lower edge 15 opposed to an upper edge 17.

[0025] Also, [Fig.1] shows a wheel arch plate 18 running along the outer face 12 of the side member 10. In other words, the front left wheel of the motor vehicle, not shown, is located directly above the wheel arch plate 18. In addition, the latter has an inclined portion 20, substantially perpendicular to the outer face 12 of the side member 10, and which extends from its lower edge 15 towards the rear of the vehicle, along the component X, to its upper edge 17.

[0026] The inclined portion 20 extends at a distance from the front end 16 of the longitudinal member 10.

[0027] It will be observed that the longeron 10 has two openings spaced apart from each other according to a vertical direction, an upper orifice 22 located near the upper edge 17, and a lower orifice 24 located near the lower edge 15. These two orifices 22, 24 are respectively provided opposite two nuts not shown and welded against the inner face 14 of the spar 10.

[0028] Furthermore, the inclined portion 20 of the wheel arch sheet 18 has a first stud 26 extending outwards at a distance from the outer face 12.

[0029] Reference will now be made to [Fig.2] in order to describe in detail two essential elements of the invention, a first connecting piece 28, adapted to cooperate with the left front longitudinal member 10, as will be explained in more detail in the rest of the description, and a second connecting piece 27, configured to protect a bundle 84 of cables 86, 88 in the event of a shock or low-speed collision.

[0030] Thus, [Fig.2] shows the first connecting piece 28 and the second connecting piece 27. As illustrated in [Fig.2], the first connecting piece 28 is located predominantly above the second connecting piece 27.

[0031] Each of these connecting pieces 28, 27 is made from a single piece of metal, cut and stamped. However, the second connecting piece 27 has a thickness greater than that of the first connecting piece 28. Generally, the thickness of the second connecting piece 27 is between 1.5 times and 4 times the thickness of the first connecting piece 28. Preferably, the thickness of the second connecting piece 27 is twice the thickness of the first connecting piece 28. For example, the first connecting piece 28 has a thickness of 1.5 mm while the second connecting piece 27 has a thickness of 3 mm, as in the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0032] The first connecting piece 28 has a "C" shape and defines a receiving area 30 configured to receive a sound generator 94. The first connecting piece 28 has a top fixing plate 29, a side fixing plate 66 and a fastening plate 41 dimensioned to be fastened to the second connecting piece 27.

[0033] The side fixing plate 66 has an L-shape and allows the upper fixing plate 29 to be linked to the bonding plate 4L. Two flat triangular portions 43, 45 allow the transition zones between the side fixing plate 66 and the upper fixing plate 29 on the one hand and the side fixing plate 66 and the bonding plate 41 on the other hand to be reinforced respectively.

[0034] The side mounting plate 66 has two mounting holes 68. A first mounting hole 68 is suitable for receiving a screw so that it can be screwed through the upper hole 22. A second mounting hole 68 is suitable for receiving a screw so that it can be screwed through the lower hole 24. In this way, the side mounting plate 66 is held in a fixed position against the outer face 12 of the longeron 10, as illustrated in [Fig. 3]. More specifically, the first connecting piece 28 is fixed to the outer face 12 by means of fasteners such as screws 83 engaged through the outer face 12 of the longeron 10 and the two mounting holes 68.

[0035] Referring again to [Fig.2], the upper fixing plate 29 comprises two appendages 31, 33, each provided with a fixing hole 35, 37. The appendages 31, 33 are located at the longitudinal ends of the upper fixing plate 29.

[0036] The upper mounting plate 29 also includes a first upper transverse plate 50. This plate has a first positioning tab 52, extending projecting opposite the appendage 33. In addition, the first upper transverse plate 50 has a first threaded hole 54 in the vicinity of the first tab 52. As illustrated in [Fig. 2], the appendages 31, 33 include folds to adjust the position of their open ends with the mounting holes 35, 37. Thus, the first upper transverse plate 50, with its first positioning tab 52 and its threaded hole 54, constitutes a first upper mounting area.

[0037] The fastening plate 41 comprises a second lower transverse plate 60 which is located opposite the first upper transverse plate 50. The second transverse plate 60 extends substantially in the same plane as the first transverse plate 50. It also has a second positioning tab 62 extending opposite the first threaded hole 54 of the first transverse plate 50 and a second threaded hole 64, located at a distance from the second tab 62 and opposite the first positioning tab 52 of the first transverse plate 50. Thus, the second transverse plate 60, with its second positioning tab 62 and its second threaded hole 64, constitutes a second, lower fastening zone.

[0038] The joining plate 41 includes a flat connecting area 47 configured to be joined to the second connecting piece 27. According to a preferred embodiment, the first connecting piece 28 and the second connecting piece 27 can be permanently joined by a weld, such as a spot weld or with a weld bead.

[0039] The second connecting piece 27 defines a cable receiving area 32 configured to protect a cable bundle 84, running over the wheel arch and operating a curve to come to rest in the receiving portion 32 of the second connecting piece 27, as illustrated in figures 3 and 4.

[0040] The cable harness 84 includes, for example, a pair of charging plug cables 86 allowing the vehicle's accumulator battery to be supplied with direct current for fast charging and, an alternating current charging plug cable 88 for standard charging.

[0041] The second connecting piece 27 can be in the form of a plate folded so as to form an angle of approximately 120°.

[0042] The second connecting piece 27 may have in a central area at least one stiffening relief 71 which allows the second connecting piece 27 to be reinforced. More particularly, the at least one stiffening relief 71 may be in the form of a longitudinal hollow which extends on either side of the fold in the second connecting piece 27.

[0043] As illustrated in [Fig. 2], the second connecting piece 27 comprises two stiffening reliefs 71 situated one below the other. Alternatively, at least one stiffening relief 71 may be in the form of a rib.

[0044] The second connecting piece 27 may have, in a lower area, two support plates 70, 72 located on either side of the fold. It will be noted that these two support plates 70 are spaced approximately 200 mm apart so as to allow the cables 86, 88 to be attached without them being able to extend into a catenary between the two plates, given their linear mass.

[0045] The cable bundle 84 thus rests on the two support plates 70, 72. Furthermore, the two support plates 70, 72 each have a free end in which a transverse oblong slot 74 is made.

[0046] In addition, the two support plates 70, 72 are respectively equipped with a fastener 90. The fasteners 90 are secured by means of the second studs 76 to which two nuts are associated, and by means of the transverse oblong slots 74 through which a fir tree pin is inserted.

[0047] Also, the fasteners 90 include a flexible link 92 which encircles the cable bundle 84 so that it is held in a fixed position in the receiving portion 32 of the second connecting piece 27.

[0048] The second connecting piece 27 may also have a central appendage 51 extending towards the first transverse plate 50. The central appendage 51 has a mounting hole 53. The mounting hole 53 is adapted to receive a screw for securing the second connecting piece 27 against a wheel arch screen 80, as illustrated in [Fig. 3]. More specifically, [Fig. 3] shows a wheel arch screen 80 partially suspended from the second connecting piece 27 by means of a "round fir tree pin" type fastener 82 engaged through the screen 80 and the mounting hole 53.

[0049] Furthermore, the second connecting piece 27 may have a lateral appendage 55 which also extends towards the first transverse plate 50. The lateral appendage 55 is also perforated with a fixing hole 57 adapted to receive a screw to hold the second connecting piece 27 in a fixed position against the wheel arch screen 80. The lateral appendage 55 may be located at the edge of the folded plate that forms the second connecting piece 27. More precisely, the lateral appendage 55 may be located at the triangular flat portion 45 of the first connecting piece 28.

[0050] Below the lateral appendage 55 there may be a positioning hook 61. A free end of the positioning hook 61 is oriented towards the inside of the receiving portion 32 of the second connecting piece 27.

[0051] A second hook 63 can be located above the support plate 72. More particularly, this second hook 63 can be located near the lateral edge of the second connecting piece 27. Alternatively, a portion of the lateral edge of the second connecting piece 27 can itself be used to form the second hook 63.

[0052] The positioning hooks 61, 63 are particularly visible in figures 2 and 3. Such positioning hooks 61, 63 make it possible to ensure reliable positioning of the fasteners 90 to secure the path of the cables 86, 88 in the receiving portion 32 of the second connecting piece 27.

[0053] With regard to the sound generator 94, this is activated when the motor vehicle is at low speed, for example less than 30 km / h, gen- A low, rumbling sound is used in urban areas to reproduce the noise typically generated by internal combustion engine vehicles. This sound serves to warn pedestrians and cyclists of the vehicle's presence.

[0054] The sound generator 94 has an upper axial slide 96 and a lower axial slide. The sound generator 94 is brought into the upper receiving zone 30 so that the second tab 62 engages through the upper axial slide 96, while, conversely, the first tab 52 engages through the lower axial slide. The sound generator 94 then comes to rest against the first and second transverse plates 50, 60.

[0055] In addition, the sound generator 94 has an upper hole through which a fixing screw is engaged which is screwed into the second thread 64 of the second plate 60. On the opposite side, it has a lower hole also receiving a fixing screw screwed into the first thread of the first plate 50.

[0056] In this way, the sound generator 94 is rigidly connected to the front left side member 10 and to the wheel arch sheet 18. Thus, thanks to the assembly formed by the first connecting piece 28 and the second connecting piece 27, the sound generator 94 is connected to the side member 10 while keeping the wiring harness 84 protected against shocks and low-speed collisions.

Claims

Claims

1. Front structure of an electric motor vehicle comprising: - two front lateral side members (10) each having a front end (16) and an outer face (12) opposite an inner face (14), the respective outer faces (12) of said two front lateral side members (10) being opposite each other; - two wheel arch plates (18) running respectively along said outer faces (12) of said two front lateral side members (10); - a sound generator (94) adapted to generate a warning sound; - a first connecting piece (28) adapted to be mounted in a fixed position on one of said two front lateral side members (10), said connecting piece (28) having a receiving zone (30) for receiving said sound generator (94) so ​​as to be able to rigidly connect together said sound generator and said one of said two front lateral side members (10);characterized in that it comprises a second connecting piece (27) comprising a receiving portion (32) of cables (86, 88), the second connecting piece (27) having a thickness greater than a thickness of the first connecting piece (28) so as to protect the cables (86, 88).;

2. Front structure of an electric motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the first connecting piece (28) and the second connecting piece (27) are secured to each other by welding.

3. Front structure of an electric motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second connecting part (27) comprises at least one positioning hook (61) configured to ensure that the cables (86, 88) are held in position.

4. Front structure of an electric motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second connecting piece (27) comprises at least one stiffening relief (71).

5. Front structure of an electric motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thickness of the second connecting piece (27) is between 1.5 times and 4 times the thickness of the first connecting piece (28).

6. Front structure of an electric motor vehicle according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the thickness of the second connecting piece (27) is twice the thickness of the first connecting piece (27). connection (28).

7. Front structure of an electric motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving portion (32) of cables (86, 88) of the second connecting piece (28) has two support plates (70, 72) spaced from one another and respectively provided with attachment members (90, 92).

8. Front structure of an electric motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second connecting piece (27) comprises a central appendage (51) perforated with a fixing orifice (53).

9. Front structure of an electric motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second connecting piece (28) is integral both with one of the wheel arch plates (18) and with a wheel arch screen (80).

10. Electric motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a front structure according to one of the preceding claims.

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