Arrangement for the protection of equipment on a motor vehicle.
The cradle and energy reservoir arrangement with deflectors addresses the challenge of limited energy absorption and collision damage in vehicles with reduced overhangs by enhancing protection for high-voltage batteries through relative displacement and deflection, ensuring effective impact management.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023008536
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-08-07
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-19
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-08-07
AI Technical Summary
Existing impact absorption systems in motor vehicles, particularly in the front area, occupy significant volume and limit energy absorption capacity due to reduced vehicle overhangs, posing challenges in protecting expensive equipment and managing collision damage, especially in electric vehicles with high-voltage batteries.
An arrangement comprising a cradle and an energy reservoir with deflectors that allow a relative longitudinal displacement during a shock, increasing the overlap and vertical bulk between the cradle and energy reservoir, deflecting the cradle and energy reservoir in opposite vertical directions to protect equipment like high-voltage batteries.
The arrangement effectively protects equipment by minimizing impact damage, allowing reduced vehicle overhangs and enhancing energy absorption, particularly in collisions, thus safeguarding high-voltage batteries and other energy storage devices.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Arrangement for the protection of equipment in a motor vehicle.
[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement for protecting equipment in a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a vehicle equipped with such an arrangement.
[0002] Motor vehicles include shock-absorbing devices designed to protect not only vehicle occupants during a traffic accident, but also equipment that is most expensive to replace or repair. Furthermore, in electric vehicles, the high-voltage battery presents a fire risk if damaged in a collision.
[0003] Existing impact absorption systems, particularly in the front area of the vehicle, occupy a significant volume. However, car manufacturers are currently developing vehicles with reduced overhangs compared to previous models, as is the case, for example, with electric vehicles. The reduction in overhangs aims to compact the vehicle, optimizing its compactness in the front compartment and maximizing passenger or cargo space, while limiting the vehicle's overall size. The reduction in overhang can be on the order of several tens or hundreds of millimeters. The energy absorption capacity of an impact is thus limited due to the reduction in vehicle overhangs. Furthermore, for heavy vehicles, the complexity of managing the crushing and / or denting of components located at the front of the vehicle is amplified.
[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a device for protecting equipment that overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks and improves upon prior art equipment protection devices. In particular, the invention makes it possible to implement a simple and reliable equipment protection arrangement that offers effective protection.
[0005] To this end, the invention relates to an arrangement for protecting an energy tank of a motor vehicle, the arrangement comprising: - a cradle and, - an energy reservoir, at least one first deflector forming part of the cradle and at least one second deflector forming part of the energy reservoir, the first deflector comprising a first surface and the second deflector comprising a second surface, the first and second surfaces being arranged such that a longitudinal overlap distance between the cradle and the tank at energy increases during a shock causing a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle towards the energy reservoir.
[0006] In one embodiment, the first and second surfaces are arranged so as to deflect, in a vertical direction, in a first direction, in particular downwards, the cradle during a shock causing a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle towards the energy reservoir.
[0007] In one embodiment, the first and second surfaces are arranged so as to deflect, in a vertical direction, in a second direction, in particular upwards, the energy reservoir during a shock causing a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle towards the energy reservoir.
[0008] In one embodiment, the first and second directions are opposite.
[0009] In one embodiment, the first and second surfaces are arranged in so that a vertical bulk of the assembly constituted by: - the cradle, and - the energy reservoir increases during a shock causing a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle towards the energy reservoir.
[0010] In one embodiment, the overlap distance is measured longitudinally between a rear end of the cradle and a front end of the energy reservoir.
[0011] In one embodiment, the first surface and the second surface are of complementary shapes, in particular planar, and the first deflector and the second deflector are arranged so that the first surface and the second surface are substantially parallel to each other and parallel to a lateral axis of the vehicle.
[0012] In one embodiment, the first surface and / or the second surface forms a first angle greater than 20 degrees or 30 degrees or 40 degrees or 45 degrees with the longitudinal direction.
[0013] In one embodiment, at least one first deflector is a first prism and at least one second deflector is a second prism, and / or The first surface is a lateral face of the first prism and the second surface is a lateral face of the second prism.
[0014] In one embodiment, the at least first deflector is a first triangular prism and the at least second deflector is a second triangular prism, in particular a section of the at least first deflector and a section of the at least second deflector along a plane passing through the transverse axis is a right triangle, the first surface being a lateral face of the first prism connecting two strictly acute angles of the first prism, and the second surface of at least a second deflector is a lateral face of the second prism connecting two strictly acute angles of the second prism.
[0015] In one embodiment, the number of deflectors of the at least one first deflector is equal to the number of deflectors of the at least one second deflector or different from the number of deflectors of the at least one second deflector, each deflector of the at least one first deflector collaborating with at least one deflector of the at least one second deflector.
[0016] In one embodiment, the energy reservoir is a high-voltage battery or a hydrogen tank.
[0017] In one embodiment, at least a second deflector is attached to a base of a protective housing for the energy tank, the base being a lower part of the protective housing located facing the ground.
[0018] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle comprising an arrangement according to the invention.
[0019] In one embodiment, the motor vehicle has a reduced overhang, the overhang of the vehicle being less than 0.9 meters, or even less than 0.8 meters.
[0020] The attached drawings represent, by way of example, one embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention.
[0021] Fig. 1 schematically represents a motor vehicle equipped with an arrangement according to the invention.
[0022] The [Fig.2] defines an orthonormal frame of reference of the motor vehicle.
[0023] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention.
[0024] Fig. 4 represents a vehicle cradle equipped with two deflectors according to the invention.
[0025] Fig. 5 represents vehicle equipment fitted with two deflectors according to the invention.
[0026] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention.
[0027] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a first simulation of a shock applied to an arrangement without implementation of the invention comprising equipment and a cradle.
[0028] The [Fig.8] is a bottom view, before simulation of a shock, of an arrangement without implementation of the invention comprising equipment and a cradle.
[0029] Fig. 9 is a bottom view, after simulation of a shock, of an arrangement without implementation of the invention comprising equipment and a cradle.
[0030] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an arrangement without implementation of the invention comprising equipment and a cradle, at a first instant preceding a shock.
[0031] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an arrangement without implementation of the invention comprising equipment and a cradle, at a second instant during a shock.
[0032] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an arrangement without implementation of the invention comprising equipment and a cradle, at a third instant after a shock.
[0033] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an arrangement with implementation of the invention comprising equipment and a cradle, at the first instant preceding a shock.
[0034] Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an arrangement with implementation of the invention comprising equipment and a cradle, at the second instant during a shock.
[0035] Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an arrangement with implementation of the invention comprising equipment and a cradle, at a third instant after a shock.
[0036] An embodiment of a motor vehicle 100 is described below with reference to [Fig. 1]. The motor vehicle 100 is a motor vehicle of any type, in particular a passenger vehicle or a commercial vehicle.
[0037] The motor vehicle 100 is a fully electric or hybrid vehicle: the motor vehicle 100 therefore includes a high-voltage battery 20, also referred to as equipment 20 in the rest of the document.
[0038] With reference to [Fig.2], an orthonormal coordinate system is defined and used in the remainder of this document: - The axis called longitudinal axis X of the motor vehicle 100 is defined as an axis of symmetry of the vehicle parallel to the axis along which the vehicle moves in a straight line, oriented towards the rear of the vehicle. - The so-called lateral axis Y of the motor vehicle 100 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, defining with the X axis a plane XY parallel to the surface on which the vehicle moves. The lateral axis Y is oriented towards the right of the vehicle, left and right being defined according to the driver's point of view. - The axis called the vertical axis Z of the motor vehicle 100 is perpendicular to the X and Y axes and is oriented towards the top of the motor vehicle 100.
[0039] The motor vehicle comprises an arrangement 90 including: - a cradle 30 comprising at least one first deflector 35, and - equipment 20 of the energy reservoir type, including at least a second deflector 25.
[0040] The arrangement 90 is described below with reference to figures 1 to 6.
[0041] In one embodiment, the motor vehicle 100 has a reduced overhang, that is, a reduced distance between a front wheel axle and the front end of the vehicle. For example, in the described embodiment, the vehicle overhang is less than 900 millimeters, or even less than 800 millimeters. More generally, when it is necessary to manage the kinematics during a collision between the cradle 30 and the equipment 20, then the system 90 can be used to avoid any impact. damage to equipment, regardless of the value of the overhang.
[0042] Preferably, the equipment 20 and the cradle 30 are substantially aligned along the longitudinal axis X of the motor vehicle 100, that is to say, they have the same or substantially the same dimensions along the vertical axis Z and they are positioned at the same level or substantially positioned at the same level along the Z axis.
[0043] In the embodiment described below, the equipment 20 is a high-voltage battery 20, referred to as battery 20, intended to supply the electrical energy necessary for the movement of the electric or hybrid vehicle. In alternative embodiments, the equipment 20 could be any other type of energy storage device, in particular a hydrogen tank. The equipment 20 is preferably equipment with safety constraints.
[0044] The equipment 20 is equipped with connectors 21 allowing its connection to equipment intended to receive electrical power. The vehicle design and the technical constraints of the equipment mean that the connectors 21 of the equipment 20 are located just behind the vehicle's cradle 30; in particular, the connectors are located on a front face 22 of a protective housing 23 of the equipment 20, the front face 22 being situated between the equipment 20 and the cradle 30. In other words, the cradle 30, the equipment connectors, and the equipment 20 are successively aligned along the direction of the longitudinal axis X of the motor vehicle 100. As a note, the protective housing 23 of the equipment 20 can also be called a "casing" or "sarcophagus."
[0045] The cradle 30 and the equipment 20 can be separated from each other by a first distance dO measured along the longitudinal axis X, the first distance dO being shown in [Fig. 13]. The first distance dO can be on the order of a few millimeters or a few centimeters. In the case of an impact causing a relative movement of the cradle and the equipment towards each other (cradle towards equipment or equipment towards cradle), in a first phase of relative movement, the cradle and the equipment can move to close this first distance, that is to say, move relatively along the longitudinal axis X until they come into contact with each other.
[0046] Advantageously, the second deflector has a shape complementary to the shape of the first deflector.
[0047] Furthermore, a first surface 351 of at least a first deflector 35 is able to collaborate with a second surface 251 of at least a second deflector 25 so that a longitudinal overlap distance dl between the cradle and the equipment increases during a shock causing a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle 30 towards the equipment 20.
[0048] The overlap distance dl is advantageously measured longitudinally between a rear end of the cradle 30 and a front end of the equipment 20, as can be seen in figures 13 to 15.
[0049] The first and second surfaces are advantageously arranged so as to deflect, in a vertical direction, in a first direction, in particular downwards, the cradle during a shock causing a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle 30 towards the equipment 20, and more generally a relative longitudinal displacement bringing the cradle 30 and the equipment 20 closer together.
[0050] Similarly, the first and second surfaces are advantageously arranged so as to deflect, in a vertical direction, in a second direction, in particular upwards, the equipment 20 during a shock causing a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle 30 towards the equipment 20, and more generally a relative longitudinal displacement bringing the cradle 30 and the equipment 20 closer together.
[0051] The first and second directions are preferably opposite.
[0052] Thus, the first and second surfaces can be arranged so that a vertical footprint d2 of the assembly constituted by: - the cradle, and - the energy reservoir increases during a shock causing a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle 30 towards the equipment 20, and more generally a relative longitudinal displacement bringing the cradle 30 and the equipment 20 closer together. Figures 13 to 15 illustrate an increase in the vertical clearance d2 during a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle 30 towards the equipment 20.
[0053] In an embodiment where the cradle is deflected downwards, the first and second surfaces each form a first angle al oriented accordingly. Alternatively, in an embodiment where the trajectory of the cradle is deflected upwards, the first and second surfaces each form another first angle al also defined accordingly.
[0054] In some embodiments, an absolute value of the first angle al is greater than 20 degrees or 30 degrees or 40 degrees or 45 degrees.
[0055] Figures 3 to 6 illustrate an embodiment in which at least one first deflector 35 is a first prism, in particular equipped with a ramp, and at least one second deflector 25 is a second prism, in particular equipped with a ramp, the first surface 351 being a lateral face of the first prism, and the second surface 251 being a lateral face of the second prism. The term "ramp" could also be used to describe the shape of the deflectors 25 and 35.
[0056] In particular, the first and second deflectors 35, 25 illustrated in Figures 3 to 6 are triangular prisms. In one embodiment, a section of at least A first deflector 35 and / or a section of at least a second deflector 25 along a plane passing through the transverse axis Y may be a right triangle. In this embodiment, the first surface 351 of the first deflector 35 is a lateral face of the first prism connecting two strictly acute angles of the first prism, and the second surface 251 of at least a second deflector 25 is a lateral face of the second prism connecting two strictly acute angles of the second prism.
[0057] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 to 6, the equipment 20 and the cradle 30 are each equipped with the same number of deflectors, i.e., two deflectors each. In alternative embodiments, the number and dimensions of the deflectors equipping the equipment 20 and the cradle 30 may differ. For example, the cradle 30 may be equipped with a single first deflector, and the equipment 20 may be equipped with several second deflectors. In this case, the dimension of the single first deflector along the lateral axis Y is sufficiently large to allow interaction between the single first deflector and each of the second deflectors.
[0058] Conversely, the equipment could be equipped with a single deflector, and the cradle could be equipped with several deflectors collaborating with the single deflector of the equipment.
[0059] In summary, the number of deflectors of the at least one first deflector is equal to the number of deflectors of the at least one second deflector or the number of deflectors of the at least one first deflector is different from the number of deflectors of the at least one second deflector, each deflector of the at least one first deflector collaborating with at least one deflector of the at least one second deflector.
[0060] In one embodiment, at least one second deflector 251 is attached to a base 24 of a protective housing 23 of the equipment 20, the base 24 being a lower portion of the protective housing 23 facing the ground. Advantageously, the base 24 is made of a material that exhibits high impact resistance. Thus, the base 24 will not deform when a force is exerted on the at least one second deflector 251 due to the recoil of the cradle 30.
[0061] During a collision of the motor vehicle 100, in particular during a frontal collision, the cradle 30 moves a longitudinal distance D in the direction of the equipment 20. The longitudinal distance D is a distance projected onto the longitudinal axis X. The distance D depends in particular on the energy of the collision suffered by the vehicle.
[0062] Figures 7 to 12 illustrate a first SI simulation of a collision between a vehicle not equipped with the invention and a wall, the collision occurring along a longitudinal direction X of the motor vehicle 100.
[0063] Figures 13 to 15 illustrate a second simulation S2 of the same impact, the difference being that the simulated vehicle is equipped with an arrangement 90 according to the invention. On Based on the first and second SI, S2 simulations, we analyze the effects of the shock on the equipment 20, in particular we compare the effects of the shock for a motor vehicle not equipped with an arrangement 90 of the invention (see figures 11 and 12), to the effects of a shock when the motor vehicle 100 is equipped with an arrangement 90 according to the invention (see figures 14 and 15).
[0064] Advantageously, the SI, S2 simulations are defined so as to simulate a frontal collision taking place when the motor vehicle 100 is moving at a speed within a given range of longitudinal speeds, for example a range of speeds between 50 and 56 kilometers per hour, the range of speeds being able to extend a little further, for example up to 60 kilometers per hour.
[0065] Advantageously, the speeds within the given range are - on the one hand, sufficiently high to generate a recoil of the cradle likely to damage equipment 20, and - on the other hand, sufficiently weak so that the shock does not generate significantly more serious consequences than damage to equipment 20.
[0066] In other words, over the given speed range, the consequences of damage to equipment 20 during a longitudinal impact are particularly important compared to the other risks generated by such an impact.
[0067] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle not equipped with the invention. Arrows schematically illustrate the displacement of the cradle 30 during a frontal impact. The displacement includes a longitudinal component towards the rear of the vehicle and a vertical component towards the top of the vehicle. These two components contribute to damage to the equipment 20 and its connectors 21, this damage creating a risk of fire.
[0068] Figures 8 and 9 are views from below the vehicle which simulate the deformation and displacement of the cradle 30 between a first instant before the impact ([Fig.8]) and a second instant after the impact ([Fig.9]), an instant of the end of the impact corresponding to an instant when the vehicle comes to a stop and no longer deforms.
[0069] Figure 9 illustrates the cradle being crushed against a front face 22 of the equipment 20. In particular, the cradle 30 is crushed against the front face 22 supporting the connectors 21.
[0070] Figures 10 to 12 also illustrate the first SI simulation, but this time through cross-sectional views, - the view represented by [Fig. 10] preceding the impact, the view represented by [Fig. 11] being an intermediate view of the impact, and - the view represented by [Fig. 12] being a final view of the impact.
[0071] Figures 11 and 12 show, in particular, a first vertical deformation of the cradle 30 in the case where the vehicle is not equipped with an arrangement 90 according to the invention. In the first SI simulation, it is observed that the cradle bends at its midpoint, causing the rear face 32 of the cradle 30 to rise in the direction of the vertical axis Z (oriented towards the top of the vehicle). As is more specifically visible in [Fig. 12], the rear face 32 of the cradle becomes embedded in the front face 22 of the equipment 20, and then collides with the connectors 21 of the equipment 20.
[0072] Figures 13 to 15 illustrate the second simulation S2 relating to the same impact, this time between the vehicle equipped with the invention and a wall.
[0073] A relative longitudinal displacement bringing the cradle and the equipment closer together, with a value D, is materialized between - a first vertical line L1 passing through the rear end of the cradle 30 before the impact, shown in figures 13 and 15, and - a second vertical line L2 passing through the rear end of the cradle 30 after the impact, shown in [Fig. 15].
[0074] Figures 14 and 15 show, in particular, a second vertical deformation of the cradle 30 when the vehicle is equipped with an arrangement 90 according to the invention. In the second simulation, the cradle bends slightly at its midpoint, but much less pronounced than in the first simulation. Furthermore, at least one deflector 35, attached to the rear face 32 of the cradle 30, directs the movement of the rear face 32 under the base of the equipment 20. Thus, thanks to the deflectors 35, 25, the vertical component of the trajectory of the rear face 32 of the cradle 30 is directed downwards.
[0075] In other words, thanks to the invention, the rear face 32 of the cradle 30 passes under the equipment 20, instead of hitting the connectors and / or the front face of the equipment 20.
[0076] Thus, during an impact (frontal impact, or even rear impact) resulting in a relative longitudinal displacement bringing the cradle and the equipment closer together by a value D, one can observe: - a possible first phase of cancellation of the distance dO, then - a second phase of increasing the longitudinal overlap dl and increasing the vertical bulk d2.
[0077] The greater the energy of the impact, the greater the distances D, dl and d2.
[0078] Finally, in a context of reducing the overhang of the motor vehicle 100, the arrangement according to the invention allows, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the protection of the equipment included in the arrangement. In other words, the arrangement according to the invention contributes to the feasibility of reducing the overhang of a motor vehicle.
Claims
Demands
1. Arrangement (90) for protecting an energy tank (20) of a motor vehicle (100), the arrangement comprising: - a cradle (30) and, - an energy tank (20), at least a first deflector (35) forming part of the cradle (30) and at least a second deflector (25) forming part of the energy tank (20), characterized in that the first deflector (35) comprises a first surface (351) and the second deflector (25) comprises a second surface (251), the first and second surfaces being arranged so that a longitudinal overlap distance (dl) between the cradle and the energy tank (20) increases during an impact causing a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle (30) towards the energy tank (20).
2. Arrangement (90) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first and second surfaces (351, 251) are arranged so as to deflect, in a vertical direction, in a first direction, in particular downwards, the cradle during a shock causing a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle (30) towards the energy reservoir (20).
3. Arrangement (90) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and second surfaces (351, 251) are arranged so as to deflect, in a vertical direction, in a second direction, in particular upwards, the energy reservoir (20) during a shock causing a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle (30) towards the energy reservoir (20).
4. Arrangement (90) according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the first and second directions are opposite.
5. Arrangement (90) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second surfaces (351, 251) are arranged so that a vertical footprint (d2) of the assembly consisting of: - the cradle, and - the energy reservoir increases during a shock causing a relative longitudinal displacement of the cradle (30) towards the energy reservoir (20).
6. Arrangement (90) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the overlap distance (dl) is measured longitudinally finally between a rear end of the cradle (30) and an anterior end of the energy reservoir (20).
7. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first surface (351) and the second surface (251) are of complementary shapes, in particular planar, and in that the first deflector (35) and the second deflector (25) are arranged so that the first surface (351) and the second surface (251) are substantially parallel to each other and parallel to a lateral axis (Y) of the vehicle.
8. Arrangement (90) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first surface (351) and / or the second surface (251) forms a first angle (al) greater than 20 degrees or 30 degrees or 40 degrees or 45 degrees with the longitudinal direction.
9. Arrangement (90) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one first deflector (35) is a first prism and at least one second deflector (25) is a second prism, and / or in that the first surface (351) is a lateral face of the first prism and the second surface (251) is a lateral face of the second prism.
10. Arrangement (90) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least a second deflector is fixed to a base (24) of a protective housing (23) of the energy tank (20), the base (24) being a lower part of the protective housing located facing the ground.
11. Motor vehicle (100) comprising an arrangement (90) according to any one of the preceding claims.
12. Motor vehicle (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it has a reduced overhang, the overhang of the vehicle being less than 0.9 meters, or even less than 0.8 meters.