MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A MECHANISM FOR MOVING AN ADDITIONAL BATTERY IN A CELLAR UNDER FEET, AND METHOD BASED ON SUCH A VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising:- a passenger compartment which comprises a foot receiver;- a body delimiting the passenger compartment, comprising body elements (EC), the body comprising a battery housing (CV) arranged between the foot receiver and the body elements (EC), the battery housing (CV) being covered by a trim;- a battery (B) housed in the battery housing (CV), characterized in that the motor vehicle further comprises a safety mechanism with connecting rods (B1, B2) and ball joints (R1, R2) for moving the battery (B) towards the bottom and the rear of the battery housing (CV), the translation mechanism being triggered by an intrusion of the body elements (EC) into the battery housing (CV). The invention also relates to a method based on such a vehicle. Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A MECHANISM FOR MOVING AN ADDITIONAL BATTERY IN A CELLAR UNDER FEET, AND METHOD BASED ON SUCH A VEHICLE

[0001] The invention relates to the field of motor vehicle batteries, in particular those integrated in a cellar under the floor on the front passenger side.

[0002] The need for autonomy has led to the addition of such an additional battery under the floor, with a floor lining covering the cellar. This type of assembly is illustrated in [Fig.l]. The additional battery B makes it possible to free up space in the battery block (generally the front block) while maintaining maximum autonomy.

[0003] In this configuration, the front passenger's legs rest on the trim G arranged above the additional battery B, the assembly being arranged above and behind the body elements EC of the motor vehicle. This configuration is illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0004] In the event of a frontal impact on the passenger side, the front EC body elements move back under the effect of the impact, and pull the additional battery B towards the passenger's foot. These EC body elements can cause the foot-shin angle to close, with a risk of injury to the passenger's ankle.

[0005] An objective of the present invention is to remedy the defects of the prior art, and in particular to propose a cellar battery solution under the front floor, limiting the risk of injury to the passenger.

[0006] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a motor vehicle in a spatial reference frame comprising a longitudinal axis along a direction of movement of the motor vehicle; a lateral axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a vertical axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and to the lateral axis, the motor vehicle comprising: - a cabin which includes a foot receiver; - a body delimiting the passenger compartment, comprising a battery housing arranged at the level of the foot receiver, and body elements arranged in front of the battery housing with reference to the longitudinal axis, the battery housing being covered by a trim on the passenger compartment side; - a battery housed in the battery compartment, characterized in that the motor vehicle further comprises a safety mechanism comprising connecting rods and ball joints attached to the connecting rods, the safety mechanism being connected to the battery or to a battery housing, configured to move the battery towards the bottom and rear of the battery housing with reference to the longitudinal axis and the vertical axis, the safety mechanism being triggered by intrusion of the body elements into the battery compartment.

[0007] Advantageously, in the event of intrusion into the footwell on the passenger side, the invention allows for programmed movement of the battery. This allows the passenger's foot-shin angle to be kept sufficiently open, thus limiting the risk of injury to the ankle.

[0008] Furthermore, the invention allows for a gain in installation while guaranteeing safety at the highest level, particularly in the event of an impact on the passenger side with intrusion into the footwell.

[0009] In addition, the invention makes it possible to free up space in the front unit of the motor vehicle, and to gain autonomy.

[0010] Furthermore, the invention involves mechanical, and therefore reliable, operation.

[0011] According to one variant, the safety mechanism comprises: - a first ball joint fixed to the battery or to the casing on a high and front side with reference to the longitudinal axis and to the vertical axis; - a first connecting rod fixed at its first end to the first ball joint, the first connecting rod being oriented vertically or obliquely upwards and forwards with reference to the longitudinal axis and the vertical axis; - a second ball joint fixed to a second end of the first connecting rod; - a second connecting rod fixed at its first end to the second ball joint, the second connecting rod being oriented obliquely downwards and forwards with reference to the longitudinal axis and the vertical axis, and comprising a second end embedded in the body.

[0012] This makes it possible to provide a simplified mechanism for securing the battery in the event of a frontal impact. In addition, it allows for a fixing on the top of the battery.

[0013] According to a variant, the motor vehicle comprises two safety mechanisms arranged laterally to the battery with reference to the lateral axis.

[0014] This allows for a complete and balanced movement of the battery.

[0015] According to one variant, the safety mechanism comprises: - a first ball joint fixed to the battery or to the casing on a low and rear side with reference to the longitudinal axis and to the vertical axis; - a first connecting rod fixed at its first end to the first ball joint, the first connecting rod being oriented obliquely upwards and forwards with reference to the longitudinal axis and the vertical axis; - a second ball joint fixed to a second end of the first connecting rod; - a second connecting rod fixed at its first end, to the second ball joint, the second connecting rod being oriented at least upwards with reference to the vertical axis, and comprising a second end fixed to a plate; - a third ball joint fixed to the second end of the second connecting rod; - a fourth ball joint fixed to the first connecting rod between the first ball joint and the second ball joint; - a third connecting rod fixed at its first end to the fourth ball joint, the third connecting rod being oriented at least upwards with reference to the vertical axis, and comprising a second end fixed to the plate; - a fifth ball joint fixed to the second end of the third connecting rod; - the plate arranged in a lateral plane perpendicular to the lateral axis, the plate being secured to the body.

[0016] This allows for a fixing on the bottom of the battery.

[0017] According to a variant, the first end of the first connecting rod has a bent portion oriented horizontally or obliquely upwards and backwards with reference to the longitudinal axis and the vertical axis.

[0018] This allows for a high attachment point on the battery.

[0019] According to a variant, the motor vehicle comprises two safety mechanisms arranged laterally to the battery with reference to the lateral axis.

[0020] This allows for a complete and balanced movement of the battery.

[0021] The invention further relates to a method for securing a battery for a motor vehicle according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises a securing step moving the battery towards the bottom and the rear of the battery housing with reference to the longitudinal axis and the vertical axis, in the event of a frontal impact causing intrusion of the body elements into the battery housing.

[0022] The invention will be further detailed by the description of non-limiting embodiments, and on the basis of the appended figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which: - [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a view in space of a passenger compartment and a body of a motor vehicle according to the prior art; - [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a sectional view along II-II of the body and passenger compartment of [Fig.l], before a front impact on the left of the figure, and after a front impact on the right of the figure; - [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a side view of a safety mechanism according to a first embodiment, before a front impact on the left of the figure, and after a front impact on the right of the figure; - [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a view in space of a safety mechanism according to a second embodiment, before a front impact on the left of the figure, and after a front impact on the right of the figure; - [Fig.5] schematically illustrates a more detailed spatial view of the safety mechanism of [Fig.4] on the battery; - [Fig.6] schematically illustrates a side view of the safety mechanism of figures 4 and 5; - [Fig.7] schematically illustrates a top view of the safety mechanism of figures 4 to 6.

[0023] The invention relates to a motor vehicle of the type comprising a battery, here additional, arranged in a CV battery housing placed under the floor on the front passenger side. We can speak equivalently of a housing or foot cellar.

[0024] The vehicle is described in a reference frame in space comprising a longitudinal axis X along a direction of movement of the motor vehicle, a lateral axis Y perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, and a vertical axis Z perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and to the lateral axis Y.

[0025] The motor vehicle comprises a passenger compartment which comprises a foot receiver RP, on which the feet of the front passenger rest.

[0026] The motor vehicle further comprises a body delimiting the passenger compartment. The CV battery housing is provided under the RP foot receiver and is covered by a trim G on the passenger compartment side. Thus, the CV battery housing is not visible from the passenger compartment during normal use.

[0027] The body comprises body elements EC arranged in front of the battery housing CV with reference to the longitudinal axis X. Thus, the battery housing CV is arranged between the foot receiver RP and the body elements EC.

[0028] The motor vehicle further comprises the battery B housed in the battery housing CV.

[0029] According to the invention, the motor vehicle further comprises a safety mechanism connected to the battery or to a battery housing. The safety mechanism is configured to move the battery B towards the underside and the rear of the battery housing CV with reference to the longitudinal axis X and the vertical axis Z. The safety mechanism is triggered by an intrusion of the body elements EC into the battery housing CV.

[0030] The safety mechanism is attached to the battery and the body. It includes several connecting rods and several ball joints attached to the connecting rods.

[0031] In the first embodiment illustrated in [Fig.3], the safety mechanism comprises two connecting rods B1, B2, and two ball joints R1, R2.

[0032] The first ball joint RI is fixed to the battery or to the casing on a high and front side with reference to the longitudinal axis X and to the vertical axis Z.

[0033] The first connecting rod Bl is fixed at its first upper end, to the first ball joint RI above the battery B. The first link B1 can be oriented vertically or obliquely upwards and forwards with reference to the longitudinal axis X and the vertical axis Z. It has, for example, an angle between 5 and 20 degrees, preferably between 10 and 15 degrees relative to the vertical.

[0034] The second ball joint R2 is fixed to a second lower end of the first connecting rod Bl.

[0035] The second connecting rod B2 is fixed at its first upper end to the second ball joint. It is oriented obliquely downwards and forwards with reference to the longitudinal axis X and the vertical axis Z. It has for example an angle between 120 and 160 degrees, preferably between 130 and 140 degrees relative to the first connecting rod BL. The second connecting rod B2 comprises a second lower end embedded in the body.

[0036] In the second embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 to 7, the safety mechanism comprises three connecting rods B1 to B3, five ball joints R1 to R5, and a plate P.

[0037] The first ball joint RI is fixed to the battery or to the casing on a low and rear side with reference to the longitudinal axis X and to the vertical axis Z.

[0038] The first connecting rod B1 is fixed at its first end to the first ball joint RL. It is oriented obliquely upwards and forwards with reference to the longitudinal axis X and the vertical axis Z. It has, for example, an angle between 5 and 20 degrees, preferably between 10 and 15 degrees relative to the horizontal.

[0039] Preferably, the first end of the first connecting rod B1 has a bent portion oriented horizontally or obliquely upwards and backwards with reference to the longitudinal axis X and the vertical axis Z.

[0040] The second ball joint R2 is fixed to a second end of the first connecting rod BL

[0041] The second connecting rod B2 is fixed at its first lower end to the second ball joint R2. It is oriented at least upwards with reference to the vertical axis Z. It has for example an angle between 120 and 160 degrees, preferably between 130 and 140 degrees relative to the first connecting rod B1. It comprises a second upper end fixed to the plate P.

[0042] The third ball joint R3 is fixed to the second end of the second connecting rod B2. This is the point of attachment to the plate P.

[0043] The fourth ball joint R4 is fixed to the first connecting rod Bl between the first ball joint RI and the second ball joint R2.

[0044] The third connecting rod B 3 is fixed at its first end to the fourth ball joint R4. It is oriented at least upwards with reference to the vertical axis Z. Similarly, it has for example an angle between 120 and 160 degrees, preferably between 130 and 140 degrees with respect to the first connecting rod B1. It comprises a second end high fixed to the P plate.

[0045] The fifth ball joint R5 is fixed to the second end of the third connecting rod B3. This is the point of attachment to the plate P.

[0046] The plate P is arranged in a lateral plane perpendicular to the lateral axis Y. It is secured to the body.

[0047] The mechanisms can be arranged laterally on either side of the battery.

[0048] Fl in [Fig.7] illustrates the attachment of the mechanism to the battery, and F2, to the body.

[0049] Regarding the triggering of the mechanism, the intrusion of the body elements EC, for example due to a frontal impact, causes the battery B and the mechanism to move the battery relative to the body downwards and backwards.

Claims

Claims

1. Motor vehicle in a spatial reference frame comprising a longitudinal axis (X) along a direction of movement of the motor vehicle; a lateral axis (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X), and a vertical axis (Z) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X) and to the lateral axis (Y), the motor vehicle comprising: - a passenger compartment which includes a foot receiver (RP); - a body delimiting the passenger compartment, comprising a battery housing (CV) arranged at the level of the foot receiver (RP), and body elements (EC) arranged in front of the battery housing (CV) with reference to the longitudinal axis, the battery housing being covered by a trim (G) on the passenger compartment side; - a battery (B) housed in the battery housing (CV), characterized in that the motor vehicle further comprises a safety mechanism comprising connecting rods (Bl, B2, B3) and ball joints (RI, R2, R3) fixed to the connecting rods (Bl, B2, B3), the safety mechanism being connected to the battery or to a battery casing, configured to move the battery towards the bottom and rear of the battery housing (CV) with reference to the longitudinal axis (X) and the vertical axis (Z), the safety mechanism being triggered by an intrusion of the body elements (EC) into the battery housing (CV).

2. Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the safety mechanism comprises: - a first ball joint (RI) fixed to the battery or to the casing on a high and front side with reference to the longitudinal axis (X) and to the vertical axis (Z); - a first connecting rod (Bl) fixed at its first end to the first ball joint (RI), the first connecting rod (Bl) being oriented vertically or obliquely upwards and forwards with reference to the longitudinal axis (X) and the vertical axis (Z); - a second ball joint (R2) fixed to a second end of the first connecting rod (Bl); - a second connecting rod (B2) fixed at its first end to the second ball joint, the second connecting rod (B2) being oriented obliquely downwards and forwards with reference to the longitudinal axis (X) and the vertical axis (Z), and comprising a second end embedded in the body.

3. Motor vehicle according to claim 2, comprising two safety mechanisms arranged laterally to the battery with reference to the lateral axis (Y).

4. Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the safety mechanism comprises: - a first ball joint (RI) fixed to the battery or to the casing on a low and rear side with reference to the longitudinal axis (X) and to the vertical axis (Z); - a first connecting rod (Bl) fixed at its first end to the first ball joint (RI), the first connecting rod (Bl) being oriented obliquely upwards and forwards with reference to the longitudinal axis (X) and to the vertical axis (Z); - a second ball joint (R2) fixed to a second end of the first connecting rod (Bl); - a second connecting rod (B2) fixed at its first end to the second ball joint, the second connecting rod (B2) being oriented at least upwards with reference to the vertical axis (Z), and comprising a second end fixed to a plate; - a third ball joint (R3) fixed to the second end of the second connecting rod (B2);- a fourth ball joint (R4) fixed to the first connecting rod (B1) between the first ball joint (RI) and the second ball joint (R2); - a third connecting rod (B3) fixed at its first end to the fourth ball joint (R4), the third connecting rod (B3) being oriented at least upwards with reference to the vertical axis (Z), and comprising a second end fixed to the plate (P); - a fifth ball joint (R5) fixed to the second end of the third connecting rod (B3); - the plate (P) arranged in a lateral plane perpendicular to the lateral axis (Y), the plate being secured to the body.;

5. Motor vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the first end of the first connecting rod (Bl) has a bent portion oriented horizontally or obliquely upwards and rearwards with reference to the longitudinal axis (X) and the vertical axis (Z).

6. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 5, comprising two safety mechanisms arranged laterally to the battery with reference to the lateral axis (Y).

7. Method for securing a battery for a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it includes a securing step moving the battery (B) towards the bottom and rear of the battery housing (CV) with reference to the longitudinal axis (X) and the vertical axis (Z), in the event of a frontal impact causing intrusion of the body elements (EC) into the battery housing (CV).

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