Architecture of a fuel supply circuit for a powertrain within an engine compartment of a motor vehicle.

Abstract

Title of the invention: Architecture of a fuel supply circuit for a powertrain within an engine compartment of a motor vehicle. The present invention relates to an engine compartment (2) of a motor vehicle comprising at least one powertrain (4) for propelling said motor vehicle in motion, a structural member (6) of the motor vehicle participating in the delimitation of the engine compartment (2), a fastening device (12) for the powertrain (4) to said structural member (6) of the motor vehicle, and a fluid circuit (24) configured to supply fuel to the powertrain (4), at least a portion of the fluid circuit (24) extending through a delimited space (38) between the fastening device (12) and the powertrain (4). (Figure 2)

Description

Title of the invention: Architecture of a fuel supply circuit for a powertrain within an engine compartment of a motor vehicle.

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicle engine compartments and more particularly relates to the arrangement of a fluid supply circuit for a powertrain within such an engine compartment.

[0002] Vehicles, and in particular motor vehicles, comprise an engine compartment located at the front or rear of the vehicle, within which is housed a powertrain used to set the vehicle in motion. This powertrain comprises at least one drive motor supplied with energy to generate a drive torque used, for example, to rotate wheels of the vehicle so as to enable the latter to move. The powertrain is fixed to a body structure and in particular to side members which form structural elements of the engine compartment. For this purpose, it is known to provide a fixing element to ensure the fixing of the powertrain to said side members.

[0003] Commonly the powertrain may comprise a heat engine supplied with fuel by a fluid circuit extending from a tank, generally placed outside the engine compartment, to said heat engine.

[0004] This fluid circuit conventionally circulates along at least one of said side members of the motor vehicle to the powertrain. Thus, the fluid circuit is conventionally connected to the powertrain at a first end portion and it is fixed to a side member via another end portion. The fluid circuit also comprises a flexible intermediate portion which is exposed and which makes it possible to connect said end portions together.

[0005] However, the structure of powertrains tends to evolve, in particular by incorporating a hybrid function implemented by one or more electric motors. These new structures increase the space taken up by the powertrain within the engine compartment, which presents a risk for the fluid circuit in the event of an accident.

[0006] Indeed, the arrangement of the fluid circuit within these new powertrain structures does not comply with safety requirements, the fluid circuit presenting the risk of being crushed in the event of impact or movement of the powertrain. More specifically, the intermediate portion which is exposed is weakened because an impact can cause the powertrain to move relative to the body structure, which can cause the intermediate portion between the powertrain and the body structure to be crushed.

[0007] The present invention falls within this context and proposes to overcome at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art. The present invention proposes in particular to protect a fluid circuit connected to the powertrain in the event of movement of the powertrain relative to the body structure of the vehicle, in particular in the event of an impact.

[0008] Thus, the present invention relates to an engine compartment of a motor vehicle comprising at least one powertrain intended to set said motor vehicle in motion, a structural member of the motor vehicle participating in delimiting the engine compartment, a device for fixing the powertrain to said member of the motor vehicle and a fluid circuit configured to supply fuel to the powertrain, at least a portion of the fluid circuit extending through a space delimited between the fixing device and the powertrain.

[0009] The engine compartment forms an area in which a powertrain is housed, i.e. an area in which the equipment is arranged to generate energy so as to set the motor vehicle in motion. Within this engine compartment, the powertrain is secured to a body structure of the vehicle and more specifically to a side member of the vehicle by means of the attachment device. In other words, a side member extends across the engine compartment and a attachment device is made integral with this side member, this attachment device being further configured to support the powertrain.

[0010] To generate energy to set the motor vehicle in motion, the powertrain is supplied with fuel by a fluid circuit. In particular, the powertrain comprises at least one heat engine which is supplied with fuel by the fluid circuit.

[0011] The fluid circuit must be protected from any risk of crushing during an impact suffered by the vehicle, in order to prevent fuel from leaking and presenting a safety risk. To protect the fluid circuit, and in particular from the risk of being crushed between the side member forming the structure of the vehicle and the powertrain which moves relative to the side member in the event of an impact, at least a portion of the fluid circuit extends through a space defined between the fixing device and the powertrain. Thus, in the event of an impact, the fixing device acts as a protective hoop which prevents the fluid circuit from being compressed between the side member and the powertrain.

[0012] The space is delimited by the fixing device and the powertrain. In a substantially horizontal section plane, this space has an area whose perimeter is exclusively formed by the fixing device and the powertrain.

[0013] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the fixing device comprises at least one holding means configured to hold the fluid circuit integral with the fixing device.

[0014] The holding means makes it possible to keep the fluid circuit secured to the fixing device and to control the movements of the circuit relative to the environment, the clearances being extremely reduced in this zone. More specifically, by making the fluid circuit secured to the fixing device and by controlling its movements, it is ensured that in the event of an impact the fluid circuit remains well protected by the fixing device.

[0015] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the holding means is formed of a lyre in which an element of the fluid circuit is housed. The element of the fluid circuit being housed in the holding means can form a local excess thickness of the pipe forming the fluid circuit or a sheath arranged around the pipe and located in the zone intended to cooperate with the holding means. It is understood that the lyre is a rigid element with an orifice for receiving the element of the fluid circuit, this element having to be deformed to penetrate into the receiving orifice via a narrow slot. The presence of a local excess thickness or a sheath makes it possible to achieve this deformation of the element without reducing the fluid passage section within the circuit.Of course, it could be provided without departing from the context of the invention that this element of the fluid circuit is formed by a conduit of the fluid circuit without an excess thickness or sheath being provided, the fluid passage section being able to be locally reduced at the level of the lyre.

[0016] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the holding means is formed of a clip engaging on the fluid circuit. In this embodiment, it is the holding means, which is produced separately and then attached to the fixing device, which deforms elastically to engage around the fluid circuit.

[0017] According to an optional feature of the invention, the fluid circuit is formed of at least one flexible element within which a fluid is capable of circulating. It is understood that the fluid circuit is a loop that is at least partly flexible, that is to say a fluid circuit capable of deforming to accompany the movement of one of the components that it connects relative to the other of the components that it connects. This is particularly necessary here to accompany the micro-movements of the powertrain relative to the structure of the vehicle when the latter is moving, and to accompany the movements of the powertrain in the event of an impact. In this respect, the fluid circuit of the invention differs from a fluid circuit rigid formed for example by aluminum tubes.

[0018] According to an optional feature of the invention, the fixing device comprises at least two branches, each of said branches being secured to the powertrain, the space through which the fluid circuit extends being delimited by at least the two branches of the fixing device and the powertrain. In other words, the space is strictly bordered by the branches of the fixing device and by the powertrain. These branches are each connected to a base of the fixing device which is made integral with the side member of the vehicle.

[0019] According to an optional feature of the invention, the fixing device is configured to allow a pendulum suspension of the powertrain. This pendulum suspension of the powertrain allows the latter to move slightly within the engine compartment. In particular, the powertrain is suspended from the side member via the fixing device, since the fixing device serves as an intermediary between the side member and the powertrain and the fixing device is engaged on the powertrain at an upper face of the latter.

[0020] According to an optional feature of the invention, the powertrain comprises a timing chain arranged on the same side of the powertrain as said fixing device. This timing chain makes it possible to limit interventions on the powertrain compared to a timing belt. Thus, such an arrangement of the fluid circuit through the space between the fixing device and the powertrain is less troublesome for the maintenance of the powertrain.

[0021] According to an optional feature of the invention, the fluid circuit comprises at least a first circulation channel in which a fluid in the liquid state circulates and a second circulation channel in which a fluid in the gaseous state circulates, the first circulation channel and the second circulation channel each extending between the fixing device and the powertrain. The fluid circuit is capable of transporting a fuel, such as gasoline, in liquid form from a tank located outside the engine compartment to the powertrain by means of the first circulation channel. In addition, this fluid circuit is capable of directing the exhaust gases resulting from the operation of the powertrain to an exhaust line by means of the second circulation channel.

[0022] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the fluid circuit comprises a first portion intended to be made integral with said side member of the motor vehicle and a second portion integral with the powertrain, the fluid circuit comprising an intermediate portion extending between the first portion and the second portion, said intermediate portion of the fluid circuit extending through the space delimited between the fixing device and the powertrain.

[0023] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such an engine compartment.

[0024] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0025] [Fig-1] represents a general view of an engine compartment of a vehicle at car in which a powertrain is housed, a fluid circuit supplying the powertrain comprising, in accordance with the invention, a part which extends between the powertrain and a fixing support secured to a side member;

[0026] [Fig.2] represents a stripped-down view of [Fig.l], with the powertrain, the spar and the fixing device interposed between these two elements, making it possible to highlight the fixing of the fluid circuit intended to at least supply the powertrain with fuel and the passage of part of this circuit between the fixing device and the powertrain;

[0027] [Fig.3] represents another general view of the engine compartment of [Fig.l], from a perspective angle making it possible to highlight the passage of the fluid circuit through a space delimited by the fixing device making it possible to secure the powertrain to the motor vehicle and the powertrain;

[0028] [Fig.4] represents a detailed view of the fixing device visible in figures 1 to 3 according to an embodiment of the invention on which a holding means is produced making it possible to connect the fluid circuit to the fixing device.

[0029] The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the art.

[0030] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0031] In the detailed description which follows, the terms “longitudinal”, “transverse” and “vertical” refer to the orientation of the engine compartment according to the invention. A longitudinal direction corresponds to a direction of advance of a motor vehicle comprising the engine compartment, this longitudinal direction tudinal being parallel to a longitudinal axis L of a reference L, V, T illustrated in the figures. A transverse direction corresponds to a direction perpendicular, in a plane parallel to the road on which the motor vehicle is traveling, to the direction of advance of the motor vehicle including the engine compartment, this transverse direction being parallel to a transverse axis T of the reference L, V, T and this transverse axis T being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, a vertical direction corresponds to a direction parallel to a vertical axis V of the reference L, V, T, this vertical axis V being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and to the transverse axis T.

[0032] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate an engine compartment 2 of a motor vehicle in which a powertrain 4 is housed. The engine compartment 2 is, as seen more particularly in [Fig.l], delimited transversely on each side by a side member 6. These side members 6 each form a structural element of the motor vehicle which extends longitudinally along the vehicle.

[0033] More specifically, these side members 6 extend, at the level of the engine compartment 2, between an apron 8 and a front bumper cross member 10. The apron 8 is formed from a sheet extending in a main vertical and transverse elongation plane, that is to say parallel to the axes V and T, separating the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle and the engine compartment 2. The front bumper cross member 10 forms a rigid element extending in a main transverse elongation direction and intended to stiffen the structure of the motor vehicle.

[0034] It is understood from the above that the engine compartment is defined by a substantially parallelepiped internal volume delimited by two side members 6, the apron 8 and the front bumper bar 10. The powertrain 4 is housed at least partly in this internal volume of the engine compartment 2.

[0035] In the embodiment shown, the motor vehicle is a hybrid vehicle. For this purpose, the powertrain 4 comprises at least one thermal engine and at least one electric motor, these motors participating alone or together in setting the motor vehicle in motion. It should be noted that if the application of the invention is particularly advantageous in a motor vehicle equipped with a hybrid engine, in particular due to the specific size of the front compartment which results therefrom, it could also be advantageous in vehicles having other types of engine.

[0036] The powertrain 4 is fixed to the motor vehicle by means of at least one fixing device 12 which consists of an intermediate part arranged between one of the side members 6 and the powertrain 4. This fixing device 12 is in particular configured to allow a pendulum suspension of the powertrain 4, with a grip of the fixing device 12 on the powertrain 4 from above this powertrain.

[0037] The fixing device 12 comprises, as particularly visible in [Fig. 4], a base 14 intended to be secured to a spar 6 and at least two branches 16 whose free ends are intended to support the powertrain. More particularly, each free end of a branch 16 comprises an eyelet 18 through which a screw 20 cooperating with a corresponding bore formed in the powertrain 4 is able to extend.

[0038] It should be noted that in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the base 14 is surrounded by an anti-vibration member 22 making it possible in particular to limit the potential friction between the powertrain 4 and the spar 6 as well as the noises linked to this friction. Of course, this anti-vibration member 22 is not limiting of the invention and the fixing device 12 could be devoid of this anti-vibration member 22.

[0039] The powertrain 4 comprises, as mentioned above, at least one heat engine. This heat engine is supplied with fuel to enable its operation. To supply this heat engine with fuel, the powertrain 4 comprises a fluid circuit 24 formed of at least one circulation channel. In order to accompany the micro-movements of the powertrain 4 suspended by the fixing device 12 and to form a dynamic assembly, the circulation channel(s) of the fluid circuit 24 are formed of a flexible element, within which the fluid is capable of circulating from or to the powertrain 4.

[0040] Here, the fuel circuit comprises a first circulation channel 26 and a second circulation channel 28. The first circulation channel 26 is intended to circulate a fluid in the liquid state, and more particularly a fuel such as for example gasoline, from a fuel tank of the motor vehicle to the powertrain 4. The second circulation channel 28 is intended to circulate a fluid in the gaseous state, such as the exhaust gases of the thermal engine, from the powertrain 4 to an exhaust line of the motor vehicle. In this context, it is visible in the figures, and in particular in [Fig. 4], that the first circulation channel 26 has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the second circulation channel 28.

[0041] At the engine compartment 2, the first circulation channel 26 and the second circulation channel 28 are connected to each other so that these channels 26, 28 follow the same path. A point of divergence between the first circulation channel 26 and the second circulation channel 28 is made outside the engine compartment 2 to allow, on the one hand, the first circulation channel 26 to reach said tank of the motor vehicle and, on the other hand, the second circulation channel 28 to reach said exhaust line of the motor vehicle.

[0042] The fluid circuit 24, that is to say the first circulation channel 26 and the second circulation channel 28, is linked to a spar 6 by a retaining device 30, visible in more detail in [Fig.2], and more specifically to the spar 6 on which the fixing device 12 is fixed. This retaining device 30 comprises, by way of illustrative and non-limiting example of the invention, a first elastic clip capable of gripping the first circulation channel 26, a second elastic clip capable of gripping the second circulation channel 28 and a fixing means, common or specific to each clip, making it possible to maintain the retaining device on the spar 6.

[0043] It is understood from the above that the fluid circuit 24 and the fixing device 12 are integral with the same side member 6 participating in delimiting the engine compartment 2. More specifically, the fluid circuit 24 is made integral with the side member 6 by the retaining device 30 in accordance with what was mentioned previously at the level of a first portion 34 of the fluid circuit 24, which extends along the side member 6 from the bulkhead 8. Conversely, the fluid circuit 24 has a second portion 36 which is made integral with the powertrain 4 by a holding device 31, this second portion 36 being connected to connection orifices of the powertrain and where appropriate to a pump.

[0044] According to the invention, the fluid circuit 24 is configured so that it passes between the fixing device and the powertrain 4 in order to be protected by the structure of the fixing device. More particularly, a portion of the fluid circuit 24 extends through a space 38 delimited by the fixing device 12 and the powertrain 4. This characteristic of the invention makes it possible, in the event of an impact, and also during micro-displacements of the powertrain 4 due to its pendulum suspension, not to constrain the fluid circuit 24 either by pinching or by crushing the latter between the side member 6 and the powertrain 4.

[0045] More particularly, the space 38 is delimited by two branches 16 of the fixing device 12 and by a face of the powertrain 4 arranged opposite the base of the fixing device 12. In this way, the fixing device 12 and these two branches 16 form a safety hoop protecting the portion of the fluid circuit 24 passing through this space 38. In connection with what has been described previously with regard to the first portion 34 and the second portion 36 of the fluid circuit 24, the part of the fluid circuit 24 extending into the space 38 delimited by the powertrain 4 and the fixing device 12 is an intermediate part extending between the first portion 34 and the second portion 36.

[0046] The space 38 must be understood according to the invention as an area of ​​the engine compartment arranged, in a longitudinal and transverse plane, that is to say a plane substantially parallel to the road on which the vehicle equipped with the invention, between the powertrain 4 and the fixing device 12, and in particular between the powertrain and the base 14 of the fixing device.

[0047] The face of the powertrain opposite the fixing device 12, which helps to delimit the space 38, is equipped with a timing chain. It is advantageous, without however being limiting of the invention, for the powertrain to be equipped with a timing chain rather than a belt, in order to limit the mechanical interventions to be planned for the maintenance of the powertrain in this congested area according to the invention of the fluid circuit.

[0048] [Fig. 4] illustrates a detailed view of the fixing device 12. As visible in [Fig. 4], the fixing device 12 comprises, at a face facing the powertrain 4, a holding means 40. This holding means 40 forms, in the embodiment shown, a lyre comprising two housings. Each of the first circulation channel 26 and second circulation channel 28 is arranged in engagement in one of said housings. It is understood that each circulation channel 26, 28 is arranged in a separate housing, open in the direction of the powertrain with a slot of a dimension smaller than the diameter of the circulation channel intended to be positioned in the corresponding housing. It should be noted that the holding means 40 is considered to be a lyre insofar as the rigidity of the holding means 40 is such that the housings are not very deformable.As a non-limiting example of the invention, the lyre may be formed in one piece with the base and the branches of the fixing device. Therefore, to position the first circulation channel 26 and the second circulation channel 28 in the holding means 40, it is the channels which are deformed. The channels may have a local excess thickness for this purpose, in order to be able to both ensure the deformation necessary for taking up position in the lyre and ensure continuity in the fluid passage section within the channel.

[0049] The holding means has the effect of separating the circulation channels from the face of the powertrain participating in defining the space 38, in particular to limit potential interactions with the distribution chain.

[0050] Of course, it should be noted that the holding means 40 can be formed by other elements such as an elastic clip provided that these elements make it possible to make the fluid circuit 24 integral with the fixing device 12.

[0051] Thus the present invention achieves the aim it set itself by proposing an arrangement of a fluid circuit for a powertrain within an engine compartment making it possible to reduce the risk of crushing and / or pinching of said fluid circuit in the event, for example, of an impact suffered by the vehicle which involves a significant displacement of the powertrain relative to the body structure of the vehicle. This reduction in risk is obtained by an arrangement of a part of the fluid circuit through a space delimited between a device for fixing the powertrain and said powertrain.

[0052] The present invention cannot, however, be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here and it also extends to any equivalent means and configuration as well as to any technically effective combination of such means.

Claims

Claims

1. Engine compartment (2) of a motor vehicle comprising at least one powertrain (4) intended to drive said motor vehicle in motion, a structural member (6) of the motor vehicle participating in delimiting the engine compartment (2), a device (12) for fixing the powertrain (4) to said member (6) of the motor vehicle and a fluid circuit (24) configured to supply fuel to the powertrain (4), at least a portion of the fluid circuit (24) extending through a space (38) delimited between the fixing device (12) and the powertrain

2. Engine compartment (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the fixing device (12) comprises at least one holding means (40) configured to hold the fluid circuit (24) integral with the fixing device (12).

3. Engine compartment (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the holding means (40) is formed of a lyre in which an element of the fluid circuit (24) is housed.

4. Engine compartment (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the fluid circuit (24) is formed of at least one flexible element within which a fluid is capable of circulating.

5. Engine compartment (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing device (12) comprises at least two branches (16), each of said branches (16) being secured to the powertrain (4), the space through which the fluid circuit (24) extends being delimited by at least the two branches (16) of the fixing device (12) and the powertrain (4).

6. Engine compartment (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing device (12) is configured to allow pendulum suspension of the powertrain (4).

7. An engine compartment (2) according to any preceding claim, wherein the powertrain (4) comprises a timing chain disposed on the same side of the powertrain (4) as said securing device (12).

8. Engine compartment (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the fluid circuit (24) comprises at least one first circulation channel (26) in which a fluid circulates in the liquid and a second circulation channel (28) in which a fluid in the gaseous state circulates, the first circulation channel (26) and the second circulation channel (28) each extending between the fixing device (12) and the powertrain (4).

9. Engine compartment (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid circuit (24) comprises a first portion (34) intended to be made integral with said side member (6) of the motor vehicle and a second portion (36) integral with the powertrain (4), the fluid circuit (24) comprising an intermediate portion extending between the first portion (34) and the second portion (36), said intermediate portion of the fluid circuit (24) extending through the space (38) delimited between the fixing device (12) and the powertrain (4).

10. A motor vehicle comprising an engine compartment (2) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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