auxiliary battery system

Abstract

A service battery system (1) comprising a battery assembly (1) including: - a base (2), - the service battery (1), including a base (3) attached to the base (2), and including a first face (F1) opposite the base (3) and having a first and second electrical connection terminals (B1, B2), as well as a second face (F2) orthogonal to the base (3) and to the first face (F1), - a metal piece (4, 5) attached to the base (2) and / or the battery (1), opposite one of the other faces of the battery (1), and electrically connected to the first terminal (B1), this service battery system further comprising: - a thermal protection screen (6) extending in a plane parallel to the second face (F2), and including a means of attachment (M1) to the battery assembly, characterized in that the thermal screen (6) includes a protrusion (7) extending orthogonally to the parallel plane and covering the metal piece (4, 5).Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: service battery system

[0001] The present invention relates to a service battery system suitable for storing electrical energy, in particular for a motor vehicle.

[0002] Such a system is well known to those skilled in the art. This service battery comprises two electrical connection terminals, a first terminal of which, for example the so-called negative terminal, is electrically connected to the ground of the vehicle, i.e. to the bodywork. A potential then appears between: - each metal part in electrical connection with the vehicle's ground, and - the second terminal, at positive potential, of the service battery.

[0003] Electrical connectors, which are for example configured to be easily connected to these terminals, are for example so-called quick connectors, not requiring tools to be connected or disconnected. These quick connectors are also well known to those skilled in the art.

[0004] To electrically isolate this service battery, for example for a maintenance intervention without power, in particular a replacement of this service battery, it is known to first disconnect the first terminal, that is to say the ground, so as to cut off any potential between the positive terminal and the surrounding metal parts.Unfortunately, this electrical isolation can be carried out by a person unaware of this procedure and in this case, disconnecting the second terminal first can create a short circuit, even without using metal tools such as for example to unscrew a tightening screw of the connector: for example, it is enough for the connector of the second terminal, quick or not, to be disconnected first and replaced next to the second terminal while remaining in electrical contact with this second terminal, to create a conductive bridge between this second terminal and a surrounding metal part connected to ground, in particular casings, thus creating a short circuit.

[0005] It should be noted that, throughout the text of this document, a distinction will be made between "electrically connected" and "in electrical contact": Connected implicitly implies that a connector is connected to a connection terminal in its service position and in a locked state, for example clamped on the terminal, whereas "in electrical contact" implicitly implies fleeting contact with the terminal due to the connector not being connected to the terminal.

[0006] The aim of the invention is to remedy this problem by proposing a new service battery system.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a service battery system comprising a battery assembly comprising: - a base, - the service battery, in particular of parallelepiped shape, comprising a base secured to the base, and comprising a first face opposite the base and having a first and second electrical connection terminals, as well as a second face orthogonal to the base and to the first face, - a metal part secured to the base and / or the battery, opposite one of the other faces of the battery, and in electrical connection with the first terminal, this service battery system further comprising: - a thermal protection screen extending along a plane parallel to the second face, and comprising a means of attachment to the battery assembly, the thermal screen comprising a protrusion extending orthogonally to the parallel plane and covering the metal part.

[0008] Thus this protuberance will act as an obstacle to any moving metal part, in particular an obstacle to unconnected connectors or metal tools as previously presented: even if this moving metal part is in electrical contact with the second terminal, it cannot be in contact at the same time with the (non-moving) metal part, thus avoiding any short circuit.

[0009] In the context of this invention, a metal part secured to the base and / or the battery, opposite one of the other faces of the battery, means that the metal part is at a distance from the second terminal such that a short circuit is potentially possible between the second terminal and the metal part. For example, this distance is less than or equal to the length of a metal key intended to loosen an electrical connector of the second terminal. This distance is, for example, less than or equal to a length of this electrical connector. More precisely, this distance is, for example, less than 200 mm, in particular 150 mm or even 50 mm. For example, this distance is between 50 mm and 10 mm.

[0010] This protuberance is for example made of an uncoated conductive material, care will then be taken that it is not connected to the potential of the first terminal and / or distant from the metal part so that the movable metal part cannot pass between the metal part and the protuberance. But this protuberance can also be coated with an insulating layer, such as for example a paint or a plasticized layer.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, this protuberance is electrically insulating. For example, this protuberance is made of insulating material, by a plastic injection process.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, this protrusion has the shape of a plate further covering a part of the first face, which makes it possible to better insulate the metal part from the disconnected connector.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the plate surrounds the second terminal by its thickness.

[0014] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the plate further covers the second terminal.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, this protrusion comprising one of the thermal protection screen to the battery assembly, in particular at an end opposite the base of the protrusion. In particular, this fixing device is arranged at the free end of the protrusion, making it possible to form a triangularization of the fixing of the thermal protection screen in combination with the fixing means. Thus the thermal protection screen is better maintained.

[0016] It will be noted that this fixing device fixes the protuberance on the metal part which may comprise a support, this support supporting the metal part by being fixed to the metal part on the one hand, and fixed to the base and / or the battery on the other hand. This support may be conductive and connected to the potential of the first terminal, it will then also advantageously be covered by the protuberance and will be considered as a part of the metal part.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the metal part forms a metal case housing electrical components, in particular an aluminum alloy case.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the metal housing and the electrical components form a computer. But in a variant the metal housing and the electrical components form, for example, a current converter, an inverter, or any electrotechnical device.

[0019] This calculator comprises, for example, means of acquisition, processing by software instructions stored in a memory as well as the control means required for implementing a method of managing the electrical energy stored in the service battery.

[0020] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an electrical harness, for example very low voltage, in particular between 12 and 24V, and a battery system as previously described, the harness comprising a first electrical connector suitable for being connected to the first terminal, and a second electrical connector suitable for being connected to the second terminal, the electrical harness limiting the movement of the second connector if it is not connected, relative to the battery system, and the protrusion covering the metal part so that the second connector cannot be in electrical contact, if it is not connected, with both the metal part and the second terminal.

[0021] The electrical harness comprises a flexible electrical conductor, for example the conductive core of which is made up of several wires, this conductor being connected to a first end to the second connector on the one hand, and connected at a second end to a fixed electrical load relative to the metal part on the other hand. Thus the electrical conductor limits the movement of the second connector if it is not connected, this movement being at least limited to a sphere whose radius is formed by the electrical conductor. Thus, the protrusion may not entirely cover the metal part, but only the part of the metal part accessible by the second connector. This protrusion may however be extended beyond this limit to move the fixing device as far away as possible from the second face so as to improve the effectiveness of the triangularization previously introduced.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second connector comprises a lever system and a clamp configured to clamp the second terminal if the lever system is actuated by an operator.

[0023] Throughout the text of this document, the term "service battery" will be understood to mean an assembly comprising at least one battery module containing at least one electrochemical cell, the service battery being considered equivalent to at least one module. This battery is generally a battery having an off-load operating voltage of between 12 and 24V, but this is not mandatory, this battery being able to comprise a voltage or current converter. This battery possibly comprises electrical or electronic means for managing the electrical energy of this at least one module. This service battery may comprise several modules, grouped in a casing. This service battery is intended to power computers or actuators or safety systems of a motor vehicle, and is for example the battery of a vehicle whose drive is provided only by an internal combustion engine.For an electric or hybrid vehicle, comprising an electric prime mover and a traction battery powering this electric prime mover, the service battery does not power the electric prime mover of the motor vehicle because its electrical energy storage capacity is less than that of the traction battery.

[0024] Furthermore, the term electrochemical cell will be understood throughout the text of this document to mean cells generating current by chemical reaction, for example of the lithium-ion (or Li-ion) type, of the Ni-Mh, or Ni-Cd or even lead type.

[0025] Other features and advantages will appear on reading the following description of a particular, non-limiting embodiment of the invention, given with reference to Figures 1 to 4 in which:

[0026] [Fig-1]: represents an overall perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the service battery system according to the invention.

[0027] [Fig.2]: represents a metal part according to the invention, or a part of a part metallic according to the invention, in particular a support.

[0028] [Fig.3]: represents a thermal protection screen according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0029] [Fig.4]: as for [Fig.l], represents an overall perspective view of the example embodiment of the service battery system according to the invention, but from a different angle.

[0030] In the following, reference is made to all figures taken in combination. When reference is made to one or more specific figures, these figures are to be taken in combination with the other figures for the recognition of the designated numerical references.

[0031] These figures 1 to 4 represent a service battery system 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. This service battery system 1 comprises a battery assembly 1 comprising: - a base 2, - the service battery 1, comprising a base 3 secured to the base 2, and comprising a first face F1 opposite the base 3 and having a first and second electrical connection terminals B1, B2, as well as a second face F2 orthogonal to the base 3 and to the first face F1, - a metal part 4, 5 secured to the base 2 and / or the battery 1, opposite one of the other faces of the battery 1, and in electrical connection with the first terminal Bl, this service battery system further comprising: - a thermal protection screen 6 extending along a plane parallel to the second face F2, and comprising a means of attachment M1, M2 to the battery assembly.

[0032] For an application in the field of motor vehicles, the base 2 is for example screwed or welded to a chassis or a body of the vehicle, and the first terminal B1 is connected to ground, that is to say to this chassis or this body. The metal part 4, 5 is in electrical connection with the first terminal B1, that is to say to this ground and therefore to the chassis or body. This connection is for example made by means 51, 52, 53 of fixing the metal part 4, 5 to the base 2, either by being directly fixed to the base, or indirectly by being fixed to the chassis or body, or a combination of the two. It will be noted that the figures illustrate a metal part 4 in the form of a housing, this housing being fixed to the base 2 and / or to the battery 1 by means of a support 4 which is for example also metallic.But as a variant or in combination, this connection of the metal part 4, 5 to the ground can also be made via a metal braid or an electric cable. The essential thing for the invention is that the metal part 4, 5, is in electrical connection with the first terminal Bl, here the ground.

[0033] The base 3 is fixed to the base 2 by means known to those skilled in the art. For example and as illustrated, the base 3 comprises a heel peripheral to the battery 1, against which heel come to bear the fallen edges of the bases 2 and the clamping means, or any other fixing means.

[0034] The thermal protection screen 6 comprises the means M1, M2 for fixing to the battery assembly. This means M1, M2 is in this example double: a first means M1 is a clip intended to be clipped onto an air intake neck of a thermal combustion engine of the vehicle, a second means M2 is also a clip intended to be clipped onto any support of the vehicle. It is of course possible to envisage clipping directly onto the base, or additional fixing means. But these fixing means M1, M2, are in the same plane, or even aligned, which does not make this fixing robust and as we will see below, the invention will advantageously use a protuberance 7 to overcome this drawback.

[0035] The protective heat shield 6 protects the battery 1, but also the metal part 4, 5 from a heat source of the vehicle. This heat source comes for example from the internal combustion engine, and in particular from the constituent parts of an exhaust line for the burnt gases of this internal combustion engine, in particular from the exhaust manifold.

[0036] It will be noted that this thermal protection screen 6 comprises a flexible lip 6a, for example made of elastomer. This flexible lip 6a is for example clipped onto the screen 6, or produced in a plastic material bi-injection operation suitable for producing the entire screen 6 in a single piece. This flexible lip 6a is for example configured to bear against an internal face of a compartment cover of the internal combustion engine if this cover is in the closed position, so as to prevent the passage of an unwanted hot air current onto the battery 1

[0037] According to the invention, the heat shield 6 comprises the protuberance 7 extending orthogonally to the parallel plane and covering the metal part 4, 5.

[0038] This protuberance 7 has for example a plate shape further covering a part of the first face FL

[0039] For example, the plate surrounds the second terminal B2 by its thickness 8, partially or entirely. This thickness 8 is only identified in [Fig. 4], [Fig. 4] not representing this example. However, it can be specified that this thickness 8 forms an edge 8 comprising an arc of a circle which surrounds a part of the second terminal B2, in particular if this second terminal B2 is cylindrical or conical in shape. Still for this same example of second terminal B2, the plate comprises a hole crossed by the second terminal B2. These two examples allow easy access to the second terminal B2, for an electrical connector 9, while ensuring insulation complete electrical connection between this connector 9 or a metal tool for this connector 9 and the metal part 4, 5. For example, there will be a distance of a few millimeters, in particular between 2 and 10 mm, between the edge 8 or the circumference of the hole and the second terminal 2, preventing any insertion of the connector 9 or the tool between the terminal 2 and the protrusion 7, or between the battery 1 and the protrusion 7.

[0040] As a variant, not shown, the plate also covers the second terminal B2. This arrangement makes it possible to prevent the connector 9 from coming out of a space reserved for the service battery 1. Thus the connector 9 cannot reach the metal part 4, 5.

[0041] This protuberance 7 comprises for example a device D1, D2 for fixing the thermal protection screen 6 to the battery assembly 1.

[0042] As already explained, in the illustrated example, this metal part 4, 5 actually comprises two parts: the metal casing 4, fixed to a metal support 5. This fixing does not present any difficulty for those skilled in the art: screws, clips, collar, etc. The fixing device D1, D2 is here double and has a first device D1 in the form of an “omega” made from the material of the protuberance 7, and configured to clip onto the casing 4 and in particular onto a screw head or stud for fixing the casing 4 to the support 5. The second fixing device D2 is a hole formed in the material of the protuberance 7, this hole being crossed by a stud from the support 5. This fixing device D1, D2 allows triangularization of the fixing of the thermal protection screen 6, and therefore better resistance of this screen to vibrations, for example.

[0043] This protuberance 7 is for example electrically insulating. Thus this protuberance 7, like the entire thermal protection screen 6, is made of an electrically insulating material, for example plastic.

[0044] But as previously explained, this protuberance 7 is for example made of an uncoated conductive material, care will then be taken that it is not connected to the potential of the first terminal B1 and / or distant from the metal part 4, 5. But this protuberance 7 can also be coated with an insulating layer, such as for example a paint or a plasticized layer.

[0045] The illustrated metal part 4, 5 forms a metal case 4 housing electrical components.

[0046] This metal housing 4 and the electrical components form, for example, a vehicle computer.

[0047] As already announced, this invention advantageously applies to a motor vehicle comprising an electrical harness, and a battery system as previously described, the harness 9, 10 comprising a first electrical connector 10 suitable for being connected to the first terminal B1, and the second electrical connector 9 suitable for being connected to the second terminal B2, the electrical harness limiting the placement of the second connector 9 if it is not connected, relative to the battery system, and the protrusion 7 covering the metal part 4, 5 so that the second connector 9 cannot be in electrical contact, if it is not connected, with both the metal part 4, 5 and the second terminal B2.

[0048] As already explained, this electrical harness 9, 10 comprises a flexible electrical conductor, for example whose conductive core is made up of several wires, this conductor being connected at a first end to the second connector 9 on the one hand, and connected at a second end to an electrical load fixed relative to the metal part 4, 5 on the other hand. This electrical load is arbitrary, can consume current discharging the battery 1 as well as generate current recharging the battery 1. This electrical load is for example an alternator, starter, computer, electric power steering, electric brake, voltage converter, this list not being exhaustive.In fact, this electrical conductor is, for example, a conductor common to several electrical loads of the vehicle operating under the voltage of the battery 1, known as very low voltage, so that the first end of this conductor can also be connected to a junction box or fuse box. Thus, the electrical conductor limits the movement of the second connector if it is not connected, because its first end is fixed relative to the metal part 4, 5. This movement is at least limited to a sphere whose radius is formed by the electrical conductor. Thus, the protuberance 7 may not entirely cover the metal part, but only the part of the metal part accessible by the second connector 9.This protrusion 7 may however be extended beyond this limit to move the fixing device D1, D2 as far away as possible from the second face F2 so as to improve the effectiveness of the triangularization previously introduced.

[0049] Of course, improved protection against short circuits can be envisaged if the plate of the protrusion 7 covers the metal part 4, 5 over a larger surface area than that required for the second connector 9, in particular if this connector 9 requires the key to be disassembled or reassembled, this metal key being able to make an electrical bridge between this second terminal B2 and the metal part 4, 5.

[0050] This second connector 9 comprises for example a lever system and a clamp configured to clamp the second terminal B2 if the lever system is actuated by an operator. This type of connector 9 is well known to those skilled in the art. This type of connector 9 has the advantage of not requiring a disassembly key, and therefore limits the risks of short circuits but does not eliminate them. In this case, the invention presented advantageously complements this type of connector 2 and completely eliminates the risks of short circuits, and as previously explained can also be easily adapted to eliminate any risk of short circuit even if the key is required.

[0051] This vehicle comprises the internal combustion engine, and in particular the constituent parts of an exhaust line for the burnt gases of this internal combustion engine, in particular the exhaust manifold, which are then thermally insulated from the battery 1 by the thermal protection screen 6. This vehicle may also be a hybrid propulsion vehicle: for example, the combustion engine drives a set of front wheels, while an electric motor drives a set of rear wheels. Another variant of this hybrid vehicle is, for example, an electric motor integrated into the combustion engine, or integrated into a gearbox of the combustion engine with operation in series or in parallel. But the heat source is not necessarily a thermal combustion engine.For example, this vehicle is a purely electric propulsion vehicle, the heat source being an inverter, the electric driving machine, or the traction battery supplying the electric driving machine, or a voltage converter, or even an on-board charger capable of recharging the traction battery if it is connected to a land-based electricity network, for example via a charging cable and a charging terminal on this land-based electricity network.

Claims

Claims

1. service battery system (1) comprising a battery assembly (1) comprising: - a base (2), - the service battery (1), comprising a base (3) secured to the base (2), and comprising a first face (Fl) opposite the base (3) and having a first and second electrical connection terminals (Bl, B2), as well as a second face (F2) orthogonal to the base (3) and to the first face (Fl), - a metal part (4, 5) secured to the base (2) and / or to the battery (1), opposite one of the other faces of the battery (1), and in electrical connection with the first terminal (Bl), this service battery system further comprising: - a thermal protection screen (6) extending along a plane parallel to the second face (F2), and comprising a means of attachment (Ml, M2) to the battery assembly,characterized in that the heat shield (6) comprises a protrusion (7) extending orthogonally to the parallel plane and covering the metal part (4, 5).,

2. Battery system according to claim 1, said protrusion (7) having a plate shape further covering a part of the first face (F1).

3. Battery system according to claim 2, the plate surrounding the second terminal (B2) by its thickness (8).

4. A battery system according to claim 2, the plate further covering the second terminal (B2).

5. Battery system according to one of the preceding claims, this protrusion (7) comprising a device (D1, D2) for fixing the thermal protection screen (6) to the battery assembly (1).

6. Battery system according to one of the preceding claims, this protuberance (7) being electrically insulating.

7. Battery system according to one of the preceding claims, the metal part (4, 5) forming a metal case (4) housing electrical components.

8. Battery system according to claim 7, the metal housing (4) and the electrical components forming a computer.

9. Motor vehicle comprising an electrical harness, and a system battery according to one of the preceding claims, the harness (9, 10) comprising a first electrical connector (10) suitable for being connected to the first terminal (B 1), and a second electrical connector (9) suitable for being connected to the second terminal (B2), the electrical harness limiting the movement of the second connector (9) if it is not connected, relative to the battery system, and the protrusion (7) covering the metal part (4, 5) so that the second connector (9) cannot be in electrical contact, if it is not connected, with both the metal part (4, 5) and the second terminal (B2).

10. A vehicle according to claim 9, the second connector (9) comprising a lever system and a clamp configured to clamp the second terminal (B2) if the lever system is actuated by an operator.

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