MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING AN AIR VENT OPENING INTO A PASSENGER COMPARTMENT

Abstract

Motor vehicle comprising: - a supporting structure (1) forming a passenger compartment (2), - an electric motor (3) integral with the structure (1) and positioned outside the passenger compartment (2), this motor (3) comprising a casing (4) delimiting a hermetic enclosure (5) and a means of venting (6) this enclosure (5), the means of venting (6) opening into the passenger compartment (2). Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING AN AIR VENT OPENING INTO A CABIN

[0001] Electrically powered motor vehicles comprise an electric prime mover and an electrical energy storage battery for powering the electric prime mover.

[0002] Most often this electric motor comprises an electric motor. This electric machine and / or this electric motor comprise a casing forming a hermetic enclosure enclosing components sensitive to the intrusion of pollutants. These sensitive components are for example a rotor and a stator of the electric motor. Due to the heating of the rotor and the stator during its operation, and therefore generally due to the heating of the hermetic enclosure, the air or the fluid contained in the enclosure expands and the hermetic enclosure increases in pressure and vice versa of course in the event of cooling.

[0003] To avoid excessive pressure, in particular to preserve the operation of seals or the integrity of the casing, it is known to those skilled in the art to add a means of venting this enclosure, for example an air-permeable membrane or a calibrated valve obstructing a passage made through the casing. Optionally, this venting means is moved via a pipe to an area of ​​the vehicle less exposed to the attack of pollutants, such as, for example, a wheel arch of the vehicle, or under a floor to avoid clogging this venting means when crossing a ford.

[0004] Unfortunately, the environment under the vehicle floor is always dirty or the ford too deep, and despite these precautions it still happens that the means of venting is obstructed, then causing the vehicle to break down by detecting excess pressure in the sealed enclosure.

[0005] The aim of the invention is to remedy this problem. To this end, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising: - a supporting structure forming a passenger compartment, - an electric motor integral with the structure and positioned outside the passenger compartment, this motor comprising a casing delimiting a hermetic enclosure and a means of venting this enclosure, the means of venting opening into the passenger compartment.

[0006] Throughout the text of this document, the term passenger compartment will be understood to mean a volume of air enclosed by the supporting structure, and breathed by the occupants of the vehicle or occupied by temporary loading such as luggage. For example, this volume of enclosed air is delimited by the elements of the supporting structure, in particular a body, these elements being for example the stamped sheets forming openings (side doors, trunk doors), a floor, an apron, side members, uprights, a roof, but also the glazing and seals of openings for example.

[0007] Thus the free air of the venting means is the volume of air enclosed by the supporting structure (the passenger compartment) and breathed by the occupants of the vehicle.

[0008] The supporting structure carries interior elements of the passenger compartment, for example: - seats, - a dashboard, - door linings, - upright linings, - various fillings, but also the electric motor, running gear, this list is not exhaustive of course. Thus this supporting structure is for example a self-supporting body, or for large utility vehicles a chassis in addition to the body.

[0009] The electric motor within the meaning of the invention is an electric motor which can be reversible, that is to say, be alternately a motor or a generator, for example during regenerative braking phases. But this also includes any member whose casing would be integral with the electric motor, that is to say vibrating at the same frequency as the electric motor, for example an inverter and / or inverter integrated into the casing of the electric motor, this inverter also forming a hermetic enclosure according to the invention, whether or not it is in communication with the hermetic enclosure of the electric motor, for example.

[0010] Thus the hermetic enclosure of the electric motor is in communication with the volume of the passenger compartment, which is a volume of clean air and thus, the venting can no longer be obstructed by pollutants such as water, mud, dust.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the passenger compartment comprises a trim element pressed against the supporting structure, the venting means opening between the supporting structure and this trim.

[0012] Thus the means of venting is protected from any mechanical attack due to the occupants of the vehicle, for example impact with luggage or load.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, this filling is a carpet or soundproofing foam.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the trim element and / or the supporting structure are configured to preserve an air space into which the venting means opens.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the supporting structure comprises a floor delimiting a lower part of the passenger compartment, this floor comprising an opening through which the venting means is fixed.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the passenger compartment comprises a trunk volume into which the venting means opens, in particular a rear trunk, the electric motor being coupled to a rear wheel set.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the venting means comprises a pipe with two ends, the first end opening into the sealed enclosure, the second end into the passenger compartment.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the venting means comprises an air-permeable membrane or a calibrated valve closing the airtight enclosure.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air-permeable membrane or the calibrated valve being positioned on one or the other of the two ends.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air-permeable membrane or the calibrated valve is positioned specifically on the second end.

[0021] Other features and advantages will appear on reading the following description of a particular, non-limiting embodiment of the invention, made with reference to the single [Fig.l] in which:

[0022] [Fig.l]: represents a schematic profile view of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, this [Fig.l] comprising an enlargement of the area where the invention is located.

[0023] [Fig.l] discloses a motor vehicle according to the invention, and comprising: - a supporting structure 1 forming a passenger compartment 2, - an electric motor 3 secured to the structure 1 and positioned outside the passenger compartment 2, this motor 3 comprising a casing 4 delimiting a hermetic enclosure 5 and a means 6 for venting this enclosure 5.

[0024] This vehicle comprises for example a front wheel set T1, and a rear wheel set T2, the electric motor 3 being able to drive the rear wheel set T2 via a coupling means not shown. This coupling means is for example an assembly comprising a reducer and a friction clutch or a dog clutch, an assembly perfectly known to those skilled in the art. But this is only an example, this motor 3 can alternatively drive the front wheel set T1. The wheel set which is not driven by the motor 3 is for example not driven, or coupled to a second electric motor (not shown) for which the invention applies, or coupled to a heat engine or a powertrain assembly comprising a heat engine and the second electric motor.

[0025] This venting means 6 opens into the passenger compartment 2, putting the airtight enclosure 5 into communication with the air in the passenger compartment 2.

[0026] Here we recall the definition of the passenger compartment 2: The passenger compartment 2 will be understood, throughout the text of this document, to mean a volume of air enclosed 2 by the supporting structure 1, and breathed by the occupants of the vehicle or occupied by a temporary load such as luggage. For example, this volume of enclosed air 2 is delimited by the elements of the supporting structure 1, in particular a bodywork, these elements being, for example, the stamped sheets forming openings (side doors, trunk doors), a floor 9, an apron, side members, uprights, a roof, but also the glazing and opening seals, for example.

[0027] Thus, numerous examples according to the invention, not illustrated, are envisaged. For example: - This venting means 6 opens between a wing and a wing lining provided with orifices allowing the passage of air from the passenger compartment 2, - This means of venting 6 opens between an upright and a lining of this upright provided with orifices allowing the passage of air from the passenger compartment 2, - This means of venting 6 opens between a center pillar and a lining of this center pillar provided with orifices allowing the passage of air from the passenger compartment 2, - This means of venting 6 opens under a seat of the vehicle, - This means of venting 6 opens into a ventilation duct of the passenger compartment 2, in particular for extracting air from the passenger compartment 2, this list is not exhaustive.

[0028] According to the example illustrated, the passenger compartment 2 comprises a trim element 7 pressed against the supporting structure 1, the venting means 6 opening between the supporting structure 1 and this trim 7, which makes it possible to hide the venting means 6 while protecting it from attacks, for example following handling of luggage by the driver or passengers.

[0029] This lining 7 is for example a carpet or a soundproofing foam. But it can also be a plastic lining such as a cover or trim clipped onto the supporting structure 1 and in particular clipped onto one of the previously introduced linings. These covers house for example an electrical harness or any other non-aesthetic technical element, or more simply hide the supporting structure 1 in general.

[0030] The packing element 7 and / or the supporting structure 1 are configured to preserve an air space 8 into which the venting means 6 opens. Thus, even if the packing element 7 is crushed during use, the venting means 6 is not mechanically constrained by this packing element 7.

[0031] The supporting structure 1 comprises a floor 9 delimiting a lower part of the passenger compartment 2, this floor 9 comprising an opening 10 through which the venting means 6 is fixed.

[0032] The illustrated passenger compartment 2 comprises a trunk volume 11 into which the venting means 6 opens. This trunk volume 11 is a rear trunk, located above the rear wheel set T2, the electric motor 3 being capable of driving the rear wheel set T2 and therefore close to this rear trunk.

[0033] This venting means 6 comprises a pipe with two ends, the first end opening into the hermetic enclosure 5, the second end into the passenger compartment 2 and in particular as illustrated in the rear trunk volume 11 of the passenger compartment, under the trim element 7.

[0034] The venting means 6 comprises an air-permeable membrane or a calibrated valve, either of which closes the hermetic enclosure 5.

[0035] The air-permeable membrane or the calibrated valve is positioned on either of the two ends.

[0036] For example, the venting means 6 comprises a tubular body obstructed by the membrane or the valve, this body being inserted into the pipe and protruding from one of the two ends, thus allowing it to be fixed to the supporting structure 1 or to the casing 4. For reasons of space, this body can be bent, so that the pipe runs at least locally parallel to the casing 4 or to the supporting structure 1, in particular the floor 9. This body can be penetrating into the passenger compartment 2 or the airtight enclosure 5, but not necessarily; it can, for example, be flush or recessed. The membrane or the valve are also not obligatory; they can alternatively be replaced by a calibrated passage, of a diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the pipe, made in the body. The membrane can also be replaced by an air-permeable foam, or any other means known to those skilled in the art.

[0037] The air-permeable membrane or the calibrated valve is positioned for example on the second end, this body then making the mechanical connection between the pipe and the floor 9 by being clipped or fitted or screwed or glued into the opening 10 of the floor 9.

[0038] As explained previously, the casing 4 delimiting the hermetic enclosure 5 is a casing of an electric motor which can be reversible, that is to say be alternately motor or generator, for example during regenerative braking phases.

[0039] But the casing 4 delimiting the hermetic enclosure 5 is also a casing 4 of any member whose casing 4 would be integral with the electric motor, that is to say vibrating at the same frequency as the electric motor, for example an inverter and / or inverter integrated into the casing 4 of the electric motor, this inverter forming also a hermetic enclosure 5 according to the invention, whether or not it is in communication with the hermetic enclosure 5 of the electric motor for example.

Claims

Claims

1. Motor vehicle comprising: - a supporting structure (1) forming a passenger compartment (2), - an electric motor (3) secured to the structure (1) and positioned outside the passenger compartment (2), this motor (3) comprising a casing (4) delimiting a hermetic enclosure (5) and a means of venting (6) this enclosure (5), characterized in that the means of venting (6) opens into the passenger compartment (2).

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, the passenger compartment (2) comprising a trim element (7) pressed against the supporting structure (1), the venting means (6) opening between the supporting structure (1) and this trim (7).

3. Vehicle according to claim 2, this lining (7) being a carpet or a sound insulation foam.

4. Vehicle according to claim 2 or 3, the trim element (7) and / or the supporting structure (1) being configured to preserve an air space (8) into which the venting means (6) opens.

5. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, the supporting structure (1) comprising a floor (9) delimiting a lower part of the passenger compartment (2), this floor (9) comprising an opening (10) through which the venting means (6) is fixed.

6. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, the passenger compartment (2) comprising a trunk volume into which the venting means (6) opens.

7. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, the venting means (6) comprising a pipe with two ends, the first end opening into the sealed enclosure (5), the second end into the passenger compartment (2).

8. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, the venting means (6) comprising an air-permeable membrane or a calibrated valve closing the airtight enclosure (5).

9. A vehicle according to claim 8, in combination with claim 7, the air-permeable membrane or the calibrated valve being positioned on one or the other of the two ends.

10. A vehicle according to claim 9, the air-permeable membrane or the calibrated valve being positioned on the second end.

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