MODULAR MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE BATTERIES

Abstract

System for fixing a motor vehicle battery having faces facing three perpendicular axes (X, Y, Z), comprising a battery support (6, 8) comprising along a first axis (Z) and a second axis (X) a first support on two first battery faces (70), and a movable flange (10) fixed on the support (6, 8), having along the first axis (Z) and the second axis (X) a second support on two second battery faces (70) which are opposite the first faces, this support (6, 8) having at least two fixing positions of the flange (10) offset along the first axis (Z) giving an adjustment of a first battery dimension (70), and two fixing positions of the flange (10) which are offset along the second axis (X) giving an adjustment of a second battery dimension (70). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: MODULAR MOTOR VEHICLE BATTERY FIXING SYSTEM

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular fastening system for a motor vehicle battery, as well as a motor vehicle equipped with such a fastening system.

[0002] Motor vehicles equipped with a thermal engine have an on-board network battery recharged by an alternator driven by the engine, delivering a low voltage, generally 12V, to the on-board network which supplies all the vehicle's electrical equipment.

[0003] The on-board network battery, having a parallelepiped shape usually fixed in the engine compartment of the vehicle, may have, in the same range of vehicles, different dimensions corresponding to varied charging capacities, adapted to particular engines or equipment used within this range,

[0004] A type of known modular fixing system provided for several dimensions of on-board network battery, presented in particular by document FR-A1-3132596, arranged in the engine compartment, receives the battery comprising a rectangular horizontal section, which is fixed on a support formed on one side of a chassis side member.

[0005] A large outer side of the battery is supported transversely on a vertical face of the side member, a horizontal lower leg supports the underside of this battery, two parallel vertical legs receive the two small sides of the battery to frame it along its length. In this way, a vertical and horizontal positioning of the battery is obtained.

[0006] A flange formed by a cut and folded metal sheet, has a transverse support on the inner side of the battery opposite the side member in order to hold it along its width, and an upper support. The flange has holes giving two possible vertical fixing positions, which allow the upper support to be adapted for two battery heights.

[0007] This provides, with a single model of flange fixed to standard holes in the vehicle body, the possibility of maintaining two types of battery with heights adapted for different electricity storage capacities.

[0008] However, on the same range of vehicles, it is possible to use on-board network batteries having both a different height and a different width in order to obtain highly differentiated volumes and storage capacities. This type of system Modular attachment including only an adaptation for several heights not suitable for several widths.

[0009] It is then necessary to provide at least two different flanges to adapt to the various battery widths, which poses problems of higher complexity of supplies on the same vehicle assembly line, possibilities of assembly errors and higher costs. In addition, during use of the vehicle, in the case of a subsequent change of battery with different dimensions, for a maintenance operation for example, the workshop carrying out this operation will not necessarily have the flange adapted to the new battery.

[0010] The present invention aims in particular to avoid these problems of the prior art.

[0011] For this purpose, it proposes a system for fixing a motor vehicle battery. having faces facing three perpendicular axes with three dimensions between these faces, this system comprising a battery support comprising along a first axis and a second axis a first support on two first battery faces, and a movable flange fixed on the support, having along the first axis and the second axis a second support on two second battery faces which are opposite the first faces, this support having at least two positions for fixing the flange offset along the first axis giving an adjustment of a first battery dimension, this system being remarkable in that the support comprises two positions for fixing the flange which are offset along the second axis giving an adjustment of a second battery dimension.

[0012] An advantage of this fixing system is that in addition to the offset along the first axis of the movable flange, by adding the two fixing positions offset along the second axis, an adjustment for different dimensions of the battery in two directions is obtained simply and quickly from the same flange.

[0013] It is thus possible, with the same flange, directly on the vehicle assembly line, for example, to choose upon arrival of the battery the correct mounting position for the flange adapted to its height and width, which avoids possible errors in the choice of the flange in the case of different models required for a fixing system according to the prior art. In addition, later, in the event of a change in battery dimensions for maintenance or repair, the operator has the same flange which can be adapted to a battery with other dimensions.

[0014] The motor vehicle battery fixing system according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, which may be combined with each other.

[0015] Advantageously, the support comprises two pairs of legs receiving the attachment of the flange, with for each pair the two legs framing the battery, these pairs offset from each other along the second axis, giving the two positions along this second axis. axis.

[0016] In this case, advantageously the two pairs of legs are offset from each other along the first axis, giving the two positions along this first axis.

[0017] In addition, advantageously the flange comprises two fixing positions on the same pair of legs, which are offset along the first axis to provide another adjustment of the first dimension.

[0018] Advantageously, the flange comprises on each side of the battery two holes for receiving clamping screws offset along the first axis giving the two fixing positions on the same pair of lugs.

[0019] Advantageously, the support comprises two parts framing the battery along the third axis, the flange having two fixing positions on a second support part which are offset along this third axis to provide an adjustment of the third battery dimension.

[0020] In this case, advantageously the flange comprises two offset holes along the third axis, which depending on the position of the second support part fit opposite the same hole in this second part to receive a clamping screw.

[0021] Advantageously, the two support parts each comprise a lower battery support.

[0022] Advantageously, the movable flange comprises at the level of the clamping band of the flange a boss having a flat bottom forming the inner face for bearing on the inner surface of the battery.

[0023] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipped with an on-board network battery, remarkable in that it comprises a fixing system comprising any one of the preceding characteristics, which is arranged in the compartment of the powertrain of this vehicle.

[0024] The invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will appear more clearly on reading the description below given by way of example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0025] [Fig-1] shows a battery holder according to the invention;

[0026] [Fig.2] shows this support receiving a battery comprising a small length, a small thickness and a small height;

[0027] [Fig.3] shows this support receiving a battery comprising a great length, a great thickness and an intermediate height; and

[0028] [Fig.4] shows this support receiving a battery comprising a great length, a great thickness and a great height.

[0029] Throughout the document, the vertical direction is relative to a vehicle placed on horizontal ground. In the figures, by convention, with reference to the parallelepiped shape of the battery, the transverse axis X has an internal direction INT, the axis The longitudinal axis Y has a forward direction AV, and the vertical axis Z has a superior direction facing upwards. In the vehicle, the transverse and longitudinal axes can be arranged in any way in its horizontal plane.

[0030] [Fig.l] shows a vehicle side member 2 arranged in a longitudinal direction, comprising an interior vertical face 4 receiving a battery fixing system comprising a support formed by a fixed rear part 6, a longitudinally adjustable front part 8, and between the two a movable flange 10. The support parts 6, 8 and the movable flange 10 are formed by metal sheets cut and folded at right angles.

[0031] The rear support part 6 comprises in the vertical plane a longitudinal outer face 20 welded flat on the inner side of the side member 4, receiving an outer surface of the battery, then a transverse face 22 facing inwards receiving the rear surface, which is extended facing rearwards by a fixed upper longitudinal tab 26, and below by a fixed lower longitudinal tab 24 which is offset outwards.

[0032] The adjustable front support part 8, symmetrical with respect to the rear part 6 along a transversely arranged vertical plane of symmetry, comprises in the vertical plane a longitudinal outer face 30 which can be screwed onto the inner side of the side member 4 in two longitudinal positions spaced apart by an adjustment distance A, then a transverse face 32 facing inwards receiving the front surface, which extends in the extension of the fixed upper rear leg 26 by an adjustable upper leg 36 facing forwards, and in the extension of the fixed lower rear leg 24 by an adjustable lower leg 34.

[0033] Each set of two upper legs 26, 36 or two lower legs 24, 34 has a bore 50 in the same horizontal alignment, the bores of the upper and lower legs being aligned vertically. All of the bores 50 have a thread receiving a clamping screw 74 of the movable flange 10.

[0034] The movable flange 10 comprises a vertical face 40 parallel to the side of the spar 4, comprising an outwardly facing boss 60 having a flat bottom resting on the inner surface of the battery arranged behind to wedge it between this bottom and the outer faces 20, 30. The vertical face of the movable flange 40 extends upwards by an outwardly facing horizontal tab 42 which forms an upper support for the battery.

[0035] The vertical face of the movable flange 40 extends longitudinally in the same plane by a clamping strip of the flange 10, comprising a rear strip 44 and a front strip 46 which respectively bear on the rear lower legs 24 and front 34. The clamping strip comprises on two horizontal lines, on each part of the strip 44, 46 two holes 52 which are aligned vertically on the holes 50 upper legs 26, 36. The front strip 46 further comprises two holes 54 which are offset forwards relative to the holes 52 by the adjustment distance A.

[0036] Figures 2, 3 and 4 show a battery 70 equipped with two electrical connection terminals 72, which is first adjusted along its length in the support, to then receive the movable flange 10 which is fixed along the transverse direction and the height in positions adapting to that of the battery in order to obtain wedging in all directions.

[0037] [Fig.2] shows, for a battery 70 comprising a small length, the fixing on the side of the side member 4 of the adjustable front support part 8 in its rearmost position, so as to obtain between its transverse face 32 and the transverse face 22 of the rear support part 6 a small distance accommodating this battery length in an adjusted manner.

[0038] After the battery 70 has been installed, the movable flange 10 is fixed in its low position using the lower holes 52 of the rear 44 and front 46 strip parts, which gives both the lowest position of the upper horizontal tab 42 resting on the top of the small battery height, and the most offset towards the outside to wedge its small thickness by the internal support boss 60. Tightening is obtained in the three dimensions of the battery 70 having a small length, a small height and a small thickness.

[0039] [Fig. 3] shows for a battery 70 comprising a great length, a great thickness and an intermediate height, the forward offset of the adjustable front support part 8 so as to obtain between its transverse face 32 and the transverse face of the rear support part 22 a great distance receiving this length of battery in an adjusted manner.

[0040] Then the movable flange 10 is fixed in its intermediate height position using the upper bore 52 of the rear strip part 44 and the forwardly offset upper bore 54 of the front part 46, and clamping screws 74 engaged in the bores 50 of the fixed upper legs 26, 36 having an inward offset relative to the lower legs 24, 34.

[0041] An offset of the movable flange 10 is obtained both in height which gives the intermediate position of the upper tab 42 resting on the top of the intermediate height of the battery, and the most offset position towards the inside of the support boss 60 to wedge its large thickness.

[0042] [Fig. 4] shows for a battery 70 comprising a great length, a great thickness and a great height, a use of the lower drilling 52 of the rear part of the clamping band 44 and of the lower drilling offset towards the front 54 of the front part 46, which makes it possible to raise the movable flange 10 higher. The position is obtained higher of the upper leg 42 resting on the top of the large battery height 70, and the same offset towards the inside of the support boss 60 for the large thickness.

[0043] Generally speaking, a battery fixing system 70 is obtained which can comprise at least two dimensions for each, using a fixed support having at least two positions for the battery length, and a movable flange 10 having at least two vertical and transverse positions.

[0044] These modifications are made with the same components, support and movable flange 10, which allows them to be adjusted on the vehicle assembly line at the time of arrival of the battery 70, or to change their positions during an intervention on the vehicle which modifies the dimensions of the battery without needing to provide other components.

Claims

Claims

1. System for fixing a motor vehicle battery having faces facing three perpendicular axes (X, Y, Z) with three dimensions between these faces, this system comprising: - a battery support (6, 8) comprising along a first axis (Z) and a second axis (X) a first support on two first battery faces (70), - and a movable flange (10) fixed on the support (6, 8), having along the first axis (Z) and the second axis (X) a second support on two second battery faces (70) which are opposite the first faces, this support (6, 8) having at least two positions for fixing the flange (10) offset along the first axis (Z) giving an adjustment of a first battery dimension (70), the system being characterized in that the support comprises two positions for fixing the flange (10) which are offset along the second axis (X) giving an adjustment of a second battery dimension (70).

2. Fixing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the support comprises two pairs of legs receiving the fixing of the flange (10), with for each pair the two legs (24, 26, 34, 36) framing the battery (70), these pairs offset from each other along the second axis (X), giving the two positions along this second axis (X).

3. Fixing system according to claim 2, characterized in that the two pairs of legs (24, 26, 34, 36) are offset from each other along the first axis (Z) giving the two positions along this first axis (Z).

4. Fixing system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the flange (10) has two fixing positions on the same pair of legs (24, 34), which are offset along the first axis (Z) to give another adjustment of the first dimension.

5. Fixing system according to claim 4, characterized in that the flange (10) comprises on each side of the battery (70) two holes (52, 54) for receiving clamping screws (74) offset along the first axis (Z) giving the two fixing positions on the same pair of tabs (24, 34).

6. Fixing system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the support (6, 8) comprises two parts framing the battery (70) along the third axis (Y), the flange (10) having two fixing positions on a second support part (8) which are offset along this third axis (Y) to provide an adjustment of the third battery dimension (70).

7. Fixing system according to claim 6, characterized in that the flange (10) comprises two holes (52, 54) offset along the third axis (Y), which depending on the position of the second support part (8) fit opposite the same hole (50) of this second part (8) to receive a clamping screw (74).

8. Fixing system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the two support parts (6, 8) each comprise a lower battery support (28, 38).

9. Fixing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable flange (10) comprises a boss having a flat bottom (60) forming a bearing face on the battery (70).

10. Motor vehicle equipped with an on-board network battery, characterized in that it comprises a fixing system according to any one of the preceding claims, which is arranged in the compartment of the powertrain of this vehicle.

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