Supporting component of a motor vehicle underbody assembly interface, underbody assembly and motor vehicle comprising such an assembly

Abstract

Supporting component of a motor vehicle underbody assembly interface, underbody assembly, and motor vehicle comprising such an assembly. The invention relates to a supporting component (9) of a power conversion interface from an alternating current source in the grid to direct current intended to power a traction battery of a motor vehicle, said supporting component being intended to be fixed in an underbody assembly near a fuel tank and comprising a central face (11) bordered by lateral edges (13) including an edge intended to be mounted opposite said tank. According to the invention, the lateral edge intended to be mounted opposite said tank comprises a support flange (17) extending perpendicularly relative to said central face. The invention also relates to an underbody assembly and a vehicle comprising such an underbody assembly. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Support piece for an interface of a motor vehicle underbody assembly, underbody assembly and motor vehicle comprising such an assembly technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, in particular to the field of passive safety of the motor vehicle in the event of a side impact.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a support piece for an energy conversion interface of an alternating current source from the network into direct current.

[0003] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle underbody assembly and a motor vehicle comprising such an underbody assembly. Previous technique

[0004] A motor vehicle body structure comprises a set of sheet metal structural elements providing rigidity to the motor vehicle, assembled together and forming the frame of the motor vehicle.

[0005] The body structure includes, in particular, among these sheet metal elements, a left side structure and a right side structure. Each side structure comprises a set of upper and lower horizontal elements, extending substantially longitudinally relative to the body, and a set of vertical elements, extending substantially vertically relative to the body. The lower horizontal elements include lateral longitudinal stringers defining a portion of the perimeter of a body subframe assembly.

[0006] The body structure further comprises, among these sheet metal elements, a floor defining a part of the platform of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0007] When the vehicle is a hybrid type motor vehicle comprising a thermal engine and an electric motor which operate simultaneously or alternately so as to reduce the power consumed by the motor vehicle, for example a plug-in hybrid type vehicle (so-called "PHEV" motor vehicle, English acronym for "Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle"), the vehicle includes at the level of the underbody assembly a traction battery, powering the electric motor of the vehicle, and a fuel tank made of plastic material.

[0008] At the level of the entire underbody, such a hybrid motor vehicle also includes an interface called "OBC", an English acronym for "On Board Charger", designating an energy conversion interface from the alternating current source of the network to direct current, intended to power the traction battery when it is being recharged at a charging station.

[0009] The OBC interface is held in the underbody assembly by a metallic support piece, fixed in the architecture of the vehicle underbody assembly near the fuel tank.

[0010] Among the plurality of tests used for the homologation of motor vehicles, a so-called "pole" impact, also called "side impact", is carried out, in particular in order to reveal performance criteria relating to the protection of occupants.

[0011] This test consists of projecting the motor vehicle at a speed of approximately 30 km / h laterally against a rigid post, so that the vehicle defines an angle of approximately 75° to 90° relative to the post.

[0012] During a side impact, the post becomes embedded in the motor vehicle at the front door on the driver's or passenger's side.

[0013] It has been noted that, during such a pole impact, the longitudinal lateral stringer deforms, resulting in a deformation of the fixing areas of the support piece of the OBC interface.

[0014] This deformation causes the OBC interface support piece to move towards the fuel tank and, during its movement, the OBC interface support piece comes into contact with the fuel tank.

[0015] The geometry of the OBC interface support piece is such that, when it comes into contact with the fuel tank, the fuel tank is punched or sheared by the OBC interface support piece.

[0016] This creates a very high risk that the impact of the OBC interface support piece against the fuel tank will significantly damage the fuel tank, given that the fuel tank is made of plastic. This is a disqualifying factor for the motor vehicle to successfully pass the side impact tests.

[0017] Moreover, this leads to a risk of fire starting, either due to deterioration of the traction battery, or due to deterioration of the fuel tank.

[0018] A solution aimed at moving the OBC interface and its support away from the fuel tank would not be feasible given the overall architecture of the motor vehicle.

[0019] Therefore, a solution using a fuel tank made of metallic material rather than plastic would also not be feasible. Indeed, a metallic tank would be significantly more expensive than a plastic one. Furthermore, the added mass would be too great and would run counter to the overall objective of reducing the mass of the motor vehicle. Description of the invention

[0020] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, and relates to to make a support piece for an energy conversion interface from an alternating current source in the network to direct current, said interface being intended to power a traction battery of a plug-in hybrid motor vehicle when said traction battery is being recharged at a charging station, said support piece being intended to be fixed in a subframe assembly of said motor vehicle near a fuel tank, said support piece comprising a central face bordered laterally by a set of lateral edges including a lateral edge intended to be mounted opposite said fuel tank when said support piece is mounted in said subframe assembly of said motor vehicle,said support piece being remarkable in that said lateral edge intended to be mounted opposite said fuel tank comprises a support flange extending perpendicularly relative to said central face,

[0021] Thus, by providing a lateral edge of the support piece which has a bearing flange extending perpendicularly relative to the central face of the support piece, in the event of a lateral impact, a flat support is made between the support piece and the fuel tank at the level of the bearing flange, which makes it possible to avoid punching and / or shearing the fuel tank.

[0022] In this way, the risk of tearing of the fuel tank is eliminated when the support piece and the fuel tank come into contact, which makes it easy to preserve the integrity of the fuel tank in the event of a lateral impact with a pole.

[0023] Thus, thanks to the present invention, any risk of fire starting due to deterioration of the batteries or of the fuel tank is avoided.

[0024] Depending on optional features of the support piece: - said support side extends over the entirety of said lateral edge intended to be mounted opposite said fuel tank; - said support side has a height H between approximately 5mm and approximately 30mm; - said height H of said support side is equal to approximately 10mm; - said central face has a perforated area; - said openwork area extends over an area between approximately 20% and approximately 30% of the total area of ​​said central face.

[0025] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle underbody assembly, comprising a fuel tank and a support piece for an energy conversion interface of an alternating current source from the network to direct current fixed near said fuel tank, notable in that said support piece is according to the invention.

[0026] According to optional characteristics of the substructure assembly: - the fuel tank comprises two half-shells joined together at a joint plane and said support piece is arranged in said subframe assembly so that said support flange extends above said joint plane; - the defined distance between said joint plane and said support side is between approximately 2cm and approximately 3cm.

[0027] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a subframe assembly, remarkable in that said subframe assembly is according to the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0028] Other features, purposes and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, for the understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0029] [Fig-1] shows a motor vehicle according to the invention, seen from below.

[0030] [Fig.2] is a top perspective view of a support piece according to the invention of an energy conversion interface of the alternating current source of the network into direct current.

[0031] [Fig.3] shows in perspective from above an example of arrangement of the support piece of the invention and the fuel tank. Description of the implementation methods

[0032] In the following description, elements having an identical structure or analogous functions are designated by the same reference.

[0033] By convention, and without limitation, longitudinal, vertical and transverse orientations will be adopted as indicated by the direct trihedron (L, V, T) designating the longitudinal, vertical and transverse axes of the vehicle.

[0034] In what follows, the terms "left", "right", "lower" and "upper" are understood in relation to the vehicle. Similarly, the terms "front" and "rear" are understood in relation to the general orientation of the vehicle as viewed in its normal direction of travel.

[0035] Reference is made to [Fig.1] showing a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention, seen from below.

[0036] The motor vehicle 1 is of the hybrid type comprising a thermal engine and an electric motor which operate simultaneously or alternately, for example of the plug-in hybrid type (motor vehicle known as “PHEV”, English acronym for “Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle”).

[0037] At the level of its underbody assembly 3, the motor vehicle 1 includes a traction battery 5, powering the vehicle's electric motor, and a fuel tank 7, made of plastic material, powering the internal combustion engine of the vehicle.

[0038] The motor vehicle 1 further comprises an interface called "OBC" (not shown), an English acronym for "On Board Charger", designating an energy conversion interface from the network's alternating current source to direct current, intended to power the traction battery when it is being recharged on a charging station.

[0039] The OBC interface is held in the underbody assembly 3 by a metallic support piece 9, fixed in the architecture of the underbody assembly 3 of the vehicle near the fuel tank 7.

[0040] Reference is made to [Fig.2] showing the support piece 9 of the OBC interface in top perspective.

[0041] The support piece 9 comprises a central face 11 extending in a support plane Ps and laterally bordered by a set of lateral edges 13. The support plane Ps extends in a plane (L, T) of the motor vehicle 1 when the support piece is fixed to the underbody assembly 3.

[0042] The support piece 9 further includes a set of fixing tabs 15 adapted to allow the support piece 9 to be fixed to the underbody assembly 3 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0043] Among the lateral edges 13 of the support piece 9, the lateral edge intended to be mounted opposite the fuel tank 7 (visible in [Fig. 1]) when the support piece 9 is mounted in the underbody assembly 3 has a support flange 17 extending perpendicularly relative to the central face 11. Thus, the support flange 17 is contained in a support plane PA perpendicular to the support plane Ps in which the central face 11 is contained. The support plane PA extends in a plane (L, V) of the motor vehicle 1 when the support piece is fixed to the underbody assembly 3.

[0044] In other words, the support flange 17 defines a dropped edge at the level of the lateral edge intended to be mounted opposite the fuel tank 7. In this way, in the event of a lateral impact, a flat support is made between the support piece 9 and the fuel tank 7 at the level of the support flange 17, which makes it possible to avoid punching and / or shearing the fuel tank 7.

[0045] According to one arrangement of the invention, the support side extends over the entire lateral edge intended to be mounted opposite the fuel tank 7.

[0046] According to one arrangement of the invention, the height H of the support flange 17 is at least equal to about 5mm in order to form a flat support of sufficient height to avoid punching and / or shearing of the fuel tank 7 when the support piece 9 is in contact with the fuel tank 7.

[0047] According to another feature of the invention, the height H of the support flange 17 can be between approximately 5mm and approximately 30mm.

[0048] In a particular embodiment of the support piece 9, the height H of the support flange 17 is equal to approximately 10mm.

[0049] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the central face 11 of the support piece 9 has a perforated area 19.

[0050] The presence of the openwork area 19 provides structural flexibility to the support piece 9, which further limits the risk of puncture and / or shearing of the fuel tank 7 during contact between the support piece 9 and the fuel tank 7.

[0051] In a particular embodiment of the support piece 9, the openwork area 19 extends over an area between approximately 20% and approximately 30% of the total area of ​​the central face 11 of the support piece 9. This range of values ​​makes it possible to give the support piece 9, on the one hand, the rigidity necessary to maintain the OBC interface in the base assembly 3 and, on the other hand, the flexibility useful to reduce the risk of puncture and / or shearing of the fuel tank 7 during contact between the support piece 9 and the fuel tank 7.

[0052] The shape of the openwork area shown in the figures is given as a non-limiting example and can be adapted in particular according to the architecture of the base assembly 3.

[0053] Reference is made to [Fig.3] showing in perspective from above an example of arrangement of the support piece 9 of the OBC interface and the fuel tank 7.

[0054] In a particular embodiment, the fuel tank 7 may comprise two half-shells made of plastic material joined together at a joint plane 21, also called a seam line, schematically represented in dotted lines in [Fig.3].

[0055] According to an arrangement of the subframe assembly 3, the support piece 9 is arranged in the subframe assembly 3 so that the support flank 17 extends over the joint plane 21 of the fuel tank 7.

[0056] In this way, the impact area of ​​the support piece 9 is away from the joint plane 21, the most fragile area of ​​the fuel tank 7, which helps to preserve the fuel tank 7 even more.

[0057] In a particular embodiment of the base assembly 3, the distance D defined between the joint plane 21 and the support side 17 is between approximately 2cm and approximately 3cm.

[0058] More specifically, the distance D is measured between the joint plane 21 and a lower edge 23 of the support side 17.

[0059] As will be obvious, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments of this support piece, this subframe assembly and this vehicle automobile comprising such a subframe assembly, described above only as illustrative examples, but it on the contrary embraces all variants involving the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Support piece (9) for an energy conversion interface of an alternating current source from the network into direct current, said interface being intended to supply a traction battery of a plug-in hybrid motor vehicle (1) when said traction battery is being recharged at a charging station, said support piece (9) being intended to be fixed in a subframe assembly (3) of said motor vehicle (1) near a fuel tank (7), said support piece (9) comprising a central face (11) laterally bordered by a set of side edges (13) comprising a side edge intended to be mounted opposite said fuel tank (7) when said support piece (9) is mounted in said subframe assembly (3) of said motor vehicle (1),said support piece (9) being characterized in that said lateral edge intended to be mounted opposite said fuel tank (7) comprises a support flange (17) extending perpendicularly relative to said central face (11).

2. Support piece (9) according to claim 1, characterized in that said support flange (17) extends over the entirety of said lateral edge intended to be mounted opposite said fuel tank (7).

3. Support piece (9) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said support flange (17) has a height (H) between about 5mm and about 30mm.

4. Support piece (9) according to claim 3, characterized in that said height (H) of said support flange (17) is equal to approximately 10mm.

5. Support piece (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said central face (11) has a perforated area (19).

6. Support piece (9) according to claim 5, characterized in that said perforated area (19) extends over an area between about 20% and about 30% of the total area of ​​said central face (11).

7. Underbody assembly (3) of a motor vehicle (1), comprising a fuel tank (7) and a support piece (9) for an energy conversion interface of an alternating current source from the network to direct current fixed near said fuel tank (7), characterized in that said support piece (9) is according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Substructure assembly (3) according to claim 7, wherein the fuel tank (7) comprises two half-shells joined together at a joint plane (21), characterized in that said support piece (9) is arranged in said base assembly (3) so that said support flange (17) extends above said joint plane (21).

9. Base assembly (3) according to claim 8, characterized in that the distance (D) defined between said joint plane (21) and said support flank (17) is between approximately 2cm and approximately 3cm.

10. Motor vehicle (1) comprising a subframe assembly (3), characterized in that said subframe assembly (3) is according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

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