ASSEMBLY FOR MOUNTING CONNECTION BARS OF A TRACTION BATTERY OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

Assembly for mounting connecting bars (60) on an inner face of a closing plate (12) of a passage on a motor vehicle traction battery cover, this assembly comprising a mounting tool (40), the closing plate (12), and at least one flat connecting bar (60) having bends in three directions which is fixed on the inner face of the plate (12) by a single clamping screw (62) engaged in a bore of a first end (66) of this bar (60), the mounting tool (40) comprising a support for positioning the plate, and comprising for each bar (60) a housing receiving its second end (64) by arranging this bar (60) in its final assembly position. Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: ASSEMBLY FOR MOUNTING CONNECTION BARS OF A TRACTION BATTERY OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly for mounting connection bars of a traction battery of a motor vehicle using a mounting tool, as well as a method of mounting connection bars on a plate of such an assembly.

[0002] A known type of vehicle traction battery, presented in particular by document FR-A1-3074729, comprises several boxes containing electrochemical cells for storing electrical energy, and a plate for cooling these cells. Flat connection bars formed from a conductive metal, comprising varied curvatures, connect the boxes together to transmit the electrical power.

[0003] Another known type of traction battery, presented in particular by document FR-A1-3070794, comprises flat connecting bars having particular curvatures, including in particular a bend forming a winding over an angular sector of 270° in order to obtain changes of direction from a flat bar which is straight.

[0004] Generally speaking, it is known to form on a battery box cover an opening receiving inside a plate clamped on its contour by closing the passage, comprising on its face facing outwards electrical connection terminals, and on the inner face connection bars which connect these terminals to internal components of the battery.

[0005] In this case, a known assembly method first involves fixing one end of each connecting bar to the plate by a screw engaged in a hole in this bar, to form a subassembly. Then this subassembly is positioned on the internal components, and the other end of each bar is tightened onto these components in order to ensure that the plate is held in position by these rigid bars at the same time as ensuring electrical continuity.

[0006] The cover is then lowered onto the battery, the plate coming precisely into its final position resting on the internal contour of the opening of this cover, then screws are adjusted in holes in the cover around the passage, and tightened to obtain the final fixing of the plate with sealing of the battery box thanks to an intermediate seal arranged on the contour of this plate.

[0007] However, precise positioning of the connecting bars on the plate to form the subassembly can be difficult to achieve, particularly if the fixing of each bar is made by a single screw which allows a possible freedom of rotation of the bar around this screw before its blocking. In particular for bars having complex bends with shapes in space following the three directions as presented by the documents of the prior art cited above, the operator must at the same time hold the bars in their final position, then engage the screws, and then tighten them while maintaining a precise angular positioning around their screw.

[0008] For large-scale assembly, the complex shape of the bars complicates their maintenance, while the operator must simultaneously engage the screws and tighten them. The operation, requiring both hands, poses ergonomic problems, takes time to position these bars, and can lead to risks of error in the case of incorrect positioning, which then requires loosening the screws to redo it.

[0009] The present invention aims in particular to avoid these problems of the prior art.

[0010] To this end, it proposes an assembly for mounting connection bars on an inner face of a plate for closing a passage on a motor vehicle traction battery cover, this assembly comprising a mounting tool, the closing plate, and at least one flat connection bar having bends in three directions which is fixed on the inner face of the plate by a single clamping screw engaged in a bore of a first end of this bar, this assembly being remarkable in that the mounting tool comprises a support for positioning the plate, and comprises for each bar a housing receiving its second end by arranging this bar in its final assembly position.

[0011] An advantage of this assembly is that it allows an operator, after having placed the plate on the tool support while ensuring its positioning, to then place each bar on this tool by adjusting its second end in the housing provided to receive it. This automatically obtains for each bar a positioning of the first end opposite the drilling of the plate receiving the fixing screw, whatever the complex shape in the space of the bars between their ends.

[0012] The operator can then, without having to hold the elements which are predisposed, engage each screw, then tighten them to the recommended torque with a screwdriver, which represents a succession of simple, rapid and ergonomic operations. In addition, the correct positioning of all the bars is ensured, and, after fixing these bars on the battery components, of the plate which then comes precisely opposite the passage of the hood.

[0013] The mounting assembly according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, which may be combined with each other.

[0014] Advantageously, the mounting tool comprises a panel inclined relative to a flat base, receiving the plate to form its positioning support.

[0015] In this case, advantageously the base comprises a groove arranged parallel to the panel, which receives the lower edge of the plate while ensuring its wedging.

[0016] In addition, advantageously the panel comprises an opening receiving a connector protruding from the outer face of the plate.

[0017] Advantageously, the housing of the second end of each bar comprises a flat groove formed on the top of a boss of the mounting tool.

[0018] In this case, advantageously each housing comprises a circular stud which fits into a hole in the second end of each bar.

[0019] The invention also relates to a method for mounting connection bars on a closing plate of an assembly comprising any one of the preceding characteristics, remarkable in that it comprises a step of placing the plate on the positioning support of the mounting tool, then a step of positioning the second end of each bar on its housing.

[0020] Advantageously, the method comprises a step of placing screws on the first end of the bars, then tightening these screws with the plate remaining wedged on the assembly tool.

[0021] The invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will appear more clearly on reading the description given below by way of example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0022] [Fig. 1] shows a complete battery having a plate equipped with connectors for the electrical power forming part of a mounting assembly according to the invention;

[0023] [Fig.2] is an exploded view of this battery;

[0024] [Fig.3] is a view of the tool alone of this assembly; and

[0025] [Fig.4] is a view of the tool after assembling the bars on the plate.

[0026] Figures 1 and 2 show a traction battery box for an electric or hybrid vehicle comprising a lower container 2 and an upper cover 4 formed by stamped sheets, each comprising a continuous flat folded edge 6, the two edges being clamped to each other by a series of screws 8 in order to form a rigid connection between the container and the cover comprising a seal to form the box.

[0027] The upper cover 4 comprises on one side a flat surface 10 having an opening forming a passage 24 receiving a closing plate 12 clamped on its internal contour, supporting an external connector 14 connected to electrical power cables 16. The plate 12 is held inside the cover 4 by a series of screws 18 passing through holes arranged around the passage 24, to clamp the contour of this plate with an interposed seal in order to obtain a sealed battery.

[0028] The upper cover 4 comprises, next to the connector 14, electrical boxes 20, and a ventilation plug 22 allowing the evacuation of gases in the event of overpressure. in the box. The interior of the box comprises a rigid frame 30 receiving the electrochemical cells 32, and above an electronic control box for the battery 34 and the low voltage and high voltage relays 36.

[0029] The connector 14 arranged on the outer face of the closing plate 12, is connected to the internal power circuit of the battery by two conductive bars having a flat section comprising different bends in the three directions of space. Each bar has at its ends a hole receiving a clamping screw on the inner face of the plate 12 and on the component to be connected in the battery.

[0030] Figures 3 and 4 show a mounting tool 40 comprising a flat base 42 supporting an inclined panel 44 supported rearwardly by ribs 46, which has an opening 48. The closure plate 12 is placed on the inclined panel 44, its lower edge fitting into a groove 50 formed in the base 42 parallel to the panel, to ensure both precise positioning and wedging ensuring maintenance of this plate.

[0031] The connector 14 arranged on the outer face of the closing plate 12 fits into the opening 48 of the inclined panel 44, so as not to hinder the support of the plate on this panel.

[0032] The base 42 comprises, in front of the inner face of the closing plate 12, two blocks 52 having a horizontal upper surface, each having a groove of a small thickness 54, which comprises near its end a circular stud 56.

[0033] After the plate 12 has been placed on the assembly tool 40, the operator grasps two flat connection bars 60 comprising bends along the three directions in space, then for each one introduces a clamping screw 62 into a bore in a first end of the bar 66, and begins to engage it in a bore in the connector 14.

[0034] The operator then adjusts the second end of each bar 64 in a groove 54, by engaging the circular stud 56 of the groove in the bore of this second end which fixes its position while preventing the bar from sliding in the groove. A precise positioning of the two ends 64, 66 of each bar 60 is then obtained regardless of the complex shape of these bars between the two.

[0035] The operator can finally use a screwdriver to tighten the two screws 62 facing him to the correct torque, the closing plate 12 being held on the tool 40 which is fixed to a workstation.

[0036] The various operations for assembling the subassembly comprising the plate 12 and its screwed connection bars 60 have thus been broken down into elementary, ergonomic operations that can be easily carried out with one or two hands, comprising the insertion of the plate 12, the installation of each bar 60 with the engagement of their screw 62, the positioning of the second end of these bars 64 in the grooves 54, then the last operation comprising only the tightening of the screws with all the elements held in position.

[0037] The operator can then place the subassembly on the battery, and tighten the fixing screws of the second ends 64 of the bars 60 on its internal components which automatically positions the closing plate 12 in its final position.

[0038] When installing the upper cover 4 on the battery tray 2, the plate 12 fits directly behind the passage 24 of this cover in its final mounting position, with its holes aligned with those of the contour of the passage opening, which allows the external tightening screws of this plate 18 to be directly engaged.

Claims

Claims

1. Assembly for mounting connecting bars (60) on an inner face of a closing plate (12) of a passage (24) on a cover (4) of a motor vehicle traction battery, this assembly comprising a mounting tool (40), the closing plate (12), and at least one flat connecting bar (60) having bends in three directions which is fixed on the inner face of the plate (12) by a single clamping screw (62) engaged in a bore of a first end (66) of this bar (60), characterized in that the mounting tool (40) comprises a support for positioning the plate, and comprises for each bar (60) a housing (54) receiving its second end (64) by placing this bar (60) in its final assembly position.

2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the mounting tool (40) comprises a panel (44) inclined relative to a flat base (42), receiving the plate (12) to form its positioning support.

3. Assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the base (42) comprises a groove (50) arranged parallel to the panel (44), which receives the lower edge of the plate (12) ensuring its wedging.

4. Assembly according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the panel (44) has an opening (48) receiving a connector (14) protruding from the outer face of the plate (12).

5. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (54) of the second end (64) of each bar (60) comprises a flat groove formed on the top of a boss (52) of the mounting tool (40).

6. An assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that each housing (54) comprises a circular stud (56) which fits into a bore in the second end (64) of each bar (60).

7. Method for mounting connection bars (60) on a closing plate (12) of an assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of placing the plate (12) on the positioning support of the mounting tool (40), then a step of positioning the second end (64) of each bar (60) on its housing (54).

8. Method for mounting a connecting bar according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a step of placing screws (62) on the first end (66) of the bars (60), then tightening these screws (62) with the plate (12) remaining wedged on the mounting tool (40).

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