Assembly for mounting connection bars for a traction battery of a motor vehicle

Abstract

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

Description

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

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

[0002] A known type of vehicle traction battery, described in particular by document FR-A1-3074729, comprises several compartments containing electrochemical cells for storing electrical energy, and a cooling plate for these cells. Flat connecting bars made of a conductive metal, comprising various curvatures, connect the compartments to each other to transmit electrical power.

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

[0004] In general, it is known to form on a battery box cover an opening receiving inside a plate tightened on its contour closing the passage, comprising on its face turned towards the outside 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 involves first fixing one end of each connecting bar to the plate by means of a screw engaged in a hole in the bar, to form a subassembly. This subassembly is then positioned on the internal components, and the other end of each bar is clamped onto these components to ensure that the plate is held in position by these rigid bars while simultaneously maintaining electrical continuity.

[0006] The cover is then lowered onto the battery, the plate coming precisely into its final position resting on the inner contour of the opening of this cover, then screws are fitted into holes in the cover around the passage, and tightened to obtain the final fixing of the plate with a seal 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 sub-assembly can be difficult to achieve, particularly if the fixing of Each bar is secured by a single screw, allowing the bar some rotation around the screw before it locks. Particularly for bars with complex bends and three-dimensional shapes, as illustrated in the prior art documents cited above, the operator must simultaneously hold the bars in their final position, engage the screws, and then tighten them while maintaining precise angular positioning around the screw.

[0008] For mass production assembly, the complex shape of the bars complicates their retention, while the operator must simultaneously engage and tighten the screws. 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 connecting bars on an inner face of a closing plate of a passage on a traction battery cover of a motor vehicle, this assembly comprising a mounting tool, the closing plate, and at least one flat connecting bar having folds in three directions which is fixed to the inner face of the plate by a single clamping screw engaged in a hole in one end of this bar, this assembly being remarkable in that the mounting tool includes a support for positioning the plate, and includes for each bar a housing receiving its second end by placing this bar in its final assembly position.

[0011] One advantage of this assembly is that it allows an operator, after placing the plate on the tool support and ensuring its positioning, to then place each bar onto the tool, adjusting its second end in the recess provided to receive it. This automatically results in the first end of each bar being positioned opposite the hole in the plate that receives the fixing screw, regardless of the complex shape of the bars in space between their ends.

[0012] The operator can then, without having to hold the pre-positioned components, insert each screw and tighten them to the recommended torque using a power drill. This represents a series of simple, quick, and ergonomic steps. Furthermore, the correct positioning of all the bars is ensured, and, after these bars are attached to the battery components, the plate is also precisely aligned with the opening in the cover.

[0013] The assembly according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, 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 has a groove arranged parallel to the panel, which receives the lower edge of the plate while ensuring its positioning.

[0016] Furthermore, advantageously the panel includes an opening receiving a connector protruding from the outer face of the plate.

[0017] Advantageously, the housing at the second end of each bar has a flat groove formed on the top of a boss on 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 of mounting connecting bars on a closing plate of an assembly comprising any of the preceding characteristics, remarkable in that it includes 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 includes a step of placing screws on the first end of the bars, then tightening these screws with the plate remaining wedged on the mounting tool.

[0021] The invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will become more apparent upon reading the following description given by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] [Fig. 1] presents a complete battery having a plate equipped with connectors for 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 the bars have been assembled on the plate.

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

[0027] The upper cover 4 has on one side a flat surface 10 having an opening forming a passage 24 receiving a closing plate 12 clamped on its inner 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 includes, next to the connector 14, electrical boxes 20, and a ventilation plug 22 allowing the evacuation of gases in case of overpressure in the casing. The inside of the casing includes a rigid frame 30 receiving the electrochemical cells 32, and above it an electronic control box for the battery 34 and the low voltage and high voltage relays 36.

[0029] The connector 14, located on the outer face of the cover plate 12, is connected to the internal power circuit of the battery by two conductive bars having a flat cross-section with various folds along the three spatial directions. Each bar has a hole at its end for 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 an assembly tool 40 comprising a flat base 42 supporting an inclined panel 44 supported at the rear by ribs 46, which has an opening 48. The closing 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 a wedge ensuring that this plate is held in place.

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

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

[0033] After the plate 12 is placed on the mounting tool 40, the operator grasps two flat connecting bars 60 comprising folds along the three directions in space, then for each inserts 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 hole in this second end, thus fixing its position and preventing the bar from sliding in the groove. This results in precise positioning of the two ends 64, 66 of each bar 60, regardless of the complex shape of the bars between them.

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

[0036] The various assembly operations of the sub-assembly comprising the plate 12 and its screwed connecting bars 60 have thus been broken down into elementary, ergonomic operations easily performed with one or two hands, including the insertion of the plate 12, the placement of each bar 60 with the engagement of its screw 62, and the positioning of the second end of these bars 64 in the grooves 54, then the last operation consisting only of tightening the screws with all the elements held in position.

[0037] The operator can then place the sub-assembly 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 the upper cover 4 is placed on the battery tray 2, the plate 12 fits directly behind the opening 24 of this cover in its final mounting position, with its holes aligned with those of the contour of the opening, which allows the external clamping screws of this plate 18 to be engaged directly.

Claims

Demands

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 an assembly tool (40), the closing plate (12), and at least one flat connecting bar (60) having folds in the three directions which is fixed to the inner face of the plate (12) by a single clamping screw (62) engaged in a bore in a first end (66) of this bar (60), characterized in that the assembly tool (40) has a positioning support for the plate, and has 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) has a groove (50) arranged parallel to the panel (44), which receives the lower edge of the plate (12) by ensuring its positioning.

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

6. 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 of mounting connecting 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 of mounting 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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