MOTOR VEHICLE INCLUDING A BATTERY CHARGING CORD

Abstract

Motor vehicle comprising: - an electrical energy storage battery, - a body (1) comprising a housing (2) and a hatch (3) articulated between a first position (P1) closing this housing (2) and a second position opening the housing (2), - an electric cord for recharging the battery, deployable from the housing (2), having a free end and comprising a plug (4) at this free end, this plug (4) being intended to be plugged into a socket of an onshore electrical network in a deployed charging position, the hatch (3) being in its second position, and configured to be stored in the housing (2) in a stored position (P2) for which the hatch (3) occupies the first position (P1), the vehicle comprising an elastic means (5) compressed by the hatch (3) against the plug (4), this elastic means (5) being positioned between the hatch (3) in its first position (P1) and the plug (4) in its stored position (P2). Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A BATTERY CHARGING CORD

[0001] The invention relates to the field of motor vehicles comprising an electrical energy storage battery rechargeable by a terrestrial electrical network when the vehicle is parked, by means of a charging cord deployable from the vehicle.

[0002] Motor vehicles are known comprising: - the electrical energy storage battery, - a body comprising a housing and a hatch hinged between a first position closing this housing and a second position opening the housing, - the electric battery charging cord, deployable from the housing, having a free end and comprising a plug at this free end, this plug being intended to be plugged into a socket of the terrestrial electrical network in a deployed charging position, the hatch being in its second position, and configured to be stored in the housing in a stored position for which the hatch occupies the first position.

[0003] Unfortunately, when this vehicle is in the rolling phase, and because of the vibrations generated by the relief of the rolling surface, it happens that the plug, in the stowed position, vibrates and generates noise by impacts against the housing of the bodywork, or even against the hatch. This noise is audible from the passenger compartment of the vehicle and causes discomfort when driving.

[0004] The aim of the invention is to remedy this problem. To this end, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising: - an electrical energy storage battery, - a body comprising a housing and a hatch hinged between a first position closing this housing and a second position opening the housing, - an electrical cord for recharging the battery, deployable from the housing, having a free end and comprising a plug at this free end, this plug being intended to be plugged into a socket of a terrestrial electrical network in a deployed recharging position, the hatch being in its second position, and configured to be stored in the housing in a stowed position for which the hatch occupies the first position, the vehicle comprising an elastic means compressed by the hatch against the plug, this elastic means being positioned between the hatch in its first position and the plug in its stowed position.

[0005] Thus, if the plug has play with the housing, a source of noise, this play is pressed by the elastic means, the latter being pushed by the closure of the hatch on the one hand, and retained by the plug on the other hand. This therefore makes it possible to eliminate any play between the plug and the housing, but also between the hatch and the plug, in addition the adhesion between the elastic means and the plug makes it possible to block the plug along several axes of mobility which means that even if play remains, the plug no longer moves and the noise is eliminated.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the invention, this elastic means is for example fixed on a face of the hatch opposite the housing if the hatch is in its first position. But as a variant it could be fixed on the plug opposite the hatch in its first position.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the invention, this elastic means is for example a closed-cell foam, but could also be a helical or blade spring, or even an elastomer part. However, the foam has the advantage of being light and having the ability to clean the plug due to its rough surface in contact with the plug if the hatch is in the first position.

[0008] As a further variant, according to the invention, this elastic means is an elastic sheet stretched between two fixed points of the hatch. This arrangement allows a great adaptation of the elastic means to the shape of the plug, which effectively maintains the plug in its stored position along several axes.

[0009] As a further variant, according to the invention, this elastic means comprises a winder with elastic return and a sheet stretched by this winder. This sheet is therefore not necessarily elastic, but the winder allows a large deformation of the sheet, eliminating any problem of adaptation of the sheet to the shape of the plug.

[0010] For example, this elastic means comprises, for example, two elastic return winders and a sheet stretched by and between these two winders. Optionally, the sheet as such is wound in these winders, but not necessarily: it can also be fasteners connecting the winders to the sheet.

[0011] For example, this sheet is itself made of elastic material.

[0012] Alternatively and / or additionally, this sheet is made of textile material, woven or non-woven, which has the advantage of having good resistance to fatigue due to the rolling of the sheet.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sheet comprises a gripping handle, this sheet comprising a disinfecting and / or cleaning face pressing against the handle if the sheet is in the stored position and the hatch in the first position.

[0014] For example, the sheet is coated with a disinfectant product, or periodically coated with this disinfectant product by the operator himself, this coating being able to advantageously partially or even completely soak the sheet. The cleaning face is for example a rough face capable of catching impurities, such as foam or textile. This foam or textile will for example be able to be easily changed, or even washed. The contact of this sheet, which can be slippery by friction on the handle of the plug, then allows at least partial cleaning of the handle. This handle is advantageously rounded in shape, or even has a spherical shape opposite this sheet or this foam.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vehicle comprises a means for locking the hatch in the first position, this making it possible to keep the elastic means under stress throughout the driving phase where the hatch is in the first closed position.

[0016] 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:

[0017] [Fig.l]: represents a schematic section view of an elastic means according to the invention.

[0018] [Fig.l] discloses a part of a motor vehicle comprising: - an electrical energy storage battery, - a body 1 comprising a housing 2 and a hatch 3 hinged between a first position PI closing this housing 2 and a second position opening the housing 2, - an electric cord for recharging the battery, deployable from the housing 2, having a free end and comprising a plug 4 at this free end, this plug 4 being intended to be plugged into a socket of a terrestrial electrical network in a deployed recharging position, the hatch 3 being in its second position, and configured to be stored in the housing 2 in a stored position P2 for which the hatch 3 occupies the first position PL

[0019] This battery, not shown, powers, for example, an electric motor of the vehicle, this motor mechanically driving a set of wheels of the vehicle. These batteries, with high energy capacity, need to be recharged regularly, according to several methods known to those skilled in the art.

[0020] This plug 4, also called a “recharging gun” if it takes the form of a gun but this is not obligatory, corresponds for example to an automotive standard for recharging these batteries according to several types of plugs 4 corresponding to several recharging modes.

[0021] For example, a mode known to those skilled in the art is called “mode 1”, for which a vehicle battery is connected to a standard domestic socket by a plug 4 according to the invention, and having an earth connection. Recharging is therefore done with alternating current via an on-board charger in the vehicle. Charging is limited to 16 amps, which is the maximum current that domestic sockets can supply. However, this charging is very slow in this case, up to a maximum of 3.7kW.

[0022] For example, a mode known to those skilled in the art is called "mode 2", also in alternating current, for which the vehicle battery is connected to the charging cord which is itself connected to a standard domestic socket by the plug 4 according to the invention, this cord integrating for example an electronic box. This electronic box is called a portable charger or mobile terminal and is located between the vehicle and the terrestrial electricity network. It monitors the charging parameters continuously in order to be able to interrupt it if an anomaly is detected. This electronic box communicates with one of the vehicle's computers. In addition to standard domestic sockets whose current is limited, this mode 2 allows the use of plugs 4 / CEE type industrial sockets which can supply currents of up to 32 Amps in single-phase or three-phase, up to 1 IkW.

[0023] For example, a mode known as "mode 3" is known to those skilled in the art, for which the vehicle battery is connected to a fixed wall terminal which has a specific socket / plug, for example type 2. This type of fixed wall terminal includes, for example, its own charging cord with its own plug, this plug not being carried by the vehicle and therefore not part of the scope of the invention. But there are also 4 plugs / type 2 sockets which are carried in the vehicle, with the charging cord, and therefore form part of the scope of the invention. This wall charging terminal, with or without charging cord, is connected to an electrical circuit dedicated to charging the vehicle and integrates the control, safety and charge regulation functionalities. This type of charger provides alternating current and often has programming functions. The power delivered in this mode is higher than for modes 1 and 2.It can reach 32 Amps in three-phase up to 22kW.

[0024] For example, a mode known to those skilled in the art is called "mode 4", for which the vehicle battery is connected to a fast or very fast charging terminal. These terminals are found in public places, such as in service stations along motorways. They deliver direct current, and their power can be very high, for example up to 350 kW. These terminals communicate with the electric vehicle and carry all the safety and charge control functions. Given the very high currents used, these terminals have their own charging cord and their specific plug and are therefore not part of the scope of the invention presented since this plug is not carried by the vehicle. The standard in Europe for this type of connector is Type 2 CCS Combo.

[0025] The type 2 socket / plug 4 allows a vehicle to be recharged at home, from the fixed wall terminal, but also for use on public charging stations. This is the mode 3 previously described. It has seven male or female pins and a handle. The type 2 socket 4 supports alternating current with a maximum intensity of 70 A in single-phase and 63 A in three-phase.

[0026] This socket 4 / type 2 plug includes three phase pins L1, L2 and L3, an earth pin PE, a neutral pin N and two control pins "Proximity pilot" PP which could be translated as proximity pilot line and allows the presence of plug 4 in the socket or vice versa to be detected, and "Control pilot" CP which could be translated as control pilot line and which allows the battery charge to be controlled and information to be exchanged between the vehicle and a charging station of the terrestrial electricity network for example.

[0027] This socket 4 / type 2 plug, according to the invention, can also be used for mode 4 but at a charging power lower than mode 4 dedicated to direct current: the “Control pilot” line CP in fact makes it possible to detect the type of vehicle / terminal and the desired charging mode, it is then possible to reassign two of the three phases L1, L2, L3 to a direct current recharge, but therefore of lower intensity because the pins L1, L2, L3 are not sized for powers of 350kW for example.

[0028] The CCS Combo type 2 socket / plug is a combined charging socket / plug, Combined Charging System for the English acronym. It combines a type 2 socket / plug with 2 additional pins dedicated to direct current charging, the mode 4 previously described. The CCS Combo type 2 socket / plug can therefore have up to nine pins and in this case, it can be used indifferently for mode 3 and 4 charging. The CCS Combo type 2 socket / plug can also be dedicated to mode 4, and in this case the pins linked to alternating current charging disappear, and we then speak of a CCS Combo type 2 Direct Current socket / plug. This CCS Combo type 2 Direct Current socket / plug then includes the two pins for direct current (power passage), the two control pins "Proximity pilot" PP and "Control pilot" CP, as well as the ground pin PE, i.e. 5 pins in total.The type 2 CCS Combo socket / plug is not illustrated in the figures but is perfectly known to those skilled in the art. This type 2 CCS Combo or type 2 CCS Combo Direct Current plug is not fitted to the vehicle and is therefore not part of the scope of the invention.

[0029] The body 1 of the vehicle may be a visible part (style) of the exterior of the vehicle, or a technical part. In [Fig.l] a visible part of the body 1 is shown, for example a rear wing of the vehicle. The housing 2 is a localized depression of the body 1. More precisely, in [Fig.l] the body 1 comprises a hole and a housing 8 which is a non-visible technical part of the car rosserie 1, this hole being closed by the housing 8 inserted in this hole, this housing 8 having a bottom pushed through this hole towards the interior of the vehicle. This housing 8 is for example made of plastic while the hole is formed in a part made of sheet metal but not necessarily.

[0030] The charging cord is not shown, but in a manner known to those skilled in the art, this cord can be housed in the housing 8 or in an extension of the housing 8 or even pass through a wall of the housing 8 to be stored in a reserved space in the bodywork, for example stored in a charging cord winder or any other device known to those skilled in the art and allowing this charging cord to be deployed outside the vehicle.

[0031] This housing 8 carries for example a pivot joint allowing a pivot rotation of the hatch 3 obstructing this housing 8 and therefore the housing 2, from the first closed position PI to the second open position, this second position allowing the plug 4 and its charging cord to be extracted from the housing 2.

[0032] According to the invention, illustrated in [Fig.l], this vehicle comprises an elastic means 5 compressed by the hatch 3 against the plug 4, this elastic means 5 being positioned between the hatch 3 in its first position PI and the plug 4 in its stowed position P2. This elastic means 5 is for example fixed on a face 6 of the hatch 3 opposite the housing 2 if the hatch 3 is in its first position PI as illustrated, but this is not obligatory and this elastic means could also be fixed on the plug 4.

[0033] Several variants of this elastic means 5 are conceivable. In a manner not illustrated, we will note for example: - an elastic medium 5 made of closed-cell foam, - an elastic means 5 in the form of an elastic sheet stretched between two fixed points of the hatch 3, - an elastic means 5 comprising an elastic return reel 7 and a sheet 5 stretched by this reel 7.

[0034] The elastic means 5 illustrated in [Fig.l] comprises two elastic return winders 7 and a sheet 5 stretched by and between these two winders 7. These two winders 7 are for example fixed on the hatch 3, this hatch 3, in the first position PI, comprising two partitions 9 extending in the direction of the plug 4 and framing the plug 4 in the stored position P2, the sheet 5 being stretched between each of the ends of these two partitions 9, the part of the sheet 5 between the two partitions 9 interfering with the plug 4 when the hatch 3 closes. But many other variants are possible: for example, the partitions 9 are not obligatory, the reels 7 can be fixed on the hatch 3 so as to frame the sheet 4, the sheet 5 stretched between these two reels 7, without the aid of the partitions 9, will then also be in interference with the sheet 4 when the hatch 3 closes. The reels 7 as such are known to those skilled in the art, and do not present any particular technical difficulty. For example, the elastic return of these winders 7 is achieved by a spring wound in a spiral on itself, with non-touching turns, the central end of which is integral with a winding axis of the sheet as shown diagrammatically. But this or these winders 7 can be replaced by simple helical traction springs, suitable for stretching the sheet 5 between the two partitions 9, or even without partitions 9 if these springs can be arranged so as to frame the sheet 4. Gas cylinders, or any other device known to those skilled in the art, can also be considered.

[0035] This sheet 5 is for example itself made of elastic material and can dispense with any elastic means, or on the contrary add additional elasticity to the elastic means 5.

[0036] This sheet 5 is for example made of woven or non-woven textile material, elastomer, plastic material if the thickness is sufficiently thin. However, for reasons of fatigue resistance, a sheet 5 made of textile will be preferred.

[0037] The sheet 4 comprises a grip handle, this sheet 5 comprising a disinfecting and / or cleaning face resting against the handle if the sheet 4 is in the stored position P2 and the hatch 3 in the first position PI.

[0038] This vehicle comprises a means for locking the hatch 3 in the first position PI. This locking means, not shown, is for example mechanical, for example a known hook retractable by a cable control, or electrical, for example a known hook retractable by an electric actuator, or even electromagnetic. These devices are known to those skilled in the art. The advantage here is that this locking means makes it possible to keep the elastic means 5 pressing against the plug 4 while preventing the hatch 3 from opening.

Claims

Claims

1. Motor vehicle comprising: - an electrical energy storage battery, - a body (1) comprising a housing (2) and a hatch (3) articulated between a first position (PI) closing this housing (2) and a second position opening the housing (2), - an electric cord for recharging the battery, deployable from the housing (2), having a free end and comprising a plug (4) at this free end, this plug (4) being intended to be plugged into a socket of a terrestrial electrical network in a deployed charging position, the hatch (3) being in its second position, and configured to be stored in the housing (2) in a stowed position (P2) for which the hatch (3) occupies the first position (PI), characterized in that the vehicle comprises an elastic means (5) compressed by the hatch (3) against the plug (4), this elastic means (5) being positioned between the hatch (3) in its first position (PI) and the plug (4) in its stowed position (P2).

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, this elastic means (5) being fixed on a face (6) of the hatch (3) opposite the housing (2) if the hatch (3) is in its first position (PI).

3. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, said elastic means (5) being a closed-cell foam.

4. Vehicle according to claim 2, this elastic means (5) being an elastic sheet stretched between two fixed points of the hatch (3).

5. Vehicle according to claim 2, this elastic means (5) comprising an elastic return reel (7) and a sheet (5) stretched by this reel (7).

6. Vehicle according to claim 2, said elastic means (5) comprising two elastic return winders (7) and a sheet (5) stretched by and between these two winders (7).

7. Vehicle according to claim 5 or 6, this sheet (5) itself being made of elastic material.

8. Vehicle according to one of claims 5 to 7, this sheet (5) being made of textile material.

9. Vehicle according to one of claims 5 to 8, the sheet (4) comprising a gripping handle, this sheet (5) comprising a disinfecting and / or cleaning face pressing against the handle if the sheet (4) is in stowed position (P2) and the hatch (3) in first position (PI).

10. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, comprising means for locking the hatch (3) in the first position (PI).

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