MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A DEVICE FOR CLEANING THE UNDERBODY LOAD RECEIVER BY AERODYNAMIC EFFECT

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric motor vehicle (1000), the underbody (200) of which comprises a load receiver (300) closed by a hatch (400) facing the ground, comprising a cleaning device (500) carrying out the cleaning of the load receiver (300) under the body by aerodynamic effect during a movement of the vehicle (1000), this cleaning device (500) comprising at least one Venturi effect nozzle (600) arranged in a longitudinal direction (X) in the vicinity of the load receiver (300) and arranged to subject its hatch (400) to a flow of pressurized or depressurized fluid, for the cleaning of this hatch (400). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A DEVICE FOR CLEANING A RECEIVER UNDERBODY CHARGING BY AERODYNAMIC EFFECT

[0001] The invention relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising a body whose underbody constitutes the part closest to the ground under said motor vehicle, which underbody comprises at least one load receiver comprising at least one electrical socket in a housing closed by at least one hatch facing the ground, said motor vehicle extending on either side of a median plane defined by a longitudinal direction and by a vertical direction parallel to the field of gravity, said motor vehicle being arranged to move in a straight line in said longitudinal direction which is parallel to the ground and perpendicular to said vertical direction.

[0002] The invention relates to the field of devices for recharging electric or hybrid motor vehicles with electrical energy.

[0003] Charging an electric or hybrid motor vehicle is currently carried out via a cable and a connector to be plugged into the vehicle's socket. This requires user action on a cable that may be heavy, poorly stored, wet or dirty.

[0004] Automatic systems exist. In particular, a robotic arm can make the electrical connection of the male connector with a female socket under the body. The female socket under the body is then protected by a sliding or rotating cover, the assembly being called a load receiver.

[0005] The connector under the body of a car is subject to attacks such as humidity, mud, snow and frost. Its protection is therefore obligatory, and is done by a motorized hatch (this must remain automatic) which can slide or pivot.

[0006] But these same elements are a source of mechanical blocking of the protective hatch which can make the system unusable.

[0007] The conductive systems currently presented at the start of the market are strongly affected by these problems of trap blocking, particularly in certain conditions, which reduces the availability of the system, especially in countries subject to severe winter conditions, Scandinavia, Canada, USA and others.

[0008] Various solutions have been proposed for cleaning the load receiver under the body of a vehicle. Most of these cleaning systems are somewhat complex and have a significant volume, reducing the vehicle's ground clearance.

[0009] The objective of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks by proposing the use of the Venturi effect (Bernoulli's Law) to create at least one pressurized air flow and / or a vacuum on the protective hatch so as to clean it, to prevent the risk of the protective hatch of the underbody electrical charging socket remaining blocked by frost, snow or mud, dust, or other. It is possible to add to this flow, possibly several flows, sprayed water and / or another fluid. This cleaning is done while the vehicle is running.

[0010] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising a body whose underbody constitutes the part closest to the ground under said motor vehicle, which underbody comprises at least one charging receiver comprising at least one electrical socket in a housing closed by at least one hatch facing the ground, said motor vehicle extending on either side of a median plane defined by a longitudinal direction and by a vertical direction parallel to the field of gravity, said motor vehicle being arranged to move in a straight line in said longitudinal direction which is parallel to the ground and perpendicular to said vertical direction.

[0011] According to the invention, said motor vehicle comprises a cleaning device arranged to clean said at least one underbody load receiver by aerodynamic effect during movement of said motor vehicle, said cleaning device comprising at least one Venturi effect nozzle arranged in said longitudinal direction in the vicinity of a said load receiver and arranged to subject each hatch of said load receiver to a flow of pressurized or depressurized fluid, for cleaning said hatch.

[0012] Thanks to the invention, efficient cleaning of the hatch of a load receiver is possible during movement of the vehicle, without requiring additional motorization or energy consumption other than that linked to the movement of the vehicle.

[0013] Advantageously, said cleaning device comprises at least one said Venturi effect nozzle arranged in said longitudinal direction in the vicinity of each said charge receiver that said motor vehicle comprises so that the flow of fluid passing through said Venturi effect nozzle is aligned with said hatch concerned.

[0014] Thus the pressure variation is inevitably applied to the hatch and its opening / closing device.

[0015] Advantageously, said cleaning device comprises at least one said Venturi effect nozzle arranged in said longitudinal direction in front of at least one said load receiver in the forward direction of travel of said motor vehicle.

[0016] This configuration is the easiest to install under the vehicle body.

[0017] Advantageously, said cleaning device comprises at least one said Venturi effect nozzle arranged in said longitudinal direction behind at least one said load receiver in the forward direction of travel of said motor vehicle.

[0018] This variant downstream of the hatch also makes it possible to ensure a pressure variation at the level of the load receiver hatch, and can be combined with the previous alternative upstream of the hatch.

[0019] In a variant, said cleaning device comprises a plurality of said Venturi effect nozzles for cleaning a single said load receiver.

[0020] It is thus possible to reduce the size of each Venturi effect nozzle and / or to increase the efficiency of the cleaning of the hatch.

[0021] Advantageously, at least one said Venturi effect nozzle comprises, in said longitudinal direction, from the front to the rear of said motor vehicle, a convergent inlet nozzle for the introduction of ambient air according to an incoming air flow, a neck, and a divergent outlet nozzle for the outlet of the fluid or the mixture of fluids transported by said Venturi effect nozzle.

[0022] Thus the nozzle is inexpensive and can be made from a wide variety of materials.

[0023] Advantageously, said Venturi effect nozzle comprises at least one introduction nozzle for introducing another fluid into the incoming air flow, located in said inlet nozzle upstream of said neck where said incoming air flow and the flow of said other fluid mix.

[0024] It is thus possible to insert a product facilitating the cleaning of the hatch, and / or facilitating defrosting of the hatch.

[0025] Advantageously, said cleaning device comprises a reservoir of cleaning fluid for supplying said at least one introduction nozzle.

[0026] Thus, a liquid can be used for cleaning and / or defrosting the hatch.

[0027] Advantageously, said underbody of said body comprises at least one air guide channel towards a said load receiver, comprising at least one duct and / or at least one restriction and / or at least one aerodynamic and protective screen under the body, and / or comprises at least one spoiler and / or at least one fin arranged or respectively arranged to create an air vortex upstream of said load receiver and / or of a said Venturi effect nozzle arranged for cleaning said load receiver.

[0028] Thus the arrangement of the underbody makes it possible to house at least one Venturi effect nozzle, and / or to channel the air towards at least one Venturi effect nozzle.

[0029] Advantageously, said cleaning device comprises a shut-off device arranged for the intermittent activation of at least one said Venturi effect nozzle to generate a jolt effect.

[0030] It is then possible to improve the removal of ice or dust concretions at the level of the hatch.

[0031] The invention will be further detailed by the description of non-limiting embodiments, and on the basis of the appended figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which: - [Fig.l] schematically illustrates, in elevation, a motor vehicle comprising, under the underbody, a cleaning device according to the invention, comprising a Venturi effect nozzle for cleaning a hatch of a load receiver; the hollow arrow on the left side illustrates the front of the vehicle and its direction of travel when moving forward; - [Fig.2] schematically illustrates in sectional view a Venturi effect nozzle suitable for this cleaning device; the dot-dash line pointing to the right illustrates the circulation of the fluid flow in this nozzle; - [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in elevation, the lower part of the vehicle of [Fig.l] ; - [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a view from below, the lower part re presented in [Fig.3], in a variant comprising two nozzles in front of the hatch, on either side of the load receiver, and whose outlet jets are deflected to clean the hatch; - [Fig.5] schematically illustrates, in bottom view, another variant comprising a nozzle in front of the hatch, and aligned with it; - [Fig.6] schematically illustrates, in a view from below, another variant comprising a nozzle behind the hatch, and aligned with it; - [Fig.7] schematically illustrates, in a bottom view, another variant comprising a nozzle in front of the hatch, and a nozzle behind the hatch, both aligned with the hatch.

[0032] The invention relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle 1000 comprising a device for cleaning the load receiver under the body by aerodynamic effect. [Fig.l] illustrates such a motor vehicle 1000 comprising a cleaning device 500 according to the invention.

[0033] This electric or hybrid motor vehicle 1000 comprises a body 100 whose underbody 200 constitutes the part closest to the ground under the motor vehicle 1000. This underbody 200 comprises at least one charging receiver 300, which comprises at least one electrical socket in a housing closed by at least one hatch 400 facing the ground.

[0034] This motor vehicle 1000 extends on either side of a median plane XZ defined by a longitudinal direction X and by a vertical direction Z parallel to the gravity field, the motor vehicle 1000 being arranged to move in a straight line in this longitudinal direction X which is parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the vertical direction Z. A transverse direction Y is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X and to the vertical direction Z.

[0035] The invention consists of arranging the body 100 of the vehicle 1000 with a conformation of the underbody 200 of the vehicle with one or more restrictions to have a Venturi effect. This arrangement advantageously comprises one or more ducts capable of managing the air flows.

[0036] The motor vehicle 1000 thus comprises a cleaning device 500 which is arranged to clean this at least one load receiver 300 under the body by aerodynamic effect during a movement of the motor vehicle 1000. The cleaning device 500 comprises at least one Venturi effect nozzle 600 arranged in the longitudinal direction X in the vicinity of a load receiver 300, and which is arranged to subject each hatch 400 of the load receiver 300 concerned to a flow of pressurized or depressurized fluid, for cleaning the hatch 400. In the simplest version, this fluid is the air surrounding the vehicle 1000, which circulates from upstream to downstream in the longitudinal direction X when the vehicle 1000 is moving forward.

[0037] The system preferably uses one or more Venturi effect nozzles 600 installed in the vehicle 1000. The Venturi effect nozzle 600 makes it possible to take advantage of the dynamics of the vehicle 1000 to create suction, via a restriction in a pipe.

[0038] The air flow generated by the depression of the Venturi effect nozzle is carried in a pipe towards the protective hatch 400 (or / and the guides of the hatch 400, or / and the pivot, or / and the hinge, or / and the lock, or / and any accessory that this hatch 400 comprises, depending on its configuration).

[0039] Advantageously, this cleaning device 500 comprises at least one such Venturi effect nozzle 600 arranged, in particular substantially axially, in the longitudinal direction X in the vicinity of each load receiver 300 that the motor vehicle 1000 comprises, so that the flow of fluid passing through the Venturi effect nozzle 600 is aligned with the relevant hatch 400.

[0040] Advantageously, this cleaning device 500 comprises at least one Venturi effect nozzle 600 arranged in the longitudinal direction X in front of at least one said load receiver 300 in the forward direction of travel of said motor vehicle 1000.

[0041] Advantageously, in another variant, the cleaning device 500 comprises at least one Venturi effect nozzle 600 arranged in the longitudinal direction X behind at least one load receiver 300 in the forward direction of travel of said motor vehicle 1000.

[0042] In another variant, the cleaning device 500 comprises a plurality of Venturi effect nozzles 600 for cleaning the same load receiver 300.

[0043] It is therefore also possible to use the depression to suck air from the hatch area, which generates an air flow with the same effect.

[0044] With the movement of the vehicle, an air flow passes through a Venturi effect nozzle, using Bernoulli's law, which creates a depression and therefore an air suction that can be directed towards the protective hatch of the charging connector.

[0045] It is also possible to integrate water droplets into this suction zone, by means of a pump, or by using the same Venturi phenomenon, which allows the hatch in question to be washed further. The air flow can thus keep the system cleaner by dusting the surface and cleaning it with an additional water jet. Subsequently, a dry air flow can allow the hatch to be dried, leaving the surface water-free, and avoiding any risk of subsequent freezing.

[0046] For this purpose, in an advantageous variant, a Venturi effect nozzle 600 comprises, in the longitudinal direction X, from the front to the rear of the motor vehicle 1000, a convergent inlet nozzle 610 for the introduction of ambient air according to an incoming air flow, a neck 620, and a divergent outlet nozzle 630 for the outlet of the fluid or the mixture of fluids transported by the Venturi effect nozzle 600.

[0047] More particularly, the Venturi effect nozzle 600 comprises at least one introduction nozzle 640 for the introduction of another liquid or gaseous fluid, or even a mixture of fluids into the incoming air flow, located in the inlet nozzle 610 upstream of the neck 620 where the incoming air flow and the flow of this other fluid mix.

[0048] Advantageously, the cleaning device 500 then comprises a cleaning fluid reservoir 510 for supplying this at least one introduction nozzle 640.

[0049] [Fig.2] illustrates such a Venturi effect nozzle for suction. This effect nozzle Venturi 600 comprises, on the left part of the upstream side, an inlet nozzle 610 delimiting an air inlet zone where an inlet air flow circulates when the vehicle 1000 advances, the air flow is channeled convergently in this air inlet zone. More particularly and not limitingly, the inlet nozzle 610 comprises at least one lateral inlet provided with at least one introduction nozzle 640 for the introduction of another fluid into the incoming air flow, for example water which is sucked in by this incoming air flow. The middle zone, of smaller section, of the Venturi effect nozzle 600, called neck 620, is the mixing zone where the possible mixing takes place between the air flow and the flow of the other fluid(s) introduced. The long, divergent, flared outlet tube of the 600 Venturi nozzle is the 630 divergent outlet nozzle arranged to project the fluids thus mixed at high speed towards the area of ​​use.

[0050] [Fig.3] illustrates only the lower part, or base 200, of the body 100 of the vehicle 1000, in side view, we see under the body 100 a Venturi effect nozzle 600 on the left side, and an underbody connection on the right side.

[0051] [Fig.4] illustrates in a view from below the base 200 of the body 100, with on the right in a substantially axial position the underbody connection, and, to the left of the figure and in front of the underbody connection in the direction of travel, two Venturi effect nozzles on either side of the underbody connection.

[0052] The air inlets of the Venturi effect nozzle 600 are represented non-limitingly by arrows in directions close to the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle 1000, and the directional outlets of the Venturi by oblique, almost transverse arrows, towards the load receiver 300. These directional outlets can also be axial, depending on the configuration of the load receiver 300 and the areas of the hatch 400 to be cleaned, as visible in [Fig.5], [Fig.6], [Fig.7].

[0053] Naturally, the device can operate with a single Venturi effect nozzle 600 as seen in [Fig. 5] or [Fig. 6]. It is also possible to vary the configuration by using several Venturi effect nozzles 600, several air suction sources and several directional outlets to target the critical points of the hatch 400 to be cleaned, or / and also by creating a combination of air flows capable of generating vortices in proximity to the surface of the hatch 400 to exert mechanical stress on the dirt, or ice concretions, or others, so as to remove them.

[0054] More particularly, the underbody 200 of the body 100 comprises at least one air guide channel towards a load receiver 300, comprising at least one duct and / or at least one restriction and / or at least one aerodynamic and underbody protection screen, and / or comprises at least one spoiler and / or at least one fin arranged or respectively arranged to create an air vortex upstream of the load receiver 300 and / or a Venturi effect nozzle 600 arranged for cleaning this load receiver 300.

[0055] The underbody air can also be simply directed towards the hatch via ducts, fins, underbody restrictions, or any other aeraulic / aerodynamic element.

[0056] A variation of the Venturi application is not to suck in air to propel it onto the hatch, but to suck in air in front of the hatch with the same cleaning effect.

[0057] It is also possible to have the suction in the area of ​​the surface to be cleaned in addition to the ejection on the same surface, so as to double the effect of the air, in recirculation mode, as visible in [Fig.7].

[0058] Another variant consists of conforming the underbody connection element, or load receiver, by integrating aerodynamic elements (fins, Venturi tube, or others) so as to facilitate integration on the one hand, and the direction of the air flow on the surface on the other hand.

[0059] Yet another variant consists of carrying out intermittent activation of the Venturi tubes, in particular when the device comprises several of them as in [Fig.4] or [Fig.7], so as to generate a jolting effect on either side, and then requires a shut-off mechanism or the like. The cleaning device 500 then comprises a shut-off device arranged for the intermittent activation of at least one Venturi effect nozzle 600 to generate such a jolting effect.

[0060] The invention provides numerous advantages, and in particular the reduction of availability problems of certain automatic charging systems.

[0061] The device does not include any moving components (it should be noted that, although it is of course possible to install a water pump, the suction function can also be fulfilled by the suction of the Venturi).

[0062] The device is robust, inexpensive, and compact.

[0063] Specific fins or elements can create vortices, particularly during the take-off phase of the fluid stream from the edge of a low-profile fin (Von Karman vortex style).

[0064] Aerodynamic and underbody protection screens can also incorporate this design to create a specific directional flow to be projected onto the surface of the load receiver hatch.

Claims

Claims

1. Electric or hybrid motor vehicle (1000) comprising a body (100) whose underbody (200) constitutes the part closest to the ground under said motor vehicle (1000), which underbody (200) comprises at least one charging receiver (300) comprising at least one electrical socket in a housing closed by at least one hatch (400) facing the ground, said motor vehicle (1000) extending on either side of a median plane (XZ) defined by a longitudinal direction (X) and by a vertical direction (Z) parallel to the field of gravity, said motor vehicle (1000) being arranged to move in a straight line in said longitudinal direction (X) which is parallel to the ground and perpendicular to said vertical direction (Z),characterized in that said motor vehicle (1000) comprises a cleaning device (500) arranged to clean said at least one load receiver (300) under the body by aerodynamic effect during movement of said motor vehicle (1000), said cleaning device (500) comprising at least one Venturi effect nozzle (600) arranged in said longitudinal direction (X) in the vicinity of a said load receiver (300) and arranged to subject each hatch (400) of said load receiver (300) to a flow of pressurized or depressurized fluid, for cleaning said hatch (400).,

2. Motor vehicle (1000) according to claim 1 characterized in that said cleaning device (500) comprises at least one said Venturi effect nozzle (600) arranged in said longitudinal direction (X) in the vicinity of each said charge receiver (300) that said motor vehicle (1000) comprises so that the flow of fluid passing through said Venturi effect nozzle (600) is aligned with said hatch (400) concerned.

3. Motor vehicle (1000) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that said cleaning device (500) comprises at least one said Venturi effect nozzle (600) arranged in said longitudinal direction (X) in front of at least one said load receiver (300) in the forward direction of travel of said motor vehicle (1000).

4. Motor vehicle (1000) according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that said cleaning device (500) comprises at least one said Venturi effect nozzle (600) arranged in said longitudinal direction (X) behind at least one said charge receiver (300) in the forward direction of travel of said motor vehicle (1000).

5. Motor vehicle (1000) according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that said cleaning device (500) comprises a plurality of said Venturi effect nozzles (600) for cleaning the same said charge receiver (300).

6. Motor vehicle (1000) according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that at least one said Venturi effect nozzle (600) comprises, in said longitudinal direction (X), from the front to the rear of said motor vehicle (1000), a convergent inlet nozzle (610) for the introduction of ambient air according to an incoming air flow, a neck (620), and a divergent outlet nozzle (630) for the outlet of the fluid or mixture of fluids transported by said Venturi effect nozzle (600).

7. Motor vehicle (1000) according to claim 6 characterized in that said Venturi effect nozzle (600) comprises at least one introduction nozzle (640) for the introduction of another fluid into the incoming air flow, located in said inlet nozzle (610) upstream of said neck (620) where said incoming air flow and the flow of said other fluid mix.

8. Motor vehicle (1000) according to claim 7 characterized in that said cleaning device (500) comprises a cleaning fluid reservoir (510) for supplying said at least one introduction nozzle (640).

9. Motor vehicle (1000) according to one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that said underbody (200) of said body (100) comprises at least one air guide channel towards a said load receiver (300), comprising at least one duct or / and at least one restriction or / and at least one aerodynamic and underbody protection screen, or / and comprises at least one spoiler or / and at least one fin arranged or respectively arranged to create an air vortex upstream of said load receiver (300) or / and of a said Venturi effect nozzle (600) arranged for cleaning said load receiver (300).

10. Motor vehicle (1000) according to one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that said cleaning device (500) comprises a shut-off device arranged for the intermittent activation of at least one said Venturi effect nozzle (600) to generate a jolt effect.

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