MOTOR VEHICLE FEATURING AN UNDER-BODY CARGO RECEIVER CLEANING DEVICE BY AERODYNAMIC EFFECT

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric motor vehicle (1000), the underbody (200) of which comprises a charging tray (300) closed by a hatch (400) facing the ground, and comprising a cleaning device (500) that cleans the underbody charging tray (300) by aerodynamic effect when the vehicle (1000) is in motion. This cleaning device (500) comprises at least one Venturi nozzle (600) arranged in a longitudinal direction (X) in the vicinity of the charging tray (300) and configured to subject its hatch (400) to a flow of pressurized or depressurized fluid for cleaning this hatch (400). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A DRIP TUB CLEANING DEVICE UNDER-BODY CHARGE 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 charge 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 gravity field, said motor vehicle being arranged to move in a straight line along said longitudinal direction which is parallel to the ground and perpendicular to said vertical direction.

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

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

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

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

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

[0007] The conductive systems currently presented at the beginning of the market are strongly affected by these trap blockage problems, particularly under 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-bearing area under the body of a vehicle. Most of these cleaning systems are somewhat complex and have a significant volume that reduces the vehicle's ground clearance.

[0009] The objective of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks by proposing The Venturi effect (Bernoulli's Law) is used to create at least one pressurized airflow and / or a low-pressure area over the protective cover to clean it, preventing the risk of the electrical charging port cover becoming blocked by ice, snow, mud, dust, or other debris. This airflow, or even multiple flows, can be supplemented with sprayed water and / or another fluid. This cleaning process is carried out while the vehicle is in motion.

[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 gravity field, said motor vehicle being arranged to move in a straight line along said longitudinal direction which is parallel to the ground and perpendicular to said vertical direction.

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

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

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

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

[0015] Advantageously, said cleaning device comprises at least one said Venturi effect nozzle disposed in said longitudinal direction in front of at least one said charge receiver in the direction of travel in forward motion 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 disposed in said longitudinal direction behind at least one said load receiver in the direction of travel when moving forward on 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 is combinable with the previous alternative upstream of the hatch.

[0019] In one variant, said cleaning device comprises a plurality of said Venturi effect nozzles for cleaning the same said charge receiver.

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

[0021] Advantageously, at least one said Venturi effect nozzle comprises, along said longitudinal direction, from front to rear of said motor vehicle, a convergent inlet nozzle for the introduction of ambient air according to an incoming airflow, a throat, and a divergent outlet nozzle for the outlet of the fluid or 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 inlet nozzle for the introduction of another fluid into the incoming airflow, located in said inlet nozzle upstream of said throat where said incoming airflow and the flow of said other fluid mix.

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

[0025] Advantageously, said cleaning device includes a cleaning fluid reservoir for supplying said at least one inlet 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 to said load receiver, 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 fin and / or at least one winglet arranged or respectively arranged to create an air vortex upstream of said load receiver and / or of said Venturi effect nozzle arranged for cleaning said load receiver.

[0028] Thus the arrangement of the lower body allows at least one Venturi effect nozzle to be housed, and / or the air to be channeled towards at least one Venturi effect nozzle.

[0029] Advantageously, said cleaning device includes a closing device arranged for the intermittent activation of at least one said Venturi effect nozzle to generate a jerking effect.

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

[0031] The invention will be further detailed by describing non-limiting embodiments, and based on the accompanying figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which: - [Fig.l] schematically illustrates, in elevation, a motor vehicle comprising, under the body 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 illustrates the front of the vehicle and its direction of travel in forward motion; - [Fig.2] schematically illustrates in cross-section a Venturi effect nozzle suitable for this cleaning device; the dashed line oriented to the right illustrates the flow of fluid in this nozzle; - [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in elevation, the lower part of the vehicle [Fig.l] ; - [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, from a bottom view, the lower part presented in [Fig.3], in a variant comprising two nozzles in front of the hatch, on either side of the charge receiver, and whose exit jets are diverted to clean the hatch; - [Fig. 5] schematically illustrates, from below, another variant comprising a nozzle in front of the hatch, and aligned with it; - [Fig.6] schematically illustrates, from below, another variant comprising a nozzle behind the hatch, and aligned with it; - [Fig.7] schematically illustrates, from below, 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 comprising a device for cleaning the underbody charge receiver by means of an aerodynamic effect. [Fig. 1] illustrates such a motor vehicle comprising a cleaning device 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 outlet 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 a vertical direction Z parallel to the gravitational field, the motor vehicle 1000 being arranged to move in a straight line along 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 modifying the body 100 of the vehicle 1000 with a conformation of the vehicle's underbody 200 with one or more restrictions to create a Venturi effect. This modification advantageously includes one or more ducts capable of managing airflow.

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

[0038] The airflow generated by the depression of the Venturi effect nozzle is carried in a duct to 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, according to its configuration).

[0039] Advantageously, this cleaning device 500 comprises at least one such Venturi effect nozzle 600 disposed, in particular substantially axially, along the longitudinal direction X in the vicinity of each charge receiver 300 included in the motor vehicle 1000, so that the fluid flow 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 disposed in the longitudinal direction X in front of at least one said load receiver 300 in the direction of travel in forward motion 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 charge receiver 300 in the direction of forward 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 vacuum to draw air from the area of ​​the hatch, which generates an airflow with the same effect.

[0044] With the movement of the vehicle, an airflow passes through a Venturi effect nozzle, using Bernoulli's law, which makes it possible to create a vacuum and therefore an air suction that can be directed towards the protective flap of the charging connector.

[0045] It is also possible to introduce water droplets into this suction zone, either by means of a pump or by using the same Venturi effect, which further washes the hatch in question. The airflow can thus keep the system cleaner by removing dust from the surface and cleaning it with an additional jet of water. Subsequently, a dry airflow can be used to dry the hatch, leaving the surface free of water and preventing any risk of subsequent freezing.

[0046] For this purpose, in an advantageous embodiment, a Venturi effect nozzle 600 comprises, along 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 airflow, a throat 620, and a divergent outlet nozzle 630 for the outlet of the fluid or mixture of fluids transported by the Venturi effect nozzle 600.

[0047] More particularly, the Venturi effect nozzle 600 includes at least one inlet nozzle 640 for the introduction of another liquid or gaseous fluid, or mixture of fluids into the incoming airflow, located in the inlet nozzle 610 upstream of the throat 620 where the incoming airflow and the flow of this other fluid are mixed.

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

[0049] [Fig. 2] illustrates such a Venturi effect nozzle for aspiration. This effect nozzle The Venturi 600 includes, on its left upstream side, an inlet nozzle 610 defining an air intake zone through which an airflow flows as the vehicle 1000 moves forward. The airflow is channeled convergently into this air intake zone. More specifically, and without limitation, the inlet nozzle 610 includes at least one lateral inlet equipped with at least one inlet nozzle 640 for introducing another fluid into the incoming airflow, for example, water, which is drawn in by this incoming airflow. The smaller cross-sectional area of ​​the Venturi nozzle 600, called the throat 620, is the mixing zone where any mixing between the airflow and the flow of the other introduced fluid(s) takes place. The long flared outlet tube, diverging, of the Venturi effect nozzle 600, is the diverging outlet nozzle 630 arranged to project the mixed fluids at high speed towards the area of ​​use.

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

[0051] [Fig.4] illustrates a view from below of the base 200 of the casing 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 along 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 seen in [Fig.5], [Fig.6], [Fig.7].

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

[0054] More particularly, the underbody 200 of the body 100 includes at least one air guide channel to 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 includes at least one fin and / or at least one winglet 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 air under the body can also be simply directed towards the hatch through ducts, fins, underbody restrictions, or any other aerodynamic / aerodynamic element.

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

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

[0058] Another variant consists of conforming the connection element under the body, or load receiver, by integrating aerodynamic elements (fins, Venturi tube, or others) in order to facilitate integration on the one hand, and the direction of the airflow on the surface on the other.

[0059] Yet another variant consists of intermittently activating the Venturi tubes, particularly when the device has several of them as in [Fig. 4] or [Fig. 7], so as to generate a jerking effect on both sides, and thus requires a shuttering mechanism or similar. The cleaning device 500 then includes a shuttering device arranged for the intermittent activation of at least one Venturi effect nozzle 600 to generate such a jerking effect.

[0060] The invention brings many 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 takeoff phase of the fluid net from the edge of a poorly profiled 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

Demands

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) comprising at least one charging receiver (300) comprising at least one electrical outlet 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 gravity field, said motor vehicle (1000) being arranged to move in a straight line along 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 underbody load receiver (300) by aerodynamic effect during movement of said motor vehicle (1000), said cleaning device (500) comprising at least one Venturi effect nozzle (600) disposed along said longitudinal direction (X) in the vicinity of 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 the cleaning of 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) disposed along said longitudinal direction (X) in the vicinity of each said charge receiver (300) included in said motor vehicle (1000) so that the fluid flow through said Venturi effect nozzle (600) is aligned with said relevant hatch (400).

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) disposed along said longitudinal direction (X) in front of at least one said charge receiver (300) in the direction of travel in forward motion of said motor vehicle (1000).

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

5. Motor vehicle (1000) according to any 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 any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that at least one said Venturi effect nozzle (600) comprises, along 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 airflow, a throat (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 inlet nozzle (640) for the introduction of another fluid into the incoming airflow, located in said inlet nozzle (610) upstream of said neck (620) where said incoming airflow and the flow of said other fluid are mixed.

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 inlet nozzle (640).

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

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

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