AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE TRACTION MACHINE ELECTRICAL CABLE HARNESS TRUNKING SYSTEM

Abstract

Electrical cable harness trunking system for supplying a traction machine of a motor vehicle powertrain, comprising a trunking with a fixed part (30) which ends in a fixing point (20) on the vehicle, and comprising at the fixing point (20) a pivoting connection (32) which connects to the fixed trunking part (30) a movable trunking part (34) for maintaining a dynamic loop (10) for bending the harness. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: ELECTRICAL CABLE HARNESS TRUNKING SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE TRACTION MACHINE

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable harness guide chute system for supplying power to a traction machine of a motor vehicle powertrain, as well as to an electric or hybrid vehicle equipped with such a harness guide chute system.

[0002] A known type of electric vehicle, presented in particular by document FR-Al-3114052, comprises in a front compartment a powertrain comprising an electric vehicle traction machine arranged transversely, which drives the front drive wheels of the vehicle by a speed reducer.

[0003] A high-voltage cable harness coming from a battery fixed under the passenger compartment, rises along a panel separating the passenger compartment from the engine compartment to supply a power inverter located in the upper part, delivering the current to the traction machine with cables having a large copper section to pass the high electrical power. Cables with a section of the order of 25mm2 are commonly used, which gives them a certain rigidity.

[0004] A dynamic bending loop is formed with the cable harness which starts from a rear attachment point linked to the body of the vehicle, to arrive at a second attachment point on the powertrain. In particular, this second point is formed on the cover of an electrical component receiving the connection socket at the end of the cables.

[0005] When rolling, the flex loop allows the cables to follow small movements of the powertrain mounted on flexible supports in the vehicle body to filter vibrations and to dampen jumps of this group coming from the reaction torque opposite to the torque transmitted to the drive wheels. It is possible to obtain movements of the group which are greater than 10 mm, in particular in the vertical direction.

[0006] The dynamic bending loop of the beam must be long enough to obtain, with cables of large cross-section, sufficient flexibility which limits the stresses in the conductive metal.

[0007] From a point of attachment of the harness on the body or on the powertrain, a problem arises in guiding a starting orientation of the loop which must retain a certain flexibility to follow its movements, but which must also limit the deflections in order to avoid interference with rigid elements. close. In particular, friction between cables and a rigid point can cause short circuits which lead to fire risks.

[0008] The present invention aims in particular to avoid these problems of the prior art.

[0009] To this end, it proposes a trunking system for a harness of electrical cables supplying a traction machine of a motor vehicle powertrain, comprising a trunking with a fixed part which ends in a fixing point on the vehicle, this trunking system being remarkable in that it comprises at the fixing point a flexible connection which connects to the fixed trunking part a mobile trunking part for maintaining a dynamic loop for bending the harness.

[0010] An advantage of this trunking system is that with the same component, its fixed part ending in the fixing point normally holds on one side the cables which are guided in a fixed manner on the body of the vehicle or on the powertrain, and that the mobile part directs the start of the dynamic loop by limiting the movements according to the flexibility of the connection, which makes it possible both to preserve flexibility and to avoid interference with nearby rigid elements.

[0011] In addition, the mobile part of the chute makes it possible to maintain cohesion between the cables in the dynamic loop.

[0012] The chute system according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, which may be combined with each other.

[0013] Advantageously, the flexible connection comprises a pivot which is arranged on the side of the beam.

[0014] In this case, advantageously the chute system comprises a tab connected to the body of the vehicle, receiving a first clamping collar of the harness.

[0015] Advantageously, the bundle is held on the movable part of the chute by a second clamping collar.

[0016] Advantageously, the chute comprises a shock absorber for the movement of the movable part of the chute.

[0017] In this case, the shock absorber may comprise a coil spring.

[0018] Advantageously, the ends of the helical spring are inserted into guide housings formed on the movable part of the chute and on a fixed element of the vehicle body.

[0019] Alternatively, the shock absorber may comprise an elastomer spring.

[0020] Advantageously, the elastomer spring comprises a washer comprising a contour connected to the movable part of the chute and a center connected to the body of the vehicle.

[0021] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a trunking system comprising any one of the preceding characteristics, remarkable in that the trunking guides a bundle of cables connected to a power supply inverter of the electric traction machine.

[0022] The invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will appear more clearly on reading the description below given by way of example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0023] [Fig-1] shows the dynamic loop of a cable harness connected to a motor group- thruster equipped with a chute system according to the prior art;

[0024] [Fig.2] shows in side view the start of the dynamic loop of a beam of cables equipped with a trunking system according to the invention;

[0025] [Fig.3] is a detailed axial sectional view of a travel damper of the moving part of the chute; and

[0026] [Fig.4] is a detailed axial sectional view of a following travel damper a variant.

[0027] Throughout the document the upper or above direction relates to a vehicle placed on horizontal ground, and the transverse direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

[0028] [Fig.l] shows a harness 2 comprising two power cables, comprising, starting from the rear of the vehicle, a connector 8 for connection to a traction battery arranged under the passenger compartment of the vehicle, then a fixed rear part 4 which ends with a fixing point 20 linked to the body of the vehicle formed by a first collar 22 which tightens the harness on a vertical tab 24.

[0029] The harness then comprises a flexible dynamic loop 10 extending forward with the cables one above the other, which rises substantially vertically to end with a clamping bar 12 for the cables arranged next to each other, on the rear face of the powertrain 14. At the end of the harness 2 a connector 16 is connected to an inverter fixed above the electric machine to supply it with electrical power.

[0030] A little after the rigid fixing point 20 the two cables of the harness 2 are connected to each other by a second collar 26 arranged just above a vertical screw 28 fixed to the steering cross member 6 comprising a rack.

[0031] However, the maximum movements of the powertrain, in particular in the vertical direction, generating a vibration of the dynamic loop 10, can cause contact of the underside of this loop at the level of the second collar 26 with the end of the vertical screw 28. This results in wear of the insulators which can lead to short circuits and fires.

[0032] [Fig. 2] shows a chute made by a plastic molding, which encloses the two cables of the bundle 2, comprising a fixed and short rear part 30 which ends with the fixing point 20, then at this point a horizontal pivot 32 arranged just below the cables which are fixed to this pivot by the first necklace 22.

[0033] The chute then comprises a long mobile part 34 connected to the fixed part by the pivot 32, which receives the start of the dynamic loop 10 fixed in this mobile part by the second collar 26. A start of dynamic loop 10 is obtained guided by the mobile part of chute 34, which can only accomplish the movements permitted by the pivoting connection 32.

[0034] A travel damper 36 fixed to the vertical screw 28 of the steering cross member 6, comprises a system for braking the movement of the mobile part of the chute 34. In this way the oscillations of the mobile part of the chute 34 driven by the cables connected to the powertrain, having a certain mass, are permanently braked so as to avoid an amplification of the vibrations and a resonance.

[0035] [Fig. 3] shows the fixed vertical screw 28 engaged in a bore of a plate 40 which is held by an upper nut 42. One side of the plate 40 projecting towards the movable part of the chute 34, comprises a fixed circular housing 44 facing upwards which is arranged opposite a movable circular housing 48 facing downwards, arranged on the side of this movable part.

[0036] A metal helical spring 46 inserted in the two housings 44, 48 guiding its ends, creates a flexible connection forming the travel damper 36 by receiving energy during vibrations of the dynamic loop 10, and dissipating them by friction between these housings.

[0037] Control of the movements of the dynamic beam loop 10 and limitation of its movements are obtained in a simple and effective manner.

[0038] [Fig.4] shows a hub 50 engaged on the fixed vertical screw 28, tightened by the upper nut 42, having an external annular groove 54 which receives an elastomer washer 52.

[0039] The side of the movable part of chute 34 comprises a ring 56 receiving the washer 52 fitted inside, having on each side edges which axially tighten the contour of this washer in order to achieve centering and axial connection on its contour.

[0040] The oscillations of the mobile part of the chute 34 cause a vibration of the contour of the washer 52 while its center is held fixed by the screw 28, which provides both guidance of this mobile part, and damping of its vibrations by absorption of energy with the elastomer material.

Claims

Claims

1. Electrical cable harness trunking system for supplying a traction machine of a motor vehicle powertrain, comprising a trunking with a fixed part (30) which ends in a fixing point (20) on the vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at the fixing point (20) a flexible connection which connects to the fixed trunking part (30) a movable trunking part (34) for maintaining a dynamic loop (10) for bending the harness (2).

2. A chute system according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible connection comprises a pivot (32) which is arranged on the side of the bundle (2).

3. Chute system according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a tab (24) connected to the body of the vehicle, receiving a first collar (22) for tightening the harness (2).

4. A chute system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bundle (2) is held on the movable chute part (34) by a second clamping collar (26).

5. Chute system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a movement damper (36) of the movable chute part (34).

6. Chute system according to claim 5, characterized in that the damper (36) comprises a helical spring (46).

7. Chute system according to claim 6, characterized in that the ends of the helical spring are inserted into guide housings (44, 48) formed on the movable chute part (34) and on a fixed element (6) of the vehicle body.

8. Chute system according to claim 5, characterized in that the damper (36) comprises an elastomer spring.

9. Chute system according to claim 8, characterized in that the elastomer spring comprises a washer (52) comprising a contour connected to the movable chute part (34) and a center connected to the vehicle body.

10. Motor vehicle equipped with an electric traction machine, characterized in that it comprises a trunking system according to any one of the preceding claims, the trunking guiding a cable bundle (2) connected to a power inverter of the machine electric traction.

Images