Set Comprising a Protective Box and a Central Computer of a Motor Vehicle and Forming a Footrest of This Vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly (100) comprising a protective housing (20), in which at least one face of the protective housing (20) extends into direct or indirect contact with a first face, called the main face (45) of the housing, of an inclined area (44) of the carpet (41) of a motor vehicle (22), a second main face of the carpet (41), opposite said face (45) of the housing, forming a footrest surface (24, 46) for a passenger in the front seat of the motor vehicle (22), characterized in that the assembly (100) comprises a central computer (21) of the motor vehicle (22), the central computer (21) being held in an internal space (28) of the protective housing (20). Figure for the abstract: Fig.2

Description

Title of the invention: Assembly comprising a protective housing and a central computer of a motor vehicle and forming a footrest of this vehicle Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to an assembly comprising a protective housing and a central computer of a motor vehicle, the central computer being contained in this housing, the assembly forming a footrest of the motor vehicle. The invention therefore relates to a footrest - in particular a front passenger footrest - of a motor vehicle, housing a central computer of this motor vehicle. The invention therefore relates to a central computer of a motor vehicle, for its installation in a passenger footrest of this vehicle. The invention also extends to a motor vehicle comprising a central computer installed in a passenger footrest of this vehicle.

[0002] Throughout the text, the expression "central computer" of a motor vehicle designates an electronic device of a motor vehicle grouping together in a single location, a majority, if not all, of the on-board electronic systems of this vehicle and necessary for the regular and safe operation of this motor vehicle. Such a central computer, also designated by the expressions "centralized electronics" or "PCU, Physical Computing Unit" or "VCU, Vehicle Control Unit", is considered to be the "brain" of the centralized electronic architecture of a new generation motor vehicle. Such a central computer groups together all of the computing power of the vehicle in a single location.

[0003] The technological evolution of motor vehicles, whether thermal, electric or hybrid, requires the implementation of electronic devices such as computers for managing the vehicle's functionalities and / or electronic devices for controlling vehicle performance. This evolution requires the implementation of such centralized electronic devices or central computers which are economically advantageous.

[0004] But such technological development remains above all in demand for solutions for a secure installation of such a central computer in a motor vehicle.

[0005] The invention generally aims to meet this demand.

[0006] Solutions are sought to enable protection of this central computer against attacks that may occur during ordinary use of the motor vehicle, for example against exposure of the central computer to liquids - in particular exposure to water - likely to cause deterioration. improvement of the central computer.

[0007] The invention aims in particular to meet this demand.

[0008] But protection of the central computer is also sought during an impact, for example during an accidental collision. In the case of such an accidental collision following which the driver of the vehicle is not able to carry out these tasks by himself, the central computer must be able to be maintained in an operating state for a duration at least sufficient to be able to initiate procedures such as, for example, launching an alert to the emergency services, unlocking the vehicle doors, cutting the electrical circuit. For example, a sufficient duration to be able to initiate such procedures may be 30 seconds.

[0009] The invention aims in particular to meet this demand.

[0010] Furthermore, such a central computer consists of a high-power electronic device whose operating temperature must necessarily be regulated.

[0011] The invention aims in particular to meet this demand. Prior art

[0012] FR2981310 discloses a footrest 1 supporting a foot of a passenger of a motor vehicle, shown in [Fig.l]. The reference numerals 1 to 20 relate to the footrest known from FR2981310. The footrest 1 has a rigid sole 4, an upper face 5 of which forms a support surface intended to receive the foot(s) of the passenger of the motor vehicle. The rigid sole 4 extends substantially in a plane inclined relative to the horizontal, the front part of the rigid sole 4 being oriented upwards at an angle of predetermined value relative to a floor 10 of the vehicle, so as to be able to support the foot(s) of the passenger comfortably for the latter. The rigid sole 4 is fixed by its upper front end 6 to a portion 7 of the apron by removable clips 8 cooperating with studs welded to the portion 7 of the apron.The removable clips 8 pass through on the one hand an insulating layer 9 covering a part of the floor 10 of the vehicle and on the other hand a covering layer 11, arranged on the insulating layer 9. The rigid sole 4 rests by its rear lower end 12 in free support relative to the floor 10 on a support zone 13 of the covering layer 11. The rigid sole 4 has a lower face 14 opposite the upper face 5 extending opposite an upper face 15 of the covering layer 11. The rigid sole 4 forms with the floor 10, the insulating layer 9 and the covering layer 11 a storage volume 16 extending between the lower face 14 of the rigid sole 4 and the upper face 15 of the covering layer 11. This storage volume 16 is used in FR2981310 to contain a receptacle 19 of equipment 3 for assisting in the repair of vehicle tires, in particular a compressor and a tank containing a product. sealing. In a storage configuration of the equipment 3 for assisting in repairing a tire, the receptacle 19 is held in abutment on the coating layer 11. The rigid sole 4 has, on its lower face 14, members 17, 18 for suspending the receptacle 19 from the rigid sole 4 adapted so that the receptacle 19 and the rigid sole 4 cooperate to delimit an enclosed space for receiving the equipment 3 in a first state of the suspension members 17, 18. To access the equipment 3 for assisting in repairing a tire, the rigid sole 4 is detached from the vehicle by removing the removable clips 8, whereby the equipment 3 is made accessible by simply moving the receptacle 19 relative to the rigid sole 4, for example by elastic deformation of a member 18 for clipping the rigid sole 4, cooperating with a hook 2 of the receptacle 19 and subsequent rotation of the receptacle 19 around a pivot 17 of the rigid sole 4.

[0013] The storage space for the tire repair assistance equipment formed in the footrest of FR2981310 is an enclosed space and does not allow for the accommodation of a functional central computer which can be supplied with electrical energy and which is provided with means of connection with at least one functional component of the vehicle.

[0014] The invention aims to overcome these drawbacks.

[0015] In particular, the storage space of FR2981310 does not allow a high-power central computer to be accommodated. In particular, the storage space of FR2981310 is an enclosed space and does not allow ventilation and cooling of such a central computer.

[0016] The invention aims to overcome this drawback.

[0017] The invention aims to propose an assembly comprising a protective housing and a central computer of a motor vehicle arranged in this housing, making it possible to temporarily maintain the central computer in working order after an impact, in particular for a sufficient period to allow the carrying out of procedures for making the vehicle safe.

[0018] The invention also aims to propose such an assembly which is accessible to personnel likely to work on this vehicle, in particular for its maintenance.

[0019] The invention also aims to propose such an assembly allowing efficient cooling of the central computer.

[0020] The invention also aims to propose such an assembly and its installation in a motor vehicle making it possible not to reduce or eliminate a useful volume of the storage compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0021] The invention also aims to propose such an assembly making it possible to overcome the above drawbacks, and to do so at a lower cost. Statement of the invention

[0022] To do this, the invention relates to an assembly comprising a protective housing, in which at least one face of the protective housing extends into direct or indirect contact with a first face, called the face of the housing, the main face of an inclined area of ​​carpet of a motor vehicle, a second main face of the carpet, opposite said face of the housing, forming a footrest surface for a passenger in the front seat of the motor vehicle, characterized in that the assembly comprises a central computer of the motor vehicle, the central computer being held in an internal space of the protective housing.

[0023] According to the invention, the central computer is protected against chemical or physical attacks by the protective housing, the protective housing containing the central computer itself being placed in the passenger footwell of the motor vehicle, which the inventors have identified as being the best compromise with regard to the accessibility of the central computer and protection against impacts. The "footwell" commonly refers in the automotive field to the lower part of the passenger compartment located in front of the front seats of a motor vehicle intended to be able to receive the feet of a driver or a passenger seated in said vehicle. In particular, for the driver and / or the front passenger of a motor vehicle, the "footwell" corresponds to a space limited downwards by the floor of the vehicle and forwards by the apron and the dashboard.In general, the "footwell" has a substantially flat surface inclined forward and upward, called a "footrest", intended to support the feet of the driver or front passenger seated in said motor vehicle.

[0024] According to the invention, the inclined area of ​​the carpet of the motor vehicle is an area inclined upwards and forwards of the motor vehicle. The expression inclined upwards and forwards is to be considered in relation to a motor vehicle in a normal state of progress. The expression inclined upwards (+Z) and forwards (-X) is to be considered in relation to the direct orthonormal reference frame XYZ conventionally used in automobile design (standard standard No. 0100112), in which the X axis designates the front-rear longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle, oriented towards the rear, the Y axis designates the transverse direction and is oriented towards the right of the motor vehicle, the Z axis designates the vertical direction, and is oriented upwards. The inclined area of ​​the carpet forms a footrest and has an inclination chosen to allow the passenger of the vehicle to rest his feet in the most comfortable resting position possible.

[0025] According to the invention, the protective housing has a substantially flat bottom extending parallel to the inclined area of ​​the mat. The bottom of the protective housing is itself inclined upwards and towards the front of the motor vehicle in normal condition. to progress so that liquids - in particular condensation water - likely to be present in the protective housing are drained by gravity in the lower and rear part of the protective housing and extracted from the protective housing. According to certain embodiments, the protective housing is provided with a passive liquid evacuation in the lower part of the protective housing.

[0026] The installation and location of a central computer protected by a protective housing in a passenger footrest of a motor vehicle has no impact on the comfort and safety of the passenger. They allow the maintenance of the proper functioning of the central computer, its updating and its maintenance without harming the comfort of the passenger and without reducing the volume of the storage spaces (storage compartments).

[0027] According to certain embodiments, the central computer is a central computer free from any specific active cooling means - in particular free from any ventilation means - of said central computer. The term "central computer free from any specific active cooling means" means a central computer not comprising in itself active cooling means which are inseparable from the central computer, without degradation of the central computer and / or the cooling means.

[0028] According to certain embodiments, the central computer is a central computer free from any specific means of protecting said central computer against liquids. The term "central computer free from any specific means of protecting said central computer against liquids" means a central computer not comprising in itself any means of protecting the central computer which are inseparable from the central computer, without degradation of the central computer and / or the protection means.

[0029] In these embodiments, the size of the central computer itself, free from any specific active cooling means and / or free from any specific means of protecting said central computer from liquids, is reduced compared to the size of a computer provided with specific active cooling means and / or provided with specific means of protecting said central computer from liquids. The size of the assembly according to the invention is reduced due to the dual function (protection from liquids and cooling) of the assembly according to the invention. This results in a small size and a correspondingly reduced cost.

[0030] According to certain advantageous embodiments, the protective housing has at least one opening arranged to allow circulation of atmospheric air in the protective housing and cooling of the central computer.

[0031] According to certain embodiments, the assembly comprises at least one ventilation member arranged in the internal space of the protective housing so as to be able to cause atmospheric air to circulate in the protective housing and cooling. of the central computer. At least one ventilation member is arranged in the internal space of the protective housing so as to form: - a flow of atmospheric air entering the protective housing and flowing in contact with the central computer, and - a flow of air heated in contact with the central computer and exiting the protective box.

[0032] According to certain embodiments, at least one ventilation member is a finned ventilation member. According to certain embodiments, at least one ventilation member is mounted integral with the central computer. In these embodiments, the bowl and the cover cooperate to form a ventilation air circuit comprising the ventilation member so as to direct onto the central computer, an air flow entering the housing and to direct out of the housing an air flow heated in contact with the central computer.

[0033] According to certain embodiments, the protective housing comprises a bowl mounted integrally with a floor of the motor vehicle and a removable cover adapted to be able to cooperate with the bowl to delimit the internal space of the protective housing. Advantageously, the bowl and the cover cooperate with each other to form a liquid-tight connection. According to certain embodiments, the housing is made of at least one polymer material. According to certain embodiments, the cover is made of at least one metallic or polymer material.

[0034] According to certain embodiments, the bowl and the cover of the protective housing together provide said at least one opening arranged to allow circulation of atmospheric air in the protective housing and cooling of the central computer.

[0035] According to certain advantageous embodiments, the bowl of the protective housing and the removable cover are held integral with each other by elastic deformation or "clipping". Opening the protective housing is therefore facilitated during an intervention by motor vehicle maintenance personnel.

[0036] According to certain embodiments, the protective housing comprises a rear wall extending substantially in a plane orthogonal to the inclined area of ​​the carpet and having at least one area of ​​weakness, adapted to be able to be broken by applying a stress exerted on the carpet and on the protective housing during an impact and to allow partial crushing of the protective housing due to this stress.

[0037] The expression "rear wall" is to be considered in relation to a motor vehicle in a normal state of progress. The expression "rear wall" defines the rear position of the wall in the protective housing, that is to say the wall of the protective housing extending substantially in a plane of abscissa (+X) the highest relative to the direct orthonormal XYZ reference frame classically used in automotive design, in which the X axis designates the front-rear longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle and oriented towards the rear.

[0038] The zone of fragility may also extend to the side walls of the protective housing, preferably to the rear parts of the side walls. Preferably, the zone of fragility of the side walls extends in the extension of the zone of fragility of the rear wall.

[0039] The zone of fragility may be a wall zone of reduced thickness compared to an average thickness of the wall of the housing. The zone of fragility is a preferential fracture zone when a stress applied to the mat occurs, in particular during an accidental impact. In certain embodiments, said zone of fragility is a zone of fragility of the bowl. The zone of fragility of the protective housing may delimit a preferential crushing zone of the rear part of the protective housing, in particular of the rear wall and the rear parts of the side walls.

[0040] The protective housing is a housing that can be broken along a fracture line extending in a main plane of the protective housing (substantially parallel to the plane of the mat) so as to allow deformation of the protective housing - in particular deformation of a rear part of the protective housing extending opposite the passenger's heel. Thus, during an accidental impact, all or part of the forces transmitted to the mat and the protective housing by the passenger's heel are dissipated due to the fracture of the protective housing and its deformation. The central computer is thus preserved.

[0041] According to certain embodiments, the assembly comprises a cushioning wedge made of thermoplastic material, interposed between the cover of the protective housing and the carpet. According to certain embodiments, the cushioning wedge is arranged to be able to absorb all or part of a stress exerted by the passenger of this motor vehicle - in particular during an impact suffered or caused by the motor vehicle. According to certain embodiments, the cushioning wedge is produced by molding.

[0042] According to certain embodiments, the internal volume of the protective housing comprises a first sub-volume containing the central computer and at least one ventilation member and a second sub-volume for receiving cable ends and connecting these cable ends with the central computer. Connection members for the cable ends and the central computer are maintained in the internal volume of the protective housing and benefit from the same protection as the central computer. The connection members, however, remain accessible for mounting the computer and / or its maintenance.

[0043] According to certain embodiments, the protective housing comprises: -at least one air inlet opening in the protective housing, each opening air inlet opening into a half-space, called cold half-space, limited upwards by the carpet and including the central computer, and - an air outlet opening separate from each air inlet opening, said air outlet opening being provided with a duct for discharging an air flow leaving the protective housing, into a half-space, called a hot half-space, opposite said cold half-space.

[0044] In these embodiments, the flow of air heated in contact with the central computer leaving the protective housing is towards said hot half-space and so as to limit its reintroduction into the internal volume of the protective housing by the air inlet into the protective housing. The efficiency of the ventilation of the central computer is improved.

[0045] According to certain embodiments, the assembly according to the invention comprises means for securing the protective casing and the floor of the motor vehicle. According to certain embodiments, the means for securing the protective casing and the floor of the motor vehicle are means for securing the bowl of the protective casing and the floor of the motor vehicle. According to these embodiments, the means for securing the bowl and the floor are arranged to allow passage of a tool for securing / detaching - in particular by screwing / unscrewing - the securing means. According to certain embodiments, the means for securing the bowl and the floor comprise at least one tab extending from a front part of the bowl, said tab having an eyelet for screwing the bowl to the floor of the vehicle.

[0046] According to certain embodiments, the central computer is mounted integral with the bowl. According to these embodiments, the assembly according to the invention is free of means for securing the central computer to the floor of the motor vehicle. According to these embodiments, the means for securing the central computer and the bowl are means for fixing the central computer to the bowl. According to some of these embodiments, the fixing means are fixing means comprising screws cooperating with the bowl.

[0047] According to certain embodiments, the bowl and the cover of the housing have complementary ribs adapted to cooperate and maintain the central computer in the internal volume of the housing and to allow a transfer onto the bowl of a force undergone by the cover, the complementary ribs cooperating with a non-sensitive portion - in particular a border - of the central computer, said portion of the central computer being free of processor or electronic chip. The processors of the central computer do not undergo a transfer of force and the functionality of the central computer is therefore at least temporarily preserved during an impact causing the impact suffered by the cover.

[0048] The invention also extends to a motor vehicle comprising an assembly according to the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0049] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the description which follows. This description is purely illustrative and should be read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

[0050] [Fig-1] is a schematic representation in longitudinal section along a plane parallel to the plane Y=0 as described in [Fig.6], of a footrest of a motor vehicle of the prior art,

[0051] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation in longitudinal section along a plane parallel to the plane Y=0 as described in [Fig.6], of an assembly according to the invention forming a footrest of a motor vehicle according to the invention,

[0052] [Fig.3] is an exploded view of an assembly according to the invention,

[0053] [Fig.4] is a perspective top view of an assembly according to the invention, the cover is shown in transparency,

[0054] [Fig.5] is a schematic representation in longitudinal section along a plane parallel to the plane Y=0 as described in [Fig.6] of an assembly according to the invention after an impact suffered by the motor vehicle, and

[0055] [Fig.6] is an illustration of a conventionally used direct orthonormal XYZ reference frame in automotive design.

[0056] The dimensions and proportions of the elements

[0057] [Fig. 1] has been described in the introductory part of the present patent application.

[0058] The assembly 100 shown in longitudinal section in [Fig.2] comprises a housing 20 protection and a central computer 21 arranged in the protective housing 20. The protective housing 20 is of substantially parallelepipedal shape and has two main faces, including a first main face, called the floor face 59, extending downwards and forwards opposite a part 31 of the floor 23 of the motor vehicle 22 and a second main face, called the carpet face 60, extending rearwards and upwards opposite a zone 44 of carpet 41 of the motor vehicle 22. The zone 44 of carpet 41 is inclined upwards and forwards so as to form a footrest 25 for a passenger 47 of this motor vehicle 22. In the embodiment shown, a lower face 45 of the inclined zone 44 of the carpet 41 is in contact with said carpet face 60 of the protective housing 20.However, nothing prevents the provision of a wedge made of flexible or rigid foam-type material being interposed between the carpet area 44 and said carpet face 60 of the protective housing 20. The upper face 46 of the carpet area 44 41 is free and inclined and is intended to receive the feet of the passenger 47, thus forming the footrest 25. In the embodiment shown in [Fig.2], said floor face 59 of the protective housing 20. rests on an insulating layer 42, formed from at least one sound and / or thermal and / or anti-vibration insulating material. As can be determined in [Fig.2], the movement of the zone 44 of the mat 41, when the passenger 47 is not present in the motor vehicle 22, allows easier access to the protective box 20.

[0059] The protective housing 20 has an opening 26 opening forward and upward into the passenger compartment 61 of the motor vehicle 22. The opening 26 is arranged so as to communicate with the passenger compartment 61 of the vehicle 22 via a passage 62 formed between the floor 23 of the vehicle 22 and a front end 63 of the carpet 4L. Due to this communication with the passenger compartment 61 of the vehicle 22, the opening 26 allows an exchange of atmospheric air between an internal space 28 of the protective housing 20 and the air in the passenger compartment 61. These exchanges result in a flow 27 of cooling air, an inlet 54 of air into the protective housing 20 and an outlet 49 of hot air from the protective housing 20.

[0060] The protective housing 20 shown in [Fig. 2] comprises a bowl 29 made of at least one rigid and liquid-impermeable material and a cover 30 adapted to be able to cooperate with the bowl 29 so as to delimit the internal space 28 of the protective housing 20 and to provide said opening 26. The bowl 29 and the cover 30 can be assembled by any means. According to an advantageous embodiment, the bowl 29 and the cover 30 can be assembled by reversible elastic deformation (or clipping). Such clipping advantageously allows easier access to the central computer 21, for example during maintenance operations. As shown in [Fig.2], the bowl 29 has a substantially flat bottom, resting on the insulating layer 42, inclined upwards and towards the front of the vehicle 22 so that liquids - in particular condensation water - likely to be present in the protective housing 20 are drained by gravity in the lower part of the protective housing 20. In certain embodiments not shown, the bowl of the protective housing has a passive liquid evacuation orifice in the lowest part of the protective housing.

[0061] According to certain embodiments, the bowl 29 of the protective housing comprises a rear wall 56 having a zone 53 of fragility extending transversely (along the Y axis of the direct orthonormal reference frame XYZ represented in [Fig. 6]) over the entire width of the rear wall 56 and, where appropriate, over at least a rear portion of the side walls of the bowl 29. Such a zone 53 of fragility allows, during the application of a stress 43 exerted in reaction to an impact, by the passenger 47 - in particular by the heel of the passenger 47 - on the zone 44 of carpet 41 and on the protective housing 20, a rupture of the zone 53 of fragility in response to the crushing 43 and a partial crushing of the protective housing 20. Thus, during an impact, all or part of the stress transmitted by the passenger 47 to the area 44 of the mat 41 and to the box 20 protection by the passenger's heel 47 are dissipated due to the fracture of the protective housing 20 and its deformation. The central computer is thus preserved.

[0062] The assembly 100 shown in exploded view in [Fig.3] comprises a bowl 29 made of at least one rigid and liquid-impermeable material. The bowl 29 comprises means 32 for securing the bowl 29 to the floor 23 of the motor vehicle 22. The securing means 32 may be of any type known per se. The bowl 29 may comprise at least one tab 55 extending from the bowl 29 and having a passage eyelet for a screw for fixing the bowl to the floor 23 of the motor vehicle 22. Advantageously, the securing means 32 are arranged so as to be accessible to a securing / detaching tool - in particular a screw / unscrew tool - of the securing means. The assembly of the bowl 29 and the protective housing 20 is therefore facilitated.According to certain embodiments, the bowl 29 may comprise additional securing means 32 adapted to allow fixing of the bowl 29 on a chevron 50 of the motor vehicle 22.

[0063] The bowl 29 comprises a plurality of securing bores 35 - in particular 3 securing bores 35 - of the central computer 21 and the bowl 29. In the embodiment shown, the bores 35 are equipped with threaded rods provided with nuts, capable of cooperating with fixing lugs of the central computer 21. In these embodiments, the central computer 21 is not secured directly to the floor 23 of the vehicle 22, so that a single separation of the bowl 29 and the floor 23 of the vehicle 22 due to the detachment of the securing means 32 results in a separation of the central computer 21 and the floor 23 of the vehicle 22, the bowl 29 and the central computer 21, and where appropriate the cover 30, remaining securely connected.

[0064] The bowl 29 of the assembly 100 shown in [Fig. 3] has a substantially flat bottom 38. The internal face of the bottom 38 has at least one rib 36 projecting relative to the internal face of the bottom 38 of the bowl 29 and adapted to be able to be in contact with the central computer 21 arranged in the internal space 38 of the protective housing 20. The ribs 36 are positioned opposite complementary ribs 37 (shown in [Fig. 4]) of the cover 30. The ribs 36, 37 cooperate with a non-sensitive part 33 - in particular a border - of the central computer 21, said part of the central computer 21 being free of processor or electronic chip. The ribs 36, 37 cooperate with said non-sensitive part of the central computer 21 and hold the central computer 21 in the internal volume 38 of the housing.But the ribs 36, 37 cooperate with said non-sensitive part of the central computer 21 to allow a transfer to the bowl 29 of the forces undergone by the cover 30 during an impact while preserving the processor(s) or electronic chip(s) of the computer 21. central. The processor(s) or electronic chip(s) of the central computer 21 do not undergo any transfer of force or a transfer of force of lesser intensity and the functionalities of the central computer 21 are at least temporarily preserved during this shock. The central computer 21 is at least partially preserved and maintained in an operating state for a period of time necessary to be able to initiate procedures such as, for example, launching an alert to the emergency services, unlocking the vehicle doors, cutting the electrical circuit. For example, such a period of time necessary to be able to initiate such procedures may be 30 seconds.

[0065] The assembly 100 shown in exploded view in [Fig.3] comprises a central computer 21. In the embodiment shown, the central computer 21 comprises connectors 64 of the central computer 21 with power and data cables 51 transmitted and received by the central computer 21. In the embodiment shown, the cables 51 extend in the internal volume 28 of the protective housing 20. The connectors 64 are all accessible in the protective housing 20. Their connection / disconnection is therefore facilitated due to this co-location. In the embodiment shown, the central computer 21 is provided with a ventilation member 52 arranged to form a flow of atmospheric air and guide this flow of atmospheric air into contact with the processor(s) of the central computer 21.Advantageously, the ventilation member 52 is a tubular member having an atmospheric air inlet and an air outlet heated in contact with the hot parts of the central computer 21. The ventilation member 52 is an electric ventilation member, supplied with electrical energy by its own means passing through a connector 64. The central computer 21 also comprises partitions 65 for guiding the air flow and for heat exchange with the air flow. The atmospheric air flow may be an air flow taken from the passenger compartment and / or an air conditioning air flow at a temperature lower than the ambient temperature.

[0066] The assembly 100 shown in exploded view in [Fig.3] comprises a cover 30 adapted to be able to cooperate with the bowl 29 and form the internal space 28 of the protective housing 20 containing the central computer 21 and the ventilation member 52. In the embodiment shown, the cover 30 is provided with a conduit 48 forming a chimney adapted to direct the flow of air heated in contact with the processor(s) of the central computer 21 towards the passenger compartment 61 of the vehicle 22 and in particular into a half-space, called the hot half-space 58, extending into the passenger compartment 61 and limited downwards by the mat 41, the flow of atmospheric or air conditioning air entering the protective housing 20 through the opening 26 being taken from a half-space, called the cold half-space 57, limited upwards by the mat 41 and comprising the central computer 21. The air inlet into the housing and the hot air outlet are disjointed and the efficiency of ventilation and cooling of the central computer 22 is improved.

[0067] The assembly 100 according to the invention shown in [Fig. 4] in which the cover 30 is shown in transparency comprises a bowl 20 adapted to be fixed integrally to the floor 23 of the motor vehicle 22 by securing means 32, such as screws, bolts / nuts or rivets. As shown in [Fig. 4], the central computer 21 is secured to the bowl 29 by threaded rods / nuts 35. The central computer 21 is provided with a ventilation member 52 extending in contact with the central computer 21 and mounted integrally with the central computer 21 by clipping.The ventilation member 52 is a finned ventilation member 52 adapted to form an air flow between an air inlet 40 in the ventilation member 52 and an air outlet 67 49 heated in contact with the central computer 21 and guided in a duct 48 forming a chimney and opening through an air outlet opening 66 oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of the cooling air flow 27 entering the protective housing 20. The position and orientation of the openings 26 of the protective housing 20 and of the duct 48 make it possible to limit an entry of hot air into the protective housing 20. In the embodiment shown in [Fig.4], the flow 27 of cooling air entering the protective housing 20 through the two openings 26 is guided and flows into contact with the central computer 21, whereby the flow 27 of air exchanges heat with the central computer 21.The flow 27 of cooling air is sucked in by the ventilation member 52, enters the ventilation member 52 through its inlet 40 and circulates in the ventilation member 52 in contact with the central computer 21, whereby heat from the central computer 21 is supplied to the flow 27 of cooling air to form a flow 49 of air leaving the protective housing 20 through the hot air outlet 67 of the ventilation member 52 and through the heated air outlet opening 66.

[0068] The ventilation member 52 is mounted integrally with the central computer 21 by clipping. Its assembly / disassembly on the central computer 21 is facilitated. Nothing prevents the provision of reversing the orientation of the ventilation member 52 so as, according to certain embodiments, to reverse the circulation of air in the protective housing 20.

[0069] In the embodiment shown in [Fig.4], the cover 30 has at least one rib 37 extending projecting from the cover 30 into the internal space 38 of the protective housing 20. Each rib 37 is arranged opposite the ribs 36 (shown in [Fig.3]) of the bowl 29 and complementary to the latter. The ribs 36, 37 cooperate with the edge 33 of the central computer 21, the edge 33 being free of processor or electronic chip. As a result, a stress - in particular a compression - exerted on the cover 30 is directed onto the bowl 29 by these ribs and prevents this stress from being applied to a sensitive part of the central calculator 21.

[0070] In the embodiment shown in [Fig.4], the cover 30 also has an excess thickness 34 projecting into the internal space 38 of the protective housing 20. The excess thickness 34 is adapted to be able to be in contact with a non-sensitive edge 68 of the central computer 21. In the embodiment shown, the non-sensitive edge 68 of the central computer 21 is an edge 68 housing the connectors 64 of the central computer 21 but free of processor or electronic chip. The excess thickness 34 cooperates with the securing bores 35 so that a stress - in particular a compression - exerted on the cover 30 is directed by the excess thickness 34 onto the bowl 29 by the securing bores 35 and prevents this stress from being applied to a sensitive part of the central computer 21.

[0071] The assembly 100 shown in [Fig. 5] is a longitudinal sectional illustration of a particular variant of an assembly 100 according to the invention on which a stress (shown diagrammatically in [Fig. 5] by the arrow 43) has been exerted by the passenger 47 of the motor vehicle 22, for example during an impact. During this impact, the stress 43 exerted by the heel of the passenger 47 has led to the rupture of the zone 53 of fragility in response to the stress 43 and a partial crushing of the cup 29 and the protective housing 20. Thus, during an impact, all or part of the stress transmitted by the passenger 47 to the protective housing 20 by the heel of the passenger 47 is dissipated at least in part due to the fracture of the protective housing 20 and its deformation. The central computer is thus preserved.

Claims

Claims

1. Assembly (100) comprising a protective housing (20), in which at least one face of the protective housing (20) extends into direct or indirect contact with a first face, called the main face (45) of the housing, of an inclined area (44) of the carpet (41) of a motor vehicle (22), a second main face of the carpet (41), opposite said face (45) of the housing forming a footrest surface (24, 46) for a passenger in the front seat of the motor vehicle (22), characterized in that the assembly (100) comprises a central computer (21) of the motor vehicle (22), the central computer (21) being held in an internal space (28) of the protective housing (20).

2. Assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the central computer (21) is a central computer (21) free from any specific means of active cooling of said central computer (21).

3. Assembly according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the central computer (21) is a central computer (21) free from any specific means of protecting said central computer (21) against liquids.

4. Assembly (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the protective housing (20) has at least one opening (26) arranged to allow circulation (27) of atmospheric air in the protective housing (20) and cooling of the central computer (21).

5. Assembly (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises at least one ventilation member (52) arranged in the internal space (28) of the protective housing (20) so as to be able to cause a circulation (27) of atmospheric air in the protective housing (20) and a cooling of the central computer (21).

6. Assembly (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the protective housing (20) comprises a bowl (29) mounted integrally with a floor (23) of the motor vehicle (22) and a removable cover (30) cooperating with the bowl (29) to delimit the internal space (28) of the protective housing (20).

7. Assembly (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the bowl (29) of the protective housing (20) and the removable cover (30) are held integral with each other by elastic deformation.

8. Assembly (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that that the protective housing (20) comprises a rear wall (56) extending substantially in a plane orthogonal to the inclined zone (44) of the mat (41) and having at least one zone (53) of fragility, adapted to be able to be broken by application of a stress (43) exerted on the mat (41) and on the protective housing (20) during an impact and to allow crushing of the protective housing (20) due to this stress (43).

9. Assembly (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a cushioning wedge (38) made of thermoplastic material interposed between the cover and the mat.

10. Assembly (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the internal volume (28) of the protective housing (20) comprises a first sub-volume containing the central computer (21) and at least one ventilation member (52) and a second sub-volume for receiving cable ends and connecting these cable ends with the central computer (21).

11. Assembly (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the protective housing (20) comprises: - at least one air inlet opening (54) in the protective housing (20), each air inlet opening (54) opening into a half-space, called a cold half-space, bounded upwards by the mat (41) and comprising the central computer (21), and - an air outlet opening (66) separate from each air inlet opening (54), said air outlet opening (66) being provided with a conduit (48) for discharging a flow (49) of air leaving the protective housing (20), into a half-space, called a hot half-space (58), opposite said cold half-space (57).

12. Motor vehicle (2) characterized in that it comprises an assembly (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11.

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