MOTOR VEHICLE WITH OPTIONAL TRACTION BATTERY MODULES UNDER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FLOOR

Abstract

Electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising several traction battery modules (6) arranged flat under the floor of the passenger compartment (2), comprising at least one optional module which can be installed or removed from the vehicle, and comprising above the optional module a removable floor plate (20) comprising an upper position in alignment with the passenger compartment floor (2), and a lower position where this removable plate (20) forms the base of a lower housing (40) occupying the place of the optional modules which are removed. Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE WITH OPTIONAL TRACTION BATTERY MODULES UNDER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FLOOR

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising optional traction battery modules arranged under the floor of the passenger compartment, as well as a method of using such a vehicle.

[0002] A known type of vehicle, presented in particular by document USAI-202004067 80, comprises a flat compartment under the floor of the passenger compartment receiving traction battery modules aligned to optimize space, comprising management systems allowing a variable number of these modules to be installed and used.

[0003] In this way the vehicle has the flexibility to provide a number of modules adapted to the use, allowing, if the required autonomy allows, to reduce the number of on-board modules in order to reduce the mass and costs.

[0004] However, the interior space of the passenger compartment, including the volume available for the passengers' feet, cannot be modified according to the number of modules on board, and passenger comfort cannot be improved according to the arrangement of the modules.

[0005] Another type of known vehicle, presented in particular by document FR-A1-3136197, comprises traction battery modules installed in a compartment under the floor of the passenger compartment, comprising a first series of modules arranged under the driver's seat in the first front row and a second series under the passenger seat in the second rear row. The different modules have a generally parallelepiped shape making it possible to optimize the use of the interior volume of the battery compartment to accommodate the greatest number of electrochemical cells ensuring the autonomy of the vehicle.

[0006] The alignment of the parallelepiped modules having an identical height makes it possible to fill the space under the passenger compartment floor corresponding to the distance between this floor which is flat and a sheet metal underneath the battery compartment.

[0007] The space available in the battery compartment between the two series of modules under the front and rear seats, at the level of the rear passenger feet, is used to install electronic system boxes comprising a power electronic part, having a triangular section with an outer surface descending towards the rear. The electronic systems comprising cards electronics and other equipment of varying shapes, make it easier to fit them into cases with a triangular section.

[0008] The floor descending in the same way following the slope of the top of the electronic system boxes, a cellar is formed to receive the feet of the rear passengers placed on this slope arranged below the general level of the passenger compartment floor, which ensures improved comfort for passengers seated on rear seats which are generally quite low by allowing better deployment of the knees.

[0009] However, this type of floor does not allow for the adjustment of both a variable number of modules and optimization of the space available for passengers based on this number.

[0010] The present invention aims in particular to avoid these problems of the prior art.

[0011] To this end, it proposes an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising several traction battery modules arranged flat under the floor of the passenger compartment, comprising at least one optional module which can be installed or removed from the vehicle, this vehicle being remarkable in that it comprises above the optional module a removable floor plate comprising an upper position in alignment with the passenger compartment floor, and a lower position where this removable plate forms the base of a lower housing occupying the place of the optional modules which are removed.

[0012] An advantage of this vehicle is that its autonomy can be adapted by adjusting the number of modules chosen so as to optimize the mass and costs of the vehicle in the case where all the modules are not necessary, while freeing up by moving the removable floor plate if the optional module is not used, a volume usable by the passengers which descends below the level of the passenger compartment floor.

[0013] The comfort of rear passengers is improved in a simple and economical manner under certain conditions of use of the vehicle by creating a space under their feet below the level of the passenger compartment floor.

[0014] The vehicle according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, which may be combined with each other.

[0015] Advantageously, the lower housing comprises on two opposite sides movable flaps which close these sides.

[0016] In this case, advantageously each movable flap is connected to the passenger compartment floor by a pivot arranged on one edge of this flap.

[0017] In addition, the mobile shutters advantageously include a system for locking their pivots.

[0018] Advantageously, each movable flap forms a plane comprising protruding stops which hold the removable plate in its upper position and its lower position.

[0019] In this case, each movable flap may have at its edge opposite the pivot a return returning towards this pivot, supporting the removable plate in its low position.

[0020] In addition, advantageously each movable shutter comprises between its pivot and its return returning towards the pivot at least one lateral locking notch of the removable plate in its upper position.

[0021] Advantageously, the vehicle comprises a sealing system ensuring at the same time sealing on the edges of the removable plate in its upper position and in its lower position.

[0022] In this case, the sealing system may include seals fixed under the removable plate.

[0023] The invention also relates to a method of using a motor vehicle comprising any one of the preceding characteristics, remarkable in that after removal of the optional modules it comprises a step of tilting downwards movable flaps connected to edges of the passenger compartment floor surrounding the removable plate, then a step of depositing this removable plate at the bottom of the lower housing by fixing it to these movable flaps.

[0024] 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:

[0025] [Fig-1] shows in longitudinal section a diagram of the floor of a vehicle according to the invention comprising an optional rear battery module with a removable floor plate in an upper position;

[0026] [Fig.2] shows in detail this removable plate in the upper position;

[0027] [Fig.3] shows the diagram of the vehicle floor without the battery module optional and with the removable plate in the low position; and

[0028] [Fig.4] shows in detail this removable plate in the low position.

[0029] Throughout the document the upper or above direction relates to a vehicle placed on horizontal ground, the forward direction relates to its direction of travel, the transverse direction is perpendicular to its length.

[0030] Figures 1 and 2 show a floor of the passenger compartment 2 of an electric or hybrid vehicle, generally flat, forming the top of a compartment 18 which is closed by a lower sheet 4, containing similar battery modules 6 fitted one behind the other.

[0031] At the rear of compartment 4 the floor rises to support the rear seats of the vehicle 8 receiving rear passengers 10 who place their feet 12 on the passenger compartment floor 2. In order to limit the height of the vehicle the seat base 8 is as low as possible, which gives a limited height H1 relative to the level of the passenger compartment floor 2 forcing passengers to strongly bend their thigh and knee joints 14.

[0032] The rear portion of the battery compartment 18 comprises a set of one or more optional rear modules 16 extending over the entire width of this compartment in the transverse direction, having mechanical fixings and electrical connections allowing disconnection and disassembly. The vehicle can thus drive with a lower number of modules 6 giving a reduced autonomy, but reducing the total mass of the vehicle as well as the cost.

[0033] It will be noted that since the battery modules 6 represent a significant portion of the mass and cost of an electric vehicle, a smaller battery system without the set of optional rear modules 16 reduces the weight of this vehicle, which allows it to be more dynamic with better safety, to reduce its overall energy consumption, and to lower investment and operating costs.

[0034] The passenger compartment floor 2 has an access opening covering all of the optional rear modules 16, allowing them to be easily extracted from above, which is closed by a removable flat floor plate 20 arranged at the level of this floor, receiving the feet of the passenger 12. In this way the entire passenger compartment floor is flat, which allows normal use, with the knees 14 of the rear passengers strongly bent.

[0035] The front and rear edges of the access opening comprise a pivot 22 having an axis aligned along the transverse direction of the vehicle, each receiving an elongated flap 24 which is arranged flat substantially horizontally, the front flap being turned towards the rear and the rear flap towards the front.

[0036] Each horizontally locked flap 24 has a constant section comprising, starting from its pivot 22, a first notch 26 then a second notch 34, and finally an end folded successively upwards then towards its pivot forming a return 28. Each flap 24 also has a system for locking its pivot 22 keeping it in its horizontal position.

[0037] The elongated removable plate 20, covering the width of the passenger compartment floor 2 in the transverse direction, also has a constant section comprising at each front and rear end a downwardly facing folded edge 30 which is wedged between the two notches 26, 34 to ensure its lateral locking.

[0038] The removable plate underside 20 comprises, next to each folded edge 30, a sealing gasket 32 ​​which rests on the second notch 34 of the flap 24, which ensures a seal between the passenger compartment and the battery compartment 18.

[0039] A support for the removable floor plate 20 is obtained by the two flaps 24 locked in the horizontal position, and its lateral wedging by each edge 30 adjusted between two stops comprising the two notches 26, 34. The assembly is completed from the passenger compartment floor 2 to the level of the access opening, which is flat and closed continuously and tightly.

[0040] Figures 3 and 4 show the two flaps 24 which have been tilted and locked substantially vertically, each end return 28 then being turned upwards, facing each other. The removable floor plate 20 is lowered, each folded edge 30 being inserted into the rear return 28 of the flap on its side, which ensures both the support of this plate and its wedging in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0041] In addition, the sealing gaskets 32 under the removable plate 20 also bear on a rear return 28, which ensures the sealing of the battery compartment 18. It will be noted that the sealing of the battery compartment 18 is important, in particular to prevent the transmission of smoke into the passenger compartment of the vehicle in the event of an incident involving the battery.

[0042] After dismantling all of the optional rear battery modules 16, the operator tilts and locks the flaps 24 in the vertical position and positions the removable plate 20 at the bottom of a lower housing 40 forming a floor cellar, lowering it to a height H2.

[0043] A vehicle is obtained having modularity to adjust its number of battery modules 6 according to the needs, which improves the operating conditions of this vehicle. A floor cellar 40 is also obtained having a width allowing to receive the feet of the passengers 12 who have descended from a height H2, the thighs and legs are less bent which makes the position more comfortable.

Claims

Claims

1. Electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising several traction battery modules (6) arranged flat under the floor of the passenger compartment (2), comprising at least one optional module (16) which can be installed or removed from the vehicle, characterized in that it comprises above the optional module (16) a removable floor plate (20) comprising an upper position in alignment with the passenger compartment floor (2), and a lower position where this removable plate (20) forms the base of a lower housing (40) occupying the place of the optional modules (16) which are removed.

2. Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower housing (40) comprises on two opposite sides movable flaps (24) which close these sides.

3. Motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that each movable flap (24) is connected to the passenger compartment floor (2) by a pivot (22) arranged on an edge of this flap (24).

4. Motor vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the movable flaps (24) comprise a system for locking their pivots (22).

5. Motor vehicle according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that each movable flap (24) forms a plane comprising protruding stops which hold the removable plate (20) in its upper position and its lower position.

6. Motor vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that each movable flap (24) has at its edge opposite the pivot (22) a return returning towards this pivot (28), for supporting the removable plate (20) in its low position.

7. Motor vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that each movable flap (24) comprises between its pivot (22) and its return returning towards the pivot (28) at least one notch (26, 34) for lateral locking of the removable plate (20) in its upper position.

8. Motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a sealing system (32) ensuring at the same time sealing on the edges of the removable plate (20) in its upper position and in its lower position.

9. Motor vehicle according to claims 6 or 7, and 8, characterized in that the sealing system (32) comprises sealing gaskets fixed under the removable plate (20).

10. Method of using a motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after removal of the optional modules (16) it comprises a step of tilting downwards movable flaps (24) connected to edges of the passenger compartment floor (2) surrounding the removable plate (20), then a step of depositing this removable plate (20) at the bottom of the lower housing (40) by fixing it to these movable flaps (24).

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