Control device for a high-voltage electrical circuit breaker for a motor vehicle, mounting bracket for said device and motor vehicle equipped with said device

Abstract

A control device for a high-voltage electrical circuit breaker in a motor vehicle, said control device comprising a low-voltage control element (2) for said circuit breaker, said control element (2) comprising two parts (6, 8) capable of being movable relative to each other during manipulation by a user for the purpose of actuating the circuit breaker, said device further comprising a flange (10) for fixing said control element (2) to a fixed support (12) of the vehicle, said flange (10) being configured to form a protective cover (14) and / or to conceal the control element (2) from view while allowing free manipulation of said parts (6, 8). Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Control device for a high-voltage electrical circuit breaker for a motor vehicle, support bracket for said device, and motor vehicle equipped with said device

[0001] The invention relates to a control device for a high-voltage electrical circuit breaker in a motor vehicle, a support bracket for said device, and a motor vehicle equipped with said device. Its applications will be found, in particular, in electric motor vehicles.

[0002] In the event of accidents or maintenance operations on an electric vehicle, it is necessary to cut off the high-voltage electrical circuit of the vehicle so that rescue teams or automotive technicians can intervene safely.

[0003] For this purpose, it is known that there are shut-off devices concealed under a rear seat of the vehicle. Once the seat has been removed by the person intervening, the shut-off device can be activated by manually operating a handle.

[0004] One advantage of such a configuration, given the difficult location of the device, is that it prevents unintentional triggering of the device by an uninformed person.

[0005] However, while this is fully justified for interventions on an accident, it might be desirable to have a device that is easier to handle in the event of interventions for vehicle maintenance.

[0006] In this sense, according to one aspect of the invention, a high-voltage electrical circuit switching device for a motor vehicle is proposed, said switching device comprising a first high-voltage switching element configured to be triggered by a low-voltage electrical current, in particular a relay, and a control element for said switching element, said switching element and said control element being respectively intended to be located in a first zone and a second zone of the vehicle, the second zone being more easily accessible than the first zone.

[0007] Such a solution makes it possible to have a cutting element whose triggering is obtained without having to manipulate a difficult-to-access element.

[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, which may or may not be taken in combination with the preceding aspect, a control device for a high-voltage electrical circuit breaker for a motor vehicle is proposed, said control device comprising a low-voltage control element for said circuit breaker, said control element comprising two parts capable of being movable, one compared to the other during manipulation by a user for the purpose of activating the cutting element, said device further comprising a flange for fixing said control element to a fixed support of the vehicle, said flange being configured to form a protective and / or masking cover of the control element from view while leaving the manipulation of said parts free.

[0009] By using a control element operated by user manipulation, it is possible to use relatively standard control elements. Furthermore, by providing protection and / or concealment for the control element by means of the cover provided on its mounting flange, the risks of it being unintentionally manipulated by a non-professional user are reduced.

[0010] The invention thus makes it possible to use a relatively standard control element that can be placed in a location easily accessible to a professional user, without the risk of it being triggered unintentionally. Furthermore, the flange cover protects the control element, which may not be watertight, from liquid splashes.

[0011] According to various additional features of the invention, which may be taken together or separately and which constitute so many embodiments of the invention: - said low-voltage control device is configured to allow said mobility of said two parts by means of a combination of actuation of one of said two parts, said actuated part, by combined movements of at least two hand tools, - said flange is configured to allow access to said actuated part for said tooling, - said flange is formed from a stamped sheet metal, - said flange has a body configured to be fixed to said fixed support - said first support leg originates from said body, - said low-voltage control unit is attached to said first support leg, - said first leg has an inverted U-shaped portion, a bottom part of said portion capping said low-voltage control element and connecting lateral parts running alongside said low-voltage control element, said portion being open along an actuation axis of said low-voltage control element to allow the mobility of one of said parts, - said U-shaped portion is located at one end of said first support leg, - said flange has fixing holes for said fixed support located at opposite ends of said body along a longitudinal extension direction of said body, - said flange has a second support tab, - said second support leg is extended from said body at a distance from said first support leg, - said second support bracket is configured for attaching a first electrical cable or wiring harness of the vehicle, - said flange has a third support tab, - said third support leg originates from said second support leg, - said third support bracket is configured for attaching a second cable or wiring harness of the vehicle's electrical system, - the said first, second and / or third support legs are angled, - said flange has a stiffening fold along said legs, particularly along said first leg between said body and said U-shaped portion, - said flange includes a positioning hook on said fixed support, - said hook is derived from said body.

[0012] The invention also relates to the support flange of the control device mentioned above.

[0013] The invention further relates to a vehicle comprising an engine compartment and a high-voltage electrical circuit equipped with a switching device, said vehicle further comprising a control device as described above for actuation of said switching device, said control device being located in said engine compartment.

[0014] According to various additional features of the invention, which may be taken together or separately and which constitute so many embodiments of the invention: - said shut-off device is located in said engine compartment, specifically at the rear of said engine compartment, - said fixed support includes a battery tray, specifically for low-voltage batteries, - said first cable or bundle of electrical cables connects a first component of said vehicle, movable in said engine compartment, to a second component of said vehicle, fixed in said engine compartment, - said second cable or bundle of electrical cables consists of a charging cable or bundle of charging cables, intended to connect said electrical circuit, directly or indirectly, to an electrical network external to the vehicle.

[0015] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent in the course of the detailed explanatory description that follows, of at least one embodiment of the invention given by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, among which:

[0016] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates in perspective from above an example of flange, an example of a control device comprising said flange and an example of the installation of said control device in an engine compartment of a vehicle, in accordance with the invention;

[0017] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates in perspective from another viewpoint a area identified II in [Fig.1];

[0018] [Fig.3] illustrates schematically in perspective from a still differs the flange and the control device of the previous figures as well as their placement in the vehicle's engine compartment, some of the parts shown in the previous figures having been omitted to facilitate reading the figure;

[0019] [Fig.4] illustrates schematically in perspective from a still differs the flange and control device of the previous figures as well as their placement in the vehicle's engine compartment, other parts shown in the previous figures having been omitted to facilitate reading the figure.

[0020] It should first be noted that the terms "first", "second", "third", ... are used only to distinguish the components concerned from each other and do not imply any order or possible importance of said components.

[0021] The invention is advantageously related to a high voltage electrical circuit, in particular 400 Volts, for a motor vehicle and more particularly to a device for cutting off said high voltage circuit in order to allow an intervention, in particular an intervention by technicians in charge of the maintenance of the vehicle, once the electrical current has thus been interrupted.

[0022] Said high voltage circuit includes, for example, a high voltage electrical energy storage device, in particular a 400 Volt battery, an electric motorization machine for the vehicle and / or a control system for said electric machine from the electrical energy supplied by said storage device.

[0023] Said switching device includes, for example, a first high-voltage switching element configured to trip in the event of shocks, in particular a pyrotechnical fuse, and a second high-voltage switching element configured to trip under the action of a low-voltage electric current, in particular an electric relay.

[0024] Such a device allows for a specific shut-off for interventions in case of an accident, thanks to the first shut-off device, and in case of maintenance interventions, thanks to the second shut-off device.

[0025] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, according to another aspect of the invention, a control device for a circuit breaker in a high-voltage electrical circuit, in particular 400 Volts, for a motor vehicle is proposed. Said electrical circuit is advantageously that mentioned above. Said circuit breaker is advantageously the second circuit breaker of the circuit breaker mentioned above.

[0026] Said control device includes, for example, a low-voltage control element 2 for said switching element, not shown. Said low-voltage control element 2 consists, in particular, of an electrical switch 4. Said electrical switch 4 is integrated, for example, into a low-voltage electrical circuit.

[0027] Said low-voltage electrical circuit further includes, for example, a low-voltage electrical energy storage device, in particular a 12-volt battery, and / or a low-voltage stage of said switching device, in particular said relay. Said switching device is configured to trigger a break in said high-voltage circuit depending on whether or not a low-voltage electrical current flows in said low-voltage stage via said low-voltage electrical circuit.

[0028] Said low voltage control element 2 is configured to allow or not a flow of said low voltage electric current in said low voltage circuit, depending on a configuration, respectively called closed or open, of said control element 2.

[0029] By way of example, in the case of a switching device formed by a relay, the high voltage electrical circuit is broken by the relay in the event of a lack of current in the low voltage stage of said relay, that is to say, in an open configuration of said switch 4.

[0030] According to the invention, said low-voltage control element 2 comprises two parts 6, 8 adapted to be movable relative to each other during manipulation by a user in order to actuate the switching element. By thus providing for a control element operated by manipulation by a user, it is possible to use relatively standard control elements.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, in a closed configuration, that is to say in a configuration allowing current to flow in the low-voltage electrical circuit In tension, the two parts 6 and 8 are intended to be fitted one inside the other. In the figures, a first part 6 of said parts is intended to be located inside the second part 8 of said parts in said closed configuration.

[0032] In open configuration, i.e. in a configuration cutting off the flow of current in the low voltage electrical circuit in order to trigger the cutting member and cut off the flow of electric current in the high voltage electrical circuit, at least part of the first part 6 has passed from the inside to the outside of the second part 8.

[0033] Said parts 6, 8 are preferably configured so that this passage takes place along an actuation axis, here illustrated by an arrow marked T in [Fig.2] and corresponding to a direction of translation of the first part 6 relative to the second part 8. The open configuration of said low voltage control member 2 corresponds to that shown in the figures.

[0034] The closed configuration is intended to be the default configuration. This is the configuration occupied by the low-voltage control unit 2, in particular, when the vehicle is in motion. The switch to the open position is intended to occur, in particular, during vehicle maintenance phases.

[0035] As will be understood, said low voltage control element 2 is configured to allow a transition from the closed position to the open position, and / or vice versa, by manipulation by a user, in particular a vehicle maintenance technician.

[0036] According to the invention, said control device further comprises a mounting flange 10 for said low-voltage control element 2 to a fixed support 12 of the vehicle. Said flange 10 is configured to form a cover 14 intended to protect and / or conceal the control element 2 from view while allowing free manipulation of said parts 6, 8.

[0037] In the figures, the cover 14 is shown partially torn off in order to better see the low voltage control element 2. Said cover 14 is intended to prevent direct access to said low voltage control element 2.

[0038] By providing for the protection and / or concealment of the low-voltage control element 2. Thanks to the cover 14 provided on the mounting flange 10 of said low-voltage control element 2, the risks of the low-voltage control element 2 being unintentionally tampered with by a non-professional user are reduced. The invention thus makes it possible to use a relatively standard low-voltage control element 2, which can be placed in a location easily accessible to a professional user, without the risk of it being unintentionally triggered.

[0039] Furthermore, the cover 14 of the flange 10 protects the low-voltage control element 2 from liquid splashes. This is particularly illustrated in [Fig. 1], where an inlet 16 for windshield washer fluid intended for filling a reservoir 18 is shown. This inlet 16 is located above the control element 2. It is understood that the cover 14 provides protection for the control element 2 should any of the windshield washer fluid be spilled beside or overflow from the inlet 16. This would be particularly detrimental to the low-voltage control element 2, especially if it is not sealed, as is commonly the case in an open configuration.

[0040] Advantageously, said low-voltage control element 2 is configured to allow said mobility of said two parts 6, 8 by means of a combination of actuation of one of the parts, said actuated part, by means of at least one hand tool. Said actuated part corresponds here to the first part 6 mentioned above. It is equipped with a hook 20 intended to cooperate with said hand tool. Even more advantageously, said low-voltage control element 2 is configured to allow the mobility of the actuated part 6 by combined movements of two hand tools, each of said tools being intended to be held in one of the user's hands. The need to use one or more tools further limits the risks of unintentional triggering of said low-voltage control element 2.

[0041] In other words, advantageously, said low voltage control element 2 is configured to be non-sealed, at least in open configuration, and to permit said mobility only with the aid of at least one or even two hand tools.

[0042] Said flange 10 is preferably configured to allow access to said actuated part 6 for said tooling. Said flange 10 is formed, in particular, of a stamped sheet metal.

[0043] As can be seen more clearly in Figures 3 and 4, said flange 10 has, for example, a body 22 configured to be fixed to said fixed support 12. Said body 22 has a longitudinal extension direction. Said flange 10 has fixing holes 24 for said fixed support 12. These are located at opposite ends of said body 22 along said longitudinal extension direction of the body 22. Said body 22 is, for example, screwed onto said fixed support 12 through said fixing holes 24.

[0044] According to the illustrated embodiment, said flange 10 further comprises a first support lug 30. Said low-voltage control member 2 is attached to said first support lug 30. Said control device comprises for this purpose, for example, a split pin 26 originating from and / or attached to said second part 8 of the low-voltage control member 2. Said pin 26 is snapped into a passage opening provided in said flange 10, here at the level of said first support leg 30. Said first support leg 30 is advantageously derived from said body 22.

[0045] Said first leg 30 has, for example, an inverted U-shaped portion, only an L-shaped part of which is visible in the figures. A bottom portion 32 of said inverted U-shaped portion covers said low-voltage control member 2 and connects lateral portions 34 running alongside said low-voltage control member 2. Said inverted U-shaped portion is open along said actuation axis of said low-voltage control member 2 to allow the actuated part to move, this at one and / or the other of opposite longitudinal ends of said U-shaped portion.

[0046] Alternatively, said portion has an inverted L shape, for example as illustrated.

[0047] Said U-shaped and / or inverted L-shaped portion is located, for example, at one end of said first support leg 30.

[0048] Advantageously, to avoid deflection during handling of said low voltage control member 2, said flange 10 has a stiffening fold 36 along said first leg 30 between said body 22 and said U and / or inverted L portion.

[0049] As illustrated more particularly in [Fig. 3], said flange 10 further has a second support tab 40. This second tab 40 is configured for attaching a first electrical cable or cable harness 42 of the vehicle. This second support tab 40 advantageously extends from said body 22. It is located at a distance from said first support tab 30.

[0050] As particularly illustrated in [Fig. 4], said flange 10 further has a third support tab 50. This third tab 50 is configured for attaching a second electrical cable or wiring harness 52 of the vehicle. This third support tab 50 is advantageously formed from said second tab 40.

[0051] Said first and / or second cables and / or cable bundles 42, 52 are fixed on said flange, for example, by a split pin, as for said low voltage control element 2. Said split pin is here snapped into passage holes 28. It is connected to a clamp inside which said first and / or second cables and / or cable bundles 42, 52 are fixed.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, said first, second and / or third support legs 30, 40, 50 are bent. They extend here in different directions from each other.

[0053] Preferably, said flange 10 comprises a positioning hook 60 on said fixed support 12. Said hook 60 is herein formed from said body 12, in particular substantially at the level of said second support leg 40, along said longitudinal extension direction of said body 12.

[0054] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising the control device mentioned above.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, said control device is advantageously located in an engine compartment of the vehicle, of which only a limited number of components have been shown in order not to overload the figures.

[0056] Said fixed support 12 is located in said engine compartment. It includes, for example, a battery tray 70, specifically intended to support said 12-volt battery. Said tray 70 is formed, for example, of a plastic material, optionally reinforced with metal inserts.

[0057] For the assembly of said flange 10, said hook 60 is first put in place at the level of a free edge of a side of said stocking 70 and said body 12 is then screwed onto said side.

[0058] Said low voltage electrical circuit, marked 100, is located at least partly in said engine compartment.

[0059] Said first cable or wiring harness 42 connects, for example, a first component of said vehicle, movable within said engine compartment, to a second component of said vehicle, fixed within said engine compartment. Said first component consists, in particular, of a motor system, not shown. Said second component consists, in particular, of an interconnection box, also not shown. Since said first component is movable, there is a risk that said first cable or wiring harness 42 may move excessively in the event of sudden acceleration or braking of the vehicle. Securing it to the flange 10 has the advantage of mitigating this risk.

[0060] Said second cable or electrical cable harness 52 consists, for example, of a charging cable or cable harness intended to connect said electrical circuit(s) to an electrical network external to the vehicle. As before, there is a risk that said second cable or electrical cable harness 52 may move excessively in the event of sudden acceleration or braking of the vehicle. Its attachment to the flange 10 has the advantage of limiting this risk.

[0061] Said shut-off device is optionally located in said engine compartment, advantageously in a hard-to-reach area such as a section at the bottom of said engine compartment. Indeed, it is not intended to be manipulated since, according to the invention, its activation is electrically controlled.

[0062] Conversely, as will be understood, said low-voltage control element 2 is advantageously located in a more easily accessible area such as an upper part of said engine compartment, possibly on the side and / or the front. Indeed, in being concealed by the cover 14 of the flange 10 according to the invention, the risks of it being handled unintentionally are reduced.

Claims

Demands

1. Control device for a high-voltage electrical circuit breaker for a motor vehicle, said control device comprising a low-voltage control element (2) of said circuit breaker, said control element (2) comprising two parts (6, 8) capable of being movable relative to each other during manipulation by a user for the purpose of actuating the circuit breaker, said device further comprising a flange (10) for fixing said control element (2) to a fixed support (12) of the vehicle, said flange (10) being configured to form a cover (14) for protecting and / or masking the control element (2) from view, while allowing free manipulation of said parts (6, 8).

2. Device according to the preceding claim in which said low voltage control member (2) is configured to permit said mobility of said two parts (6, 8) by means of a combination of an actuation of one (6) of said parts, said actuation part, by combined movements of at least two hand tools.

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims in which said flange (10) is formed of a stamped sheet.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said flange (10) has a body (22) configured to be fixed to said fixed support (12) and a first support tab (30) originating from said body (22), said low voltage control member (2) being attached to said first support tab (30).

5. Device according to the preceding claim in which said first leg (30) has an inverted U-shaped portion, a bottom part (32) of said portion capping said control member (2) and connecting lateral parts (34) running along said low voltage control member (2), said portion being open along an actuation axis of said low voltage control member to allow the mobility of one (6) of said parts.

6. Device according to the preceding claim in which said flange (10) has a stiffening fold (36) along said first leg (30) between said body (22) and said U-shaped portion.

7. A device according to any one of claims 4 to 6 in which said flange (10) has a second support tab (40) originating from said body (22) at a distance from said first support tab (30), said second support bracket (40) being configured for the attachment of a first electrical cable or wiring harness (42) of the vehicle.

8. Device according to the preceding claim in which said flange (10) has a third support tab (50) originating from said second support tab (40), said third support tab (50) being configured for the attachment of a second electrical cable or wiring harness (52) of the vehicle.

9. Device according to the preceding claim in which said first, second and / or third support legs (30, 40, 50) are bent.

10. Device according to any one of claims 4 to 9 in which said flange (10) comprises a positioning hook (70) on said fixed support (12), said hook (70) being derived from said body (22).

11. Support flange for a control device according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. Vehicle comprising an engine compartment and a high-voltage electrical circuit equipped with a switching device, said vehicle further comprising a control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, said control device being located in said engine compartment.

13. 3Vehicle according to claim 12 in which said shut-off member is located in said engine compartment.

14. Vehicle according to the preceding claim in which said shut-off device is located at the bottom of said engine compartment.

15. 15. Vehicle according to any one of claims 12 or 13 wherein said fixed support (12) comprises a tray for a low voltage battery.

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