Flange for rotating electrical machine of a vehicle

Abstract

Flange for a Rotating Electric Machine of a Vehicle. The present invention relates to a flange (7) for a rotating electric machine (2) of a vehicle, comprising a first half-flange (8) and a second half-flange (9) mechanically linked to each other by fastening means (10) and defining an internal volume configured to house a rotor / stator assembly (3). The first half-flange (8) is intended to support at least one tensioner configured to tension a belt (4) of the vehicle. The invention is characterized in that the flange (7) comprises a force distribution element (13) extending between the first half-flange (8) and the second half-flange (9). The force distribution element (13) is configured to partially transmit a force exerted by the tensioner on the first half-flange (8) to the second half-flange (9). The force distribution element (13) is separate from the fastening means. (10). (Figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Flange for a rotating electrical machine of a vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of rotating electrical machines for motor vehicles, and more particularly concerns a flange for such rotating electrical machines.

[0002] In the automotive field, rotating electrical machines are commonly used as starter-alternators and, as such, interact with the internal combustion engine of the vehicle. The starter-alternator, via a belt connecting the rotating electrical machine to the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, enables, on the one hand, a starting function for the internal combustion engine when the vehicle is stationary, and on the other hand, an alternator function while the vehicle is in motion, consisting of recovering the mechanical energy of the internal combustion engine in order to generate electrical energy which can, for example, power any electrical component of the vehicle.

[0003] It is known to house the rotating electrical machine within a flange ensuring its mechanical protection and also allowing the mechanical fixing of the rotating electrical machine within a motor assembly.

[0004] Furthermore, to prevent the belt from slipping off the pulleys associated with the drive shafts of the rotating electrical machine and the internal combustion engine due to insufficient tension, it is known to install tensioners that bear against the belt to maximize its tension and hold it securely. To achieve this, the tensioners must be mechanically robust enough to remain in place despite the mechanical force exerted by the belt, even when it is in motion. The tensioners are generally attached to the flange of the rotating electrical machine.

[0005] A mechanical problem arises when the rotating electrical machine is applied to a vehicle requiring more power, for example, an off-road vehicle. The belt on such a vehicle is more robust, for example, due to its larger size, and thus exerts a much higher mechanical force, requiring the use of tensioners with higher mechanical resistance. Since the tensioners are attached to the flange, the latter is also subjected to much greater mechanical stresses and can therefore be damaged by bending or breaking. More specifically, the flange of the rotating electrical machine comprises two half-flanges that are fixed one on top of the other and configured to house the components of the rotating electrical machine between them, namely a rotor / stator assembly and the electronic components for controlling this assembly. The tensioner(s) are fixed on one of these half-flanges and the forces applied by these tensioners have the effect of moving this half-flange away from the other, and therefore weakening the means of fixing provided between the half-flanges.

[0006] The present invention falls within this context and proposes a flange for a rotating electric machine of a vehicle comprising a first half-flange and a second half-flange mechanically linked to each other by fastening means and defining an internal volume configured to house a rotor / stator assembly, the first half-flange being intended to support at least one tensioner configured to tension a belt of the vehicle, characterized in that the flange includes a force transmission zone in which a force distribution element extends between the first half-flange and the second half-flange, the force distribution element being configured to partially transmit a force exerted by the tensioner on the first half-flange to the second half-flange, the force distribution element being distinct from the fastening means.

[0007] Thanks to the force transmission zone specifically provided within the entire flange, the mechanical stresses exerted by at least one of the tensioners during the operation of the vehicle are much less concentrated on a specific area of ​​the flange and this thus avoids damaging the flange at the level of this area.

[0008] The flange houses a rotor and stator of the rotating electrical machine, which can function as a starter-alternator. In starter mode, the stator is supplied with electrical energy to generate rotation of the rotor, which then drives a drive shaft of the rotating electrical machine and subsequently the vehicle's belt to start the vehicle's internal combustion engine. Conversely, the alternator function during vehicle operation consists of recovering the mechanical energy of the internal combustion engine to generate electrical energy, which can, for example, power any electrical component of the vehicle.

[0009] The flange is divided into two half-flanges which are joined together by fastening means, which may, for example, be a screw / nut assembly or a rivet, once the rotor and stator are housed in the half-flanges. The flange can then be fixed to another element of the rotating electrical machine to give the rotor / stator assembly and the drive shaft a defined theoretical position relative to the input / output shaft of the internal combustion engine.

[0010] The first half-flange corresponds to the half-flange through which the drive shaft protrudes to interact with the belt. It is therefore at the level of this half-flange, and more specifically on its outer face, that the tensioners are fixed. Thus, at least one of the tensioners exerts a direct mechanical force on the first half-flange, which tends to move it away from the second half-flange.

[0011] The force distribution element extends between the two half-flanges just like the fastening means, but it is important to note that the force distribution element is not part of the fastening means.

[0012] Thanks to the force distribution element, which transmits part of the force to the second half-flange, this mechanical stress is distributed between the first and second half-flanges. In this way, the first half-flange is pulled less strongly in the opposite direction from the second half-flange, and the second half-flange is also pulled towards the first half-flange. The flange thus resists the force exerted by one or more tensioners more effectively, since the half-flanges do not tend to move apart, which in turn reduces stress on the fastening means.

[0013] According to a feature of the invention, the force transmission zone, within which the force distribution element extends, is arranged in the vicinity of a zone of the first half-flange intended for the attachment of a tensioner.

[0014] According to one feature of the invention, each half-flange comprises at least one connecting hole centered around a connecting axis, each connecting hole being opposite the other, the force distribution element comprising a threaded sleeve mounted in the connecting hole of the second half-flange and a threaded screw passing through the connecting hole of the first half-flange and cooperating with the thread in the sleeve. Each connecting hole is located in the force transmission zone, and they may, in particular, be located substantially at the center of this zone. It may be considered that each half-flange has its own force transmission zone, with a connecting hole located in this zone, and that the assembly of the two half-flanges and their force transmission zones forms a force transmission zone of the flange as a whole, through which the force transmission element passes.The threaded screw and the sleeve thus contribute to creating a mechanical link between the two half-flanges, without actually participating in the assembly to form the flange. In other words, at rest, i.e., when the belt is not moving, little force is applied to this load-distributing element. The load-distributing element is unique here in that the interaction of the screw and the sleeve allows the sleeve to move within the connecting hole of the second half-flange to ensure that this sleeve remains in contact with the first half-flange while the vehicle is in motion, and this occurs in an area without any other fastening means.

[0015] Thus, when the tensioner exerts mechanical stresses on the first half-flange on which it is fixed, forces are transmitted from the first half-flange to the second half-flange at least partially through the sleeve and the portion of this sleeve in contact with the first half-flange.

[0016] The forces transmitted through the sleeve are then transferred to the second half-flange, which thus absorbs part of the mechanical stress exerted by the tensioner. The fact that forces pass through the sleeve directly in contact with the first half-flange prevents stress on the screw in this force transmission zone, which is provided in addition to the fastening zones.

[0017] The connecting holes of each half-flange must be aligned with each other so that the threaded screw can be inserted through each of the connecting holes while being centered on the connecting axis. The threaded sleeve is inserted into the connecting hole of the second half-flange. Thus, the threaded screw extends within the threaded sleeve, which is itself within the connecting hole of the second half-flange.

[0018] According to one feature of the invention, the sleeve comprises a body cooperating with the connecting hole of the second half-flange and a head disposed outside the connecting hole of the second half-flange and positioned on the side of the second half-flange opposite the first half-flange. It is noteworthy that it is the body of the threaded sleeve that, on the one hand, is mounted in the connecting hole and, on the other hand, cooperates with the screw; the head has no function in transmitting forces through the sleeve.

[0019] According to one feature of the invention, opposite the head, the body has an end portion intended to come into contact with the first half-flange. It is this contact, made possible by the sliding tight mounting of the socket body within the connecting orifice of the second half-flange and by the adjustment of the socket position through cooperation with the screw, which makes it possible to create a load transfer bridge and to transmit part of the loads experienced by the first half-flange to the second half-flange.

[0020] According to one feature of the invention, the second half-flange includes anti-rotation means for the socket head. These anti-rotation means prevent the socket from rotating within the connecting hole of the second half-flange during the mounting of the load distribution element on the flange. This makes it possible to screw the threaded screw into the socket, which is prevented from rotating.

[0021] By way of example, the anti-rotation means may be a rib formed on the second half of the flange and extending across the rotational path of the cartridge case head. One or more ribs may generate a shape complementary to the shape of the cartridge case head. The cartridge case is then blocked in at least one direction of rotation.

[0022] According to one feature of the invention, in the force transmission zone, the first half-flange comprises a first face opposite the second half-flange, the body of the sleeve being intended to be in direct contact with the first face of the first half-flange. During the assembly of the force distribution element, the body the socket emerges from the connecting orifice of the second half-flange to come into contact with the first face of the first half-flange.

[0023] According to one feature of the invention, the length of the socket body is greater than the distance between the first face of the first half-flange and a first face of the second half-flange oriented opposite to the first half-flange. In other words, the socket body is longer than the sum of the thickness of the second half-flange and a clearance zone, i.e., the distance between the half-flanges in the load transmission zone when the two half-flanges are fixed together. This ensures, during assembly, that the socket body is in contact with the first face of the first half-flange before the socket head is in contact with the first face of the second half-flange, it being understood that this would prevent the load distribution as desired according to the invention and could cause the first half-flange to deflect.

[0024] According to one feature of the invention, the sleeve and the connecting orifice of the second half-flange are dimensioned to allow a degree of translational freedom for the sleeve within the connecting orifice of the second half-flange, in a direction parallel to the connection axis. In other words, the sleeve and the connecting orifice of the second half-flange are configured, particularly in terms of surface roughness, to generate between them a sliding interference fit, which ensures a tight fit of the sleeve in the connecting orifice to the micron, while allowing a degree of translational freedom as previously mentioned, when, during the assembly of the load distribution element, the sleeve moves within the connecting orifice of the second half-flange to come into contact with the first face of the first half-flange.

[0025] According to one feature of the invention, the sleeve comprises a zinc-nickel alloy coating. This coating is suitable for achieving a sliding, tight fit within the connecting orifice of the second half-flange. It also offers corrosion resistance.

[0026] According to one feature of the invention, the first half-flange comprises a radial projection carrying at least one connection port for the tensioner and the connecting port of the first half-flange. The radial projection helps to form the force transmission zone of the first half-flange, allowing for an extension of the first half-flange to ensure sufficient space for the installation of the two aforementioned ports. As the connection port of the tensioner and the connecting port of the first half-flange are close to each other, the force generated by the tensioner is likely to be absorbed more effectively by the force distribution element.

[0027] The invention also covers a rotating electric machine for a vehicle, comprising a rotor / stator assembly, provided with at least one rotor and one stator, and a flange as described above housing the rotor / stator assembly. As has been As mentioned previously, the rotor drives a drive shaft which interacts with the belt, setting it in motion. At least one tensioner bears against the belt and is fixed to the flange. According to the invention, the flange includes means for transmitting forces and is thus configured to withstand the mechanical stresses exerted by the tensioner.

[0028] The invention also covers a method for mounting a flange as described above, comprising: - a step of fixing the half-flanges together by tightening the fixing means, placing, in a force transmission zone, the first half-flange at a predetermined distance from the second half-flange and positioning the connecting orifice of each half-flange opposite each other, - a positioning step of the force distribution element through the connecting orifices, the positioning step being subsequent to the fixing step.

[0029] The flange is first assembled using the fastening means so that the load distribution element can be subsequently installed. It is understood that the load distribution element is separate from the fastening means and that the positioning of the half-flanges relative to each other is ensured by tightening the fastening means. The load distribution element's only function, subsequently, is to ensure local contact between the first half-flange and the second half-flange, via the movable sleeve of this load distribution element, in an area where the half-flanges are not intended to be pressed against each other by the fastening means.

[0030] According to one feature of the method, the positioning step comprises: - a step of mounting the sleeve within the connecting orifice of the second half-flange, - a step involving inserting the screw through the connecting holes and through the socket, - a screwing step of the screw within the sleeve to move the sleeve axially within the connecting orifice of the second half-flange until the sleeve is in contact with the first half-flange.

[0031] In this way, the screw allows the sleeve to be brought closer together thanks to the anti-rotation means preventing the sleeve head from rotating in phase with the screw's rotation. The sleeve mounting step is carried out in such a way as to generate a sliding, tight fit within the connecting hole of the second half-flange. The sleeve's translational degree of freedom allows it to be brought closer until it is in contact of the first half-flange, while ensuring a tight contact of the socket with the wall delimiting the connecting orifice within the second half-flange.

[0032] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0033] [Fig-1] is a partial representation of a motor assembly comprising a rotating electric machine provided with a flange according to the invention,

[0034] [Fig.2] is an exploded view of two half-flanges forming the flange according to the invention,

[0035] [Fig.3] is a view of a force distribution element integrated within the flange,

[0036] [Fig.4] is a cross-sectional view of the force distribution element within the flange.

[0037] Figure 1 is a partial representation of a motor assembly 1 that can be integrated into a motor vehicle. The motor assembly 1 comprises a rotating electrical machine 2 and a heat engine, not shown here. The rotating electrical machine 2 comprises a rotor / stator assembly 3 connected to a belt 4 which, although not shown, is also connected to a crankshaft of the heat engine. Thus, the rotating electrical machine 2 is able to interact with the heat engine via the belt 4.

[0038] The rotating electrical machine 2 here acts as an alternator-starter, capable of providing both a starting assistance function for the motor vehicle and an electrical energy recovery function. When the vehicle starts, a rotor of the rotor / stator assembly 3 is set in rotation, via its magnetic elements and for example permanent magnets, by a magnetic field created following the electrical supply of a stator winding. The rotational movement of the rotor then drives a pulley 5 arranged at the end of a drive shaft 6 fixed to the rotor and around which the belt 4 is arranged, subsequently driving the internal combustion engine.Conversely, during vehicle operation, the internal combustion engine drives belt 4, which in turn drives the rotor via pulley 5, and the rotor / stator interaction and the electronic components associated with the stator winding allow mechanical energy to be converted into electrical energy.

[0039] The rotor / stator assembly 3 of the rotating electrical machine 2 is housed in a flange 7. The latter provides the function of protection and mechanical support of the rotor / stator assembly 3. Only the pulley 5 associated with the rotor extends out of the flange 7 so that the movement can be transmitted from the rotor to the belt 4 or vice versa.

[0040] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the flange 7 is divided into a first half-flange 8 and a second half-flange 9 mechanically linked to each other by a plurality of fastening means 10. The first half-flange 8 and the second half-flange 9 define an internal volume housing the rotor / stator assembly 3. Once the latter is positioned, the fastening means 10 are used to link the half-flanges 8, 9 together and thus lock the flange 7 and ensure protection and mechanical support of the rotor / stator assembly 3. The flange 7 also includes fastening elements 70 which allow the rotating electrical machine to be fixed to the motor assembly.

[0041] Not shown, the motor assembly 1 includes at least one tensioner ensuring tension of the belt 4 so that the latter does not come loose from the pulley 5. Such a tensioner can be fixed to the first half-flange 8 by means of connection ports 11, here arranged at the level of a radial protrusion 12 formed at the level of the first half-flange 8.

[0042] The tensioner provides support to the belt 4 and thus offers significant mechanical resistance to withstand the force exerted by the belt 4, particularly when it is in motion. The tensioner can exert strong stresses on the first half-flange 8, especially if the associated belt is large, for example, if the engine assembly 1 is an off-road vehicle engine assembly. The stresses exerted by the tensioner cause the first half-flange 8 to move away from the second half-flange 9, which in turn puts stress on and weakens the fastening means.

[0043] According to the invention, means are implemented to counteract the force of the tensioner exerted on the first half-flange 8 level of the radial protrusion 12.

[0044] Thus, the flange 7 according to the invention comprises a force transmission zone 100, disposed here at the radial protrusion 12, within which a force distribution member 13 extends between the first half-flange 8 and the second half-flange 9. The force distribution member 13 is mechanically linked, while being separate from the fastening means 10, to the first half-flange 8 and the second half-flange 9, here at the radial protrusion 12, near the connection port 11.

[0045] The force distribution element 13 does not have the function of fixing the position of one half-flange relative to the other, unlike the function of the fastening means 10, but has the function of generating contact between the two half-flanges in an area close to the connection orifice 11 in order to carry out a force transfer and thus distribute the mechanical force exerted by the tensioner on the first half-flange 8 by transmitting it partially to the second half-flange 9. This makes it possible to avoid concentrating the mechanical force on a particular area of ​​the flange 7 and thus greatly limits the risk of damage to the latter.

[0046] Figure 2 is a representation of the flange 7 according to the invention with the first half-flange 8 and the second half-flange 9 separated from each other. As mentioned previously, the flange 7 allows for the delimitation of an internal volume capable of containing the rotor / stator assembly, which is not visible here.

[0047] In [Fig. 2], there are four fastening means 10, ensuring uniform fastening of the half-flanges 8, 9 to each other. The fastening means 10 are screws, which must cooperate with nuts (not shown) and which allow the half-flanges to be pressed against each other. Of course, any other type of fastening means 10 is conceivable.

[0048] Once the two half-flanges 8, 9 are assembled by tightening the fastening means 10, the two half-flanges are pressed against each other at least in the fastening area. Fastening element holes 70 extend around the periphery of each half-flange to align with each other and allow the flange to be mechanically connected to another element of the engine assembly.

[0049] In the force transmission zone 100, it is notable, particularly in [Fig.4], that the first half-flange 8 and the second half-flange 9 are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other, with a clearance zone 23.

[0050] In this force transmission zone 100, each half-flange includes a connecting orifice 14 opposite each other. It is through these connecting orifices 14 that the force distribution element 13 illustrated in [Fig. 1] extends.

[0051] The connecting holes 14 of each half-flange 8, 9 are both centered on the same connecting axis 15, and are through holes, that is to say opening at each end onto a face of the corresponding half-flange.

[0052] Each half-flange has, in this load-transmission zone 100, a first face 16 and a second face 17, substantially perpendicular to the common connection axis 15. Thus, the first face 16 of the first half-flange 8 corresponds to the opposite face of the second half-flange 9 once the flange 7 is assembled, while the first face 16 of the second half-flange 9 corresponds to the opposite face of the first half-flange 8 once the flange 7 is assembled. The first face 16 of the first half-flange 8 and the second face 17 of the second half-flange 9 are therefore opposite each other.

[0053] Once the half-flanges 8, 9 are fixed together, the load distribution member 13 is then installed as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 shows that the load distribution member 13 consists of a threaded screw 18 passing through the connecting hole 14 of each of the half-flanges 8, 9, and a threaded sleeve 19 that locks the position of the screw 18. The load distribution member 13 is configured to allow an operator to create contact between the half-flanges in the load distribution area, via the sleeve which is moved from appropriately, where the half-flanges are not initially in contact with each other. Thus, during vehicle operation, the sleeve forming a load-bearing bridge, part of the mechanical stress exerted by the tensioner(s) on the first half-flange 8 is transmitted via the sleeve 19 towards the second half-flange 9.

[0054] The bushing 19 is composed of a body 20 and a head 21. The body 20 of the bushing 19 has a portion housed within the connecting orifice 14 of the second half-flange 9 and an end portion 200, opposite the head 21, which is positioned in the clearance zone 23 formed between the two half-flanges in the force distribution zone 100. The head 21 is outside the connecting orifice 14 of the second half-flange 9, on the side opposite the first half-flange 8, and is intended to cooperate with anti-rotation means 22.

[0055] More specifically, the anti-rotation means 22 can take the form of a simple rib that blocks the rotation of the head by generating a stop surface across the path of rotation, or take the form of a set of ribs whose shape is at least partially complementary to the shape, in particular hexagonal, of the head 21 of the sleeve 19 as illustrated in [Fig. 3]. The head 21 is thus blocked and cannot rotate, which allows the assembly of the force distribution element 13 during a positioning step of the latter through the connecting orifice 14 of each half-flange 8, 9.

[0056] As will be described below, in this configuration, the rotational locking of the head 21 of the sleeve allows the screw 18 to be positioned in a direction of translation and then, in a second step, once the screw is in position, allows the sleeve 19 to be moved in the opposite direction of translation until the body of the sleeve, and more particularly the end portion 200 of this body 20, comes into contact with the first half-flange 8.

[0057] Preferably, the sleeve 19 is made of a zinc and nickel alloy coating. It is noteworthy that this coating allows the sleeve 19 to be mounted within the connecting orifice of the second half-flange 9 in a tight sliding fit, that is to say a micron-level fit of the external diameter of the sleeve body and the internal diameter of the connecting orifice, which allows only translational movement along the elongation axis of the connecting orifice, here the connecting axis 15.

[0058] Other features of the load distribution element 13 will be discussed by describing in more detail the method of assembling a flange according to the invention, which leads to the installation of the load distribution element 13 as illustrated in the cross-sectional view of [Fig. 4]. [Fig. 4] clearly shows that the body 20 of the sleeve 19 is partially disposed within the connecting orifice 14 of the second half-flange 9, with a free end, opposite the head 21, which is in contact with the first half-flange 8. The screw 18 is thus in position after interacting with the sleeve 19 and not with the connecting orifice 14 of the second half-flange 9 directly.

[0059] During a flange assembly process, and after a step of fastening the half-flanges 8, 9 together, the previously mentioned step of positioning the load distribution element 13 is carried out. If the sleeve 19 is not already mounted in the connecting hole 14 of the second half-flange 9 before the step of fastening the half-flanges 8, 9 together, the positioning step begins with mounting the sleeve 19 in the connecting hole 14 of the second half-flange 9. However, advantageously, the positioning step can begin before the fastening step, and the sleeve 19 is positioned in the connecting hole 14 of the second half-flange 9 before the fastening step.

[0060] Once this is done, the screw 18 is positioned through the connecting holes 14 and a tightening step is carried out. This tightening step results in a displacement of the sleeve which ensures, in the force transmission zone, away from the fastening zones, that the two half-flanges are brought into contact via this sleeve to enable the transfer of forces.

[0061] The two half-flanges are secured together by means of the fastening means 10 once the rotor / stator assembly is inserted into the recess formed between these two half-flanges. As mentioned, this results, in a force transmission zone 100, visible in Figures 3 and 4, in a clearance zone 23 between a first face of the first half-flange 8 and a second face of the second half-flange 9. Furthermore, in this position, the connecting holes 14 of the half-flanges are aligned, and the screw 18 can be inserted through these two connecting holes.

[0062] Previously, in a positioning step, the bushing 19 is mounted in the connecting orifice 14 of the second half-flange 9, in a sliding tight fit, allowing only translation along the elongation axis of this connecting orifice, here the connecting axis 15. The bushing is inserted with the head 21 of the bushing which is on the side of the first face of the second half-flange 9, in cooperation with the anti-rotation means 22.

[0063] The screw 18 is then inserted into the connecting holes so as to cooperate with the threads in the sleeve. The head 21 of the sleeve 19 is locked in at least one direction of rotation, allowing the screw 18 to be screwed into the threads in the body 20 of the sleeve 19 without causing the latter to rotate.

[0064] The screwing of the screw 18 into the threaded hole of the sleeve 19 continues until the screw 18 is in its final position, as illustrated in [Fig. 4], with the screw head abutting against the first half-flange 8 in a direction parallel to the connecting axis 15. Once the final position of the screw is reached, screwing the screw 18 into the threaded hole of the sleeve, whose head is prevented from rotating, causes the sleeve to move axially towards the screw head, and therefore towards the first half-flange 8. This translational movement is made possible by the sliding press-fit mounting of the sleeve within the second half-flange 9. The sleeve 19 therefore moves towards the first half-flange 8 until it is in direct contact, via the end portion 200 of the sleeve body 20, with the first face 16 of the first half-flange 8. The translational movement of the sleeve 19 takes place over an axial distance approximately equal to the clearance zone 23.

[0065] Where appropriate, a nut is mounted on the free end of the rod to prevent progressive disengagement of the screw 18 due to vibrations when the vehicle is in operation.

[0066] The characteristics of the sleeve 19 are such that a length 24 of the body 20 of the sleeve 19 is greater than a distance 25 between the first face 16 of the first half-flange 8 and the first face 16 of the second half-flange 9, said distance 25 being measured after the half-flanges 8, 9 are fixed together. In this way, during the assembly of the load distribution element 13, the sleeve 19 comes into contact with the first face 16 of the first half-flange 8, without the head 21 of the sleeve first encountering the first face 16 of the second flange and without preventing the end portion 200 of the body 20 of the sleeve from contacting the first half-flange 8.

[0067] It is primarily this configuration of the force transmission zone 100, with the contact of the first half-flange 8 with the sleeve, which is press-fitted and slides within the second half-flange 9, that enables the transmission of the forces exerted on the first half-flange 8 due to the tensioners fixed to this first half-flange. According to the invention, it is particularly advantageous to use the force distribution element 13 to create this force transmission bridge in a force transmission zone 100, without having to alter the means used for the other fastenings of the half-flanges to each other and without having to alter the direct distance between the half-flanges 8 and 9.

[0068] The invention, as described above, achieves its intended purpose and provides a flange resistant to the mechanical stresses exerted by a belt tensioner, thanks to the distribution of said stresses on each of the half-flanges that make up the flange. Variations not described here could be implemented without departing from the scope of the invention, provided that, in accordance with the invention, they include a flange conforming to the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Flange (7) for a rotating electrical machine (2) of a vehicle comprising a first half-flange (8) and a second half-flange (9) mechanically linked to each other by fastening means (10) and defining an internal volume configured to house a rotor / stator assembly (3), the first half-flange (8) being intended to support at least one tensioner configured to tension a belt (4) of the vehicle, characterized in that the flange (7) comprises a force transmission zone in which a force distribution member (13) extends between the first half-flange (8) and the second half-flange (9), the force distribution member (13) being configured to partially transmit a force exerted by the tensioner on the first half-flange (8) to the second half-flange (9), the force distribution member (13) being separate from the fastening means (10).

2. Flange (7) according to claim 1, wherein each half-flange (8, 9) comprises at least one connecting orifice (14) centered around a connecting axis (15), each connecting orifice (14) being opposite each other, the force distribution member (13) comprising a threaded sleeve (19) mounted in the connecting orifice (14) of the second half-flange (9) and a threaded screw (18) passing through the connecting orifice (14) of the first half-flange (8) and cooperating with the thread of the sleeve (19).

3. Flange (7) according to claim 2, wherein the socket (19) comprises a body (20) cooperating with the connecting orifice (14) of the second half-flange (8) and a head (21) disposed outside the connecting orifice (14) of the second half-flange (9) and positioned on the side of the second half-flange (9) opposite to the first half-flange (8).

4. Flange (7) according to claim 3, wherein the second half-flange (9) includes anti-rotation means (22) for the head (21) of the socket (19).

5. Flange (7) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, in the force transmission zone, the first half-flange (8) comprises a first face (16) opposite the second half-flange (9), the body (20) of the sleeve (19) being intended to be in direct contact with the first face (16) of the first half-flange (8).

6. Flange (7) according to claim 5, wherein a length (24) of the body (20) of the socket (19) is greater than a distance (25) between the first face (16) of the first half-flange (8) and a first face (16) of the second half-flange (9) oriented opposite to the first half-flange (8).

7. Flange (7) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the sleeve (19) and the connecting orifice (14) of the second half-flange (9) are dimensioned to permit one degree of translational freedom to the sleeve (19) within the connecting orifice (14) of the second half-flange (9) in a direction parallel to the connecting axis (15).

8. Flange (7) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the socket (19) comprises a zinc and nickel alloy coating.

9. Flange (7) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the first half-flange (8) comprises a radial protrusion (12) carrying at least one connection orifice (11) of the tensioner and the connecting orifice (14) of the first half-flange (8).

10. Rotating electric machine (2) for vehicle, comprising a rotor / stator assembly (3), provided with at least one rotor and one stator, and a flange (7) according to any one of the preceding claims housing the rotor / stator assembly (3).

11. Method of mounting a flange (7) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, comprising: - a step of fixing the half-flanges (8, 9) together by a tightening operation of the fixing means (10), placing, in a force transmission zone, the first half-flange (8) at a predetermined distance from the second half-flange (9) and positioning the connecting orifice (14) of each half-flange (8, 9) opposite each other, - a step of positioning the force distribution element (13) through the connecting orifices (14), the positioning step being subsequent to the fixing step.

12. A mounting method according to the preceding claim, implemented on a flange (7) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the positioning step comprises: a step of mounting the sleeve (19) within the connecting orifice (14) of the second half-flange (9), a step of placing the screw (18) through the connecting orifices (14) and through the sleeve (19), a step of screwing the screw (18) into the sleeve (19) to move the sleeve (19) axially within the connecting orifice (14) of the second half-flange (9) until the sleeve (19) is in contact with the first half-flange (8).

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