AUTOMOTIVE POWERTRAIN UNIT WITH GUTTERING FOR AN ELECTRICAL CABLE HARNESS

Abstract

A motor vehicle powertrain comprising a channel (20) forming a guide for a bundle of electrical cables (12) connected to this unit, having fixings on ribs of a housing of the unit, the channel (20) comprising at least one fixing comprising a fork with two parallel wings (42, 46) receiving internally a rib having a hole, a first wing (46) having a boss (48) on its inner face, having flexibility allowing this fork to open when the boss (48) passes over the rib, then in the final mounting position of the channel (20) engaging this boss (48) in the hole by elastic return. Figure 5

Description

Title of the invention: AUTOMOBILE POWERTRAIN UNIT WITH CHUTE RECEIVING A HARNESS OF ELECTRICAL CABLES

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle powertrain equipped with a chute receiving a bundle of electrical cables connected to this powertrain, as well as a method of assembling the chute on this powertrain and an electric vehicle comprising such a powertrain.

[0002] A known type of electric vehicle powertrain, presented in particular by document FR-A1-3141643, includes high-voltage electrical cables from the battery located under the passenger compartment, which are fixed to the rear face of this group to power an inverter located on top of the group, delivering the current to the electric traction machine.

[0003] A rigid protective cover, fixed to the rear of the powertrain, covers the high-voltage cables to protect them in the event of an accident involving a front-end impact that propels the powertrain backward, preventing the cables from being crushed against the bulkhead separating the engine compartment from the passenger compartment. The protective cover includes a lateral arm that covers a branch of the wiring harness extending in three different directions.

[0004] The protective cover has several holes, each receiving a screw which is tightened in a hole formed on the rear face of the electric machine housing, in order to fix it rigidly to the powertrain to ensure the protection of the cables against shocks.

[0005] In general, it is known to fix on a powertrain a channel comprising a tube receiving inside the beam to direct and protect it, equipped on the side with tabs having holes receiving screws for fixing to a casing of this group.

[0006] In particular, the cable tray can be positioned on engine faces exposed to damage, such as from inclement weather, gravel spray, or impacts in the event of an accident, to prevent damage to these cables that could cause short circuits and a risk of fire. It is known, in particular, to fix the cable tray under the powertrain, on a face particularly exposed to road debris, using screws with a vertical axis that require a power drill to be positioned under the powertrain to tighten the screws.

[0007] However, in some cases this type of assembly poses problems of access to the screws by the screwdriver, particularly in the case where the powertrain is prepared on a mounting support plate for assembling components, with a screw axis directed towards the plate or group supports which makes it difficult to position the screwdriver under these screws.

[0008] In addition, fixing the chute with screws requires the supply of several screws, usually equipped with washers, their positioning in the holes of the chute, then the setting up of the screwdriver to tighten them, which results in a number of components to be supplied and managed and labor time which presents costs.

[0009] The present invention aims in particular to avoid these problems of the prior art.

[0010] To this end, it proposes a motor vehicle powertrain comprising a channel forming a guide for a bundle of electrical cables connected to this unit, having fixings on ribs of a housing of the unit, this powertrain being remarkable in that the channel comprises at least one fixing comprising a fork with two parallel wings receiving inside a rib having a hole, a first wing having a boss on its inner face having a flexibility allowing this fork to open when the boss passes over the rib, then in the final mounting position of the channel, this boss engages in the hole by elastic return.

[0011] One advantage of this drive unit is that, in a simple and quick manner, after having positioned the chute with the forks opposite the ribs, it is enough to push on it to obtain for each flexible wing its spacing by the pressure of the rib on the boss, then an advance of the chute with at the end of the stroke the engagement of the bosses in the holes of the corresponding ribs.

[0012] Positioning and fixing of the chute on the powertrain is achieved without using any tooling requiring a distance in front of the face of this group receiving this chute, which in particular allows it to be fixed on a face placed on a mounting support plate.

[0013] In addition, the assembly of the cable tray is quick, without using any additional fixing components, which reduces supply costs and decreases labor time.

[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 boss is circular.

[0016] Advantageously, the boss has a chamfer turned forward in the direction of assembly, facilitating the opening of the fork when pressure is applied to the end of the rib which has a rounded contour.

[0017] Advantageously, the second wing has stiffening ribs on its outer face.

[0018] Advantageously, the powertrain comprises three fixings which are arranged in a triangle.

[0019] Advantageously, each wing has on its inner face a small protruding rim that supports the rib surrounding its bore.

[0020] In addition, the chute may include a clamp which, during assembly, receives a rib sliding inside with a clamping action.

[0021] In this case, advantageously the clamp has internal edges perpendicular to the assembly movement.

[0022] The invention also relates to a method of assembling a powertrain comprising any one of the preceding characteristics, remarkable in that it achieves a positioning of the chute on the casing, then a push following an assembly movement until the bosses engage in the rib holes.

[0023] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle equipped with an electric or hybrid traction powertrain comprising any of the preceding characteristics, notable in that the chute includes a power supply harness for this electric machine.

[0024] The invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will become more apparent upon reading the following description given by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0025] [Fig.1] is a bottom view of a powertrain according to the invention, including the beam passage channel fixed on its lower face;

[0026] [Fig.2] is a rear view of the housing alone placed on an assembly platform of this group;

[0027] [Fig.3] is a view from below of the casing alone of the electric machine of this powertrain;

[0028] [Fig.4] is a detail view of the rib of a fastening with the fork;

[0029] [Fig.5] is a view of the chute containing the beam;

[0030] [Fig.6] is a detail view of this fork;

[0031] [Fig.7] is a cross-sectional view of this fixing passing through the axis of the drilling; and

[0032] [Fig.8] is a cross-sectional view of an additional chute positioning clamp.

[0033] Throughout the document the upper or top direction is relative to a vehicle placed on a horizontal ground, the front direction AV is relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle.

[0034] Figure 1 shows a powertrain viewed from below, comprising on the right side of the vehicle an electric machine 4, and on the left side a transmission 6 including outputs 8 which drive wheel shafts, the assembly being fixed by supports 10 to side rails of the vehicle's engine compartment.

[0035] An electrical cable harness 12 fixed under the powertrain has a main part arranged in a chute tube 20, and branches supplying various components, including in particular an air conditioning compressor 14 arranged towards the front and a DC power converter 16 arranged towards the rear.

[0036] The cable tray 20 has three fixings 22 distributed along its length, arranged in a triangle, plus an additional positioning with a clamp 24 located between two fixings. These fixings allow the main part of the harness, which has a certain mass, to be held in position with a minimum number of attachment points, following a specific curve between the components. The cable tray 20 holds the main part of the harness 12 in position, preventing contact with other elements that could cause wear, and protecting it from impacts or shocks to prevent damage to the electrical cables.

[0037] Fig. 2 shows the housing of the electric machine 4 positioned on an assembly platform 26 which travels on an assembly line to progressively receive the components in order to form the complete powertrain, ready to be mounted in the vehicle.

[0038] The housing 4, positioned on supports 28 fixed to the platform 26, leaves limited access underneath for securing the chute 20, which already contains the beam 12 on its underside, due to the presence of the supports and the platform. In particular, it is difficult to position a screwdriver under the housing 4 to tighten the vertically arranged screws required to secure the chute 20 beneath it.

[0039] Figures 3 and 4 show the lower face of the housing 4 comprising a network of vertically formed ribs 32, including in particular at each fixing 22 a hooking rib having a hole 34. The hooking rib 32 may have on its two faces a machining 36 so as to obtain a more precise surface geometry than that from the molding of the housing 4.

[0040] The [Fig.5] show the chute 20 made by molding a plastic material, containing the cable bundle 12, which has on the sides three forks 40 to form a chute fixing 22 on the housing 4, and a clamp 60 to form the additional positioning 24 of this chute.

[0041] Figures 6 and 7 show a fork 40 comprising a rigid wing 42 facing the chute tube 20, stiffened by a perpendicular external rib 44, and opposite it a slightly flexible wing 46 allowing, from its base, a small inclination F by elastic deformation. The flexible wing 46 has on its inner face a circular boss 48, which in its mounting position is fitted into the bore 34 of a mounting rib 32.

[0042] To facilitate the assembly of the chute 20, the rib 32 has a rounded end 50 and the boss 48 has an inclined front face 52 forming a chamfer. These two shapes allow, during the assembly movement A, with an operator exerting a push on the chute 20, first a sliding of the chamfer 52 on the rounded end of the rib 50 causing an elastic deformation F of the flexible wing 46 which slightly opens the fork, then a sliding of the boss 48 on the side of this rib 32, and finally, in the final position, an engagement of this boss in the hole 34 which ensures a clip fastening.

[0043] The inner faces of the two wings 42, 46 each have a small circular rim extending 54 surrounding the boss 52, ensuring support on the sides of the rib 32, which allows for more precise positioning and higher contact pressure between the wings of the fork and this rib.

[0044] A quick fixing system for the chute 20 is obtained without tools, requiring little space on the back of this chute, which in particular allows this assembly to be carried out on the assembly plate 26. The assembly process of the chute 20 is carried out in a simple and quick manner, without additional components, by positioning the chute 20 on the housing 4, then moving and pushing it along the assembly movement A until the bosses 52 engage in the rib holes 34.

[0045] Advantageously the chute 20 has three fixings 22 arranged in a triangle which gives it stability on the casing 4, avoiding in particular vibrations.

[0046] For dismantling the chute 20, the operator uses a small tool such as a screwdriver to spread apart the flexible wing 46 in order to remove the boss 48 from the rib hole 34.

[0047] The [Fig.8] shows the positioning clamp 60 comprising two parallel inner faces each equipped with stops 62 perpendicular to the assembly movement A.

[0048] When the chute 20 is positioned under the housing 4, the clamp comes into contact with a rib 32 having a rounded end 50 which facilitates its insertion into the clamp. The assembly movement A causes a slight opening of the clamp, followed by a sliding of the inner edges 62 along the sides of the rib 32, culminating in the edges engaging with the rough surfaces of the rib at the end of the movement.

[0049] A positioning is obtained along the lateral direction of the clamp 60 which increases the holding of the chute 20 on the housing 4, and avoids vibrations of this chute.

Claims

Demands

1. Motor vehicle powertrain comprising a channel (20) forming a guide for a bundle of electrical cables (12) connected to this unit, having fasteners (22) on ribs (32) of a housing of the unit (4), characterized in that the channel (20) comprises at least one fastener (22) comprising a fork with two parallel wings (42, 46) receiving inside a rib (32) having a hole (34), a first wing (46) having a boss (48) on its inner face having a flexibility allowing an opening of this fork when the boss (48) passes over the rib (32), then in the final mounting position of the channel (20) an engagement of this boss (48) in the hole (34) by elastic return.

2. Powertrain according to claim 1, characterized in that the boss (48) is circular.

3. Powertrain according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the boss (48) has a chamfer (52) turned forward in the direction of assembly (A), facilitating the opening of the fork when pressure is applied to the end of the rib (32) having a rounded contour (50).

4. Powerplant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second wing (42) has stiffening ribs (44) on its outer face.

5. Powertrain according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises three fixings (22) which are arranged in a triangle.

6. Powertrain according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each wing (42, 46) has on its inner face a small protruding rim (54) bearing on the rib (32) which surrounds its bore (34).

7. Powertrain according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chute (20) has a clamp (60) which during assembly receives a rib (32) sliding inside with a clamp.

8. Powertrain according to claim 7, characterized in that the clamp (60) has internal edges (62) perpendicular to the assembly movement (A).

9. Method of assembling a powertrain according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it performs a positioning of the chute (20) on the casing (4), then a push following an assembly movement (A) until the bosses (48) engage in the rib holes (34).

10. Motor vehicle equipped with an electric or hybrid traction powertrain according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the chute (20) includes a power supply harness (12) for this electric machine.

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