AUTOMOTIVE ON-BOARD BATTERY SUPPORT SYSTEM WITH ELECTRICAL BOX

Abstract

A support system for an on-board network battery (4) of a motor vehicle, comprising a lower plate (2) receiving the battery (4), a locking bar (16) for a base formed on a battery face (18), and comprising a retaining plate (40) for an electrical box disposed in front of this battery face (18), this system comprising a battery locking plate (60) having an upper edge connected to the retaining plate (40), and a lower edge which forms the locking bar (16) for the base of the battery (4). Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: AUTOMOBILE ON-BOARD BATTERY SUPPORT SYSTEM WITH ELECTRICAL BOX

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle on-board network battery support system receiving an electrical box, as well as a motor vehicle comprising such a support system.

[0002] A type of known on-board network battery support, presented in particular by document FR-A1-3125767, comprises a parallelepiped-shaped platform receiving the battery, including opposite a short side of this battery an inclined plate receiving on its outer face an electronic engine control computer, and above this computer a support receiving a housing forming a terminal for the battery connections.

[0003] A sheet metal independent of the plate receiving the computer, has by folding a straight boss forming a bar resting on a heel disposed on the base of one side of the battery, which ensures the locking of the battery by its heel when tightening this bar on the plate.

[0004] Another type of known on-board network battery support, presented in particular by document FR-A1-3045533, includes a tray comprising on one long side of the battery the locking bar which is tightened vertically by a screw.

[0005] A housing containing fuses and relays, having a flat shape arranged vertically in front of a small side of the battery, has at its base an outlet for electrical cables inserted into a guide channel for the cable departure.

[0006] The housing is fixed to the battery support by a locking device operated by a vertical rod located on its inner face, opposite the battery. Pulling on this rod allows the housing to be tilted around a horizontal axis at its base, thus moving it away from the battery. This creates space on the side of the battery, allowing it to be removed or replaced during maintenance operations.

[0007] However, in the event of an accident on the vehicle, the battery, having a significant mass, constitutes a heavy and massive assembly which must be held and blocked with a resistance strong enough to prevent it from being torn off and thrown out.

[0008] The fixing of the electrical box, independent of the battery locking bar system, does not contribute to the reinforcement of this bar, which necessitates providing a system with sufficient resistance on its own to hold the battery in case of shock.

[0009] Furthermore, two independent components must be attached to the battery support: the locking bar system, which must be strong enough to secure the battery itself, and the electrical box. This requires two separate operations to position and secure these components. The manufacturing and procurement of both components, as well as their assembly on the vehicle, must then be managed, resulting in additional manufacturing and labor costs.

[0010] The present invention is specifically designed to avoid these problems of the prior art.

[0011] To this end, it proposes a support system for an on-board network battery of a motor vehicle, comprising a lower platform receiving the battery, comprising a locking bar for a heel formed on one side of the battery, and comprising a retaining plate for an electrical box which is disposed in front of this side of the battery, this system being remarkable in that it comprises a battery locking plate having an upper edge connected to the retaining plate, and a lower edge which forms the locking bar for the heel of the battery.

[0012] One advantage of this battery support system is that by directly linking the battery locking plate including the bar to the electrical housing retaining plate, we obtain a bar held by this plate which can be highly resistant thanks to the rigidity of this plate.

[0013] Only a means of mounting the plate on the battery support plate is provided, which simplifies this plate, and at the same time provides a rigid fixing of the bar ensuring the retention and safety of the battery in case of accident.

[0014] In addition, the sub-assembly which simultaneously forms the support for the electrical housing and the battery mounting allows for the manufacture, supply and assembly of a single element, which reduces manufacturing costs and labor time.

[0015] The battery support system according to the invention may further include one or more of the following features, which may be combined with each other.

[0016] Advantageously, the blocking plate is held flat on the retaining plate with a welded connection.

[0017] Advantageously, the blocking plate has a concavity which is turned towards the battery face.

[0018] Advantageously, the locking plate has an elasticity allowing the locking bar to get closer to the retaining plate.

[0019] Advantageously, the locking plate has at its base a fold forming a boss turned towards the battery, which constitutes the locking bar.

[0020] Advantageously, the retaining plate has at its base screws for clamping onto the plate, and at its upper part a fixing onto a retaining belt surrounding the battery.

[0021] Advantageously, the blocking plate has cut-out windows having bosses in the lower part facing the electrical box, allowing the attachment of clips from this box.

[0022] Advantageously, the retaining plate has cutouts for ventilation of electrical box components.

[0023] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipped with an on-board network battery, remarkable in that it includes a support system for this battery comprising any one of the preceding characteristics.

[0024] In particular, the electrical box may be a vehicle engine control computer.

[0025] 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:

[0026] [Fig.1] is an overview of a battery support system according to the prior art presented with an electrical housing;

[0027] [Fig.2] is an overview of a battery support system according to the invention presented without the electrical box;

[0028] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the electrical box retaining plate with the locking plate; and

[0029] [Fig.4] is a side view of this retaining plate with its locking plate.

[0030] Throughout the document the upper or top direction is relative to a vehicle placed on a horizontal surface.

[0031] Figure 1 shows a platform 2 arranged horizontally in a vehicle, receiving above it an on-board network battery 4 forming a rectangular parallelepiped. A retaining belt for the battery 4, formed of sheet metal, has a lateral part 6 arranged in front of a large face of this battery, and an upper part 8 connected to this lateral part by a hook 10.

[0032] A locking plate 12 for the battery 4, positioned parallel to a small face 18 of this battery, has on each side of its base a folded tab bearing against the plate 2, each tab receiving a screw 14 for tightening this plate. The locking plate 12 has, along its entire length, a raised section parallel to the plate, facing the battery 4, forming a bar 16 which rests above a lug formed at the base of the small battery face 18 to lock this lug and hold the battery when the screws 14 are tightened on the plate 2.

[0033] A mounting plate 20 for a vehicle engine control unit 26, formed by a sheet of metal inclined relative to the small battery face 18, has a base fixed by screws to the plate 2. The upper part of the battery belt 8 features a vertical screw 24 which is engaged in a hole in an upper tab 22 of the plate 20 to receive a nut fixing this plate.

[0034] The retaining plate 20 receives on its outer face opposite the battery 4 a molded plastic structure covering the computer 26, held on this plate by screws 30, which in turn receives on its outer face an electrical box 32 containing circuit breakers.

[0035] To remove the battery 4, the retaining plate 20, along with all the components attached to it, must be loosened successively to move it aside, then the locking plate 12, which includes the bar 16, must be loosened by unscrewing the two screws 14. This represents a series of time-consuming operations. Reinstalling the battery 4 requires the same series of operations in reverse order.

[0036] In addition, several independent screwing points must be provided on the plate 2 to receive the locking plate 12 forming the bar 16 which must have sufficient resistance to hold the battery 4, in particular in the event of a major impact on the vehicle, and to receive the retaining plate 20 with its electrical equipment fixed to it.

[0037] Figures 2, 3 and 4 show a retaining plate 40 formed by a cut and folded sheet metal, comprising at its base a fold 42 bearing against the plate 2, comprising at each end a hole 44 receiving a clamping screw on this plate 14.

[0038] The lower part of the retaining plate 40 has two cut-out windows 46, substantially square, each having at its base a flat portion slightly offset outwards, forming a boss 48 which allows a clip formed at the rear of the electrical housing 32 to be engaged in each window, and then the housing to be lowered to slide this clip behind this boss. This provides a simple and quick way to attach the electrical housing 32, which does not require screws or tools for fixing.

[0039] The upper part of the retaining plate 40 has four vertically elongated cutouts 50, arranged behind components of the electrical housing 32 which heat up through the passage of currents in order to allow ventilation by ambient air.

[0040] The upper edge of the plate 40 has an outwardly facing upper screw 52, ​​receiving a clamping nut from a tab 58 formed at the top of the electrical housing 32, then a tab bent towards the battery 54 having a hole 56 which is fixed to a screw of the upper part of the battery belt 8.

[0041] A blocking plate 60, substantially rectangular in shape, has an upper edge fixed by a weld 62 to the inner face of the retaining plate 40, substantially at mid-height, and then a curvature forming a concavity facing the battery 4, which ends with a straight boss turned on the same side, formed by a fold extended over the width of this sheet, which constitutes the bar 16 for locking this battery onto the plate 2.

[0042] The locking plate 60 has elasticity that allows the bar 16 to move away from the battery 4 as it moves closer to the retaining plate 40. When the battery 4 is placed on the platform 2, the lower edge of the battery face 18 slides along the concave curve of the locking plate 60, moving away from the bar 16 through elastic deformation of this plate. At the end of the removal process, the bar 16 springs back over the lower edge of the battery face 18, and the battery 4 is automatically held in place without having to remove the plate 40 supporting the locking plate 60.

[0043] The locking plate 60 has two bosses 64 facing the battery 4, each positioned opposite a window 46 of the plate 40, to allow the passage of the clips on the back of the electrical box 32 through these windows and then behind the bosses 48 of this plate.

[0044] A bar 16 is integrated into the locking plate 60, which is firmly held by the plate 40 fixed at its lower end to the tray 2 and at its upper end to the battery belt. Furthermore, the locking plate 60, held by the plate 40, exhibits good resistance to vibration, which prevents parasitic vibrations that could lead to metal fatigue and breakage.

[0045] The vehicle assembly is done by managing a single assembly, the plate 40 equipped with the locking plate 60, which facilitates supply management by reducing costs, and decreases labor time.

[0046] The removal of the electrical box 32 is done by removing the nut from the upper screw 52 of the plate 40, then by releasing the rear clips by lifting the box 32 allowing it to be tilted B outwards, while maintaining support by the electrical cables which arrive at this box.

[0047] Tilting B of the electrical box 32 makes accessible the clamping screws 14 of the base of the plate 40, unscrewing them then allows this plate to be removed to release the battery locking bar 16. The battery 4 is then released after opening its fixing belt.

[0048] The resting of the battery 4 is facilitated by the concave curvature and by the elasticity of the locking plate 60, allowing the lower edge of the battery to slide on this curvature during its descent which deforms the plate, until the bar 16 arrives above the lower heel of the battery.

Claims

Demands

1. A support system for an on-board network battery (4) of a motor vehicle, comprising a lower plate (2) receiving the battery (4), a locking bar (16) of a heel formed on a battery face (18), and comprising a retaining plate (40) of an electrical box (32) which is disposed in front of this battery face (18), characterized in that it comprises a battery locking plate (60) having an upper edge connected to the retaining plate (40), and a lower edge which forms the locking bar (16) of the heel of the battery (4).

2. Support system according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking plate (60) is held flat on the retaining plate (40) with a welded connection (62).

3. Support system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking plate (60) has a concavity which is turned towards the battery face (18).

4. Support system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking plate (60) has an elasticity allowing the locking bar (16) to approach the retaining plate (40).

5. Support system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking plate (60) has at its base a fold forming a boss turned towards the battery (4), which constitutes the locking bar (16).

6. Support system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining plate (40) has at its base screws (14) for clamping on the plate (2), and at its upper part a fixing (54) on a retaining belt (8) surrounding the battery (4).

7. Support system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blocking plate (60) has cut-out windows (46) having in their lower part bosses (48) turned towards the electrical box (32), allowing the attachment of clips of this box (32).

8. Support system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining plate (40) 7 includes cutouts (50) for ventilation of electrical box components (32).

9. Motor vehicle equipped with an on-board network battery (4), characterized in that it includes a support system for this battery (4) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. Motor vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that the electrical box (32) is an engine control computer of this vehicle.

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