Flooring for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a floor (1) for a motor vehicle, the floor (1) comprising a closing surface for enclosing a housing containing a battery module of the motor vehicle, peripheral edges (12) to the closing surface, the peripheral edges (12) being intended to bear against peripheral walls (28) of the housing, and a bulge (13) located at a longitudinal end of the closing surface, such that the bulge (13) extends projecting from the closing surface to provide additional volume within the housing to accommodate a junction box (25). Furthermore, the bulge (13) is located under the rear floor (1) of the motor vehicle, beyond the heel board (23). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Floor for a motor vehicle

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of structural elements for motor vehicles, and in particular those located under the passenger compartment. More specifically, the invention relates to a floor and a floor arrangement for a motor vehicle.

[0002] In the prior art, floor arrangements extending under the passenger compartment and supporting seats for the vehicle's occupants are known. Such floor arrangements thus define a substantially flat surface extending longitudinally from front to rear and transversely between two side members of the vehicle. Naturally, such a floor is optionally supported by one or more side members.

[0003] In the more particular field of electrified motor vehicles, that is to say of the type of those using an electric motor - exclusively or in addition to a thermal engine - to operate a traction chain of the motor vehicle, the use of the floor of the motor vehicle as a cover for a box housing an electric battery module, and in particular the different cells of the high voltage electric battery used for the traction of the motor vehicle, is known.

[0004] Of course, such electrical equipment in electrified motor vehicles is very bulky and requires a specific volume to house it under the floor.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a new flooring system to address at least largely the previous problems and to lead to other advantages.

[0006] Another objective of the invention is to house all the electrical equipment without obstructing the volume of the passenger compartment.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide such an economical and easy-to-mount floor on assembly lines.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a floor for a motor vehicle, the floor comprising:

[0009] - a closing surface intended to close a housing containing a battery module of the motor vehicle;

[0010] - peripheral edges to the closing surface, the peripheral edges being intended to be placed against the peripheral walls of the housing containing the battery module.

[0011] In the floor according to the first aspect of the invention, the floor has a bulge located at the level of a longitudinal end of the closing surface, so that the bulge forms an elevation of the closing surface.

[0012] In the context of the present invention, a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, and a vertical axis are defined with respect to the motor vehicle on which the floor conforming to the first aspect of the invention is intended to be mounted. More particularly, the transverse axis is understood as a direction taken between one lateral side of the motor vehicle and an opposite lateral side of said motor vehicle. In other words, the transverse axis is understood as a direction extending from a passenger side of the motor vehicle to a driver's side of said motor vehicle, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, inside, and outside refer to such a transverse axis. Furthermore, the longitudinal axis is understood as being taken along a direction extending from front to back or from back to front of the motor vehicle. The longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the transverse axis. The adjectives front, front, and rear refer to this longitudinal axis.Finally, the vertical axis is understood as being taken along an axis extending from the wheels of the motor vehicle towards the roof of said motor vehicle, or vice versa, the vertical axis being simultaneously perpendicular to the transverse axis and the longitudinal axis. The adjectives above and below, or lower and upper, refer to this vertical axis.

[0013] In the context of the present invention, the floor extends under the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle and supports seats for the occupants of the motor vehicle. The floor thus defines a substantially flat surface that extends longitudinally from front to back and, transversely, between two lateral side members of the motor vehicle.

[0014] In the context of the present invention, the floor is preferably a front floor, that is to say, one associated with or supporting first-row seats in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. Of course, the invention is not limited to this single use, and it is largely applicable to other floor designs, and in particular to rear floors supporting second- or third-row seats in a motor vehicle.

[0015] In the context of the present invention, the closing surface forms a support surface for the passenger compartment seats. Additionally, the closing surface also encloses the housing containing the electric battery module. Thus, the closing surface extends over the housing, forming a plane substantially defined by the transverse and longitudinal axes of the motor vehicle.

[0016] In the context of the present invention, the peripheral edges of the floor form peripheral walls that extend all around the closing surface. The peripheral edges project from the closing surface of the floor. The peripheral edges of the floor extend along the vertical axis of the motor vehicle. The peripheral edges allow the closing surface to be positioned at a height and distance from the peripheral walls of the housing against which the floor is intended to be affixed. The peripheral edges of the floor are configured to cooperate with the peripheral walls of the housing containing the electric battery module.

[0017] In the context of the present invention, the peripheral walls define the housing and a volume in which the electric battery module is housed. The peripheral walls project from a bottom wall of the housing, to which the electric battery module is attached. The peripheral walls of the housing extend along the vertical axis of the motor vehicle.

[0018] In the context of the present invention, the bulge is a particular conformation of the closing surface at one longitudinal end of the floor. The bulge thus forms a raised section of the floor which tends to delimit—along the vertical axis—a larger volume within the housing compared to that delimited by the closing surface outside the bulge. In the context of the present invention, the bulge is intended to be located behind a heel board situated between the front and rear floor panels. In particular, the bulge is intended to extend under the rear floor of the motor vehicle, so as to be located in an intermediate position between the bottom wall of the housing and the rear floor panel.

[0019] Thus, the front floor conforming to the first aspect of the invention solves the technical problem by allowing a larger storage volume in the part of the housing located at the longitudinal end where the bulge is situated. This advantageous configuration thus makes it possible to house larger electrical equipment in the battery module housing, i.e., equipment whose vertical height exceeds the dimensions of the peripheral edges of the housing.

[0020] The front floor conforming to the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0021] - the closing surface extends in a flat or substantially flat manner between the peripheral edges of the floor;

[0022] - the floor forms a closing cover for the housing containing the module of batteries. The floor rests on the casing at its peripheral edges. More specifically, the peripheral edges of the floor connect to the walls peripherals of the case. Thus, the bulge is configured to allow a junction box to be housed within the battery module case. The junction box has a height greater than that of the electric batteries and the peripheral walls of the case;

[0023] - the bulge extends above the peripheral edges of the floor, this This advantageous configuration allows for a greater storage volume in the part of the case located directly below the bulge. In other words, the bulge has a height greater than that of the closing surface, the height being measured between the base of the peripheral edges and the closing surface. In particular, the height of the bulge is at least 10 mm greater than the height of the base. In other words, the bulge extends at least 10 mm above the peripheral edges of the base;

[0024] - preferably, the height of the curvature is greater than or equal to between 10 mm and 100 mm relative to the floor height. In other words, the camber extends between 10 mm and 100 mm above the peripheral edges of the floor.

[0025] - the peripheral edges of the floor have a flap designed to allow The floor is attached to the battery module housing. This advantageous configuration facilitates the connection between the housing and the floor according to the invention. The flaps on the peripheral edges extend outwards from the floor.

[0026] - the bulge forms a continuous surface with respect to the closing surface. In In other words, the bulge extends from the closing surface without interruption of surface, by continuity of shapes and curvatures;

[0027] - the floor has reinforcing ribs which extend longitudinally over the upper surface and / or on the curvature. This advantageous configuration strengthens the mechanical behavior of the floor and prevents it from flexing when seats are installed in the passenger compartment, for example. The ribs are obtained by stamping. The ribs advantageously extend in a direction opposite to the housing, relative to the vertical axis;

[0028] - the floor according to the invention is a front floor, and the camber is intended to be located behind a heel board separating the front floor and a rear floor of the motor vehicle, thus the bulge is intended to extend under the rear floor.

[0029] According to a second aspect of the invention, a floor arrangement for a motor vehicle is proposed, the floor arrangement comprising:

[0030] - a housing extending between two side rails of the motor vehicle, the the enclosure being delimited by peripheral walls;

[0031] - an electric battery module housed in the casing;

[0032] - a junction box electrically coupled to the battery module and housed in level of a longitudinal end of the casing;

[0033] - a floor conforming to the first aspect of the invention or any one of its improvements, the floor being integral to the peripheral walls of the case.

[0034] Preferably, the floor of the floor arrangement is a front floor, located in front of the floor arrangement according to the first aspect of the invention, and the floor arrangement also includes a rear floor located behind and above the front floor, relative to the vertical axis.

[0035] Complementarily, the floor arrangement advantageously includes a heel board which extends across the front floor, relative to the transverse axis.

[0036] In the context of the present invention, the heel board forms a cross member extending relative to the transverse axis. The heel board has a prismatic bearing surface. The heel board is integral with the front floor. The heel board rests against the front floor. The heel board extends vertically or substantially vertically; and it extends across the entire width of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, between the two side rails. The heel board is fixed by its end edges to the side rails of the motor vehicle, and it is fixed to the front floor by means of a rebate forming a flap against the front floor.

[0037] The heel board is located at the rear end of the front floor, relative to the longitudinal axis.

[0038] The front floor curvature is located behind the heel board, so that the curvature extends under the rear floor, relative to the vertical axis.

[0039] According to a third aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle is proposed comprising a floor arrangement conforming to the first aspect of the invention or any of its improvements.

[0040] Advantageously, the motor vehicle is of the type of an electrified motor vehicle.

[0041] In the context of the present invention, an electrified motor vehicle may be of the type of an electric vehicle pulled exclusively by an electric motor powered by a traction battery, or of the type of a hybrid motor vehicle comprising both the electric motor powered by the traction battery and associated with another propulsion system, such as an internal combustion engine, to propel the motor vehicle. Among hybrid motor vehicles, a distinction is made between plug-in hybrid vehicles, for which the traction battery can be recharged by connecting to an external power source, and non-rechargeable hybrid vehicles, that is to say, those which are not equipped for such recharging of the electric traction battery on an external electrical network.

[0042] Generally, the drivetrain of such an electrified motor vehicle is rotated by an electric machine, powered by a traction battery, in order to generate motor torque for propelling the motor vehicle. Complementarily or alternatively, the electric machine is configured to recover mechanical energy from the drivetrain and convert it into electrical energy, thereby producing braking torque on the drivetrain and recharging the traction battery.

[0043] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, incorporating, according to all their possible combinations, the different optional features set out here.

[0044] 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:

[0045] [Fig-1] illustrates a three-dimensional and bottom view of an example embodiment of a floor arrangement conforming to the second aspect of the invention;

[0046] [Fig.2] illustrates a three-dimensional and top view of the floor arrangement illustrated on [Fig.1];

[0047] [Fig.3] illustrates a detailed and cross-sectional view of the floor arrangement shown on the [Fig.l];

[0048] [Fig.4] illustrates a perspective view of an example of floor embodiment conforming to the first aspect of the invention and equipping the floor arrangement illustrated in [Fig.1];

[0049] [Fig.5] illustrates a detailed view of the floor shown in [Fig.4].

[0050] Of course, the features, variants, and different embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0051] In particular, all the variants and embodiments described are combinable with each other if there is no technical obstacle to this combination.

[0052] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0053] In the FIGURES described below, a longitudinal axis X, a lateral axis and a vertical axis Z are defined relative to the motor vehicle on which the floor 1 according to the invention is intended to be mounted.

[0054] More specifically, the transverse axis Y is understood as a direction between one side of the motor vehicle and the opposite side of the same motor vehicle. In other words, the transverse axis Y is understood as a direction extending from a passenger side of the motor vehicle to a driver's side of the same motor vehicle, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, inside, and outside refer to such a transverse axis Y.

[0055] Furthermore, the longitudinal axis X extends as if taken along a direction extending from front to rear or rear to front of the motor vehicle. The longitudinal axis X is perpendicular to the transverse axis Y. The adjectives front, front, and rear refer to this longitudinal axis X.

[0056] Finally, the vertical axis Z is understood as being taken along an axis which extends from the wheels of the motor vehicle and towards the roof of said motor vehicle, or vice versa, the vertical axis Z being simultaneously perpendicular to the transverse axis Y and to the longitudinal axis X. The adjectives above and below, or lower and upper, refer to this vertical axis Z.

[0057] With reference to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, the invention addresses a floor arrangement 2 for a motor vehicle, the floor arrangement 2 comprising:

[0058] - a housing extending between two lateral longitudinal members 21 of the motor vehicle, the the enclosure being delimited by peripheral walls 28;

[0059] - an electric battery module 26 housed in the casing;

[0060] - a junction box 25 electrically coupled to the battery module and housed in level of a longitudinal end of the case

[0061] - a floor 1 attached to the peripheral walls 28 of the case.

[0062] The floor 1 arrangement 2 is particularly suitable for electrified motor vehicles, in which a traction battery 26 is housed in the casing directly beneath the floor 1. Thus, the floor 1 forms a cover for the casing, thereby separating the battery module 26 from the vehicle's passenger compartment. The traction battery 26 rests on a bottom wall 27 of the casing, as shown in Figures 1 and 3.

[0063] In particular, the floor 1 according to the invention is of the type of a front floor 1, that is to say, associated with the first-row seats of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle; it is indeed this type of floor 1 – the front floor 1 – that is associated with the housing of the traction electric battery 26. In particular, the front floor 1 is fixed securely to the peripheral walls 28 of the housing, by means of a flap 14 which extends peripherally to floor 1 and which coincides and collaborates with the peripheral walls 28 of the case.

[0064] In such electrified motor vehicles equipped with such a floor arrangement 2, it is often desirable to compact the battery module as much as possible, thereby reducing the dimensions of the housing as much as possible and accommodating as much electrical equipment as possible. In particular, as shown in [Fig. 3], it is desirable to house a junction box 25 within the housing. The junction box 25 is an electrical device that allows the various electrical modules of the traction battery 26 to interface with the vehicle's onboard electrical system.

[0065] As can be seen in [Fig. 3], the junction box 25 has dimensions along the vertical axis Z that are greater than those of the electrical batteries 26 housed in the enclosure. Therefore, the height of the junction box 25 exceeds the height of the enclosure housing this electrical equipment. Consequently, it is necessary to modify the floor 1, which extends above the enclosure and opposite its back wall 27, to allow for a watertight seal of the enclosure.

[0066] To this end, and as can be seen in particular in FIGURES 4 and 5, the invention addresses a floor 1 for a motor vehicle, the floor 1 comprising:

[0067] - a closing surface 11 intended to close the housing containing the module high-voltage electric battery 26 of the motor vehicle. The closing surface 11 extends above the bottom wall 27 of the housing and between the peripheral walls 28 of said housing;

[0068] - from the peripheral edges 12 to the closing surface 11, the peripheral edges 12 are designed to bear against the peripheral walls 28 of the housing containing the battery module. The peripheral edges 12 of the floor 1 project from the closing surface 11 and are peripheral to said closing surface 11. The peripheral edges 12 have a profile similar to that of the peripheral walls 28 delimiting the housing, so as to be able to cooperate with them. In particular, the peripheral edges 12 of the floor 1 are configured to bear against the peripheral walls 28 of the housing, so as to close said housing.

[0069] In the floor 1 according to the invention, the floor 1 has a bulge 13 located at the level of a longitudinal end of the closing surface 11, so that the bulge 13 forms an elevation of the closing surface 11.

[0070] As shown in FIGURES 3 to 5, the bulge 13 increases the available volume in the housing, thus allowing the junction box 25 to be accommodated. The bulge 13 is located at one longitudinal end of the floor 1, and in particular at one rear longitudinal end of the floor 1. More specifically, the bulge 13 is located beyond the heel board 23 of The arrangement 2 of floor 1, as seen in [Fig. 2], relative to the longitudinal axis X. This advantageous configuration allows us to take advantage of the presence of the rear floor 1, which forms an additional space reserve along the vertical axis Z, as seen in [Fig. 3]. Thus, the rear end of the front floor 1, at which the bulge 13 is defined, extends in an intercalated manner between the housing on one side and the rear floor 1 on the other; in other words, the bulge 13 extends under the rear floor 1.

[0071] It is thus possible to cleverly house the junction box 25 in the housing housing the traction electric battery 26, at the rear end of the housing, under the rear floor 1, while ensuring a watertight closure of the housing via the front floor 1 itself and its bulge 13 which extends under the rear floor 1.

[0072] The dome 13 is formed from material with the closing surface 11. The dome 13 is formed by stamping the closing surface 11.

[0073] As can be seen in FIGURES 4 and 5, the front floor 1 is reinforced by a plurality of ribs 15 which extend straight along the longitudinal axis X along the closing surface 11 and / or the crown 13. The reinforcing ribs 15 are formed by stamping or deep drawing of the floor 1 itself.

[0074] In summary, the invention relates to a floor 1 for a motor vehicle, the floor 1 comprising a closing surface 11 intended to close a housing containing a battery module of the motor vehicle, peripheral edges 12 to the closing surface 11, the peripheral edges 12 being intended to bear against peripheral walls 28 of the housing, and a bulge 13 located at a longitudinal end of the closing surface 11, such that the bulge 13 extends outward from the closing surface 11 in order to provide additional volume in the housing to accommodate a junction box 25. Furthermore, the bulge 13 is located under the rear floor 1 of the motor vehicle, beyond the heel board 23.

[0075] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described, and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the various features, forms, variants, and embodiments of the invention can be combined with one another in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Specifically, all the variants and embodiments described above are combinable.

Claims

Demands

1. Floor (1) for a motor vehicle, the floor (1) comprising: - a closing surface (11) intended to close a housing containing a battery module of the motor vehicle; - peripheral edges (12) to the closing surface (11), the peripheral edges (12) being intended to bear against peripheral walls (28) of the housing containing the battery module; characterized in that the floor (1) has a crown (13) located at a longitudinal end of the closing surface (11), such that the crown (13) forms an elevation of the closing surface (11).

2. Floor (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the bulge (13) extends over the peripheral edges (12) of the floor (1).

3. Floor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bulge (13) has a height greater than that of the closing surface (11), the height being measured between a base of the peripheral edges (12) and the closing surface (11).

4. Floor (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the height of the bulge (13) is at least 10 mm greater than the height of the floor (1).

5. Floor (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the height of the bulge (13) is between 10 mm and 100 mm relative to the height of the floor (1).

6. Floor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bulge (13) forms a continuous surface with respect to the upper surface.

7. Floor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floor (1) has reinforcing ribs (15) extending longitudinally over the upper surface and / or over the crown (13).

8. Floor arrangement (2) (1) for motor vehicle, the floor arrangement (2) (1) comprising: - a box extending between two lateral longitudinal members (21) of the motor vehicle, the box being delimited by peripheral walls (28); - an electric battery module (26) housed in the casing; - a junction box (25) electrically coupled to the battery module and housed at one longitudinal end of the case - a floor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the floor (1) being integral with the peripheral walls (28) of the case.

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