Multifunctional support for gearbox

Abstract

Multifunctional support for gearbox. Powertrain arrangement, characterized in that it comprises a multifunctional support (1) fixed to a gearbox (60), the multifunctional support (1) comprising mounting areas (12, 13) configured for the attachment of at least one fuel line (42, 43), attachment means (22, 14) configured for the attachment of electrical wiring (30) of the powertrain, and in that it comprises a screen surface (15) forming a heat shield configured to protect the at least one fuel line (42, 43) that would be fixed to the multifunctional support (1) from the heat emitted by the powertrain. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 5

Description

Title of the invention: Multifunctional support for gearbox

[0001] The invention relates to a powertrain arrangement comprising a multi-function support for a gearbox. It also relates to a powertrain as such and a motor vehicle as such comprising such a powertrain.

[0002] A powertrain requires the optimal integration of various components to minimize its size and cost and optimize its operation. Among the components of a powertrain are numerous brackets that allow for the attachment of various conduits or wiring to enable their positioning within the powertrain. Each bracket has a dedicated function and is often intended for a specific vehicle model. In practice, there are a significant number of brackets that must be referenced at the factory for managing the assembly of different vehicles and must also be managed at the after-sales level. This situation complicates the management of these brackets, as well as the assembly and repair of motor vehicles.

[0003] The objective of the present invention is to propose a simplification of the management of supports for powertrain groups. Summary of the invention

[0004] To achieve this objective, the invention relates to a powertrain arrangement, characterized in that it comprises a multi-function support fixed to a gearbox, the multi-function support comprising fixing areas configured for the fixing of at least one fuel hose, fixing means configured for the fixing of electrical wiring of the powertrain, and in that it comprises a screen surface forming a thermal screen configured to protect the at least one fuel hose that would be fixed to the multi-function support from the heat given off by the powertrain.

[0005] The multi-function support may include a means for attaching a vapor exhaust pipe.

[0006] The multi-function support may include at least two fixing devices for its attachment to the gearbox, arranged in two different orientations.

[0007] The multifunction support may comprise two distinct parts fixed together in an inseparable manner, the first part comprising said fixing areas configured for the fixing of at least one fuel pipe and the screen surface, and the second part comprising fixing means for fixing the multifunction support to the gearbox.

[0008] The multi-function support may include at least two flat surfaces inclined between them configured for guiding and possibly fixing wiring.

[0009] The fixing areas configured for the fixing of at least one fuel hose of the multifunction support may include fixing areas in the form of forks also forming anti-rotation elements.

[0010] The powertrain arrangement may further include a first fuel supply pipe, a second fuel return pipe, and powertrain power wiring from a battery fixed to the multifunction bracket itself fixed to the gearbox.

[0011] The screen surface can be oriented substantially perpendicular to the tangent plane to the gearbox.

[0012] The invention also relates to a powertrain, in particular an electric one, characterized in that it comprises an arrangement such as described above.

[0013] The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises an arrangement such as described above. Presentation of the figures

[0014] These objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following description of an embodiment given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures, among which:

[0015] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a multifunctional support for a powertrain for a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the multi-function support for the powertrain on which wiring is fixed according to the embodiment of the invention.

[0017] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the multi-function support for the powertrain on which fuel lines, wiring and a fuel vapor exhaust pipe are attached according to the embodiment of the invention.

[0018] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a gearbox on which the multifunction support for the powertrain is fixed according to the embodiment of the invention.

[0019] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the gearbox on which is fixed the multifunction support for the powertrain on which are fixed fuel pipes, wiring and a fuel vapor evacuation pipe according to the embodiment of the invention. Detailed description

[0020] The concept of the invention consists of defining a multi-functional support for mounting on the gearbox of a powertrain, configured to receive the attachment of wiring and fuel lines, and optionally a fuel vapor vent hose. This approach minimizes the number of separate supports and simplifies the powertrain layout, particularly at the gearbox level, while minimizing its cost.

[0021] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a multi-function support 1 according to one embodiment. It consists of two separate parts joined together by welding, or alternatively by any other fastening method. A first part 10 is specifically designed for attaching at least one fuel line. A second part 20 is specifically designed for attachment to a gearbox and for receiving wiring. The first part 10 includes a mounting surface for attaching to the second part 20, to form a single, inseparable unit. For this purpose, the two parts 10 and 20 include respective flat surfaces 18 and 28 designed to come into contact and be joined by welding. Alternatively, any other fastening method could be used, advantageously such as to obtain an inseparable attachment, i.e., one not configured to be reversible.

[0022] Advantageously, the second part 20 comprises at least two mounting areas 21 for its attachment to a gearbox. In this embodiment, two mounting areas 21 are provided, which simply comprise a flat surface having a through opening. These two flat surfaces are also oriented differently, in substantially perpendicular planes in this embodiment, to optimize the stability of the attachment. The second part 20 further comprises a cable attachment element 22, which takes the form of a pin, as will be specified later. It also generally comprises a flat surface, which is divided into several planes, which allows for the guidance and possible support of a cable.According to this embodiment, it comprises a first flat guide surface 23, then a second inclined flat guide surface 24, and then a third flat guide surface 25, substantially parallel to the first flat guide surface 23. The fixing element 22 for wiring is arranged on the third flat guide surface 25. Naturally, another shape is possible, and the second part 20 advantageously comprises two flat surfaces inclined relative to each other for guiding and optionally fixing wiring. Finally, the second part 20 comprises a fixing surface 26 for a vapor vent pipe, this fixing surface having a through opening and extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the aforementioned first guide surface 23 according to this embodiment.

[0023] The first part 10 of the multi-function support 1 is particularly suitable for attaching at least one fuel line. In this embodiment, it is designed to receive a first fuel supply line from the powertrain and a second fuel return line from the powertrain. To this end, it includes two first attachment zones 12 for one of the two lines and two further second attachment zones 13 for the other line. According to this embodiment, the first attachment zones 12 are in the form of through-holes. The second attachment zones 13 are in the form of forks arranged on the ends of the first part 10. Additionally, the first part also includes a through-hole attachment zone 14 for wiring.

[0024] Furthermore, the first part 10 has a screen surface 15, substantially flat according to the embodiment, designed to act as a heat shield to protect the fuel lines from the heat generated by the powertrain. The screen surface 15 is designed to be oriented substantially perpendicular to the plane tangent to a gearbox. The mounting areas 12, 13 allow the fuel lines to be attached to a first side of this screen surface 15, opposite the heat source of the powertrain, so as to protect these fuel lines.

[0025] For all the fixings mentioned above, at least two fixing areas are advantageously provided, preferably positioned respectively towards the two ends 16, 17 of the multifunction support.

[0026] The advantage of having two separate parts fixed together stems from the fact that the second part can be adapted to different gearbox shapes, while the first part remains unchanged. In other words, the first part of the multifunction support can be the same for several different powertrains and possibly several different motor vehicles, which facilitates and simplifies manufacturing, whereas the second part of the multifunction support can be different and adapted to each relevant powertrain. Alternatively, the multifunction support could be a single piece in a one-piece, monobloc form. Furthermore, the multifunction support can be made of steel. Alternatively, any sufficiently rigid material can be used.

[0027] Figure 2 shows the multifunction support 1 according to the embodiment of the invention, to which a cable 30 is attached. As can be seen, the cable 30 extends from a first end 16 of the multifunction support 1 to a second end 17. Along its entire length, it follows the various guide surfaces 23, 24, 25 of the second part 20 of the multifunction support. It also runs along surfaces of the first part 10, substantially perpendicular to said surfaces Guide rails 23, 24, 25. With this design, the cabling is partially enveloped by the multi-function support along its entire length to ensure optimal guidance and retention. Its attachment to the multi-function support is initially secured by a tab 32 attached to the cabling 30, which engages with the fixing element 22 of the multi-function support, near the second end 17. This attachment is further reinforced by a clip 34 at the first end 16 of the multi-function support, which engages with an opening in the fixing area 14 of the first part 10 of the multi-function support. These two cable attachment points on the multi-function support have two different and complementary orientations, which contribute to its retention by acting on different and complementary degrees of freedom, thus promoting effective fixation.This multi-functional bracket is particularly suited to an electric powertrain, the wiring of which includes the power supply to the powertrain from a battery.

[0028] Figure 3 shows the multi-function support 1 of Figure 2, to which two fuel lines 42 and 43 are attached, respectively for supplying fuel to the powertrain and for returning fuel. A first fuel line 42 is thus attached to the multi-function support 1 by means of clips that cooperate with the openings forming the first attachment zones 12 of the first part 10. A second fuel line 43 is attached to the multi-function support 1 by means of the forks forming the second attachment zones 13 of the first part 10, in particular by a fastening device comprising clips cooperating with said forks. It should be noted that this fastening by these fork-shaped attachment zones 13 provides an anti-rotation function for the fuel line.

[0029] Finally, in this embodiment, the multi-function support also includes the attachment of a vapor exhaust pipe 56, intended for the evacuation of any vapors. This attachment is arranged via the mounting surface 26 of the multi-function support.

[0030] Figure 4 shows the multifunction support 1 arranged on a gearbox 60 of a powertrain. As explained previously, it appears that the multifunction support 1 is fixed by fastening elements 61 implementing a screw fastening through the openings of the fastening areas 21 of the multifunction support, visible in particular in Figure 1.

[0031] Figure 5 similarly shows the arrangement of the multi-function support 1 on the gearbox 60, to which the two fuel lines 42, 43, the wiring 30, and the vapor vent line 56 are attached. This last line 56 remains optional. In this figure, it is clear that the two lines Fuel lines 42 and 43 are attached to the rear of the screen surface 15 by means of the aforementioned fastening means 12 and 13. In this configuration, these fuel lines are protected from the heat emitted by the powertrain. The wiring is arranged on the multi-purpose bracket on the side opposite the fuel lines. This approach minimizes the overall footprint of the setup.

[0032] Naturally, the invention is not limited to a multi-functional support as described above. In particular, the surfaces and / or areas and / or fastening elements may be in other formats, provided they fulfill the function of a fastening means suitable for receiving a pipe or cable as described. The combination of staples, screws, bolts, etc., with said fastening means of the multi-functional support forms various fastening devices.

[0033] The invention therefore relates to a multi-function support 1 as described above, as well as to a powertrain incorporating such a multi-function support. It also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such a multi-function support or such a powertrain.

Claims

Demands

1. Powertrain arrangement, characterized in that it comprises a multi-function support (1) fixed to a gearbox (60), the multi-function support (1) comprising attachment areas (12, 13) configured for the attachment of at least one fuel line (42, 43), attachment means (22, 14) configured for the attachment of electrical wiring (30) of the powertrain, and in that it comprises a screen surface (15) forming a heat shield configured to protect the at least one fuel line (42, 43) that would be fixed to the multi-function support (1) from the heat given off by the powertrain.

2. Powertrain arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the multi-function support (1) includes a means for attaching (26) a vapor exhaust pipe.

3. Powertrain arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the multifunction support (1) comprises at least two fastening devices for its attachment to the gearbox (60), arranged in two different orientations.

4. Powertrain arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the multifunction support (1) comprises two separate parts (10, 20) fixed together in an inseparable manner, the first part (10) comprising said fixing areas (12, 13) configured for the fixing of at least one fuel pipe (42, 43) and the screen surface (15), and the second part (20) comprising fixing means for fixing the multifunction support to the gearbox (60).

5. Powertrain arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the multi-function support (1) comprises at least two flat surfaces (23, 24; 24, 25) inclined to each other configured for the guidance and optionally the attachment of wiring (30).

6. A powertrain arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mounting areas (12, 13) are configured for the mounting of at least one pipe for fuel (42, 43) of the multifunction support (1) include fixing areas (13) in the form of forks also forming anti-rotation elements.

7. Powertrain arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a first fuel supply pipe (42), a second fuel return pipe (43), and a powertrain supply wiring (30) from a battery fixed to the multifunction support (1) itself fixed to the gearbox (60).

8. Powertrain arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screen surface (15) is oriented substantially perpendicular to the plane tangent to the gearbox (60).

9. Powertrain, in particular electric, characterized in that it comprises an arrangement according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Vehicle (1), in particular motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises an arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or in that it comprises a powertrain according to the preceding claim.

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