BATTERY PROTECTION DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

Abstract

BATTERY PROTECTION DEVICE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE The present invention relates to a motor vehicle (2), comprising: - two longitudinal members (4) extending longitudinally on either side of a passenger compartment floor (6); and - a traction electric energy accumulator (8) disposed perpendicular to the passenger compartment floor, transversely between the two longitudinal members; - a protection device (10) for the traction electric energy accumulator, notable in that the protection device comprises an inner plate (9) extending vertically from the floor, and further comprises shock-absorbing means (10.1) projecting transversely and outwards from a lateral face of the inner plate (9). (Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 2)

Description

Title of the invention: BATTERY PROTECTION DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, more particularly to the field of motor vehicle structure. Previous technique

[0002] The ability of a motor vehicle to ensure the safety of its occupants in the event of a collision is assessed by crash tests following different protocols determined by different organizations such as China NCAP and / or Euro NCAP, acronym for "European New Car Assessment Program".

[0003] Among the various collision protocols, the side impact protocol against a deformable barrier allows for the evaluation of a vehicle's ability to protect its occupants in the event of an impact. These tests measure the resistance of the passenger compartment, the level of dynamic intrusion, and the deformation of the structure, ensuring that the occupants are adequately protected.

[0004] However, a significant risk that can arise from these collisions is the potential for fire, particularly related to the vehicle's batteries and electrical wiring. Indeed, traction batteries, especially in electric or hybrid vehicles, are susceptible to damage during a side impact, where deformation can lead to short circuits or breaks in the electrical wiring.

[0005] The published patent document FR 3 063 458 Al discloses an absorber forming a foam block disposed in direct contact against a lateral face of a motor vehicle traction battery and opposite an element of the structure of said motor vehicle.

[0006] The published patent document FR 3 121 118A1 discloses a floor for a motor vehicle comprising a shock absorption zone configured to deform under constant force under the effect of a shock, and a rigid reinforcement zone extending longitudinally in the extension of the absorption zone.

[0007] However, the solutions proposed by prior art documents have room for improvement, particularly to further optimize the effectiveness of absorbing side impacts against the motor vehicle and to reduce the risk of fire starting in the presence of an electric traction battery. Description of the invention

[0008] The present invention aims to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art. More specifically, the invention aims to provide a simple and effective solution for efficiently protecting a traction electric energy accumulator against the risk of fire that could be caused by a lateral impact with the motor vehicle.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a motor vehicle, comprising: - two longitudinal members extending lengthwise on either side of a passenger compartment floor; and - an electrical traction energy accumulator positioned directly above the passenger compartment floor, transversely between the two longitudinal members; and - a protective device for the traction electric energy accumulator, notable in that the protective device includes an inner plate extending vertically from the floor, and further includes shock-absorbing means extending transversely and outwards from the motor vehicle from a lateral face of the inner plate.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the inner plate is directly attached to one of the two longerons, said inner plate extending longitudinally and vertically from said longeron.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the shock absorption means are arranged transversely between an outer face and an inner face of the longeron.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the protection device further comprises an outer plate arranged opposite the inner plate, the shock absorption means being sandwiched between said inner and outer plates.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the outer plate extends parallel to the inner plate. Preferably, the outer plate is spaced from the inner plate by a distance corresponding to a transverse thickness of the corresponding longitudinal member.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the protection device extends longitudinally and vertically so as to cover an entire longitudinal and vertical extent of the traction electric energy accumulator.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the shock absorption means include a deformable foam block, or ribbed elements formed from plastic or metal.

[0016] Advantageously, the ribbed components are obtained from folded sheet metal forming undulations and / or a network of interfering ribs.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the traction electric energy accumulator is transversely offset from a central transverse position of said motor vehicle, towards the protection device.

[0018] According to one embodiment, said motor vehicle is of the three-wheeled type, the two longitudinal members corresponding to lower longitudinal members arranged vertically in underside of intermediate stringers extending longitudinally and supporting a load floor.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the inner plate is fixed, on either side, to one of the two lower longitudinal members and to a structural element of said motor vehicle arranged vertically above the passenger compartment floor, said structural element forming a box with said floor and enclosing the traction electric energy accumulator.

[0020] The risk of fire starting mentioned in the previous technical part is all the more accentuated for motor vehicles of the electric three-wheeled type, in which the electrical traction energy accumulator is located at floor level in the box under a driver's seat.

[0021] The measures of the invention are advantageous in that the inner plate supports shock-absorbing means designed to deform plastically and efficiently dissipate the energy of a lateral impact against the motor vehicle. The outer plate, for its part, increases the contact area with an impactor during the collision.

[0022] In addition, the protection device benefits from increased structural rigidity thanks to its direct attachment to the lower side member and to the structural element located above the latter, thus fully covering the traction energy accumulator.

[0023] This allows a force of 1.7 kN to be absorbed in the transverse direction without damaging the battery or adjacent electrical harnesses, thus considerably reducing the risk of fire. Brief description of the drawings

[0024] [Fig.1] represents a side view of the structure of a motor vehicle according to the present invention, said vehicle being of the three-wheeled type;

[0025] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of the motor vehicle of [Fig.1], including a protective device for an electric traction energy accumulator located at the level of the passenger compartment floor;

[0026] [Fig.3] represents a perspective view of one embodiment of the device protective, comprising an inner plate from which shock-absorbing means extend outwards in the transverse direction. Detailed description

[0027] In this description, inside and outside refer to a transverse direction of the motor vehicle.

[0028] Fig. 1 represents a side view of the structure 3 of a motor vehicle 2 according to the present invention.

[0029] The motor vehicle 2 is preferably of the three-wheeled type, comprising two lower longitudinal members 4 extending longitudinally on either side of a passenger compartment floor 6, and an electric traction energy accumulator 8, which will be designated as battery 8 in this description, arranged opposite the passenger compartment floor 6, transversely between the two longitudinal members 4.

[0030] Preferably, the vehicle 2 comprises two intermediate longitudinal members 12 extending longitudinally on either side of a load floor 14 which is arranged vertically (along the Z axis) above said intermediate longitudinal members 12 and supported by the latter.

[0031] The motor vehicle 2 may include vertical connecting parts 16 linking the different parts along the vertical direction Z to form the structure 3. The set of parts forming said structure 3 is preferably welded.

[0032] Preferably, the structure 3 further comprises a structural element 18 forming a box 20 with the floor 6 and enclosing the battery 8. In this configuration, the battery 8 is arranged under a seat (not shown) for the driver of the motor vehicle 2.

[0033] Advantageously, the motor vehicle 2 further includes a protection device (shown only in Figures 2 and 3) for the battery 8, the design and arrangement of which will be detailed later in this description.

[0034] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the motor vehicle 2 of Fig. 1. The protective device 10 for the battery 8 can be seen extending vertically from the floor 6 at the level of one of the two lower side members 4.

[0035] Preferably, the battery 8 is transversely offset from a central transverse position of the motor vehicle 2, towards the protection device 10. More preferably, the battery 8 is offset towards the left side of the motor vehicle 2, so as to free up space at the floor level 6 to arrange a handbrake (not shown) for the vehicle 2.

[0036] The protection device 10 preferably comprises an inner plate 9 extending vertically from the floor 6 and directly fixed to the lower left side member 4 of the motor vehicle 2. Preferably, the protection device 10 further comprises an outer plate 11 arranged opposite the inner plate 9, and shock absorption means 10.1 being sandwiched between said inner plate 9 and outer plate 11.

[0037] In this configuration, the outer plate 11 is intended to increase the bearing surface with an impactor or barrier during a side impact against the motor vehicle 2, and the inner plate 9 is intended to support the sandwich shock absorption means 10.1 designed to deform plastically in order to dissipate the energy of the impact.

[0038] The outer plate 11 can extend parallel to the inner plate 9, thus creating an internal space for the shock absorption means 10.1. This internal space has a spacing distance E between the two plates 9 and 11, preferably corresponding to the transverse thickness E of the lower spar 4.

[0039] Advantageously, the protection device 10 extends longitudinally and vertically so as to cover an entire longitudinal and vertical extent of the battery 8, which makes it possible to fully cover the latter from any risk of intrusion in the event of a shock, which could generate a fire.

[0040] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the device protection level 10.

[0041] It can be seen that the shock absorption means 10.1 extend transversely and outwards from the motor vehicle 2 from a lateral face 9.1 of the inner plate 9.

[0042] Advantageously, the shock absorption means 10.1 cover between 50% and 100% of the surface of the lateral face 9.1, and preferably at least 70% of said surface.

[0043] Preferably, the shock absorption means 10.1 are arranged transversely between an outer face 4.1 and an inner face 4.2 of the lower spar 4.

[0044] The shock absorption means 10.1 may include a deformable foam block, or ribbed components formed from plastic or metal.

[0045] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in [Fig.3], the shock absorption means 10.1 include ribbed elements 10.1 which can be obtained from folded sheet metal forming undulations and / or a network of interfering ribs 10.2.

[0046] Preferably, the ribbed organs 10.1 further comprise a peripheral frame 10.3 extending perpendicularly to the inner plate 9, and enveloping the rib network 10.2.

[0047] Advantageously, the protection device 10 of the motor vehicle 2, according to the invention, is capable of absorbing a force of 1.7 kN in the transverse direction during a lateral impact against a deformable barrier, without risking damage to the battery 8 or the adjacent electrical harnesses, thus avoiding any risk of fire.

Claims

Demands

1. Motor vehicle (2), comprising: - two longitudinal members (4) extending longitudinally on either side of a passenger compartment floor (6); and - an electric traction energy accumulator (8) disposed opposite the passenger compartment floor (6), transversely between the two longitudinal members (4); and - a protective device (10) for the electric traction energy accumulator (8), characterized in that the protective device (10) comprises an inner plate (9) extending vertically relative to the floor (6), and further comprises shock absorption means (10.1) projecting transversely and outwards from the motor vehicle from a lateral face (9.1) of the inner plate (9).

2. Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 1, wherein the inner plate (9) is directly attached to one of the two side members (4), said inner plate (9) extending longitudinally and vertically from said side member (4).

3. Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 2, wherein the shock absorption means (10.1) are arranged transversely between an outer face (4.1) and an inner face (4.2) of the side member (4).

4. Motor vehicle (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the protection device (10) further comprises an outer plate (11) arranged opposite the inner plate (9), the shock absorption means (10.1) being sandwiched between said inner (9) and outer (11) plates.

5. Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 4, wherein the outer plate (11) extends parallel to the inner plate (9).

6. Motor vehicle (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the protective device (10) extends longitudinally and vertically so as to cover a whole longitudinal and vertical extent of the traction electric energy accumulator (8).

7. A motor vehicle (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the shock-absorbing means (10.1) comprise a block made of deformable foam, or ribbed organs formed from plastic or metal.

8. Motor vehicle (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the traction electric energy accumulator (8) is transversely offset from a central transverse position of said motor vehicle (2), towards the protection device (10).

9. Motor vehicle (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said motor vehicle (2) is of the three-wheeled type, the two longitudinal members (4) corresponding to lower longitudinal members (4) arranged vertically below intermediate longitudinal members (12) extending longitudinally and supporting a load floor (14).

10. Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 9, wherein the inner plate (9) is fixed, on either side, to one of the two lower longitudinal members (4) and to a structural element (18) of said motor vehicle (2) arranged vertically above the passenger compartment floor (6), said structural element (18) forming a box (20) with said floor (6) and enclosing the traction electric energy accumulator (8).

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