SLIDING HATCH SYSTEM FOR CHARGING AN AUTOMOBILE BATTERY

Abstract

A motorized sliding access panel for charging a motor vehicle battery, comprising a panel (2) equipped with guide indexes (4, 6, 12), including on one side a main slide (10) receiving in tracks a front index (4) disposed towards the front in the opening direction, and a rear index (6), and including on the other side a supplementary slide (16) receiving a supplementary index (12), the main slide (10) having a main slider (8) guided along a guide line, having grooves each receiving an index (4, 6), and having a common track extending rearward into two separate tracks, the front index (4) and the rear index (6) having different lengths, each giving its separate track when the panel (2) is closed. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: SLIDING HATCH SYSTEM FOR CHARGING AN AUTOMOBILE BATTERY

[0001] The present invention relates to a sliding hatch system for a charging port of a motor vehicle battery, as well as a motor vehicle equipped with such a hatch system.

[0002] A known type of access panel system for closing a charging port window of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle battery, described in particular by document FR-A1-3141106, comprises a panel equipped with a hinge fixed to the upper part of the body window, allowing it to be tilted upwards to leave it in a substantially vertical position in order to expose the charging port. Alternatively, it is known to provide a lateral movement to the panel, opening it to one side or the other.

[0003] In all these cases, the resulting flap remains outside during charging and can be accidentally snagged in various ways, particularly when the charging port's charging handle is brought near the socket, by the handle's cable, or by the movement of a person or external object. This snagging puts high stress on the hinge, which generally has a reduced cross-section to limit its size, potentially leading to deformation or breakage.

[0004] Alternatively, another known trapdoor system, presented in particular by document DE-AÏ-102017212397, comprises a trapdoor guided in a translational movement by two parallel slides, comprising on one side a cylindrical index engaged in one of these slides and on the other a bar having at each end an index engaged in the other slide, so as to hold the trapdoor at three points giving it stability.

[0005] A cable operated by a motor slides the bar in its track to obtain a movement first of recoil of the hatch which moves it away from the outer surface of the bodywork, then of translation so as to slide it into the bodywork in order to free the charging socket located behind it.

[0006] Each index is engaged in a slide having a first groove, and in a second groove of the slide arranged behind it so as to be adjusted at the intersection of these two grooves. The motor moves the slides which imparts to its engaged indexes the movement first of recoiling the hatch and then of translating this hatch.

[0007] A hatch is obtained which remains inside the bodywork when it is opened, which is not at risk of being subjected to shock or stress during charging.

[0008] However, this system comprising a slide for each index gives a larger number of components which presents a bulk that poses problems for making compact hatch systems that can be integrated into bodies, which generally have limited available volumes.

[0009] In addition, the number of parts leads to purchase costs, component management and assembly labor costs which result in a higher cost price for the vehicle.

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

[0011] To this end, it proposes a motorized sliding hatch system for taking charging of a motor vehicle battery, comprising a hatch equipped with guide indexes, comprising on one side a main slide receiving in paths a front index disposed towards the front in the direction of opening, and a rear index, and comprising on the other side a supplementary slide receiving a supplementary index, this system being remarkable in that the main slide comprises a main slide guided along a guide line, having grooves each receiving an index, and comprises a common path extending towards the rear by two separate paths, the front index and the rear index having different lengths giving each its separate path when closing the hatch.

[0012] One advantage of this hatch system is that the movement of the main slide, guided in its track, positions each index at the intersection of a groove in the slide and a track in the guide, thus giving it a unique position. The indexes exhibit differentiation at the start of the separate tracks when the hatch is closed.

[0013] For the longer index, by forming its separate path also on a lower plane beneath the slide, it is prevented from engaging on a separate path from the shorter index, which can only be formed on a higher plane of the slide. A simple and efficient switching mechanism is thus obtained, without any additional moving parts, allowing each index to be directed towards its separate path.

[0014] The hatch has a precise movement, including during closing first its sliding behind the bodywork to bring it closer to the window facing the charging socket, then at the end of the journey with the particular movement of each index which is oriented on its separate path, a final movement substantially perpendicular to the window of the bodywork to close it.

[0015] The trap door 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 main slide comprises two planes containing the paths, receiving between them the main slide.

[0017] In this case advantageously a separate path forward for the front index is formed on the two planes both receiving this front index which is longer.

[0018] Moreover, advantageously the separate rear path receiving the rear index is formed only on the first plane turned towards the hatch.

[0019] In this case, advantageously the groove of the main slide receiving the rear index is not through.

[0020] Advantageously, the complementary slide comprises a slide guided along a guide line, and a path receiving the complementary index which is also engaged in a groove of this slide.

[0021] Advantageously, the guidance system includes a cable driven by a motor which operates both sides of the hatch.

[0022] Moreover, advantageously one end of the cable applies a pull on the hatch at the level of a slide, the other end applying a push on the hatch at the level of the other slide in the same direction.

[0023] The invention also relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising an external charging socket, remarkable in that this socket is located in a hatch system comprising any one of the preceding characteristics.

[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 diagram of a trapdoor system according to the invention;

[0026] [Fig.2] is an external view of this trapdoor system;

[0027] [Fig.3] is a detail view of the upper slide;

[0028] [Fig.4] is a detailed view of the upper slide;

[0029] [Fig. 5] is a detailed view of the lower slide; and

[0030] [Fig.6] is a detail view of the lower slide.

[0031] Throughout the document the orientation of the hatch with its horizontal movement is given by way of example, the hatch system according to the invention being able to be arranged in any other orientation.

[0032] Figures 1 and 2 show a hatch 2 fitted into a window in the bodywork 30 formed on the left rear side of the vehicle, having below it a front index 4 oriented forward in the direction of the hatch opening, and a rear index 6 oriented backward. Above the hatch 2 is a complementary index 12 located in the center of the hatch. Each index 4, 6, 12 has a cylindrical shape facing outward from the hatch 2.

[0033] On each side of the hatch 2 a slide 10, 16 has two parallel planes receiving between them in an intermediate slot a slide 8, 14 which moves along a guide line along this slide.

[0034] Each index 4, 6, 12 is arranged in an intersection between a groove of a slide 8, 14 and a path of a slide 10, 16, so that depending on the displacement of these slides they present a unique position which defines the displacement of the hatch 2 according to a particular kinematic.

[0035] A motorization 20 comprising a motor and a reducer drives a pinion 22 which receives tangentially on two opposite sides a cable 18.

[0036] The rotation of the pinion 22 and the movements of the cable 18 indicated by the arrows, present, on the upper side of the pinion, a pull from the bottom of the hatch 2 towards the front in the opening direction, and on the lower side, a push of this cable which, looping back at the top of the hatch, also pushes it forward. This results in a coordinated movement of both sides of the hatch 2 which ensures its sliding while remaining parallel to itself.

[0037] Figures 3 and 4 show the complementary upper slide 16 comprising between two planes 48 an intermediate slot 46 receiving the flat upper slide 14 fitted into it.

[0038] The upper slide 14 has a tenon 50 which guides it in the upper slide 16 along the upper guide line 44 during its movement by the cable 18, and on each face of bosses 52 bearing against the planes 48 which frame the intermediate slot 46 in order to limit friction. A groove 54, which is angled, passes through the upper slide 14.

[0039] The upper slide 16 has a path 40 forming a groove comprising, starting from the rear, first a pronounced curvature 42 which moves away from the body surface, then a slight curvature which follows this surface.

[0040] The complementary index 12 is engaged in the path 40 of the two planes 48, passing between the two through the groove 54 of the upper slide 14.

[0041] During the movement of the upper slider 14 under the effect of the cable 18, a sliding of this slider is obtained along the upper guide line 44, which gives the complementary index 12 remaining at the intersection of the groove 54 and the path 40 a movement first of recoil of the hatch 2 to disengage it from the window of the bodywork, then a lateral sliding movement to retract it to the side by disengaging the charging socket.

[0042] Figures 5 and 6 show the main lower slide 10 comprising, between two planes, the intermediate slot receiving the flat lower slide 8 elongated along the axis of movement, having on one side a tenon 50 which ensures its guidance along the lower guide line 66, and at each end a curved groove which for the front groove 70 is through, and for the rear groove 72 including a bottom is non-through.

[0043] The lower slide 10 has a common path 60 forming a groove receiving the two indexes 4, 6, comprising from its front end a slight curve following the shape of the body, then a first separate front path 62 forming a pronounced curve towards the outside of the body, and then a second separate rear path 64 which is first straight before also forming a pronounced curve towards the outside.

[0044] The common path 60 and the first separate path 62 are formed on both planes of the lower slide 10 by passing completely through it, while the second separate path 64 is formed only on the upper plane. The long front index 4 passes through both planes of the lower slide 10 and the front groove 70 of the slide 8 disposed between them; the short rear index 6 passes only through the upper plane and is then engaged in the rear groove 72 having a bottom, without protruding beyond it.

[0045] Starting from the open position of the hatch, the short rear index 6 follows a straight movement at the bifurcation between the two separate paths, and continues on the rear path 64. Since the rear groove 72 is not through, there is no risk of obtaining a rear index 6 that protrudes below the lower slide 8, which prevents, despite operating clearances and variations in the dimensions of the components, engagement in the lower plane of the front separate path 62.

[0046] The front index 4 follows the common path 60, then arriving at the bifurcation cannot take the rear path 64 which does not have a groove on the second plane, and must necessarily take the front path 62.

[0047] In a simple way, with few components, during closing an orientation of each index 4, 6 guided both by the lower slide 8 and the paths of the lower slide 10, which will take their separate path 62, 64 giving the forward movement of the hatch along the body, then at the end of the movement the translation perpendicular to the body to obtain its adjustment in the window.

Claims

Demands

1. A motorized sliding access panel for a vehicle battery charging port, comprising a panel (2) equipped with guide indexes (4, 6, 12), including on one side a main slide (10) receiving in tracks (60, 62, 64) a front index (4) disposed towards the front in the opening direction, and a rear index (6), and including on the other side a supplementary slide (16) receiving a supplementary index (12), characterized in that the main slide (10) has a main slide (8) guided along a guide line (66), having grooves (70, 72) each receiving an index (4, 6), and has a common track (60) extending rearward into two separate tracks (62, 64), the front index (4) and the rear index (6) having different lengths, each giving its separate track (62, 64) during closure of the hatch (2).

2. Hatch system according to claim 1, characterized in that the main slide (10) comprises two parallel planes containing the paths (60, 62, 64), receiving between them the main slide (8).

3. A trap door system according to claim 2, characterized in that a separate front path (62) for the front index (4) is formed on both planes, both receiving this longer front index (4).

4. Hatch system according to claim 3, characterized in that the rear separate path (64) receiving the rear index (6) is formed only on a first plane turned towards the hatch (2).

5. Hatch system according to claim 4, characterized in that the groove (72) of the main slide (8) receiving the rear index (6) is not through.

6. A hatch system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supplementary slide (16) comprises a slider (14) guided along a guide line (44), and a path (40) receiving the supplementary index (12) which is also engaged in a groove (54) of this slider (14).

7. Hatch system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a cable (18) driven by a motor (20) which actuates both sides of the hatch (2).

8. Hatch system according to claim 7, characterized in that one end of the cable (18) applies a pull on the hatch (2) at the level of a slide (10), the other end applying a push on the hatch (2) at the level of the other slide (16) in the same direction.

9. Electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising an external charging socket, characterized in that this socket is located in a hatch system according to any one of the preceding claims.