Reservoir including a connecting element forming a hydraulic line.

Abstract

A reservoir comprising a connecting element forming a hydraulic line. An arrangement for a motor vehicle (1) comprising a reservoir (6) for storing an energy fluid, the reservoir comprising at least one pair of opposing walls (17, 18; 19, 20; 21, 22) connected to each other by at least one hollow connecting element (31, 32, 33, 31a), the connecting element comprising an internal volume capable of communicating with a volume external to the reservoir, the connecting element extending parallel to an axis (X, Y, Z), the connecting element comprising an external surface (34) for contact with said energy fluid and an internal surface (35) for contact with a fluid distinct from said energy fluid, the arrangement further comprising a first hydraulic connector (41) fixed to one end of the connecting element. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Reservoir comprising a connecting element forming a hydraulic conduit. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement for a motor vehicle comprising a tank for containing an energy fluid such as dihydrogen. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such an arrangement. Prior art

[0002] In order to make the use of motor vehicles less polluting, vehicles equipped with a fuel cell powered by dihydrogen are known. These vehicles therefore carry a tank in which dihydrogen is stored before being consumed by the fuel cell. The fuel cell provides electrical energy which can be used directly by an electric motor to propel the vehicle, or stored in an electrochemical battery on board the vehicle.

[0003] The pressure of the hydrogen in the tank can be very high, for example, on the order of 700 bar. The tank must therefore be particularly resistant to the mechanical stresses exerted by the pressurized hydrogen. Furthermore, hydrogen is a highly flammable gas that poses a fire hazard in the event of a leak. Hydrogen tanks must therefore also be impact-resistant to ensure passenger safety in the event of a vehicle accident. Prior art tanks generally take the form of one or more cylinders mounted on the vehicle. Such cylinders are particularly bulky and complex to integrate within the vehicle.

[0004] Furthermore, motor vehicles are equipped with various hydraulic systems, including cooling systems designed to cool a component on board the vehicle, in particular an electric motor. Cooling systems generally comprise a cooling circuit, a pump capable of circulating a heat transfer fluid within the cooling circuit, and a heat exchanger to dissipate the heat carried by the heat transfer fluid. A cooling system is also bulky. In particular, when a vehicle has several components to be cooled, for example, four in-wheel motors positioned at approximately the four corners of the vehicle, the cooling circuit is particularly extensive. Such a cooling circuit is complex to install and maintain, and represents a considerable volume and mass.

[0005] Thus, a vehicle comprising both such a hydrogen storage tank and such a hydraulic system presents complex architectural constraints to be satisfied. Presentation of the invention

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide an arrangement that remedies the above disadvantages and improves upon arrangements known in the prior art.

[0007] More specifically, a first object of the invention is an arrangement for a motor vehicle comprising a tank and a hydraulic system that is lightweight, compact, easy to install and maintain. Summary of the invention

[0008] The invention relates to an arrangement for a motor vehicle comprising a tank for storing an energy fluid, the tank comprising at least one pair of opposing walls connected to each other by at least one hollow connecting element, the connecting element comprising an internal volume capable of communicating with a volume external to the tank, the connecting element extending parallel to an axis, the connecting element comprising an external surface intended to be in contact with said energy fluid and an internal surface intended to be in contact with a fluid distinct from said energy fluid, the arrangement further comprising a first hydraulic connector fixed to one end of the connecting element.

[0009] The arrangement may include a second hydraulic connector attached to a second end of the connecting element.

[0010] The first hydraulic connector may include a first portion fitted inside the connecting element and a second portion projecting from a wall of the tank among said pair of opposite walls.

[0011] The tank may include a rigid structure made of a composite material, the rigid structure including in particular the connecting element.

[0012] The arrangement may include a housing that at least partially encloses the tank, the housing including a hole through which the first hydraulic connector extends.

[0013] The arrangement may include a first hydraulic conduit comprising a first end connected to the first hydraulic connector, the arrangement further comprising a pump connected to a second end of the first hydraulic conduit.

[0014] The arrangement may include a cooling circuit, the connecting element forming a portion of the cooling circuit.

[0015] The arrangement may include at least one wheel motor, the cooling circuit being configured to cool one motor of the wheel motor.

[0016] The internal volume of the connecting element can form an expansion vessel for a fluid of a hydraulic system on board the vehicle, in particular for a dielectric fluid intended to cool an electrochemical battery on board the vehicle.

[0017] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an arrangement as defined above. Presentation of the figures

[0018] These objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures, among which:

[0019] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a motor vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of part of a tank of the vehicle.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a perspective and transparent view of part of the reservoir.

[0022] Figure 4 is a schematic longitudinal and vertical cross-sectional view of an element tank connection.

[0023] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the tank, with a first hydraulic connector and a second hydraulic connector being fixed respectively to two ends of a connecting element of the tank.

[0024] Fig. 6 is a detail view of the first hydraulic connector fitted to one end of a connecting element, a first hydraulic conduit being further connected to the first hydraulic connector.

[0025] Fig. 7 is a detail view of an alternative embodiment in which the vehicle is equipped with a casing that at least partially encloses the tank, the casing including a hole through which the first hydraulic connector passes.

[0026] Figure 8 is a detailed view of an alternative embodiment in which the tank comprises a wall extending obliquely with respect to a vertical axis. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view in a longitudinal and transverse plane of a vehicle arrangement comprising said tank, a plurality of hydraulic connectors attached to the tank, and two rear-wheel drive motors. Detailed description

[0027] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a motor vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The vehicle 1 may be, for example, a passenger car or a commercial vehicle. Alternatively, it could be a truck, a bus, a lifting machine, an agricultural machine, or even any other type of land vehicle.

[0028] In this document, the X-axis designates the longitudinal axis of vehicle 1. When moving forward and in a straight line, vehicle 1 progresses from rear to front along a The direction parallel to its longitudinal axis. The X-axis is oriented from the front to the rear of the vehicle, that is, in the direction of reverse. The Y-axis designates the transverse axis of the vehicle. The Y-axis is oriented from left to right, left and right being defined according to the viewpoint of a driver of vehicle 1. The Z-axis designates the axis perpendicular to the X-axis and the Y-axis. Vehicle 1 is considered to be resting on a horizontal surface. The Z-axis is a vertical axis, oriented from bottom to top. The X, Y, and Z axes form an orthogonal coordinate system.

[0029] The vehicle 1 comprises a drive system 2 including at least one electric motor, in particular two wheel motors 3G, 3D. Each wheel motor 3G, 3D comprises a wheel 4G, 4D and an electric motor 5G, 5D, housed at least partially inside the wheel and capable of driving the wheel in rotation to move the vehicle 1 forward (or backward). The two wheel motors 3G, 3D are arranged on a rear axle of the vehicle 1. In addition, the vehicle 1 could also include two wheel motors arranged on a front axle of the vehicle 1. Alternatively, the invention could also be adapted to a more conventional vehicle comprising a single electric motor connected to the drive wheels of the vehicle by a transmission means.

[0030] The drive system 2 also includes a tank 6 for storing dihydrogen, and a fuel cell 7 capable of converting the dihydrogen into an electric current. To deliver dihydrogen from the tank 6 to the fuel cell 7, the tank 6 includes a hydraulic outlet 8 connected to the fuel cell 7 by a hydraulic line 9. The drive system 2 also includes an electrochemical battery 10 capable of being supplied with electrical energy by the fuel cell 7, and capable of supplying at least one electric motor, preferably the electric motors 5G, 5D, with electrical energy. For this purpose, the fuel cell 7, the electrochemical battery 10, and the electric motors 5G, 5D are connected by power cables 11. Alternatively, the electric motors 5G, 5D could be supplied with an electric current directly from the fuel cell 7.

[0031] The vehicle 1 also includes a cooling system 12. In particular, the cooling system 12 is intended to cool at least one electric motor, specifically electric motors 5G, 5D. Alternatively, the cooling system 12 could be intended to cool other components on board the vehicle, for example, the electrochemical battery 10. The cooling system 12 includes a cooling circuit 13, a pump 14 adapted to circulate a heat transfer fluid in the cooling circuit 13, and a heat exchanger 15 for dissipating the heat carried by the heat transfer fluid. The cooling circuit 13 is a closed circuit comprising surfaces heat exchange occurs with each of the two electric motors 5G and 5D. The heat transfer fluid can be, for example, a liquid suitable for preventing freezing in the cooling circuit 13 at low temperatures, such as a glycol-based fluid. The heat transfer fluid pressure in the cooling circuit 13 can be relatively low, for example, less than or equal to 3 bar. It should be noted that the hydraulic line 9 and the cooling circuit 13 are completely independent of each other and are designed to transport different fluids.

[0032] According to the embodiment presented, the tank 6 is therefore intended to store hydrogen, or more precisely, dihydrogen. According to other variants, the tank 6 could be configured to store other forms of energy gases, for example, liquefied petroleum gas or natural gas. The tank could even be intended to store a liquid fuel such as gasoline, diesel fuel, or ethanol. In such a case, the vehicle could include a combustion engine capable of converting the energy of the energy fluid into electromotive force.

[0033] Generally speaking, the reservoir 6 is intended to contain an energy fluid, that is to say, a fluid forming a fluid energy reserve, convertible into an electromotive force capable of moving the vehicle. The reservoir 6 is therefore a component of the vehicle 1 that gives it a certain autonomy. The reservoir 6 includes, in particular, an inlet opening for filling the reservoir with an energy fluid and an outlet opening for delivering and then consuming the energy fluid contained in the reservoir. In this case, the outlet opening is equipped with the hydraulic outlet 8.

[0034] The tank 6 is intended to store the energy fluid under pressure, that is, at a pressure strictly greater than atmospheric pressure. In this case, the tank is intended to store the energy fluid, in particular hydrogen, at a pressure greater than or equal to 700 bar. Alternatively, the tank could be intended to store the energy fluid at a different pressure, for example, a pressure greater than or equal to 300 bar, or 500 bar, or 1000 bar, depending on the type of energy fluid and its storage conditions.

[0035] The tank thus comprises a rigid structure capable of withstanding the forces exerted by the pressurized fluid it contains, that is to say, centrifugal forces acting from inside the tank which tend to make it burst.

[0036] Furthermore, the tank 6 may have a capacity greater than or equal to 50 liters, preferably greater than or equal to 100 liters, or even greater than or equal to 150 liters. A 100-liter tank allows the storage of approximately 4 kg of hydrogen at 700 bar, which provides a range of approximately 300 km for a motor vehicle.

[0037] The structure of the tank 6 is also capable of withstanding significant impacts, in particular impacts occurring in the event of an accident involving vehicle 1, without generating Energy fluid leakage to the outside. Accident data and / or simulations and / or crash tests allow the structure to be sized, including the required wall thicknesses, so that no energy fluid leakage occurs, even in the most violent accidents.

[0038] Advantageously, the tank 6, whose high strength is necessary to withstand the high pressures of the energy fluid it contains, as well as to ensure the safety of the vehicle's passengers in the event of an accident, can be used to stiffen the vehicle's structure. The tank 6 can therefore be considered an integral part of the vehicle's load-bearing structure. The tank 6 is capable of supporting the weight exerted by other vehicle equipment and also provides a support for attaching this equipment.

[0039] The tank 6 is capable of withstanding loads of at least one hundred kilograms, or even several hundred kilograms. These loads can be static, such as those exerted by the weight of equipment like vehicle seats and / or the weight of vehicle passengers. They can also be dynamic, such as those that occur in specific situations like an impact with the vehicle. These various static or dynamic loads can exert compressive or shear forces on the tank. These forces are therefore oriented in a different direction from the centrifugal forces exerted by the pressurized energy fluid inside the tank.Advantageously, the resistance of the reservoir required to withstand the pressure exerted by the energy fluid it contains is therefore also used to support loads acting in different directions.

[0040] The tank 6 is arranged in the rear part of the vehicle 1, specifically at the rear of the vehicle's underbody. The tank 6 extends, in particular, under a row of rear seats and / or under the vehicle's trunk. The tank can thus be designed to support the load exerted by the rear seats and all the items stored in the vehicle's trunk. Furthermore, the tank 6 extends forward of the wheel motors 3G and 3D.

[0041] The tank 6 extends between two longitudinal members 16G, 16D to which it is attached. The two longitudinal members 16G, 16D extend parallel to the X-axis on either side of the vehicle. The tank 4 thus acts as a crossmember by rigidly connecting the two longitudinal members 16G, 16D to each other. The arrangement of the tank between the two longitudinal members 16G, 16D also eliminates the need for crossmembers extending along the Y-axis and connecting the longitudinal members.

[0042] The reservoir 6 may have a roughly parallelepiped shape. It may thus comprise three pairs of opposing walls. With reference to Figures 2 and 3, a first pair of opposing walls consists of a front vertical wall 17 and a rear vertical wall 18. Walls 17 and 18 extend substantially parallel to the Y and Z axes. A second pair of opposing walls consists of a left side wall 19 and a right side wall 20. The side walls extend substantially parallel to the X and Z axes. A third pair of opposing walls consists of an upper wall 21 and a lower wall 22. Walls 21 and 22 extend substantially parallel to the X and Y axes. The upper wall 21 may include a local elevation to increase the volume of the tank and thus its energy storage capacity. Alternatively, any other tank shape could be considered.

[0043] The tank 6 can be isolated from the passenger compartment by a simple protective element, for example made of plastic, which covers the tank. No structural element needs to be integrated between the tank 6 and the vehicle seats above the tank, since the latter has sufficient strength to support the weight of the seats and the passengers seated on them.

[0044] Advantageously, the structure of the tank 6 is made of composite material. Such a material is lighter than steel and even than any other metal for equivalent strength. Moreover, the manufacturing processes for composite material components allow for the creation of structures with a wide variety of geometric shapes. More complex structural shapes than those obtained with metal can thus be considered in order to utilize all available volume of the vehicle and thereby increase the tank's capacity. More complex tank shapes may be particularly advisable when the tanks are intended to store a pressurized gas rather than a liquid because, unlike a liquid, gas does not present a risk of retention within the tank.

[0045] The composite material may comprise a draped or preformed structure, and / or braided and resin-impregnated materials. The composite material may be composed of reinforcing elements and a matrix. The reinforcing elements may include carbon or glass fibers, which are lightweight materials, or Kevlar (registered trademark), which offers greater impact resistance. The matrix may be an organic matrix, for example, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, or a modified polyester. The matrix may also be a metallic matrix.

[0046] Fig. 3 illustrates in perspective and in transparency the structure of the tank 6. The walls 17 and 18 are connected to each other by a first set of connecting elements 31 extending parallel to the X axis. Similarly, the side walls are connected to each other by a second set of connecting elements 32 extending parallel to the Y axis, and the walls 21 and 22 are connected to each other by a third set of connecting elements 33 extending parallel to the Z axis.

[0047] The connecting elements 31, 32, 33 pass completely through the tank 6 between two opposing walls. The connecting elements act as tie rods, reinforcing the strength of the tank: they are subjected to tensile stress when the energy fluid contained in the tank exerts pressure on the walls 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22. The connecting elements 31, 32, 33 are arranged inside the shell of the tank 6 and not on its periphery.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the tank 6 could comprise only one set of connecting elements or only two sets of connecting elements from among the three sets of connecting elements 31, 32, 33. Alternatively, all or part of the sets of connecting elements 31, 32, 33 could extend in directions other than the X, Y, and Z axes, provided that the axis along which each set of connecting elements extends forms a non-zero angle with the axis along which the other sets of connecting elements extend. Advantageously, the three axes along which the three sets of connecting elements 31, 32, and 33 extend are perpendicular to each other so as to optimally stiffen the tank.

[0049] Preferably, each connecting element 31, 32, 33 is separate from the other connecting elements; that is, the connecting elements 31, 32, 33 are not in contact with each other and do not touch inside the tank. Thus, the tank 6 is not compartmentalized and the energy fluid can circulate easily within the tank.

[0050] The connecting elements 31, 32, 33 are hollow. In particular, the connecting elements, which could also be called "reinforcing elements" or "reinforcing wells," can be tubes when they have a circular cross-section. Alternatively, the cross-section of the connecting elements could not be circular. For example, the cross-section of the connecting elements could also be square, rectangular, polygonal, or ovoid.

[0051] Figure 4 illustrates in more detail a connecting element 31, the other connecting elements being designed in a similar manner. Each connecting element 31, 32, 33 comprises a tubular shape having an external surface 34 and an internal surface 35. The external surface 34 is oriented towards the interior of the tank and is therefore intended to be in contact with the energy fluid, while the internal surface 35 communicates with the exterior of the tank.

[0052] Each connecting element 31, 32, 33 comprises two opposite ends at the two opposing walls 17, 18 that it connects. Due to the hollow nature of the connecting elements 31, 32, 33, the reservoir 4 comprises, for each connecting element, an opening 36 passing through the reservoir completely. Each opening 36 thus forms an internal volume capable of communicating with a volume outside the reservoir. The openings 36 therefore do not communicate with the energy fluid storage volume. The openings 36 are therefore not useful for delivering a energy fluid, in particular to deliver hydrogen under pressure to the fuel cell 5.

[0053] Advantageously, the openings 36 are used to form portions of the cooling circuit 13 described above. For this purpose, and as illustrated in [Fig. 5], the reservoir 6 is equipped with a first hydraulic connector 41 fixed to one end of a first connecting element 31a among the connecting elements 31 described above, and a second hydraulic connector 42 fixed to a second end of the connecting element 31a, the second end being opposite the first end. The very high level of sealing of the reservoir 6 required to contain dihydrogen (which is extremely fluid) is thus also used to transport the liquid contained in a hydraulic system.

[0054] A hydraulic connector refers to a hydraulic connection means capable of sealing two hydraulic lines. Each hydraulic connector 41, 42 can be a single-piece, rotating part, generally tubular in shape. Each hydraulic connector can be made of a plastic material, a composite material such as the same material as the reservoir 6, or a metallic material such as aluminum or steel.

[0055] The second hydraulic connector 42 may have the same shape as the first hydraulic connector 4L. Thus, we will limit ourselves to describing the first hydraulic connector 41 with reference to [Fig. 6]. The first hydraulic connector 41 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis X. The first hydraulic connector 41 comprises a first portion 45 fitted inside the connecting element 31a and a second portion 46 projecting from the front vertical wall 17 of the reservoir. The first portion 45 may have a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the opening 36, so that the first hydraulic connector 41 is fixed to the reservoir 6 by interference fit. Advantageously, the first hydraulic connector 41 may also be bonded to the internal surface 35.This improves the retention of the hydraulic connector on the reservoir without increasing the stresses generated in the reservoir 6 by an interference fit of the first portion 45 in the opening 36. Advantageously, the heat transfer fluid pressure in a cooling circuit is moderate. The force exerted by the heat transfer fluid on the first hydraulic connector 41 is moderate, which allows for a relatively simple attachment of the first hydraulic connector to the reservoir.

[0056] The second portion 46 may include a harpoon-shaped end to improve the retention of a first hydraulic conduit 51 fitted around the second portion 46. Advantageously, a hose clamp 48 may also be added around the end of the first hydraulic conduit 51 and the second portion 46 to improve the retention of the first hydraulic conduit. 51 to the first hydraulic connector 41. The first hydraulic connector 41 can advantageously be equipped with a stop 49 delimiting the first portion 45 from the second portion 46. The stop 49 is intended to come into contact against the wall 17 or against a flare formed at the junction between the opening 36 and the wall 17. According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the first hydraulic connector 41 could be equipped with a sealing gasket, for example an O-ring, to improve the sealing at the interface between the hydraulic connector and the reservoir.

[0057] The first hydraulic line 51 thus forms a portion of the cooling circuit 13. The first hydraulic line 51 can be a tube made of a flexible material, for example, rubber. With reference to [Fig. 1], it can be seen that the first hydraulic line 51 comprises a first end connected to the first hydraulic connector 41 and a second end connected to the pump 14. Alternatively, the second end could be connected to the heat exchanger 15 or to any other component of the cooling system 12.

[0058] Similarly, a second hydraulic line 52 connects the electric motor 5G to the second hydraulic connector 42. The first hydraulic line 51, the connecting element 31a, and the second hydraulic line 52 thus form a portion of the cooling circuit 13 extending from the pump 14 to the electric motor 5G. Likewise, and as can be seen in [Fig. 9], a second connecting element 31b, parallel to the first connecting element 31a, is equipped with a third hydraulic connector 43 and a fourth hydraulic connector 44 at each of its two ends. A third hydraulic line 53 connects the electric motor 5D to the third hydraulic connector 43, and a fourth hydraulic line 54 connects the fourth hydraulic connector 44 to the heat exchanger 15.In addition, hydraulic conduits also connect the electric motor 5G to the electric motor 5D on one side, and the heat exchanger 15 to the pump 14 on the other, so as to form a closed hydraulic circuit.

[0059] Alternatively, other arrangements of the cooling circuit 13 could be proposed. For example, the position of the pump 14 and / or the heat exchanger 15 could be different. The cooling system 12 could also include two independent cooling circuits configured to cool the electric motor 5G and the electric motor 5D, respectively.

[0060] Advantageously, the portion of the cooling circuit 13 formed by the connecting elements 31a, 31b is particularly robust. The high strength of the reservoir is thus used to protect the cooling circuit 13 in a particularly sensitive area of ​​the vehicle, since it is located at the level of the vehicle's underbody and is therefore highly exposed to road spray. In addition, the hydraulic lines 51, 52, 53, 54 connected to the reservoir 6 are relatively short compared to equivalent hydraulic lines extending respectively between pump 14 and electric motor 5G and between heat exchanger 15 and electric motor 5D. This facilitates their assembly during the initial manufacturing of the vehicle, and their replacement in the event of damage.

[0061] Figure 7 illustrates another possible improvement of the invention. According to this improvement, the vehicle 1 is also equipped with a housing 60 that at least partially encloses the tank 6. The housing 60 is a protective element for the tank 6. It can be made from a sheet of metal, bent and cut so as to at least partially conform to the shape of the tank 6. The housing 6 includes a set of holes 61 through which at least some of the hydraulic connectors 41, 42, 43, and 44 extend. Advantageously, the diameter of the holes 61 is matched to the diameter of the hydraulic connectors. Thus, the hydraulic connectors serve not only to connect hydraulic lines but also to optimally position the housing 60 relative to the tank 6.In such a scenario, hydraulic connectors made of metallic material will be preferred, so as not to deform under the mechanical stresses generated by the housing 60.

[0062] Figures 8 and 9 illustrate yet another aspect of the invention. The rear vertical wall 18 of the tank, from which the hydraulic connectors 42 and 43 extend, is not completely perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X. In particular, the rear vertical wall 18 may extend, at least locally, at an angle to the vertical axis Z. The hydraulic connectors 42 and 43 can nevertheless be inserted into the opening 36 of the connecting elements 31a and 31b, provided that the first portion 45 of these hydraulic connectors is sufficiently long.

[0063] According to another aspect of the invention, at least one connecting element among the connecting elements 31, 32, 33 can also function as an expansion tank for a fluid in a hydraulic system installed in the vehicle. Indeed, the fluids in the various hydraulic systems of a vehicle are likely to expand under the effect of temperature. An expansion tank is then generally required to maintain the pressure in the hydraulic system at an acceptable level. Traditional expansion tanks thus occupy a significant volume in a motor vehicle. The invention also makes it possible to eliminate the need for a tank thanks to a connecting element of the reservoir. Indeed, the volume of an opening 36 in a connecting element 31, 32, 33 can be on the order of one liter, which is sufficient to replace an expansion tank in the vehicle.In this case, a connecting element can advantageously be equipped with a hydraulic connector at one end, and can be sealed, for example by a plug, at the other end.

[0064] In particular, such an arrangement can prove especially useful for storing a dielectric fluid intended to cool the electrochemical battery 10. Indeed, the cells of an electrochemical battery 10 are likely to swell as they are used, which reduces the volume available for the dielectric fluid surrounding them. The dielectric fluid can advantageously be stored in the opening 36 of one or more connecting elements, before possibly being drained in a garage.

[0065] Finally, thanks to the invention, a vehicle equipped with a reservoir for an energy fluid and a hydraulic system arranged in a particularly compact manner is provided, thus preserving ample space for passengers and / or for transporting objects within the vehicle while maintaining significant range. This arrangement provides additional protection to the hydraulic system against impacts. The hydraulic lines connected to the reservoir's linkage elements can be more easily assembled or disassembled, which facilitates initial vehicle assembly and maintenance operations.

Claims

Demands

1. An arrangement for a motor vehicle (1) comprising a tank (6) for storing an energy fluid, the tank comprising at least one pair of opposing walls (17, 18; 19, 20; 21, 22) connected to each other by at least one hollow connecting element (31, 32, 33, 31a), the connecting element comprising an internal volume capable of communicating with a volume outside the tank, the connecting element extending parallel to an axis (X, Y, Z), the connecting element comprising an external surface (34) for contact with said energy fluid and an internal surface (35) for contact with a fluid distinct from said energy fluid, the arrangement further comprising a first hydraulic connector (41) fixed to one end of the connecting element.

2. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a second hydraulic connector (42) fixed to a second end of the connecting element (31a).

3. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first hydraulic connector (41) comprises a first portion (45) fitted inside the connecting element (31a) and a second portion (46) projecting from a wall (17) of the reservoir among said pair of opposite walls.

4. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tank (6) comprises a rigid structure made of a composite material, the rigid structure comprising in particular the connecting element (31, 32, 33, 31a).

5. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a housing (60) at least partially enveloping the reservoir (6), the housing comprising a hole (61) through which the first hydraulic connector (41) extends.

6. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a first hydraulic conduit (51) including a first end connected to the first hydraulic connector (41), the arrangement further comprising a pump (14) connected to a second end of the first hydraulic conduit.

7. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a cooling circuit (13), the connecting element (31a) forming a portion of the cooling circuit.

8. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises at least one wheel motor (3G, 3D), the cooling circuit (13) being configured to cool one motor (5G, 5D) of the wheel motor.

9. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal volume of the connecting element (31, 32, 33) forms an expansion vessel for a fluid of a hydraulic system on board the vehicle, in particular for a dielectric fluid intended to cool an electrochemical battery (10) on board the vehicle.

10. Motor vehicle (1) comprising an arrangement according to one of the preceding claims.