Support bracket for holding two wiring harnesses in position on a generator set housing

Abstract

Bridge-support (3) suitable for holding in position two wiring harnesses (F1,F2) relative to a motor unit housing, in a motor unit (MUR) of an electric motor vehicle, the bridge-support comprising a first leg (J1), a second leg (J2), and a central portion interposed between the first and second legs, a first receiving rod (T1) configured to receive and support a first retaining collar (C1) of the first wiring harness (F1), a second receiving rod (T2) configured to receive and support a second collar (C2) of the second wiring harness (F2), a first fixing end (11), arranged on the first leg opposite the central portion, configured to be fixed to the motor unit housing, a second fixing end (12), arranged on the second leg opposite the central portion, configured to be fixed to the motor unit housing.Figure from the summary: Fig. 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Support bracket for holding two wiring harnesses in position on a motor unit housing

[0001] The present invention relates to wiring harness retention devices in a motor vehicle. More specifically, it concerns a device for holding two separate wiring harnesses in position relative to a motor unit housing.

[0002] The wiring harnesses in question here carry a significant amount of electrical energy; in this case, it is power wiring. Here, a "wiring harness" is defined as a set of electrically conductive wires that generally run parallel to each other. The harness's cohesion can be maintained by a corrugated sheath, wrapping, or any other method of covering the conductive wires.

[0003] Each wiring harness of interest here comprises at least two wires of substantial cross-section, and optionally other conductive wires of smaller cross-section.

[0004] The invention presented here finds its application in the context of electrically powered vehicles, whether 100% electric or hybrid.

[0005] The vehicle is equipped with an electromotor unit which includes an electric machine proper and a power control unit which controls the currents which pass through the windings of the electric machine.

[0006] A first wiring harness connects the electric motor unit to the vehicle's traction battery. A second wiring harness connects the electric motor unit to the vehicle's charger.

[0007] Furthermore, the electric motor unit is mounted in a suspended manner relative to the vehicle's body (or chassis). Thus, the electric motor unit is subjected to alternating movements and vibrations. Conversely, the vehicle's battery and charger are not suspended and are rigidly connected to the vehicle's body.

[0008] It follows that the two wiring harnesses mentioned above are subject to relative movements throughout the use of the vehicle.

[0009] In this type of configuration, it is essential to avoid any friction induced by the relative movements mentioned above, in order to preserve the integrity of the wiring harnesses and in particular to ensure their mechanical protection in the long term.

[0010] The routing of these wiring harnesses must therefore be kept away from other mechanical components of the electric motor unit and the vehicle in general. Furthermore, the two wiring harnesses must remain separated from each other without mutual contact.

[0011] It is known to provide, for each wiring harness in question, one (or more) cantilevered support bracket, with a retaining collar, in order to keep the wiring harness away from other elements.

[0012] The inventors sought to optimize the solution to maintain a prescribed wiring harness path, from a technical and economic point of view.

[0013] For this purpose, a support bridge is proposed that is suitable for holding two wiring harnesses in position relative to a motor unit housing, in a motor unit of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, the support bridge comprising a first leg, a second leg, and a central portion interposed between the first leg and the second leg, a first receiving rod configured to receive and support a first retaining collar for the first wiring harness, a second receiving rod configured to receive and support a second collar for the second wiring harness, a first fixing end, arranged on the first leg opposite the central portion, configured to be fixed to the motor unit housing, a second fixing end, arranged on the second leg opposite the central portion, configured to be fixed to the motor unit housing.

[0014] Thanks to these arrangements, the bridge solution presents very good mechanical robustness in relation to forces which could tend to twist the support or the cantilevered support leg of the known art.

[0015] Advantageously, the two legs of the trigger guard are securely anchored to the housing. By manufacturing the trigger guard from a 1 mm thick metal blank, a solution is obtained that is at least as robust as two separate cantilevered legs, each obtained from a 2 mm thick blank.

[0016] It should also be noted that the natural vibrational modes of the bridge are found at very high frequencies with very low amplitudes, whereas a cantilevered leg will exhibit a vibrational mode in bending that is easily excitable with higher amplitudes.

[0017] Moreover, a single part as proposed, manufactured in a relevant manner, for example by cutting and bending, provides the holding function for both bundles while the two wiring bundles are separate and without mutual contact.

[0018] The central portion is formed as a flat surface, the legs are inclined at 70° to 80° relative to the flat surface.

[0019] Advantageously, the receiving rods are fixed by welding and each includes an external thread intended to receive a nut.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the first fixing end includes a hole. The first leg can thus be fixed to the housing by screwing in a screw that passes through the hole.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the second fastening end comprises a fork. The fork can be slid around a pre-screwed screw.

[0022] Assembly is thus facilitated. The support bracket can be pre-positioned and then the screwing can be carried out.

[0023] According to an alternative embodiment, the support bridge may further comprise a wing extending from part of the central portion.

[0024] The wing extends diagonally from the central portion.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the first receiving rod is fixed to the central portion and the second receiving rod is fixed to the wing.

[0026] The wing can have a geometry adapted to receive one of the receiving rods according to the desired path of the wiring harness concerned at that location.

[0027] According to one embodiment, an anti-rotation finger is provided on the first end of the fixing, and / or on the second end of the fixing.

[0028] This anti-rotation finger prevents further rotation of the collar while the nut is being tightened. The position of the retaining collar is thus well controlled.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the axes of the rods are separated angularly by at least 60°.

[0030] In many of the applications targeted, the two wiring harnesses have non-parallel paths at the point where they are held on the housing of the electromotor unit.

[0031] The present invention also relates to an electric motor unit for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, comprising a housing, a first wiring harness, a second wiring harness, a support bracket as described above, the electric motor unit further comprising a first retaining collar fixed on the first receiving rod and surrounding the first wiring harness, and a second retaining collar, fixed on the second receiving rod and surrounding the second wiring harness.

[0032] According to one embodiment, a nut is screwed onto the first receiving rod to tighten the first retaining collar, and another nut is screwed onto the second receiving rod to tighten the second retaining collar.

[0033] The present invention also relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, comprising at least one electromotor unit as described above.

[0034] The invention will be further detailed by describing non-limiting embodiments, and based on the accompanying figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which:

[0035] [Fig. 1] schematically represents an example of mounting a running gear and an electric motor unit on the vehicle body, the electric motor unit being suspended relative to the body;

[0036] [Fig.2] shows in perspective view an example of a support bridge according to the present invention;

[0037] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates in perspective the support bridge of the [Fig.2] in position on the electromotor unit, the two wiring harnesses not being shown;

[0038] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates in top view the support bridge of the [Fig.2] in position on the electromotor unit, the two wiring harnesses not being shown;

[0039] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates a typical configuration with the two wiring harnesses shown held by retaining clips fixed to the support bracket, the nuts and screws not having been shown;

[0040] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates in front view and partial section a typical configuration with the two wiring harnesses;

[0041] [Fig.7] shows a detailed view of a retaining collar and the anti-rotation function.

[0042] In the various figures, the same reference numerals designate identical or similar elements. For the sake of clarity, some elements are not necessarily shown to scale.

[0043] Figure 1 schematically shows a portion of an electric vehicle. The body or chassis is designated 1. As is known, a suspension system is provided to connect the running gear, in particular the wheel shown 17, to the body 1. A suspension spring 15 and a wheel shaft 16 are symbolically represented.

[0044] In the configuration shown, the GEM electric motor unit is also mounted in a suspended manner relative to the vehicle body. A suspension spring 14 is symbolically represented, cooperating with engine support rods (not shown) relative to the body 1.

[0045] The GEM electromotor group comprises an electric machine proper and a power control unit 2 which controls the currents which pass through the windings of the electric machine.

[0046] The following are connected to the power control unit 2: firstly, a first wiring harness Fl which connects the control unit 2 to the on-board charger CHG and on the other hand a second bundle, the F2 wiring harness, which connects the control unit 2 to the traction battery BATT installed in the vehicle.

[0047] More specifically, the first wiring harness Fl includes a PI connector which plugs into a base El of the control unit 2. The second wiring harness F2 includes a P2 connector which plugs into another base E2 of the control unit.

[0048] The two wiring harnesses F1,F2 are separate and do not make contact with each other. The two wiring harnesses F1,F2 have different paths and, in particular, different orientations at the location of the support bracket 3.

[0049] The electric machine is housed in a casing 21. At the output of the machine, a reducer is provided in a casing 22. At the output of the reducer, a differential is provided in a casing 26. The casings in question are collectively called the “casing of the electromotor unit”.

[0050] Advantageously according to the present invention, an ingenious solution is provided for maintaining the first wiring harness Fl and the second wiring harness F2 along a predetermined path, with retaining clips positioned at a certain distance from the connectors PI and P2.

[0051] This solution is based on a multi-function support bracket which will be described below.

[0052] Turning towards [Fig.2], the support bridge 3 comprises a central portion 4. A first leg J1 extends downwards from one side of the central portion. A second leg J2 extends downwards from the other side of the central portion.

[0053] The central portion 4 is here formed as a flat surface. The legs are inclined at 70° to 80° to the plane of the flat surface.

[0054] On the first leg Jl, opposite the flat, a first mounting end 11 is arranged. The first mounting end 11 includes a hole lia. The first mounting end 11 is fixed to the differential housing.

[0055] On the second leg J2, opposite the flat, a second fixing end 12 is arranged. The second fixing end comprises a fork 12a. The fork comprises two parallel and spaced arms, intended to frame the body of the fixing screw 52.

[0056] In the illustrated example, the second fixing end is fixed on the housing 22 of the reducer, in a threaded bore 23.

[0057] As can be seen in figures 3 and 4, a first screw 51 is provided to fix the first fixing end 11 on the top of the differential housing, and a second screw 52 is provided to fix the second fixing end 12 on the housing of the electromotor unit.

[0058] The legs J1 and J2 of the support bracket 3 have a length of at least 3 cm which allows the first and second wiring harnesses to be moved significantly away from the housing of the electromotor unit.

[0059] The paths of the two wiring harnesses must also be kept away from the vehicle apron 8 as illustrated in [Fig.6].

[0060] In addition to the clamps connected to the electromotor unit, other clamps are provided connected to the body to guide and hold the wiring harnesses F1,F2 in predefined positions and paths.

[0061] The support bridge 3 includes a first receiving rod Tl configured for receive and support a first retaining collar Cl of the first wiring harness Fl. The first receiving rod Tl is oriented along the axis noted Al.

[0062] The support bridge 3 includes a second T2 mounting rod configured for to receive and support a second collar C2 of the second wiring harness F2. In the illustrated example, the second receiving rod T2 is oriented along the axis marked A2.

[0063] In the illustrated example, the support bracket 3 further comprises a wing 5 extending from part of the central portion. There could be a second wing.

[0064] The wing 5 extends from the central portion 4 with a downward inclination of between 60 and 80° in general and in a particular example of the order of 75°.

[0065] In the illustrated example, the first receiving rod is fixed to the central portion and the second receiving rod is fixed to the wing 5. However, the respective positions of the first receiving rod and the second receiving rod could be different.

[0066] The T1,T2 receiving rods are fixed by welding to the folded cut blank.

[0067] The T1,T2 receiving rods each include an external thread intended to receive a nut.

[0068] The support bracket 3 can be manufactured from a metal blank of thickness close to 1 mm which undergoes a fine cutting and folding process as known in itself therefore not described in detail here.

[0069] The respective axes Al and A2 of the rods are separated angularly by at least 60°.

[0070] The first retaining collar Cl surrounds the first wiring harness Fl. The second retaining collar C2 surrounds the first wiring harness F2.

[0071] Each retaining collar C1,C2 includes an annular ring 92 and a fixing tab 91.

[0072] On the first reception area around the first reception rod Tl, there is a flat and an anti-rotation finger 81, near a flat bearing surface 83 intended to receive the fixing tab 91 of the first retaining collar Cl.

[0073] On the second reception area around the second reception rod T2, there is a flat and an anti-rotation finger 82, near a flat bearing surface 84 intended to receive the fixing tab of the second retaining collar C2.

[0074] As illustrated in [Fig. 7], the anti-rotation finger 81 prevents the collar from rotating clockwise when the nut 7 is screwed onto the receiving rod T1. The anti-rotation finger 81 protrudes out of plane by at least 5 mm, or even more. It is bent after the blank cutting operation.

[0075] It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the type of collar shown; the retaining collar can be of any type: clip-on collar, clamping collar, shrink-fit collar, etc.

[0076] Similarly, the invention covers any geometry of path of the two wiring harnesses to be held at the location of the support bridge.

Claims

Demands

1. A support bracket (3) adapted to hold two wiring harnesses (F1, F2) in position relative to a powertrain housing, in a powertrain (PMU) of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, the support bracket (3) comprising a first leg (J1), a second leg (J2), and a central portion interposed between the first leg (J1) and the second leg (J2), a first receiving rod (T1) configured to receive and support a first retaining collar (C1) of the first wiring harness (F1), a second receiving rod (T2) configured to receive and support a second collar (C2) of the second wiring harness (F2), a first fastening end (11), arranged on the first leg (J1) opposite the central portion, configured to be fixed to the powertrain housing, a second fastening end (12), arranged on the second leg (J2) opposite the central portion central,configured to be fixed to the generator set housing.

2. Support bridge according to claim 1, wherein the first fixing end (11) includes a hole (lia).

3. Bridge-support according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the second fixing end comprises a fork (12a).

4. Support bridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a wing (5) extending from part of the central portion.

5. Support bridge according to claim 4, wherein the first receiving rod (T1) is fixed to the central portion and the second receiving rod (T2) is fixed to the wing (5).

6. Support bridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an anti-rotation finger (81,82) is provided on the first fixing end, and / or on the second fixing end.

7. Support bridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the axes of the rods (A1,A2) are angularly separated by at least 60°.

8. Electric motor unit (EMU) for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, comprising a housing, a first wiring harness (F1), a second wiring harness (F2), a support bracket (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the electric motor unit further comprising a first retaining collar (C1) fixed to the first receiving rod (T1) and surrounding the first wiring harness (F1), and a second retaining collar (C2), fixed to the second receiving rod (T2) and surrounding the second wiring harness (F2).

9. Electromotor unit according to claim 8, wherein a nut (7) is provided screwed onto the first receiving rod to tighten the first retaining collar (Cl), and another nut is screwed onto the second receiving rod to tighten the second retaining collar (C2).

10. Motor vehicle, electric or hybrid, comprising an electric motor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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