ELECTRIC OR HYBRID VEHICLE INCLUDING A HEAT PUMP MODULE INCLUDING A BLIND HOLE COUPLED TO A CENTERING DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric or hybrid vehicle comprising a heat pump module (100) and a mounting bracket. The invention also relates to a method for assembling the heat pump module (100) and the mounting bracket. The heat pump module (100) comprises: - a heat pump (111, 112, 113, 114, 115); - a first through hole (110); - a second through hole (120); - a blind hole extending along a longitudinal axis. Furthermore, the mounting bracket comprises: - a first mounting stud fixed to the first through hole by means of a first fastening means; - a second mounting stud fixed to the second through hole by means of a second fastening means; - a centering device coupled to the blind hole. Abstract figure: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: ELECTRIC OR HYBRID VEHICLE COMPRISING A HEAT PUMP MODULE COMPRISING A BLIND HOLE COUPLED WITH A CENTERING FUNCTION

[0001] The invention relates to electric vehicles, that is, those equipped with at least one battery for storing electrical energy for their propulsion. This includes vehicles with a single means of electric propulsion, as well as hybrid vehicles incorporating at least one mode of electric propulsion. More particularly, the invention relates to means of attaching a heat pump module to the vehicle, enabling it to meet the functional requirements of a vehicle heat pump, particularly in terms of performance and size.

[0002] French patent application FR3135693 A1 describes a system for connecting an electric or hybrid vehicle. The system comprises a heat pump, a mounting bracket, and a frame. The mounting bracket has a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the heat pump, and the second end being attached to the frame.

[0003] However, such a system presents accessibility drawbacks, particularly for its assembly. Indeed, installing the mounting bracket requires direct access from both ends, which can be difficult to achieve in confined or cluttered spaces inside the vehicle. This accessibility constraint complicates the assembly process, increases manufacturing time and costs, as well as maintenance and replacement costs, and also limits the available space for the heat pump, which must also meet energy performance requirements.

[0004] Thus, the objective of the present invention is to remedy this drawback by proposing a connection system that facilitates assembly and maintenance while offering installation space for an energy-efficient heat pump.

[0005] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes an electric or hybrid vehicle comprising a heat pump module, the heat pump module comprising: - a heat pump; - a first through hole; - a second through hole; - a blind hole, the vehicle further comprising a mounting support including: - a first mounting stud fixed to the first through hole by means of a first means of fixing; - a second fixing point attached to the second through hole by means of a second fixing means; - a centering device coupled to the blind hole.

[0006] Such a vehicle offers reliable attachment of the heat pump module to the mounting bracket in confined spaces without requiring direct visual access to the means to be assembled, thus facilitating the assembly process in congested areas, for example under the hood of electric and hybrid vehicles, even in the presence of geometric constraints including crash wall constraints, accessibility, and factory assembly requirements. Thus, the heat pump module has a compact functional volume, particularly for the heat pump itself, while still leaving sufficient space for short-circuit protection of the heat pump in the event of a crash, for example, against the cooling system and the vehicle's bulkhead.Furthermore, the heat pump module thus fixed has a limited footprint compared to the space occupied by other components, for example under-hood components such as the electric propulsion module, ensuring available space, in particular for protection in the event of a pedestrian impact on the vehicle's hood.

[0007] Furthermore, the blind hole is provided to allow only one degree of freedom per rotation of the heat pump module when the centering device is coupled to the blind hole.

[0008] Advantageously, the heat pump is positioned opposite the blind hole.

[0009] This makes it possible to comply with the geometric constraints imposed by the pump heat while facilitating the alignment of the blind hole with the centering device during assembly, introducing mounting configurations where the risk of assembly error and the need for manual corrections are reduced.

[0010] Advantageously, the blind hole includes a means of retention.

[0011] Such retaining tabs make it possible to limit the movement of the heat pump module to a single degree of freedom when the blind hole is coupled to the centering device; in particular, the blind hole ensures the rotation of the heat pump module around the longitudinal axis, thus providing precise alignment of the flanges during their connection. This also allows for precise blind mounting, even in the absence of direct visibility.

[0012] Advantageously, the heat pump module includes a third through hole and the mounting bracket includes a third mounting stud fixed to the third through hole by means of a third fastening means.

[0013] The addition of a third through hole provides additional fastening, improving the stability of the heat pump module on the mounting bracket. This also increases the system's resistance to vibration and mechanical stress, particularly under static fatigue, thus extending the service life of the fastening means during vehicle use.

[0014] Advantageously, the heat pump includes an air conditioning compressor.

[0015] Advantageously, the centering device includes a ball joint.

[0016] Due to its shape, the ball joint has sufficient rigidity so that, where the mechanical stresses of vibrations are greater, the device offers solid support, in particular against mechanical fatigue forces transmitted by the heat pump.

[0017] Furthermore, this shape means that the precise alignment of the centering device and the blind hole, considered angularly with respect to the longitudinal axis, is not particularly important, thus facilitating assembly, especially when the centering device is not directly visible during assembly. In addition, the centering device, in the form of a ball joint, has a rounded end so as to straighten the blind hole to align it with the centering device along the longitudinal axis, ensuring precise centering.

[0018] Advantageously, the blind hole includes a vibration filtering means.

[0019] Such a vibration filtering device makes it possible to filter the vibrations transmitted by the heat pump. Conversely, such a vibration filtering device makes it possible to filter the vibrations transmitted by other vehicle components, for example the vehicle's electric motor or internal combustion engine, so that the excitations transmitted to the heat pump are attenuated. In general, this vibration filtering is capable, depending on the case, of attenuating the transmitted vibrations or modifying the frequency of the transmitted vibrations so that the vehicle benefits from improved noise comfort and prevents premature wear of its parts.

[0020] Such a vibration filtering means is designed to have sufficient flexibility to be easily fitted onto the centering device.

[0021] Furthermore, the vibration filtering means has sufficient rigidity to remain held in the desired position when attached to the centering device, in particular a position where the axis of the vibration filtering means is substantially aligned with that of the centering device.

[0022] For example, the vibration filtering means comprises a rubber material, possibly synthetic. Generally, the material is chosen according to the aforementioned operating constraints as well as the vibration attenuation requirements and manufacturing methods.

[0023] Advantageously, the centering device includes a shoulder.

[0024] The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a vehicle as defined above, the method comprising the following steps: - a coupling step of the centering device to the blind hole; - a step of aligning the first through hole with the first fixing stud and the second through hole with the second fixing stud; - a step of fixing the first fixing stud to the first through hole by means of the first fixing means and the second fixing stud to the second through hole by means of the second fixing means.

[0025] The process for fixing the heat pump module onto the factory mounting bracket is facilitated, such as for the preparation of the powertrain, in particular by screwing with a vertical screwdriver respectively on the first through hole and the second through hole.

[0026] Advantageously, the heat pump module includes a third through hole and the mounting bracket includes a third mounting stud, the method further comprising: - a step of fixing the third fixing stud to the third through hole by means of the third fixing means.

[0027] The invention will be further detailed by describing non-limiting embodiments, and based on the accompanying figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which: - [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates a perspective view of the heat pump module of an electric or hybrid vehicle and a mounting bracket, according to an embodiment of the invention; - [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a view from below of the heat pump module shown in [Fig.1]; - [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a detailed view of a centering device coupled to a blind hole of the heat pump module illustrated in [Fig.1]; - [Fig.4] illustrates a flowchart representing the steps of a process for assembling the heat pump module and the mounting bracket of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electric or hybrid vehicle comprises a heat pump module 100, as illustrated in [Fig. 1]. The heat pump module 100 comprises a heat pump, including for example a compressor 111, in particular an electric air conditioning compressor.

[0029] In other embodiments, the heat pump includes a condenser 112, such as a water condenser, a manifold 113 including pipes, a cooling unit 114, an accumulator 115, a valve, for example of the solenoid valve type or a sensor.

[0030] The heat pump module and a mounting bracket comprising a first mounting stud 210 and a second mounting stud 220 are schematically illustrated in [Fig. 1].

[0031] The heat pump module includes a blind hole 140.

[0032] Furthermore, according to the invention, the vehicle also includes a mounting bracket.

[0033] The mounting support, which also includes a centering device 240 having a first end 241 and a second end 242, is schematically illustrated in [Fig.3]. The blind hole 140 is coupled to the centering device 240.

[0034] Furthermore, the centering device 240 preferably extends substantially along a longitudinal axis X. In this embodiment, the heat pump is positioned opposite the blind hole 140 along the longitudinal axis X.

[0035] The first end of the centering device 241 advantageously comprises a ball joint 241 and a collar 243. The ball joint 241 has a first section extending along a transverse axis Y perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and corresponding, for example, to the diameter of the ball joint 241. The collar 243 has a second cross-section transverse to the longitudinal axis X. Preferably, the first section is larger than the second section.

[0036] The blind hole 140 is configured to couple and decouple with the centering device 240 according to a relative movement, along the longitudinal axis X, bringing the blind hole 140 closer to the centering device 240. For example, the centering device 240 has a fixed position, the blind hole 140 being brought back to the centering device 240 by translation of the blind hole 140 towards the centering device 240, substantially along the longitudinal axis X.

[0037] The blind hole 140 comprises a first end and a second end. The first end of the blind hole comprises a bottom, while the second end of the blind hole advantageously comprises a retaining means. For example, the retaining means comprises a first retaining tab 141' and a second retaining tab 141" configured to have a first and a second conformation. Alternatively, the retaining means comprises an annular shape extending circumferentially around the longitudinal axis X.

[0038] In the first conformation, a first distance separates the first retaining lug 141' and the second retaining lug 141” along the transverse axis Y when the centering 240 is in a first predetermined position relative to the blind hole 140, the first end 241 of the centering 240 being in contact with the first retaining lug 141' and the second retaining lug 141” on an external periphery of the ball joint 241 considered according to the first section in the first predetermined position.

[0039] The centering device 240 advantageously includes a shoulder 244. The centering device 240 includes a bearing surface between the shoulder 244 and the ball joint 241.

[0040] In the second conformation, a second distance separates the first retaining lug 141' and the second retaining lug 141” along the transverse axis Y when the centering device 240 is in a second predetermined position relative to the blind hole 140, the first retaining lug 141' and the second retaining lug 141” cooperating with the bearing surface so that the ball joint 241 is retained in the blind hole 140 in the second predetermined position, the first retaining lug 141' and the second retaining lug 141” being, for example, abutted against the ball joint 241.

[0041] When the centering device 240 transitions from the first conformation to the second conformation, the first retaining tab 141' and the second retaining tab 141" slide on the centering device 240, reducing friction. The first retaining tab 141' and the second retaining tab 141" fold back onto the centering device 240 by elastic return, particularly onto the bearing surface. Thus, the first distance is greater than the second distance. Consequently, the centering device 240 is easily coupled with the blind hole 140.

[0042] The blind hole 240 advantageously includes a vibration filtering means 141. The vibration filtering means 141 is configured to be fitted onto the second end 242 of the centering device 240. The vibration filtering means 141 advantageously includes a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end being configured to be displaced relative to each other.

[0043] In this way, such a form of the vibration filtering means 141 offers a more uniform distribution of the mechanical stresses by which the vibration filtering means 141 is stressed while ensuring compatibility with various sizes of the second end 242 of the centering device 240.

[0044] The vibration filtering means 141 advantageously has an inner periphery configured to fit an outer periphery of the second end 242 of the centering device 240, the inner periphery and the outer periphery having shapes such that when the vibration filtering means 141 is fitted, the second end 242 of the centering device 240 forces the first end and the second end of the vibration filtering means 141 to move away from each other so that the inner periphery conforms to the shape of the outer periphery.

[0045] When the vibration filtering means 141 is fitted, the deformation it undergoes is designed so that the vibration filtering means 141 remains within its elastic range. In this way, the vibration filtering means 141, by elastic return, remains tightly clamped onto the second end 242 of the centering device 240. Furthermore, due to the definition of its elastic range, the filtering means The vibration filter 141 can be detached from the second end 242 of the centering device 240, for example by separating the first and second ends of the vibration filter 141 from each other. Therefore, the vibration filter 141 is easily replaced during maintenance of the assembly.

[0046] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the inner periphery of the vibration filtering means 141 and the outer periphery of the second end 242 of the centering device 240 are spherical. The inner periphery is designed to have an inner diameter less than or equal to the outer diameter of the outer periphery of the second end 242 of the centering device 240. Furthermore, the inner diameter is greater than the outer diameter when the first and second ends of the vibration filtering means 141 are separated. Finally, in the socketed configuration of the vibration filtering means 141, the inner diameter is substantially equal to the outer diameter.

[0047] The shoulder 244 is configured to abut against the mounting support. Indeed, the assembly mechanically stresses the vibration filtering means 141, which is fitted in place, by a compressive force along the longitudinal axis X. For example, the blind hole 140 exerts a compressive force from itself towards the centering device 240.

[0048] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the heat pump module 100 includes a first open hole 110 and a second open hole 120.

[0049] The first mounting stud 210 is fixed to the first through hole 110 by means of a first fastening means. Similarly, the second mounting stud 220 is fixed to the second through hole 120 by means of a second fastening means. Preferably, the fastening is achieved by screwing, and generally, by a fastening means including clamping, bonding, welding, crimping, or riveting.

[0050] The heat pump module 100 advantageously includes a third through hole 130. Furthermore, the mounting support advantageously includes a third mounting stud 230. The third mounting stud 230 is fixed to the third through hole 130 by means of a third fixing means.

[0051] A flowchart of a method for assembling the heat pump module 100 and the mounting bracket is illustrated in [Fig.4], according to an embodiment of the invention, steps of the method being described below.

[0052] In a coupling step El, the centering device 240 is coupled to the blind hole 140.

[0053] In an alignment step E2, the first through hole 110 is aligned with the first fixing stud and the second through hole 120 is aligned with the second fixing stud 220.

[0054] For example, the heat pump module 100 is rotated, preferably around the longitudinal axis X, so as to align the first through hole 110 with the first fixing means 210 and the second through hole 120 with the second fixing means 220.

[0055] In a fixing step E3, the first fixing stud 210 is fixed to the first through hole by means of the first fixing means and the second fixing stud 220 is fixed to the second through hole 120 by means of the second fixing means.

[0056] Preferably, the outermost through hole among the through holes of the heat pump module is fixed first. For example, the heat pump module is installed first through the first through hole using the first fixing means 210.

[0057] The method advantageously includes a fixing step E4, the third fixing stud 230 being fixed to the third through hole 130 by means of the third fixing means.

Claims

Demands

1. Electric or hybrid vehicle comprising a heat pump module (100), the heat pump module comprising: - a heat pump (111, 112, 113, 114, 115); - a first through hole (110); - a second through hole (120); - a blind hole (140), the vehicle further comprising a mounting support comprising: - a first mounting stud (210) fixed to the first through hole (110) by means of a first fastening means; - a second mounting stud (220) fixed to the second through hole (120) by means of a second fastening means; - a centering device (240) coupled to the blind hole (140).

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat pump (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) is arranged opposite the blind hole (140).

3. Vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the blind hole (140) includes a retention means (141).

4. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the heat pump module (100) includes a third through hole (130) and the mounting bracket includes a third mounting stud (230) fixed to the third through hole (130) by means of a third fastening means.

5. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the heat pump (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) includes an air conditioning compressor (111).

6. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the centering device (240) comprises a ball joint (241).

7. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the blind hole (140) includes a vibration filtering means (141).

8. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the centering device (240) includes a shoulder (244).

9. A method for assembling a heat pump module (100) to a vehicle mounting bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the method comprising the following steps: - a coupling step (E1) of the centering device (240) to the blind hole (140); - an alignment step (E2) of the first through hole (110) with the first fixing stud (210) and of the second through hole (120) with the second fixing stud (220); - a fixing step (E3) of the first fixing stud (210) to the first through hole (110) by means of the first fixing means and of the second fixing stud (220) to the second through hole (120) by means of the second fixing means.

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the heat pump module (100) comprises a third through hole (130) and the mounting support comprises a third mounting stud (230), the method further comprising: - a step of fixing (E4) the third mounting stud (230) to the third through hole (130) by means of the third fixing means.

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