Support for the vehicle's charging socket

Abstract

The present invention relates to a support (10) for a hinge (4) of a hinged door, in particular of the bonnet (9), of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle which can be recharged via a charging socket, the support (10) comprising means for fixing said charging socket relative to the support (10).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a support for a hinge of a motor vehicle bonnet, comprising means for holding a charging socket. The present invention also relates to a device comprising such a support. The present invention also relates to a vehicle body comprising such a device. The present invention also relates to a vehicle comprising such a vehicle body, such a device or such a support. The present invention also relates to a method for assembling such a vehicle body. [Background technology]

[0002] Motor vehicles of the electric type, called electric vehicles (EV), or of the rechargeable hybrid type, called plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), are equipped with means for storing electrical energy used to tow and / or propel such vehicles. Such vehicles are equipped with an electrical socket making it possible to connect the storage means of the vehicle to a source of electrical current, whereby a cable, generally fitted at one end with a connector complementary to the socket provided on the vehicle and connected at the other end to a power supply network, makes it possible to transmit electrical energy from such network to the storage means of the vehicle.

[0003] Mounting such sockets to such vehicles, typically the front fenders, is complicated.

[0004] On the one hand, such sockets require space behind them to route the electrical cabling, which may be bulky and / or have a rather large cross section and / or be difficult to bend, and on the other hand, they must be rigidly fixed to the vehicle, given the number of connection / disconnection cycles of the cable's complementary connector that they will be subjected to during the life of such a vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a charging socket support that overcomes the above-mentioned shortcomings. Moreover, the present invention allows optimal positioning of the charging socket to meet the requirements of quality.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a support for a hinge of an opening lid, in particular a bonnet, of a motor vehicle of electric or hybrid type which can be recharged via a charging socket, said support comprising means for holding said charging socket relative to the support.

[0007] The support part is - a means for centering the support, adapted to cooperate with a template for positioning the support; - means for positioning the charging socket relative to a support; The device may further include:

[0008] The means for positioning the charging socket relative to the support may include a circular hole and an oblong hole.

[0009] The means for holding the charging socket may comprise an opening, in particular an internally threaded opening, or an opening with a nut fixed to the remainder of the support, in particular the nut is welded to the remainder of the support.

[0010] The support may be substantially U-shaped, the U including a first leg and a second leg.

[0011] The support can be obtained from sheet material, in particular steel sheet, at least by bending and / or stamping.

[0012] The invention also relates to a device comprising a cowl side reinforcement and a support as defined above, the support being fixed to the cowl side reinforcement, the support extending in a substantially vertical, longitudinal plane, the first leg extending downwards and positioned forward and the second leg extending downwards and positioned rearward.

[0013] The apparatus may include a front pillar, and the second leg may be secured to the front pillar.

[0014] The present invention also relates to a body for a motor vehicle comprising the device defined above, a charging socket, a fender and a bowl fixed to the fender, the bowl comprising a passage opening for the charging socket, the charging socket being centred or substantially centred with respect to the opening in the bowl.

[0015] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a body as defined above, a device as defined above or a support as defined above.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a method for assembling a vehicle body as defined above, said method comprising the steps of: - aligning a body part, a support, a charging socket, a fender and a bowl of an electric or hybrid type vehicle that can be recharged via a charging socket; - fixing to the body part a template for positioning the support with respect to the body part; - centering the support by means of a centering means; - optionally before the step of removing the positioning template, fixing the support by a means for holding the support; - positioning the charging socket on the support by means of a positioning means; - positioning and fixing the fender; - fixing the charging socket by centering it relative to the opening of the bowl, in particular by tightening the means for holding the charging socket on the remaining part of the support. Includes.

[0017] These objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be explained in detail in the following description of embodiments and modes of carrying out the method, shown in a non-limiting manner with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a partial view of a vehicle body according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a detailed view of the bowl and charging socket according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an apparatus according to one embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a front view of a support according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a support according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The direction in which a vehicle travels in a straight line is defined as being the longitudinal direction X. By convention, the direction lying in a plane parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is termed the lateral direction Y. A third direction perpendicular to the other two is termed the vertical direction Z. A rectilinear reference coordinate XYZ is therefore used, where X is the longitudinal direction facing forward or backward on the vehicle, Y is the lateral direction facing to the right and Z is the vertical direction facing upwards. The forward direction corresponds to the direction in which a vehicle normally travels in the longitudinal direction and is opposite to the rearward direction.

[0020] 1 shows diagrammatically a vehicle 1, in particular a motor vehicle, according to one embodiment. The vehicle is of electric type or of rechargeable hybrid type. The vehicle therefore comprises electrical energy storage means 8, preferably a battery, for storing electrical energy used for towing and / or propelling the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 comprises a vehicle body 2.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle body 2 comprises an electric energy charging or recharging socket 6. As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the vehicle 1 or vehicle body 2 comprises a bonnet 9 arranged at the front of the vehicle. The vehicle 1 or vehicle body 2 further comprises a hinge 4 for the bonnet 9 arranged on the left side, as shown in Figure 4. Preferably, the vehicle 1 or vehicle body 2 comprises another hinge for the bonnet 9 arranged on the right side.

[0022] The vehicle body 2 further includes a fender 7. The fender 7 is a front fender, for example the left front fender shown in Figures 1 and 2. The vehicle body 2 further includes a bowl 30 adapted to enclose a charging socket. The bowl 30 is fixed to or relative to the fender 7. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the bowl 30 includes a passage opening 31 for the charging socket 6. Preferably, a cover 20 covers the charging socket 6 and the bowl 30 when the charging socket is not in use.

[0023] The vehicle 1 or the vehicle body 2 further comprises an apparatus 70 shown in FIG.

[0024] The device 70 includes the left cowl side reinforcement 3 in the case of the left fender 7 as shown.

[0025] Preferably, the device 70 further comprises a front pillar 5. If the fender 7 is on the left side, the front pillar 5 is disposed on the left side.

[0026] Of course, if one desires to mount the charging socket on the right side, in the right front mudguard, then the cowl side reinforcement, front pillar, and hinge would be the cowl side reinforcement, front pillar, and hinge on the right side of the vehicle.

[0027] The vehicle or device 70 further comprises a support 10 .

[0028] It is noted that the support 10 is adapted to receive the hinge 4 of the bonnet 9. For example, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the support comprises an upper part 13, which is preferably planar or substantially planar and extends in a longitudinal and lateral plane or substantially in a longitudinal and lateral plane. The hinge 4 is for example fixed to the upper part 13, for example by means of a screw-nut type. Preferably, two internally threaded holes 14 are formed in the upper part 13 to cooperate with two screws passing through holes formed in the hinge 4.

[0029] Advantageously, the support 10 is obtained by bending a sheet material, for example a pre-cut sheet material. For example, the support is obtained directly or additionally by stamping the sheet material. Preferably, the sheet material is made of steel. The thickness of the sheet material is, for example, between 1 mm and 3 mm, preferably around 2 mm. Advantageously, in particular to increase rigidity, the support 10 comprises one or more folded edges 16.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4-6, the support has an overall U-shape, the two branches or legs of which extend downwards when mounted on the vehicle body. In other words, the support 10 is substantially U-shaped, the U comprising a first leg 11 and a second leg 12. More precisely, the support 10 comprises a retaining means 15 for fixing the support to the cowl side reinforcement 3. The retaining means 15 comprises, for example, a total of three holes or openings 17, formed, for example, in an upper part of the support 10, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. For example, the holes 17 have a square shape. Advantageously, the retaining means 15 allows the support to be fixed to the front pillar 5. The retaining means 15 comprises, for example, a total of two holes or openings 18, formed, for example, in a second leg 12 of the support 10, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. For example, the holes 18 have a square shape. In this way, screws, bolts or rivets can cooperate with these holes 17, 18 and with the cowl side reinforcements 3 and / or the front pillars 5 to hold the support 10. Thus, for example, nuts or threaded holes are provided in or against the cowl side reinforcements and / or the front pillars.

[0031] It should be noted that the first leg 11 extends downwards and is located at the front as specified above. The second leg 12 also extends downwards and is located at the rear. In other words, preferably the first leg 11 is in front of the second leg 12. Preferably the first leg 11 and the second leg 12 extend in substantially the same vertical and longitudinal plane. Preferably the support 10 comprises a connecting portion 19 between the first leg 11 and the second leg 12, which extends in the same vertical and longitudinal plane.

[0032] The support 10 further comprises means 60 for holding the charging socket 6 relative to the support 10. In the embodiment shown, the holding means 60 comprises an opening 61. Advantageously, the holding means 60 comprises a nut 62 fixedly attached, for example welded, to the remainder of the support 10. Alternatively, the opening 61 is tapped into the support. Preferably, two holes 61 and / or nuts 62 are provided on the first leg 11 and two holes 61 and / or nuts 62 are provided on the second leg 12. Preferably, the two holes and / or nuts on each leg are as far apart as possible to promote optimal holding of the charging socket 6 on the support 10. Preferably, the four holes and / or nuts are as far apart as possible to promote optimal holding of the charging socket 6 on the support 10. Of course, fewer holes and / or nuts, more holes or nuts or even other systems can be used to fix the socket to the support.

[0033] The support 10 further comprises means 50 for positioning the charging socket 6 relative to the support 10. In the embodiment shown, the positioning means 50 comprise a circular hole 51 and an oblong hole 52. Preferably, one hole is formed in the first leg 11 and the other hole is formed in the second leg 12. Advantageously, both holes 51, 52 are as far apart as possible to promote a high degree of accuracy in positioning the socket relative to the support.

[0034] The support 10 further comprises means 40 for centering the support 10, adapted to cooperate with a template for positioning the support 10 relative to the body part 2'. In the embodiment shown, the centering means 40 comprise a circular hole 41 adapted to control positioning by the template, and an oblong hole 42 or a buttonhole slot. The holes 41, 42 are formed in the connecting part 19. By means of these holes 41, 42 cooperating with the template, the support is accurately positioned longitudinally and vertically.

[0035] An embodiment of the method for assembling the vehicle body 2 will now be described.

[0036] The first step involves aligning a body part 2' of a vehicle of electric or hybrid type, which can be recharged via a charging socket 6. Further aligning the support 10, the charging socket 6, the fender 7 and the bowl 30. It is noted that the body part 2' is preferably already equipped with the front pillars 5 and / or the cowl side reinforcements 3. Preferably, the bowl 30 is facing or already fixed to the fender 7.

[0037] This is followed by a step of fixing a positioning template (not shown) to the body part 2', for example by fixing the positioning template to the front pillar 5 and / or to another element further arranged in the front part of the body part 2'.

[0038] This is followed by a step of centering or guiding the support 10 by means of centering means 40: holes 41, 42 are used to center and position the support with respect to the positioning template. It will be recalled that one hole is preferably circular and the other oval.

[0039] The next step is the fixing of the support 10 by the means 15 which hold it. More precisely, the openings 17 are used to fix the support to the cowl side reinforcement 3, for example by means of screws, bolts or rivets, and the openings 18 are used to fix the support to the front pillar 5, for example by means of screws, bolts or rivets.

[0040] Alternatively, the support 10 is welded to the cowl side reinforcement 3 and / or the front pillar 5.

[0041] Optionally, a step of removing the positioning template is performed.

[0042] This is followed by a step of positioning the charging socket 6 on or facing the support 10 by means of positioning means 50. It will be recalled that the positioning means 50 preferably comprise a circular hole 51 and an oblong hole 52 widely spaced apart from each other. For example, shouldered or unshouldered screws, pins or rods, temporarily or otherwise fixed to the charging socket 6 or to the support 10, cooperate with the holes 51, 52 to position the socket relative to the support.

[0043] This is followed by a step of positioning and fixing the fender 7 to the body part 2'. It will be recalled that the bowl 30 is preferably already fixed to the fender 7.

[0044] This is followed by a step of fixing the charging socket 6 while or after centering it relative to the opening 31 of the bowl 30. Centering means that the gap J surrounding the socket, i.e. between the socket 6 and the opening 31 of the bowl 30, is constant or substantially constant (FIGS. 2 and 3). The gap J is, for example, between 1 mm and 5 mm. This step is preferably performed by tightening the means 60 for holding the charging socket 6 on the remaining part of the support 10, i.e. preferably internally threaded holes or nuts 62 arranged on the legs 11, 12 of the support 10 cooperate with screws passing through the charging socket 6. This fixing step is therefore performed by tightening the screws.

[0045] This solution simplifies the mounting of the charging socket in the vehicle, in particular in the front fender, i.e., although the charging socket requires space behind it to pass electrical cable wiring that may be bulky and / or have a significant cross section and / or be difficult to bend, the support 10 allows it to receive, position and hold the charging socket firmly, reliably and durable, so that the charging socket 6 remains accurately positioned throughout the life of the vehicle, regardless of the load on the charging socket 6 associated with the number of connection / disconnection cycles of the complementary connector of the power cable. The rigidity and / or firmness imparted by the support 10 prevents any play and / or movement, even slight, of the socket during connection / disconnection of the power cable to / from the charging socket, thereby contributing to a high quality feeling of the vehicle by users of such vehicles. It should be noted that this rigidity is achieved in particular by the presence of folded edges 16 at the edge regions of the first leg 11, the second leg 12 and / or the edge region of the connecting portion 19 between the two legs 11, 12. Alternatively or additionally, stamped features may be used to contribute to the desired rigidity and / or strength.

[0046] It will be recalled that the support 10 also serves to hold the hinge 4 of the bonnet 9. In other words, the support 10 performs the support function of the hinge 4 and the support function of the charging socket 6. As a result, the number of "links" of the dimensional chain is reduced, despite the lack of space at this height of the vehicle body. In particular, for example, the dimensional chain passes through the charging socket 6, then through the support 10 of the hinge 4 and the charging socket 6, then through a template for mounting parts or for setting the position of the hinge support and the support of the fender 7, then through the support of the fender 7 and finally through the fender 7. If a common template is installed in place, the solution achieves consistency between the positioning of the support of the hinge, the charging socket and the fender support.

[0047] This reduction in dimensional linkage contributes to improved centering of the charging socket 6 relative to the fender 7 , particularly by eliminating the need for template connections for the cowl side reinforcements 3 .

[0048] Moreover, the solution does not affect other elements, such as the supports of the fender 7, which do not need to be changed. Moreover, the solution does not require the creation of new templates, which is complex and costly.

[0049] In short, the support function of the charging socket 6 is achieved by a downward extension at the front of the hinge support (first leg 11) and a downward and rearward extension of the hinge support (second leg 12) for fixing to the structure of the vehicle body, in this case the front pillar 5.

[0050] As mentioned above, for example, the four holes 61 and / or nuts 62 contribute to fixing and holding the position of the charging socket 6. For example, the two holes 51, 52 make it possible to control the positioning of the charging socket 6 relative to the support 10.

[0051] With this solution, although the bowl 30 is supported by the fender 7 and the support part 10 of the charging socket is supported by the vehicle body, the deviation between the charging socket 6 and the opening 31 of the bowl, and therefore the deviation between the socket 6 and the fender 7, is controlled. In other words, the final gap J between the socket 6 and the opening 31 of the bowl 30 seen by the user is constant. Therefore, the sense of quality is satisfied.

[0052] Furthermore, the solution allows a reduction in the number of parts (single support for two functions, single template), which is advantageous in terms of logistics, storage and / or handling and of course costs.

[0053] Finally, the solution is particularly compact, it is cheap since it requires less material and therefore less in quantity.

[0054] It should therefore be noted that the solution according to the invention achieves the desired objective of simplifying the fitting of charging sockets to rechargeable electric or hybrid vehicles and has the following advantages: - the solution is economical and employs normal manufacturing methods such as cutting, bending and / or stamping sheets; The solution can be used for the entire range of vehicles, even those which have only a small amount of space in front of the front pillars and / or a bonnet which extends forwards only a short distance in the longitudinal direction.

Claims

1. A support (10) for a hinge (4) of a hinged lid, in particular a bonnet (9), of an electric or hybrid type motor vehicle (1) that can be recharged via a charging socket (6), characterized in that it comprises means (60) for holding the charging socket (6) relative to the support (10).

2. means (40) for centering said support (10), adapted to cooperate with a template for positioning said support (10); a means (50) for positioning the charging socket (6) relative to the support (10); The support (10) of claim 1, further comprising:

3. 3. The support (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the means (50) for positioning the charging socket (6) relative to the support (10) comprises a circular hole (51) and an oblong hole (52).

4. 4. A support (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means (60) for holding the charging socket (6) comprises an opening (61), in particular an internally threaded opening or an opening with a nut (62) fixed to the remaining part of the support (10), in particular the nut (62) being welded to the remaining part of the support (10).

5. 4. A support (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the support (10) is substantially U-shaped, the U comprising a first leg (11) and a second leg (12).

6. Support (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is obtained from sheet material, in particular steel sheet, at least by bending and / or stamping.

7. 10. An apparatus (70) comprising a cowl side reinforcement (3) and a support (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the support (10) is fixed to the cowl side reinforcement (3) and that the support (10) extends in a substantially vertical longitudinal plane, the first leg (11) extending downwards and being arranged forward, and the second leg (12) extending downwards and being arranged rearward.

8. 8. Device (70) according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a front pillar (5), said second leg (12) being fixed to said front pillar (5).

9. 10. A vehicle body (2) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising: the device (70) of claim 7; a charging socket (6); a fender (7); and a bowl (30) fixed to the fender (7), the bowl (30) comprising a passage opening (31) for the charging socket (6), the charging socket (6) being centered or substantially centered with respect to the opening (31) of the bowl (30).

10. A motor vehicle (1) characterized in that it has a support part (10) described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

11. 10. A method for assembling a vehicle body (2) according to claim 9, comprising the steps of: Providing a body part (2') of an electric or hybrid type vehicle that can be recharged via a charging socket (6), said support (10), said charging socket (6), said fender (7) and said bowl (30); - fixing a template to the body part (2') for positioning the support (10) relative to the body part (2'); centering said support (10) by means of centering means (40); - fixing said support (10) by a means (15) for holding said support (10), optionally followed by removing said positioning template; positioning the charging socket (6) on the support (10) by a positioning means (50); Positioning and fixing the fender (7); Fixing the charging socket (6) by centering it relative to the opening (31) of the bowl (30), in particular by tightening means (60) that hold the charging socket (6) to the rest of the support (10); A method comprising:

Images