Electrically driven motor vehicle comprising a battery tray comprising at least one side impact crossmember

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrically driven motor vehicle (100) comprising a battery tray (1), the battery tray (1) comprising a battery pack, the battery pack comprising a plurality of batteries (2), each battery (2) comprising an end plate (3), the battery tray (1) comprising a lower plate (4) in the third, vertical direction (Z) and a wall, the battery tray (1) being covered by a cover in the third direction (Z), the battery tray (1) comprising at least one side impact crossmember arranged between two batteries (2), characterised in that the crossmember comprises at least one end (5a) having a first thickness, and a body (5b) having a second thickness, wherein the end (5a) comprises a first material having a first stiffness value and the body (5b) comprises a second material having a second stiffness value, and wherein the second stiffness value is lower than the first stiffness value.

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE OF THE INVENTION: ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A BATTERY BOX COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE LATERAL IMPACT CROSSMEMBER

[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application No. 2309361 filed on 06.09.2023, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The invention relates to the field of passive safety of an electrically powered motor vehicle, and more particularly to the protection of the battery of said vehicle.

[0003] Known from the prior art is a utility model application CN211858708 which describes a battery module, otherwise known as a battery tray, which is impact-resistant. The battery module comprises a first side plate and a second side plate. In addition, the battery module comprises an end plate. The end plate is connected on one side to the first side plate and on the other side to the second side plate. The first side plate, the second side plate and the end plate form a hollow within which an internal battery is located. The first side plate has a concave-convex structure. In the event of a lateral collision of a third-party vehicle or any obstacle with an electric automobile comprising the battery module according to the invention, said first side plate is the first to be impacted. Thus, the concave-convex structure deforms so as to cushion the shock and disperse the impact force.In this way, the risk of damage to said internal battery is reduced. However, a drawback remains. Indeed, this solution is not sustainable. When said vehicle is struck and the first side plate is deformed, then it is necessary to change said battery module entirely or to disassemble said battery module to replace said first side plate. Indeed, in the event of a second impact without prior replacement of said deformed first plate, the second impact is not cushioned. The internal battery is therefore no longer protected.

[0004] The objective of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a battery tray that is resistant to side impacts in a sustainable manner, without the need to replace said battery tray after the impact.

[0005] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes an electrically powered motor vehicle comprising a running gear whose points of contact with the ground define a base plane defined by a first longitudinal direction corresponding to straight-line travel, and by a second transverse direction orthogonal to the first longitudinal direction and a third vertical direction orthogonal to the first longitudinal direction and to the second transverse direction and being oriented away from the ground, said vehicle comprising a battery box, said battery box comprising a battery, said battery comprising a plurality of accumulators, each accumulator comprising an end plate, said battery box comprising a lower plate in the third vertical direction and a wall, said battery box being covered by a cover in the third direction,said battery tray comprising at least one side impact crossmember arranged between two accumulators, said crossmember comprising at least one end having a first thickness and a body having a second thickness, said first thickness being greater than said second thickness, said end comprising a first material having a first stiffness value and said body comprising a second material having a second stiffness value, said second stiffness value being less than the first stiffness value.,

[0006] Thanks to the invention, the battery tray is protected in the event of an impact with a third-party vehicle or any other component. The risk of the battery catching fire following such an impact is then greatly reduced. The crossmember, which is made up of two different materials, means that the vehicle is not too heavy.

[0007] Advantageously, said end comprises a fixing element, said end being fixed to said end plate by means of at least one screw.

[0008] Fixing the end of said cross member with said end plate allows the distribution of the force in order to relieve the body of said cross member from the shock received. The strength of the battery tray is then increased.

[0009] Advantageously, said fixing element comprises a metallic material.

[0010] Metal is a durable, flexible and inexpensive material.

[0011] Preferably, said metallic material comprises a steel material.

[0012] Steel is a particularly strong material that does not deform under the effect of impact.

[0013] Advantageously, said fixing element is a fixing lug.

[0014] A fixing lug allows the junction between said end and said end plate.

[0015] Advantageously, said fixing element is an impactor.

[0016] An impactor is a part with a significant thickness and which will therefore be very unlikely to deform following an impact.

[0017] Preferably, said first thickness is between 1.5 mm and 3 mm, preferably 2 mm.

[0018] This is a sufficient thickness to prevent deformation of said end without weighing down said cross member, and consequently said vehicle.

[0019] Preferably, said second thickness is strictly less than 1.5 mm.

[0020] The body of said cross member has a lesser thickness compared to said end so that the cross member is as light as possible. In this way, said vehicle is not excessively weighed down.

[0021] Advantageously, said crosspiece has a length strictly less than 2 m.

[0022] This means that the crossbar can be installed in most standard vehicles.

[0023] Preferably, said battery tray comprises at least three crosspieces.

[0024] A high number of crossbars increases the shock absorption capacity of the battery tray.

[0025] The invention will be further detailed by the description of non-limiting embodiments, and on the basis of the appended figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which: - [Fig.1] schematically illustrates an electrically powered motor vehicle comprising a battery tray according to the invention; - [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a side impact crossmember according to a first embodiment of the invention; - [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a side impact crossmember according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0026] 1 schematically illustrates an electrically powered motor vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 comprises a running gear whose points of contact with the ground define a base plane XY defined by a first longitudinal direction X corresponding to straight-line travel, and by a second transverse direction Y orthogonal to the first longitudinal direction X and a third vertical direction Z orthogonal to the first longitudinal direction X and to the second transverse direction Y and being oriented away from the ground. The vehicle 100 comprises a battery box 1 comprising four accumulators 2. In addition, the battery box 1 comprises a lower plate 4, a wall and a cover (not shown). Thus, the battery box 1 supports the accumulators 2. All of the accumulators 2 form the battery of said vehicle 100. The battery is the element for generating and storing electrical energy.The electrical energy is then sent to the engine in order to enable the operating state of said vehicle 100. Each accumulator 2 comprises two end plates 3, on either side of said accumulator 2 in the second direction Y. In Figure 1, three side impact crossmembers are illustrated. Each crossmember is arranged between two accumulators 2. Each crossmember comprises two ends 5a and a body 5b. The two ends 5a have a first thickness. The body 5b has a second thickness. The first thickness is strictly greater than the second thickness. Thus, the ends 5a are sufficiently strong to absorb a side impact without deforming while the body 5b is lighter, the vehicle 100 thus not being excessively weighed down. The ends 5a comprise a first material having a first rigidity value. The body 5b. comprises a second material having a second stiffness value. The second stiffness value is lower than said first stiffness value. Thus, the risk of deformation of said ends 5a is reduced in the event of an impact, while the body 5b, less rigid compared to said ends 5a, makes it possible to absorb the impact.

[0027] Figure 2 partially illustrates the impact crossmember according to a first embodiment. The crossmember comprises the end 5a and the body 5b. The crossmember is located between two accumulators 2. Each accumulator comprises the end plate 3. The crossmember comprises a fixing element. In this first embodiment, said fixing element is a fixing lug 7. The fixing lug 7 is a folded flat part allowing the junction between two elements. The fixing lug 7 is held by at least one screw 6. Advantageously, said fixing element comprises a metal material. Preferably, the fixing element comprises a steel material. Indeed, steel is a particularly strong metal. Thus, the risks of deformation of said fixing lug 7 are reduced when it is made of steel, compared to the use of an aluminum material for example.

[0028] 3 schematically illustrates the impact crossmember according to a second embodiment. The fixing element is an impactor 8. The impactor 8 is an element having a high impact resistance, preventing its deformation in the event of a collision. The impactor 8 is an element having a greater thickness than said fixing lug 7 for example, it therefore presents less risk of deformation. However, said impactor 8 is consequently heavier. The impactor 8 forms the junction between said end 5a and said end plate 3. The impactor 8 is held by said at least one screw 6.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Electrically powered motor vehicle (100) comprising a running gear whose points of contact with the ground define a base plane (XY) defined by a first longitudinal direction (X) corresponding to straight-line travel, and by a second transverse direction (Y) orthogonal to the first longitudinal direction (X) and a third vertical direction (Z) orthogonal to the first longitudinal direction (X) and to the second transverse direction (Y) and being oriented away from the ground, said vehicle comprising a battery box (1), said battery box (1) comprising a battery, said battery comprising a plurality of accumulators (2), each accumulator (2) comprising an end plate (3), said battery box (1) comprising a lower plate (4) in the third vertical direction (Z) and a wall, said battery box (1) being covered by a cover in the third direction (Z),said battery tray (1) comprising at least one side impact crossmember arranged between two accumulators (2) characterized in that said crossmember comprises at least one end (5a) having a first thickness and a body (5b) having a second thickness, said first thickness being greater than said second thickness, said end (5a) comprising a first material having a first stiffness value and said body (5b) comprising a second material having a second stiffness value, said second stiffness value being less than the first stiffness value., 2. Vehicle according to claim 1 characterized in that said end (5a) comprises a fixing element, said end (5a) being fixed to said end plate (3) by means of at least one screw (6).

3. Vehicle according to claim 2 characterized in that said fixing element comprises a metallic material.

4. Vehicle according to claim 3 characterized in that said metallic material comprises a steel material.

5. Vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 4 characterized in that said fixing element is a fixing lug (7).

6. Vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 4 characterized in that said fixing element is an impactor (8).

7. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said first thickness is between 1.5 mm and 3 mm, preferably 2 mm.

8. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said second thickness is strictly less than 1.5 mm.

9. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said crosspiece has a length strictly less than 2 m.

10. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said battery tray comprises at least three crosspieces.

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