Support part for an underbody assembly interface of a motor vehicle, underbody assembly and motor vehicle including such an assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a support part (9) for an interface for converting power from a source of mains alternating current into direct current intended to supply a traction battery of a motor vehicle, the support part being intended to be secured in an underbody assembly near a fuel tank and comprising a central face (11) bordered by lateral edges (13) comprising one edge intended to be mounted facing the tank. According to the invention, the lateral edge intended to be mounted facing the tank includes a contact surface (17) extending perpendicularly relative to the central face. The invention also relates to an underbody assembly and to a vehicle that includes such a underbody assembly.

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE: Support part of an interface of an underbody assembly of a motor vehicle, underbody assembly and motor vehicle comprising such an assembly [Technical field]

[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application 2400515 filed on January 18, 2024, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. The invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, in particular to the field of passive safety of the motor vehicle in the event of a side impact.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a support part for an interface for converting energy from an alternating current source of the network into direct current.

[0003] The invention also relates to an underbody assembly for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle comprising such an underbody assembly. [State of the prior art]

[0004] A motor vehicle body structure comprises a set of sheet metal structural elements providing stiffness to the motor vehicle, assembled together and forming the frame of the motor vehicle.

[0005] The body structure comprises, in particular, among these sheet metal elements, a left side structure and a right side structure. Each side structure comprises a set of upper and lower horizontal elements, extending substantially longitudinally relative to the body, and a set of vertical elements, extending substantially vertically relative to the body. The lower horizontal elements comprise lateral longitudinal side members defining a portion of the perimeter of an underbody assembly of the body.

[0006] The body structure also includes, among these sheet metal elements, a floor defining a part of the platform of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0007] When the vehicle is a hybrid motor vehicle comprising a thermal engine and an electric motor which operate simultaneously or alternately so as to reduce the power consumed by the motor vehicle, for example a plug-in hybrid vehicle (a so-called "PHEV" motor vehicle, an acronym for "Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle"), the vehicle comprises at the level of the underbody assembly a traction battery, supplying the electric motor of the vehicle, and a fuel tank made of plastic material.

[0008] At the level of the underbody assembly, such a hybrid motor vehicle also includes an interface called "OBC", an English acronym for "On Board Charger", designating an interface for converting energy from the alternating current source of the network into direct current, intended to supply the traction battery when it is recharged at a charging station.

[0009] The OBC interface is held in the underbody assembly by a metal support piece fixed in the architecture of the vehicle's underbody assembly near the fuel tank.

[0010] Among the many tests used for the approval of motor vehicles, a so-called "pole" impact, also called "side impact", is carried out, in particular in order to reveal performance criteria relating to the protection of occupants.

[0011] This test consists of projecting the motor vehicle at a speed of approximately 30 km / h laterally against a rigid post, so that the vehicle defines an angle of approximately 75° to 90° relative to the post.

[0012] In a side impact, the post becomes embedded in the motor vehicle at the level of the front door on the driver's side or passenger's side.

[0013] It has been noted that, during such a post impact, the longitudinal side member deforms, causing deformation of the attachment areas of the OBC interface support part.

[0014] This deformation causes the OBC interface support part to move towards the fuel tank and, as it moves, the OBC interface support part comes into contact with the fuel tank.

[0015] The geometry of the OBC interface support part is such that when it contacts the fuel tank, the fuel tank is punched or sheared by the OBC interface support part.

[0016] This results in a very high risk that the impact of the OBC interface support part against the fuel tank will significantly damage the fuel tank, given that the fuel tank is made of plastic material. This is a major obstacle to the motor vehicle passing the side impact resistance tests.

[0017] Furthermore, this poses a risk of fire, either due to damage to the traction battery or due to damage to the fuel tank.

[0018] A solution to move the OBC interface and its support away from the fuel tank would not be feasible given the overall architecture of the motor vehicle.

[0019] Also, a solution aimed at using a fuel tank made of metal material rather than plastic material would not be feasible either. Indeed, a metal tank would be significantly more expensive than a plastic tank. Also, the added mass would be too great and would go against the overall objective of seeking to reduce the mass of the motor vehicle. [Statement of the invention]

[0020] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, and to do so relates to a support part for an interface for converting energy from an alternating current source of the network into direct current, said interface being intended to supply a traction battery of a rechargeable hybrid type motor vehicle when recharging said traction battery on a charging terminal, said support part being intended to be fixed in an underbody assembly of said motor vehicle near a fuel tank, said support part comprising a central face bordered laterally by a set of lateral edges comprising a lateral edge intended to be mounted opposite said fuel tank when said support part is mounted in said underbody assembly of said motor vehicle,said support part being remarkable in that said lateral edge intended to be mounted opposite said fuel tank comprises a support flank extending perpendicularly relative to said central face,

[0021] Thus, by providing a lateral edge of the support part which comprises a support flank extending perpendicularly relative to the central face of the support part, in the event of a lateral impact, a flat support is produced between the support part and the fuel tank at the level of the support flank, which makes it possible to avoid punching and / or shearing the fuel tank.

[0022] This eliminates the risk of tearing the fuel tank when the support part comes into contact with the fuel tank, making it easy to preserve the integrity of the fuel tank in the event of a side impact.

[0023] Thus, thanks to the present invention, any risk of fire starting due to deterioration of the batteries or deterioration of the fuel tank is avoided.

[0024] According to optional features of the support part: - said support blank extends over the entirety of said lateral edge intended to be mounted opposite of said fuel tank; - said support blank has a height H of between approximately 5mm and approximately 30mm; - said height H of said support blank is equal to approximately 10 mm; - said central face has an openwork area; - said openwork area extends over an area of between approximately 20% and approximately 30% of the total area of said central face.

[0025] The invention also relates to an underbody assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising a fuel tank and a support part for an interface for converting energy from an alternating current source of the network into direct current fixed near said fuel tank, remarkable in that said support part is according to the invention.

[0026] According to optional features of the underbody assembly: - the fuel tank comprises two half-shells connected together at a joint plane and said support part is arranged in said base assembly so that said support blank extends above said joint plane; - the distance defined between said joint plane and said support flank is between approximately 2cm and approximately 3cm.

[0027] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an underbody assembly, remarkable in that said underbody assembly is according to the invention. [Description of the drawings]

[0028] Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0029] [Fig. 1] shows a motor vehicle according to the invention, seen from below.

[0030] [Fig. 2] is a perspective view from above of a support part according to the invention of an interface for converting energy from the alternating current source of the network to direct current.

[0031] [Fig. 3] shows in perspective from above an example of the arrangement of the support part of the invention and the fuel tank. [Description of embodiments]

[0032] In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure or similar functions are designated by the same reference.

[0033] By convention, we will adopt, without limitation, longitudinal, vertical and transverse orientations indicated by the direct trihedron (L, V, T) designating the longitudinal, vertical and transverse axes of the vehicle.

[0034] In the following, the terms "left", "right", "lower" and "upper" are understood in relation to the vehicle. Similarly, the terms "front" and "rear" are understood in relation to the general orientation of the vehicle as taken in its normal direction of travel.

[0035] Reference is made to Figure 1 showing a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention, seen from below.

[0036] The motor vehicle 1 is of the hybrid type comprising a thermal engine and an electric motor which operate simultaneously or alternately, for example of the rechargeable hybrid type (motor vehicle known as “PHEV”, English acronym for “Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle”).

[0037] At the level of its underbody assembly 3, the motor vehicle 1 comprises a traction battery 5, supplying the electric motor of the vehicle, and a fuel tank 7, made of plastic material, supplying the thermal engine of the vehicle.

[0038] The motor vehicle 1 also comprises an interface called “OBC” (not shown), an English acronym for “On Board Charger”, designating an interface for converting energy from the alternating current source of the network into direct current, intended to supply the traction battery when it is recharged at a charging station.

[0039] The OBC interface is held in the underbody assembly 3 by a metallic support part 9, fixed in the architecture of the underbody assembly 3 of the vehicle near the fuel tank 7.

[0040] Refer to Figure 2 showing the support part 9 of the OBC interface in top perspective.

[0041] The support part 9 comprises a central face 11 extending in a support plane P s and bordered laterally by a set of lateral edges 13. The support plane Ps extends in a plane (L, T) of the motor vehicle 1 when the support part is fixed to the underbody assembly 3.

[0042] The support part 9 further comprises a set of fixing lugs 15 adapted to allow the support part 9 to be fixed to the underbody assembly 3 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0043] Among the lateral edges 13 of the support part 9, the lateral edge intended to be mounted opposite the fuel tank 7 (visible in FIG. 1) when the support part 9 is mounted in the underbody assembly 3 comprises a support blank 17 extending perpendicularly relative to the central face 11. Thus, the support blank 17 is contained in a support plane PA perpendicular to the support plane Ps in which the central face 11 is contained. The support plane PA extends in a plane (L, V) of the motor vehicle 1 when the support part is fixed to the underbody assembly 3.

[0044] In other words, the support blank 17 defines a fallen edge at the level of the lateral edge intended to be mounted opposite the fuel tank 7. In this way, in the event of a lateral impact, a flat support is produced between the support part 9 and the fuel tank 7 at the level of the support blank 17, which makes it possible to avoid punching and / or shearing the fuel tank 7.

[0045] According to one arrangement of the invention, the support blank extends over the entire lateral edge intended to be mounted opposite the fuel tank 7.

[0046] According to one arrangement of the invention, the height H of the support blank 17 is at least equal to approximately 5 mm in order to form a flat support of sufficient height to avoid punching and / or shearing of the fuel tank 7 during contact between the support part 9 and the fuel tank 7.

[0047] According to another arrangement of the invention, the height H of the support blank 17 can be between approximately 5 mm and approximately 30 mm.

[0048] In a particular embodiment of the support part 9, the height H of the support blank 17 is equal to approximately 10 mm.

[0049] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the central face 11 of the support part 9 comprises an openwork zone 19.

[0050] The presence of the openwork zone 19 makes it possible to provide structural flexibility to the support part 9, which makes it possible to further limit the risk of punching and / or shearing of the fuel tank 7 during contact between the support part 9 and the fuel tank 7.

[0051] In a particular embodiment of the support part 9, the openwork zone 19 extends over a surface area of between approximately 20% and approximately 30% of the total surface area of the central face 11 of the support part 9. This range of values makes it possible to give the support part 9, on the one hand, the rigidity necessary to maintain the OBC interface in the base assembly 3 and, on the other hand, the flexibility useful for reducing the risk of punching and / or shearing of the fuel tank 7 during contact between the support part 9 and the fuel tank 7.

[0052] The shape of the openwork area shown in the figures is given as a non-limiting example and can be adapted in particular according to the architecture of the base assembly 3.

[0053] Reference is made to Figure 3 showing in top perspective an example of arrangement of the support part 9 of the OBC interface and the fuel tank 7.

[0054] In a particular embodiment, the fuel tank 7 may comprise two half-shells made of plastic material connected together at a joint plane 21, also called a seam line, shown schematically in dotted lines in Figure 3.

[0055] According to an arrangement of the underbody assembly 3, the support piece 9 is arranged in the underbody assembly 3 so that the support blank 17 extends above the joint plane 21 of the fuel tank 7.

[0056] In this way, the impact zone of the support part 9 is moved away from the joint plane 21, the most fragile zone of the fuel tank 7, which makes it possible to further preserve the fuel tank 7.

[0057] In a particular embodiment of the base assembly 3, the distance D defined between the joint plane 21 and the support side 17 is between approximately 2 cm and approximately 3 cm.

[0058] More particularly, the distance D is measured between the joint plane 21 and a lower edge 23 of the support blank 17.

[0059] As goes without saying, the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiments of this support part, this underbody assembly and this motor vehicle comprising such an underbody assembly, described above solely as illustrative examples, but on the contrary it embraces all the variants involving the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. Support piece (9) of an interface for converting energy from an alternating current source of the network into direct current, said interface being intended to supply a traction battery of a motor vehicle (1) of the rechargeable hybrid type when recharging said traction battery on a charging terminal, said support piece (9) being intended to be fixed in a base assembly (3) of said motor vehicle (1) near a fuel tank (7), said support piece (9) comprising a central face (11) bordered laterally by a set of lateral edges (13) comprising a lateral edge intended to be mounted opposite said fuel tank (7) when said support piece (9) is mounted in said base assembly (3) of said motor vehicle (1),said support part (9) being characterized in that said lateral edge intended to be mounted opposite said fuel tank (7) comprises a support blank (17) extending perpendicularly relative to said central face (11).,

2. Support piece (9) according to claim 1, characterized in that said support blank (17) extends over the entirety of said lateral edge intended to be mounted opposite said fuel tank (7).

3. Support piece (9) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said support blank (17) has a height (H) of between approximately 5mm and approximately 30mm.

4. Support piece (9) according to claim 3, characterized in that said height (H) of said support blank (17) is equal to approximately 10 mm.

5. Support piece (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said central face (11) comprises an openwork zone (19).

6. Support piece (9) according to claim 5, characterized in that said openwork zone (19) extends over a surface area of between approximately 20% and approximately 30% of the total surface area of said central face (11).

7. Underbody assembly (3) of a motor vehicle (1), comprising a fuel tank (7) and a support part (9) of an interface for converting energy from an alternating current source of the network into direct current fixed near said fuel tank (7), characterized in that said support part (9) is according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Underbody assembly (3) according to claim 7, wherein the fuel tank (7) comprises two half-shells connected together at a joint plane (21), characterized in that said support piece (9) is arranged in said underbody assembly (3) so that said support blank (17) extends above said joint plane (21).

9. Base assembly (3) according to claim 8, characterized in that the distance (D) defined between said joint plane (21) and said support side (17) is between approximately 2cm and approximately 3cm.

10. Motor vehicle (1) comprising an underbody assembly (3), characterized in that said underbody assembly (3) is according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

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