Device for controlling a cut-off member of a high-voltage electric circuit for a motor vehicle, support flange for the device and motor vehicle equipped with the device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for controlling a cut-off member of a high-voltage electric circuit for a motor vehicle, the control device comprising a low-voltage control member (2) for controlling the cut-off member, the control member (2) comprising two parts (6, 8) able to be movable relative to one another during manipulation by a user in order to actuate the cut-off member, the device further comprising a flange (10) for attaching the control member (2) to a fixed support (12) of the vehicle, the flange (10) being configured to form a cover (14) for protecting and / or concealing the control member (2) from view while still allowing for manipulation of the parts (6, 8).

Description

Description Title of the invention: Control device for a high-voltage electrical circuit breaker for a motor vehicle, support bracket for said device, and motor vehicle equipped with said device

[0001] The invention relates to a control device for a high-voltage electrical circuit breaker in a motor vehicle, a support bracket for said device, and a motor vehicle equipped with said device. Its applications will be particularly relevant in electric motor vehicles.

[0002] In the event of accidents or maintenance operations on an electric vehicle, it is necessary to cut off the high-voltage electrical circuit of the vehicle so that rescue teams or automotive technicians can intervene safely.

[0003] For this purpose, it is known that there are fire-saving devices concealed under a rear seat of the vehicle. Once the seat has been removed by the person intervening, the fire-saving device can be activated by manually pulling a handle.

[0004] One advantage of such a configuration, given the difficult-to-access location of the device, is that it prevents its unintentional activation by an uninformed person.

[0005] However, while this is fully justified for accident response, it might be desirable to have a more easily handled device for vehicle maintenance interventions.

[0006] In this sense, according to one aspect of the invention, a high-voltage electrical circuit switching device for a motor vehicle is proposed, said switching device comprising a first high-voltage switching element configured to be triggered by a low-voltage electrical current, in particular a relay, and a control element for said switching element, said switching element and said control element being respectively intended to be located in a first zone and a second zone of the vehicle, the second zone being more easily accessible than the first zone.

[0007] Such a solution makes it possible to have a cutting device whose triggering is obtained without having to manipulate a difficult-to-access component.

[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, which may or may not be taken in combination with the preceding aspect, a control device for a high-voltage electrical circuit breaker for a motor vehicle is proposed, said control device comprising a low-voltage control element for said circuit breaker, said control element comprising two parts capable of being movable, one compared to the other during manipulation by a user for the purpose of activating the cutting element, said device further comprising a flange for fixing said control element to a fixed support of the vehicle, said flange being configured to form a protective and / or masking cover of the control element from view while leaving the manipulation of said parts free.

[0009] By using a control device operated by user manipulation, it is possible to use relatively standard control devices. Furthermore, by protecting and / or concealing the control device with a cover on its mounting flange, the risk of it being unintentionally manipulated by an untrained user is reduced.

[0010] The invention thus makes it possible to use a relatively standard control element that can be placed in a location easily accessible to a professional user, without the risk of it being triggered unintentionally. Furthermore, the flange cover protects the control element, which may not be watertight, from liquid splashes.

[0011] According to various additional features of the invention, which may be taken together or separately and which constitute so many embodiments of the invention: - said low-voltage control device is configured to allow said mobility of said two parts by means of a combination of actuation of one of said two parts, said actuated part, by combined movements of at least two hand tools, - said flange is configured to allow access to said actuated part for said tooling, - said flange is formed from a stamped sheet metal, - said flange has a body configured to be fixed to said fixed support - said first support leg originates from said body, - said low-voltage control unit is attached to said first support leg, - said first leg has an inverted U-shaped portion, a bottom part of said portion capping said low-voltage control element and connecting lateral parts running alongside said low-voltage control element, said portion being open along an actuation axis of said low-voltage control element to allow the mobility of one of said parts, - said U-shaped portion is located at one end of said first support leg, - said flange has fixing holes for said fixed support located at opposite ends of said body along a longitudinal extension direction of said body, - said flange has a second support tab, - said second support leg is extended from said body at a distance from said first support leg, - said second support bracket is configured for attaching a first electrical cable or wiring harness of the vehicle, - said flange has a third support tab, - said third support leg originates from said second support leg, - said third support bracket is configured for attaching a second cable or wiring harness of the vehicle's electrical system, - the said first, second and / or third support legs are angled, - said flange has a stiffening fold along said leg(s), in particular along said first leg between said body and said U-shaped portion, - said flange includes a positioning hook on said fixed support - said hook is derived from said body.

[0012] The invention also relates to the support flange for the control device mentioned above.

[0013] The invention further relates to a vehicle comprising an engine compartment and a high-voltage electrical circuit equipped with a switching device, said vehicle further comprising a control device as described above for actuating said switching device, said control device being located in said engine compartment.

[0014] According to various additional features of the invention, which may be taken together or separately and which constitute so many embodiments of the invention: - said shut-off device is located in said engine compartment, specifically at the rear of said engine compartment, - said fixed support includes a battery tray, specifically for low-voltage batteries, - said first cable or bundle of electrical cables connects a first component of said vehicle, movable in said engine compartment, to a second component of said vehicle, fixed in said engine compartment, - said second cable or bundle of electrical cables consists of a charging cable or bundle of charging cables, intended to connect said electrical circuit, directly or indirectly, to an electrical network external to the vehicle.

[0015] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent in the course of the detailed explanatory description which follows, of at least one embodiment of the invention given by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, among which:

[0016] [Fig.1] schematically illustrates in perspective from above an example of a flange, an example of a control device comprising said flange and an example of the installation of said control device in an engine compartment of a vehicle, in accordance with the invention;

[0017] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates in perspective from another viewpoint an area identified as II in [Fig.1];

[0018] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates in perspective from yet another angle the flange and control device of the previous figures as well as their placement in the vehicle's engine compartment, some of the parts shown in the previous figures having been omitted to facilitate reading the figure;

[0019] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates in perspective from yet another angle the flange and control device of the previous figures as well as their placement in the vehicle's engine compartment, other parts shown in the previous figures having been omitted to facilitate reading the figure.

[0020] It should first be noted that the terms "first", "second", "third", ... are only used to distinguish the components concerned from each other and do not imply any order or possible importance of said components.

[0021] The invention is advantageously related to a high voltage electrical circuit, in particular 400 Volts, for a motor vehicle and more particularly to a device for cutting off said high voltage circuit in order to allow an intervention, in particular an intervention by technicians in charge of the maintenance of the vehicle, once the electrical current has thus been interrupted.

[0022] The said high-voltage circuit includes, for example, a high-voltage electrical energy storage device, including a 400-volt battery, an electric motor for the vehicle and / or a control system for said electric motor from the electrical energy supplied by said storage device.

[0023] The said switching device includes, for example, a first high-voltage switching element configured to trip in the event of shocks, in particular a pyrotechnical fuse, and a second high-voltage switching element configured to trip under the action of a low-voltage electric current, in particular an electrical relay.

[0024] Such a device allows for a specific shut-off for interventions in case of an accident, thanks to the first shut-off device, and in case of maintenance interventions, thanks to the second shut-off device.

[0025] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, according to another aspect of the invention, a control device for a circuit breaker in a high-voltage electrical circuit, particularly a 400-volt circuit, for a motor vehicle is proposed. This electrical circuit is advantageously the one mentioned above. This circuit breaker is advantageously the second circuit breaker of the circuit breaker mentioned above.

[0026] The control device includes, for example, a low-voltage control element 2 for the switching element, not shown. The low-voltage control element 2 consists, in particular, of an electrical switch 4. The electrical switch 4 is integrated, for example, into a low-voltage electrical circuit.

[0027] The low-voltage electrical circuit further includes, for example, a low-voltage electrical energy storage device, such as a 12-volt battery, and / or a low-voltage stage of the switching device, such as the relay. The switching device is configured to trigger a break in the high-voltage circuit based on whether or not a low-voltage electrical current flows through the low-voltage stage via the low-voltage electrical circuit.

[0028] The said low voltage control element 2 is configured to allow or not a flow of said low voltage electric current in said low voltage circuit, according to a configuration, respectively called closed or open, of said control element 2.

[0029] For example, in the case of a switching device consisting of a relay, the high voltage electrical circuit is cut off by the relay in the event of a lack of current in the low voltage stage of said relay, that is to say, in an open configuration of said switch 4.

[0030] According to the invention, the low-voltage control element 2 comprises two parts 6 and 8 that are movable relative to each other during manipulation by a user in order to actuate the switching element. By thus employing a control element operated by user manipulation, it is possible to use relatively standard control elements.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, in a closed configuration, that is, in a configuration allowing current to flow in the low-voltage electrical circuit In tension, the two parts 6 and 8 are intended to be fitted one inside the other. In the figures, a first part 6 of said parts is intended to be located inside the second part 8 of said parts in said closed configuration.

[0032] In open configuration, that is to say in a configuration cutting off the flow of current in the low voltage electrical circuit in order to trigger the cutting device and cut off the flow of electric current in the high voltage electrical circuit, at least part of the first part 6 has passed from the inside to the outside of the second part 8.

[0033] The said parts 6, 8 are preferably configured so that this passage takes place along an actuation axis, here illustrated by an arrow marked T in [Fig.2] and corresponding to a direction of translation of the first part 6 relative to the second part 8. The open configuration of said low voltage control member 2 corresponds to that shown in the figures.

[0034] The closed configuration is intended to be the default configuration. This is the configuration occupied by the aforementioned low-voltage control unit 2, particularly when the vehicle is in motion. Switching to the open position is intended to occur, in particular, during vehicle maintenance phases.

[0035] As will be understood, the said low voltage control unit 2 is configured to allow a transition from the closed position to the open position, and / or vice versa, by manipulation by a user, in particular a vehicle maintenance technician.

[0036] According to the invention, the control device further comprises a mounting flange 10 for the low-voltage control element 2 to a fixed support 12 of the vehicle. The flange 10 is configured to form a cover 14 intended to protect and / or conceal the control element 2 from view while allowing free access to the manipulation of the parts 6 and 8.

[0037] In the figures, the cover 14 is shown partially torn off in order to better see the low voltage control element 2. Said cover 14 is intended to prevent direct access to said low voltage control element 2.

[0038] By planning to protect and / or conceal the low-voltage control component 2. Thanks to the cover 14 provided on the mounting flange 10 of said low-voltage control element 2, the risks of the low-voltage control element 2 being unintentionally tampered with by a non-professional user are reduced. The invention thus makes it possible to use a relatively standard low-voltage control element 2, which can be placed in a location easily accessible to a professional user, without the risk of it being unintentionally triggered.

[0039] Furthermore, the cover 14 of the flange 10 protects the low-voltage control element 2 from liquid splashes. This is particularly illustrated in [Fig. 1], where an inlet 16 for windshield washer fluid intended for filling a reservoir 18 is shown. This inlet 16 is located above the control element 2. It is understood that the cover 14 protects the control element 2 should any of the windshield washer fluid be spilled beside or overflow from the inlet 16. This would be particularly detrimental to the low-voltage control element 2, especially if it is not sealed, as is commonly the case in an open configuration.

[0040] Advantageously, the low-voltage control element 2 is configured to allow the movement of the two parts 6 and 8 by means of a combination of actuation of one of the parts, referred to as the actuated part, using at least one hand tool. The actuated part here corresponds to the first part 6 mentioned above. It is equipped with a hook 20 for cooperating with the hand tool. Even more advantageously, the low-voltage control element 2 is configured to allow the movement of the actuated part 6 by combined movements of two hand tools, each of said tools being intended to be held in one of the user's hands. The need to use one or more tools further limits the risk of unintentional activation of the low-voltage control element 2.

[0041] In other words, advantageously, said low voltage control element 2 is configured to be non-sealed, at least in open configuration, and to permit said mobility only with the aid of at least one or even two hand tools.

[0042] The flange 10 is preferably configured to allow access to the actuated part 6 for the tooling. The flange 10 is formed, in particular, of a stamped sheet metal.

[0043] As can be seen more clearly in Figures 3 and 4, said flange 10 has, for example, a body 22 configured to be fixed to said fixed support 12. Said body 22 has a longitudinal extension direction. Said flange 10 has fixing holes 24 for said fixed support 12. These are located at opposite ends of said body 22 along said longitudinal extension direction of the body 22. Said body 22 is, for example, screwed onto said fixed support 12 through said fixing holes 24.

[0044] According to the illustrated embodiment, said flange 10 further comprises a first support lug 30. Said low-voltage control element 2 is attached to said first support lug 30. Said control device comprises for this purpose, for example, a split pin 26 originating from and / or attached to said second part 8 of the low-voltage control element 2. Said pin 26 is snapped into a passage opening provided in said flange 10, here at the level of said first support leg 30. Said first support leg 30 is advantageously derived from said body 22.

[0045] The first leg 30 has, for example, an inverted U-shaped portion, only an L-shaped part of which is visible in the figures. A bottom portion 32 of the inverted U-shaped portion covers the low-voltage control member 2 and connects lateral portions 34 running alongside the low-voltage control member 2. The inverted U-shaped portion is open along the actuation axis of the low-voltage control member 2 to allow movement of the actuated part, at one and / or the other of opposite longitudinal ends of the U-shaped portion.

[0046] Alternatively, said portion has an inverted L shape, for example as illustrated.

[0047] The said U-shaped and / or inverted L-shaped portion is located, for example, at one end of said first support leg 30.

[0048] Advantageously, to avoid bending during handling of said low voltage control element 2, said flange 10 has a stiffening fold 36 along said first leg 30 between said body 22 and said U and / or inverted L portion.

[0049] As illustrated in particular in [Fig. 3], said flange 10 further has a second support tab 40. This second tab 40 is configured for attaching a first electrical cable or cable harness 42 of the vehicle. This second support tab 40 advantageously extends from said body 22. It is located at a distance from said first support tab 30.

[0050] As illustrated more particularly in [Fig. 4], said flange 10 further has a third support tab 50. This third tab 50 is configured for attaching a second electrical cable or wiring harness 52 of the vehicle. This third support tab 50 is advantageously formed from said second tab 40.

[0051] The said first and / or second cables and / or cable bundles 42, 52 are fixed to the said flange, for example, by a split pin, as for the said low voltage control element 2. The said split pin is here snapped into passage holes 28. It is connected to a clamp inside which the said first and / or second cables and / or cable bundles 42, 52 are fixed.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the first, second and / or third support legs 30, 40, 50 are bent. They extend in different directions from each other.

[0053] Preferably, said flange 10 includes a positioning hook 60 for said fixed support 12. Said hook 60 is herein derived from said body 12, in particular substantially at the level of said second support leg 40, along said longitudinal extension direction of said body 12.

[0054] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising the control device mentioned above.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, said control device is advantageously located in an engine compartment of the vehicle, of which only a limited number of components have been shown in order not to overload the figures.

[0056] The fixed support 12 is located in the engine compartment. It includes, for example, a battery tray 70, specifically designed to support the 12-volt battery. The tray 70 is made, for example, of a plastic material, possibly reinforced with metal inserts.

[0057] For the assembly of said flange 10, said hook 60 is first put in place at a free edge of a side of said stocking 70 and said body 12 is then screwed onto said side.

[0058] The said low-voltage electrical circuit, marked 100, is located at least partly in the said engine compartment.

[0059] The first electrical cable or wiring harness 42 connects, for example, a first component of the vehicle, which is movable within the engine compartment, to a second component of the vehicle, which is fixed within the engine compartment. The first component consists, in particular, of a motor system (not shown). The second component consists, in particular, of an interconnection box (also not shown). Because the first component is movable, there is a risk that the first electrical cable or wiring harness 42 may move excessively during sudden acceleration or braking of the vehicle. Securing it to the flange 10 helps to mitigate this risk.

[0060] The second electrical cable or cable harness 52 consists, for example, of a charging cable or cable harness intended to connect the electrical circuit(s) to an electrical network external to the vehicle. As before, there is a risk that the second electrical cable or cable harness 52 may move excessively during sudden acceleration or braking of the vehicle. Securing it to the flange 10 helps to mitigate this risk.

[0061] The said shut-off device is optionally located in the engine compartment, advantageously in a hard-to-reach area such as a section at the rear of the engine compartment. Indeed, it is not intended to be manipulated since, according to the invention, its activation is electrically controlled.

[0062] Conversely, as will be understood, the aforementioned low-voltage control unit 2 is advantageously located in a more easily accessible area, such as the upper part of the engine compartment, possibly on the side and / or front. Indeed, in being concealed by the cover 14 of the flange 10 according to the invention, the risks of it being handled unintentionally are reduced.

Claims

Demands

1. Control device for a high-voltage electrical circuit breaker for a motor vehicle, said control device comprising a low-voltage control element (2) of said circuit breaker, said control element (2) comprising two parts (6, 8) capable of being movable relative to each other during manipulation by a user for the purpose of actuating the circuit breaker, said device further comprising a flange (10) for fixing said control element (2) to a fixed support (12) of the vehicle, said flange (10) being configured to form a cover (14) for protecting and / or masking the control element (2) from view, while allowing free manipulation of said parts (6, 8).

2. Device according to the preceding claim in which said low voltage control member (2) is configured to permit said mobility of said two parts (6, 8) by means of a combination of an actuation of one (6) of said parts, said actuation part, by combined movements of at least two hand tools.

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims in which said flange (10) is formed of a stamped sheet.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said flange (10) has a body (22) configured to be fixed to said fixed support (12) and a first support tab (30) originating from said body (22), said low voltage control member (2) being attached to said first support tab (30).

5. Device according to the preceding claim in which said first leg (30) has an inverted U-shaped portion, a bottom part (32) of said portion capping said control member (2) and connecting lateral parts (34) running along said low voltage control member (2), said portion being open along an actuation axis of said low voltage control member to allow the mobility of one (6) of said parts.

6. Device according to the preceding claim in which said flange (10) has a stiffening fold (36) along said first leg (30) between said body (22) and said U-shaped portion.

7. A device according to any one of claims 4 to 6 in which said flange (10) has a second support tab (40) extending from said body (22) at a distance from said first support tab (30), said second support bracket (40) being configured for the attachment of a first electrical cable or wiring harness (42) of the vehicle.

8. Device according to the preceding claim in which said flange (10) has a third support tab (50) originating from said second support tab (40), said third support tab (50) being configured for the attachment of a second electrical cable or wiring harness (52) of the vehicle.

9. Device according to the preceding claim in which said first, second and / or third support legs (30, 40, 50) are bent.

10. Device according to any one of claims 4 to 9 in which said flange (10) comprises a positioning hook (70) on said fixed support (12), said hook (70) being derived from said body (22).

11. Support flange for a control device according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. Vehicle comprising an engine compartment and a high-voltage electrical circuit equipped with a switching device, said vehicle further comprising a control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, said control device being located in said engine compartment.

13. 3 Vehicle according to claim 12 in which said shut-off member is located in said engine compartment.

14. Vehicle according to the preceding claim in which said shut-off device is located at the bottom of said engine compartment.

15. 15. Vehicle according to any one of claims 12 or 13 wherein said fixed support (12) comprises a tray for a low voltage battery.

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