Motor vehicle comprising a protected dynamic loop of a cable harness for a wheel hub carrier

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle which comprises: a wheel hub carrier (2) receiving a cable harness (12) by means of a dynamic loop having a lower curvature (14) which, in its lowest position, is disposed level with a flat understructure of the body of the vehicle; a free space (34) for accessing attachments which is between a rear edge of the understructure and the lower curvature (14) of the dynamic loop in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; and a horizontal protective blade which has a cutting edge facing towards the front of the vehicle and is arranged substantially level with the understructure, forward of the lower curvature (14) of the dynamic loop and facing the free space (34).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: MOTOR VEHICLE WITH DYNAMIC LOOP

[0003] PROTECTED WHEEL HUB CABLE HARNESS

[0004] technical field

[0005] The present invention claims priority from French application 2407928 filed on July 19, 2024, the content of which (text, drawings, and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. The present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a dynamic wiring harness loop connected to a wheel hub carrier, equipped with a protective cover.

[0006] Motor vehicles generally have dynamic loops on their electrical wiring harnesses that connect two points with relative movements to allow movement of one element relative to the other.

[0007] One known type of protection for a dynamic loop, described in particular by document W0-A1-2023144930, consists of a rigid protective cover made of resin, fixed to the control inverter of an electric machine in a vehicle's powertrain. This cover conceals the dynamic loop entry point of the power cable harness supplying this inverter. The dynamic loop allows the cables to follow the movements of the powertrain, which is mounted on elastic mounts to prevent the transmission of noise.

[0008] Another known type of dynamic loop of electrical wiring harness connects a starting point fixed to the vehicle body to a wheel hub carrier held by suspensions with travel, including cables connected in particular to a wheel rotation speed sensor or to brake wear indicators.

[0009] Furthermore, the underside of the vehicle generally includes flat body panels that improve aerodynamics, which on each side of the vehicle stop before the wheel hub, leaving a free space to allow for its movements given by the suspension.

[0010] In particular, the range of motion of a hub carrier can necessitate the formation of a sufficiently long dynamic loop to avoid excessive cable bending stresses. In some cases, this results in a dynamic loop with a lower curvature extending quite low, especially when the suspension is fully extended, reaching approximately the level of the chassis underbody.

[0011] However, it is not always possible to fit a rigid protective cover on this type of dynamic loop, especially under a lower curvature, due to space constraints.

[0012] This creates a risk of external elements snagging on the dynamic loop. Particularly when driving on roads with overhanging branches, and with significant suspension travel due to rough terrain, such as with an off-road vehicle, there is a risk of the dynamic loop being snagged by branches that slide along the underbody, then spring back up into the open space, catching on the lower curve of the loop positioned at the height of the underbody. This can result in cables being torn away and some vehicle functions being lost.

[0013] The present invention is specifically designed to avoid these problems of the prior art.

[0014] For this purpose, it proposes a motor vehicle comprising a wheel hub carrier receiving a wiring harness via a dynamic loop having a lower curvature which, in its lower position, is located at the level of a flat underbody of the vehicle body, and comprising, along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between a rear edge of the underbody and the lower curvature of the dynamic loop, a free space for accessing fasteners, this vehicle being notable in that it comprises a horizontal protective blade having a cutting edge turned towards the front of the vehicle, which is located substantially at the level of the underbody, in front of the lower curvature of the dynamic loop and facing the free space.

[0015] One advantage of this vehicle is that, while driving, if a branch slides under the undercarriage when pressed, and then extends upwards past its rear edge, it reaches the cutting blade, which severs it. This prevents the upper part of the branch from extending upwards just before the dynamic loop, potentially snagging and damaging it. Simply adding a protective blade to each side of the vehicle, a low-cost component, provides a safety feature that prevents cable breakage and malfunctions, particularly important for off-road vehicles.

[0016] The motor vehicle, according to the invention, may also include one or more of the following characteristics, which may be combined with each other.

[0017] Advantageously, the vehicle includes a deflector forming a plate positioned behind the underbody and approximately at its level.

[0018] In this case, the protective blade can be attached to the deflector.

[0019] Furthermore, advantageously the protective blade is formed by a sheet of metal. Advantageously, the protective blade is substantially at the height of the lowest position of the lower curve of the dynamic loop.

[0020] In particular, the free space can provide access to the fixings of a mudguard positioned above a wheel supported by the hub carrier.

[0021] In particular, the hub carrier can support a rear wheel of the vehicle. The invention will be better understood, and other features and advantages will become more apparent upon reading the following description given by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [Fig. 1] is a view of a rear part of a vehicle according to the invention showing the hub carrier;

[0022] [Fig. 2] is a view from below of this rear part;

[0023] [Fig. 3] is a vertical section diagram at the level of the free space along a longitudinal section plane, showing the passage of a branch; and [Fig. 4] is a vertical section diagram at the level of the free space along a transverse section plane.

[0024] Throughout the document, the front longitudinal direction AV is relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle, the transverse direction being perpendicular to this longitudinal direction.

[0025] Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 show a hub carrier 2 connected to the vehicle body by suspension arms 4, equipped with a shock absorber 8, receiving a rear wheel of the vehicle 16 comprising a transverse axis of rotation A, which is arranged in a rear wing having an inner mudguard 6. A flexible brake line 10 has a dynamic loop having an upper curvature facing upwards to connect a fixed point of the body to the hub carrier 2.

[0026] An electrical cable bundle 12 includes a dynamic loop arranged in a transverse plane located in front of the hub carrier 2, comprising a lower downward curvature 14 which, during full suspension extension, descends to its lowest level relative to the vehicle body.

[0027] The vehicle's passenger compartment includes a flat floor forming the underbody 20 at the lower level of the body, then a rear deflector 22 protecting the rear axle and improving the aerodynamics of the vehicle, formed by a sheet metal arranged substantially in the plane of this lower level, which has, along the transverse direction on each side, a rising edge 36 including at the end a screw 38 for fixing under the body of the vehicle.

[0028] With the suspension fully extended, shown in figure 4, the lower curvature of beam 14 is located approximately at the level of the floor 20 and the deflector 22.

[0029] A free space 34 for access from below to the mudguard fixings 6 for fixing it in the wing, is left open in the longitudinal direction between the rear edge 32 of the floor 20 and the cable bundle 12, and in the transverse direction outside the rising edge 36 of the deflector 22. The free space 34 is just forward of the lower curve of the dynamic loop 14.

[0030] If a protective cover is added under the dynamic loop curve 14 to protect it from impacts from below, it should be positioned low enough so that, in its lowest position, the loop does not bear against it, thus preventing wear. This would reduce the ground clearance under the vehicle.

[0031] A horizontal blade 24 with a forward-facing cutting edge is positioned approximately at the level of the floor 20, beyond the free space 34 and in front of the lower curve of the dynamic loop 14. The cutting blade 24, positioned approximately at the lowest possible level of the dynamic loop curve 14, is formed by a rigid sheet metal plate attached to the deflector 22, which extends its lower plane outwards so as to cover this loop curve in the transverse direction. Figure 3 shows, during vehicle travel on a path, a rearward-facing arm 30 which, in position A, for example when the vehicle sinks into a rut, comes to rest by sliding under the floor 20, with a bend.

[0032] In position B, the forward movement of the vehicle causes the branch 30 to tilt and straighten into the free space 34.

[0033] In position C, the branch 30 has hit the cutting blade 24 arranged behind the free space 34, which cuts this branch leaving a shortened part which can no longer reach the lower curve of the dynamic loop 14.

[0034] In a simple manner, with an addition including the economical addition of a sheet metal on each side, protection is provided for the cable bundle 12 arriving on a hub carrier 2.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Motor vehicle comprising a wheel hub carrier (2) receiving a wiring harness (12) via a dynamic loop having a lower curvature (14) which in its lower position is disposed at the level of a flat underbody (20) of the vehicle body, and comprising along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between a rear edge of the underbody (32) and the lower curvature of the dynamic loop (14) a free space (34) for access to fasteners, characterized in that it comprises a horizontal protective blade (24) having a cutting edge turned towards the front of the vehicle, which is disposed substantially at the level of the underbody (20), in front of the lower curvature of the dynamic loop (14) and facing the free space (34).

2. Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a deflector (22) forming a plate disposed behind the underbody (32) and substantially at its level.

3. Motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the protective blade (24) is fixed on the deflector (22).

4. Motor vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the protective blade (24) is formed by a sheet metal.

5. Motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective blade (24) is substantially at the height of the lowest position of the lower dynamic loop curvature (14).

6. Motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the free space (34) provides access to fixings of a mudguard (6) disposed above a wheel supported by the hub carrier (2).

7. Motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hub carrier (2) supports a rear wheel of this vehicle.

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