Device for attaching a battery to a frame, and electric vehicle comprising such a device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for attaching a battery to a frame, comprising a first interface means (16) mounted on a battery housing, and a first support (20) mounted on the frame. The first interface means (16) comprises: a retractable stop (36) having a first position referred to as a housing retention position and a second position referred to as a housing removal position; and an elastic means (40) for positioning the retractable stop in the first position. The first support (20) comprises an actuating means (50) configured to position the retractable stop in the second position, and is configured to allow the user to position the palm of their hand close to the first interface means (16) and oriented substantially perpendicular to a direction in which the housing is removed.

Description

Description Title of the invention: DEVICE FOR ATTACHING A BATTERY TO A FRAME, AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electric vehicles, and in particular to the field of electric bicycles. More specifically, the invention relates to electric vehicles having a housing for a battery. Previous technique

[0002] It is well known to design vehicles powered by an electric motor. Thus, bicycles with an electric motor and battery have existed for many years, in order to provide the user with motor assistance, notably reducing the effort required from the user.

[0003] Electric drive systems are therefore becoming more and more widespread, and there is now a desire to integrate such electric drive systems into the bicycle, for aesthetic purposes but also for protection against the elements and even against theft.

[0004] There are ways to integrate the battery into one of the bicycle frame tubes, particularly the downtube. Such frames are described in US patent application 2019 / 337588. The purpose of these integration methods is to allow the battery to be positioned inside the bicycle frame during use, while also allowing for quick and easy removal of the battery from the frame for charging.

[0005] In particular, the bicycle frame typically includes a section forming an internal compartment with an opening for inserting or removing a battery. This opening is generally oriented downwards when the bicycle is in its riding position to facilitate battery removal from the frame. However, to prevent the battery from falling out during unlocking, it is known to incorporate a... BR243674FRWO The battery retention system allows the battery to be held in an intermediate position where it is only partially removed from its compartment. The user must then perform a second action to fully remove the battery.

[0006] An example of such means of integration is described in particular in document US 2018 / 006278.

[0007] However, such systems are not always intuitive for the user who may instead consider the battery to be stuck in the intermediate position and therefore force its release by exerting a force on it or by trying to modify the means of integration.

[0008] Similarly, such integration means also include a key lock, which adds an additional level of restriction in battery handling, and therefore potentially disrupts the user when handling the integration means. Description of the invention

[0009] The present invention aims to solve the various technical problems described above. In particular, the present invention aims to provide an electric vehicle with an integrated battery that can be positioned and removed from the frame in a simple and intuitive manner for the user, while also offering the possibility of key locking. More specifically, the present invention aims to provide an electric vehicle in which handling the battery within the frame can be carried out both simply and intuitively, while also being easy to integrate into the frame.

[0010] Thus, according to one aspect, a device is proposed for attaching, and possibly locking and / or electrically connecting, a battery to a frame, particularly for electric vehicles such as electric bicycles. The battery has a casing extending longitudinally between two longitudinal ends. The attachment device includes a first interface means intended to be mounted on a first longitudinal end of the battery casing, and a first support intended to be mounted securely to the BR243674FRWO frame, for example inside a hollow housing in the frame, and configured to cooperate with said first interface means mounted on the battery case.

[0011] The first interface method includes: - a retractable stop mounted movable relative to the battery case, between a first position corresponding to a first configuration called battery case retention, and a second position corresponding to a second configuration called battery case retraction along a retraction direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the retractable stop comprising a cooperation surface, and - an elastic means configured to position said retractable stop in the first position.

[0012] The first support includes: - a retaining surface, preferably fixed, configured to be in contact with said cooperation surface of the first interface means when the latter is positioned, preferably only, in the first position, and in particular configured to oppose the force of gravity exerted on the battery housing when the cooperation surface is positioned, preferably only, in the first position, - a locking mechanism, preferably with a key, and - an actuation means, for example a trigger, separate from the locking means and movably mounted between a first position corresponding to the retention configuration, and a second position corresponding to the removal configuration in which the actuation means is configured to position said retractable stop in the second position so as to allow the battery case to be removed from the fastening device in said removal direction.

[0013] The first support is configured, when the actuation means is manipulated by one or more fingers of the user's hand, to allow said user to have the palm of said hand close to the first interface means and oriented substantially perpendicular to the withdrawal direction. BR243674FRWO

[0014] Thus, the fastening device according to the present invention is configured to allow the battery to be removed in a single step, while being arranged so as to require the user operating the device to have their hand correctly positioned to retrieve the battery when actuating said fastening device. The use of the fastening device then becomes more intuitive and easier for the user, who does not need to wonder how to operate it: simply positioning their hand in preparation for actuating the device ensures that the hand is immediately correctly placed to retrieve the battery.

[0015] Furthermore, the one-step kinematics of battery removal also allows for faster and quicker assimilation of the handling method of the fastening device.

[0016] Preferably, the retractable stop is mounted pivotally about an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing, and said cooperation surface is further from the first longitudinal end of the housing, in the first position than in the second position.

[0017] The retractable stop is configured to move from the first to the second position by rotating around an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. This configuration allows the retractable stop to be integrated into a smaller space at the longitudinal end of the housing, and the movement of the contact surface occurs primarily along this longitudinal direction. This makes it easier to integrate such a retractable stop between the housing and the first support, and the fastening device also becomes more reliable thanks to the optimized range of movement of the contact surface.

[0018] Preferably, the actuation means is mounted pivoting around an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing.

[0019] Similarly, the actuation means is mounted and oriented so as to pivot around an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing, and BR243674FRWO preferably parallel to the axis of rotation of the retractable stop. Such an orientation of the axis of rotation of the actuation means therefore requires the user to exert pressure on it in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the casing (and thus of the frame in which it is mounted). By requiring the user to exert such a force parallel to the longitudinal direction, they are led to position their hand and arm in a plane containing said longitudinal direction, and therefore perpendicular to the direction of battery removal, which allows the battery to naturally move towards the palm of the user's hand as it is removed from the frame.

[0020] Preferably, the first support also includes an elastic means configured to position said actuation means in the first position.

[0021] The first elastic means defines the default position of the actuating mechanism, specifically the first position, which is the position in which the battery compartment is held in its housing within the frame. Furthermore, this first elastic means also forces the user to apply substantial force to the actuating mechanism to position it in the second position. Therefore, manipulating the actuating mechanism cannot be accidental and requires a deliberate action from the user to trigger the battery removal.

[0022] Preferably, the locking means is configured to, in a so-called locking configuration, block the actuation means in the first position and, in another configuration, allow the actuation means to be moved from the first to the second position.

[0023] The fastening device can also be equipped with a key lock to restrict its operation to its owner only. Thus, the locking mechanism can be configured to interact with the actuation mechanism only when it is in its initial position, thereby locking it in place. It is understood that, in the locked state, the user will not be able to move the actuation mechanism to release the battery, and BR243674FRWO The user will then understand that the fastening device is locked. Conversely, in the unlocked state, the fastening device will function completely normally.

[0024] In the unlocked state of the locking means, the actuation means is preferably configured to be positioned in the first position and / or the second position, and in particular is configured to change from the first position to the second position and / or from the second position to the first position.

[0025] The locking mechanism, using a key, can be configured to allow key removal only in the locked configuration, or to allow key removal in both the locked and unlocked configurations.

[0026] Preferably, the first interface means also includes a stop, preferably fixed, configured to cooperate, possibly after partial removal of the battery housing from the fastening device, with said actuation means when the latter is held in its second position by the user.

[0027] The fixed stop of the first interface means is designed to interact with the actuation means if the latter remains in its second position: thus, when removing the battery, if the user keeps the actuation surface pressed down, even after the battery has been removed, the battery will remain partially held in the compartment by the fixed stop pressing against the actuation means. The battery will then only be partially removed and will only be able to come completely out of the frame once the actuation means is released by the user.

[0028] Similarly, if the actuation means is still only partially inserted, the friction of the fixed stop on it may also lead to slowing down, or even stopping, the battery's exit from the frame.

[0029] The user can therefore choose, depending on how they manipulate the actuation means, how they want to remove the battery: either directly by quickly releasing the actuation means, or indirectly by maintaining pressure on the actuation means. BR243674FRWO

[0030] Preferably, the actuation means is configured, when moving from the first to the second position, to be moved by the user towards the first interface means.

[0031] The movement of the actuating means, to release the battery from its compartment, can be performed along the longitudinal direction and towards the first interface means, that is, towards the battery casing. Here again, this choice facilitates a suitable hand position for the user relative to the battery when it is removed from the frame. Indeed, with this configuration, the user will press the actuating means by pulling their arm back or by bringing the finger(s) in contact with the actuating means towards their palm. Since the first interface means, and therefore the first longitudinal end of the casing, is located in the space between the finger(s) pressing the actuating means and the palm of the hand, the first longitudinal end will naturally be released into the user's palm.

[0032] Preferably, the actuation means includes an actuation surface intended to receive pressure from one or more fingers of the user when removing the battery case, and pressing the actuation surface requires positioning one or more fingers in an accessible recess in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of removal.

[0033] The actuation means thus includes an actuation surface whose positioning and orientation require the user to orient their hand as desired. More precisely, the actuation surface can be positioned within a recess, at a given distance from the entrance of said recess, such that the user can only reach it and exert force by orienting their finger(s) in the same direction as the recess. This orientation therefore leads the user to position their hand in a certain way when manipulating the actuation means, with the aim of directly receiving the battery in their palm upon its ejection. BR243674FRWO

[0034] Preferably, the mounting device comprises: a second interface means for mounting on a second longitudinal end of the battery housing, and a second bracket for mounting integrally to the frame, for example, inside a hollow recess in the frame, and configured to cooperate with said second interface means mounted on the battery housing. The mounting device also comprises a spacer extending in the longitudinal direction and on which the first and second brackets are mounted.

[0035] The mounting device includes a second interface means configured to cooperate with the second longitudinal end of the housing, thus enabling the housing to be held at both ends. To facilitate mounting and, if necessary, replacement or repair of the mounting device, the device also includes a spacer between the first and second interface means, onto which they are mounted. Thus, the first interface means, the second interface means, and the spacer form a single unit that can be easily mounted in the frame housing without requiring further adjustments. Therefore, the distance between the two interface means and / or their respective orientations can be fixed during their mounting on the spacer and remain unchanged thereafter, regardless of any manipulations performed to mount the assembly on the frame.This makes it easier to install such fixing devices, by limiting the adjustment steps.

[0036] Preferably, the spacer also includes means for cable passage.

[0037] The mounting device is usually installed inside the frame, where brake or gear cables already run. To facilitate the organization of all these components within the frame, and to allow for changing, removing, or replacing the cables even when the mounting device is installed inside the frame, the spacer may include cable routing features that facilitate their movement along the mounting device. Such cable routing features may act as, or even be, conduits through which the cables run, or they may be guides. BR243674FRWO allowing for easier positioning of cables in the spacer or between the spacer and the inner surface of the frame.

[0038] Preferably, the actuation means is configured to be positioned downwards when the frame is in the operating position.

[0039] Thus, the position and / or accessibility of the actuation means is oriented identically or similarly to that(s) of the battery. In this way, the user is led to position themselves in line with the battery's exit axis when handling the actuation means, which facilitates receiving the battery in the user's hand.

[0040] According to another aspect, an electric vehicle is also proposed comprising: a hollow housing with an opening for inserting a battery, preferably in a frame of said vehicle, and a fastening device as described previously.

[0041] Preferably, the insertion opening is oriented downwards when the electric vehicle is in the operating position, and the actuation means is positioned downwards when the electric vehicle is in the operating position.

[0042] Thus, when the seat or handlebar of the electric vehicle is oriented upwards, the battery insertion opening is oriented substantially downwards and remains so even when the electric vehicle is parked on a rack or on its stand for handling of its battery by its owner. Brief description of the drawings

[0043] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 represents an electric bicycle equipped with a battery in its frame;

[0044] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 represents an exploded view of a fastening device according to the present invention, and of the housing intended to cooperate with said fastening device;

[0045] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of an electric bicycle frame, with a fixing device according to the invention and a battery box; BR243674FRWO

[0046] [Fig. 4] The figure represents a cross-sectional and side view of a first interface means and a first support of the fastening device according to the present invention;

[0047] [Fig. 5] Figure 5 represents, in perspective, the first support illustrated in figure 4;

[0048] [Fig. 6] Figure 6 shows a front view of the first interface means illustrated in Figure 4; and

[0049] [Fig. 7] Figure 7 shows, in cross-section, the first interface means and the first support illustrated in Figure 4, when the battery is held in the frame by the fastening device. Description of the implementation methods

[0050] Figure 1 illustrates an electric bicycle 1 comprising a battery mounting device according to the present invention. The electric vehicle 1 may, in particular, be a bicycle, or a cargo bike, a mobile bicycle, etc. The electric bicycle 1 comprises a frame 2 with a hollow housing 4 for receiving a battery 6 and comprising a mounting device 8 (see Figure 2) mounted in the hollow housing 4 to allow the mounting of said battery 6.

[0051] Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the battery 6 and the mounting device 8. The battery 6 comprises a housing 10 in which the battery cells, for example lithium-ion cells, are housed. The housing 10 can extend along a longitudinal direction and has a first longitudinal end 12 and a second longitudinal end 14. The battery 6 also includes a first interface means 16 mounted on the first longitudinal end 12 of the housing 10, and a second interface means 18 mounted on the second longitudinal end 14 of the housing 10.

[0052] The first interface means 16 is configured to cooperate with a first bracket 20 mounted in the hollow housing 4 of the bicycle 1, while the second interface means 18 is configured to cooperate with a second bracket 22 also mounted in the hollow housing 4 of the bicycle 1. The first and second BR243674FRWO supports 20, 22 are mounted at a distance from each other and allow battery 6 to be held by its longitudinal ends.

[0053] The first interface means 16, the second interface means 18, the first support 20 and the second support 22 form the fixing device 8 allowing the insertion and removal of the battery case 10 into the frame 2 of the bicycle 1, as will be described in more detail later.

[0054] The second support 22 and the second interface means 18 include, in particular, the electrical connection elements for electrically connecting the battery 6 to the bicycle 1, as well as pivoting means configured to guide the rotation of the battery 6 around an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) and near the second support 22, when inserting or removing the battery 6 into or out of the hollow housing 4.

[0055] Figure 3 specifically illustrates a hollow housing 4 of the electric vehicle 1. The hollow housing 4 can be formed, for example, by a portion of the frame 2 of the electric vehicle 1. Said portion of the frame 2 can in particular be in the form of a tube whose wall delimits a free interior volume.

[0056] In the case of an electric bicycle, the hollow housing 4 can be formed, for example, in the downtube or the top tube of the bicycle frame. However, other positions can also be considered, including locations other than within the frame.

[0057] The hollow housing 4 thus includes a free internal volume intended to accommodate a removable battery 6. To allow access to this internal volume, the hollow housing 4 has an insertion opening allowing the battery 6 to be inserted into and removed from the hollow housing 4. The hollow housing 4 can extend along a longitudinal direction (L), particularly when it is formed by a frame tube. The longitudinal direction (L) of the hollow housing 4 corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the housing 10 when the latter is positioned in the hollow housing.

[0058] The insertion opening faces downwards when the bicycle is in its riding position, i.e., on its two wheels. In other words, the opening BR243674FRWO The insertion point is accessible from the bottom of the bike, allowing the battery to be installed and removed from the bottom. Therefore, during removal, the battery will naturally slide out of its compartment through the insertion opening under its own weight.

[0059] In the present case, the fastening device 8 is configured to permit the battery 6 to be removed from the hollow housing 4, in a removal direction (R) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) of the hollow housing 4.

[0060] As illustrated in Figure 3, the fastening device 8 may also include a connecting means, for example a spacer 24, linking the first support 20 and the second support 22 together. The spacer 24 can be configured, on the one hand, to be mounted on an internal surface of the frame 2, within the recess 4, and on the other hand, to mount the first support 20 and the second support 22. Thus, the first and second supports 20, 22 can first be mounted on the spacer 24, with the required distance between them, before the assembly formed by the spacer 24 and the supports 20, 22 is mounted inside the recess 4. Such an arrangement allows for easy mounting and adjustment of the position of the supports 20, 22 relative to each other, since this mounting and adjustment can be carried out outside the recess 4.For this purpose, the spacer 24 may include pre-drilled mounting holes for the brackets 20 and 22, along its longitudinal axis, to facilitate such mounting and adjustment. Alternatively, the spacer 24 may be configured to be mounted on the first bracket 20 and the second bracket 22, which are themselves pre-fixed to an internal surface of the frame 2, within the recessed housing 4.

[0061] The spacer 24 allows, in particular, the fixing of the distance between the two supports 20, 22 in the hollow housing 4. The spacer 24 also facilitates the storage, as well as the replacement, of cables that may pass through the hollow housing 4, for example, brake cables or gear shift cables. Thus, the spacer 24 may include cable passage means, such as a longitudinal channel, a sheath BR243674FRWO longitudinal or retaining tabs allow cables to be guided along the fastening device 8 during repair or replacement, for example. The spacer 24 then keeps the cables in a specific area of ​​the hollow housing 4, where they can slide along the longitudinal direction (L) without interfering with the other means of the fastening device 8.

[0062] The first interface means 16 and the first support 20 will now be described in more detail.

[0063] The first interface means 16 is shown in cross-section in Figure 4 and in front view in Figure 6. The first interface means 16 comprises a body 27 with an inner wall 26 by which the first interface means 16 is mounted on the first end 12 of the housing 10, and an outer wall 28 intended to face and cooperate with the first support 20. The outer wall 28 of the body TJ may include a through opening 29 allowing access to an internal volume of the body TJ delimited by the inner wall 26 and outer wall 28.

[0064] The TJ body notably has, on the outer wall 28, two grooves 30 allowing guidance, and intended to cooperate with, two corresponding rails 32 (see figure 5) of the first support 20. The outer wall 28 also has a handle 34 rotatably mounted on the TJ body, about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 10 so as to be able to either position itself in a stowed configuration in the plane of the first interface means 16 (as in figure 6) or to position itself in a deployed configuration to allow the user to carry the battery 6. Advantageously, the TJ body can include an elastic means, for example a spring (not shown), configured to continuously exert a force on the handle 34 tending to position the handle 34 in the deployed position.Thus, when the first interface means 16 does not cooperate, or no longer cooperates, with the first support 20, then the handle 34 is automatically positioned by the elastic means in its deployed configuration, which facilitates the handling of the battery 6 by the user. Conversely, the insertion of the battery 6 into the... BR243674FRWO housing 4, causes the first interface means 16 to be inserted into the first support 20 and therefore the handle 34 to fold automatically into its stored configuration by said first support 20.

[0065] Finally, the first interface means 16 includes elements for retaining the battery 6 in its hollow housing 4. Thus, the first interface means 16 comprises a retractable stop 36 connected, by an arm 37, to an axis 38 substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 10, that is to say, substantially contained within the plane of the first interface means 16, and preferably positioned near an edge of the first interface means 16, for example, the edge located on the side of the guide grooves 30. An elastic means 40, for example, a spring, is positioned between an inner wall of the retractable stop 36 and a support such as the inner wall 26 of the first interface means 16, or such as the first longitudinal end 12 of the housing 10.

[0066] The elastic means 40 allows the retractable stop 36 to be positioned in a first position (see figure 4 or 7 for example) in which it can cooperate with the first support 20, that is to say in which it extends at a distance, or opposite, from the first longitudinal end 12 of the housing 10. For this purpose, the retractable stop 36 may have dimensions substantially equal to or less than those of the through opening 29 of the outer wall 28, so as to be able to slide through said through opening 29 and cooperate with the first support 20.

[0067] In order to limit the rotation of the retractable stop 36 under the effect of the spring 40, and to keep it in the first position, the arm 37 is configured to come against the outer wall 28 of the body 27, in the first position.

[0068] The retractable stop 36 is mounted for rotation about the axis 38 between the first position illustrated in Figure 4, and a second position corresponding to a battery 6 removal configuration. In the first position, the retractable stop 36 extends beyond the outer wall 28 of the body 27, and can thus cooperate, via a cooperation surface 41, with a surface of BR243674FRWO corresponding retainer 42 of the first support 20 (see figure 5). In the second position, the retractable stop 36 is retracted and extends mainly between the inner wall 26 and the outer wall 28 of the body 27, so that it can no longer cooperate with an outer surface of the first support 20. The transition from the first to the second position is effected by compression of the spring 40.

[0069] The first support 20 is shown in cross-section in Figure 4 and in front view in Figure 5. The first support 20 comprises a body 44 by which the first support 20 is mounted on the frame 2 of the bicycle 1 or on the spacer 24. The body 44 includes in particular an outer wall 46 which is intended to face and cooperate with the first interface means 16. The outer wall 46 of the body 44 may include a through opening 48 allowing access through the outer wall 46.

[0070] The body 44 has, in particular, on its outer wall 46, the two rails 32 intended to cooperate with the grooves 30 of the first interface means 16 to guide the relative movement of the battery 6 with respect to the first support 20. The outer wall 46 also includes the retaining surface 42 intended to cooperate with the cooperation surface 41 of the retractable stop 36 in the first position.

[0071] To ensure a tight fit of the battery 6 in the hollow housing 4, the first support 20 is also configured to apply a force along the longitudinal direction of the hollow housing 4 to the battery 6. Thus, the first support 20 may include a longitudinal clamping means, for example, two pads 49 mounted parallel to each other in the plane of the outer wall 46. In this case, the pads 49 are configured to exert said force along the longitudinal direction, primarily on the side of the spacer 24, that is, primarily on the side where the supports 20, 22 are mounted on the spacer 24 or on the hollow housing 4. For example, the pads 49 may be mounted to pivot about an axis of rotation 51 substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hollow housing 4, and positioned opposite the mounting means of the first support 20 on the frame 2. The pads 49 may BR243674FRWO They must exhibit elastic properties and / or be mounted on elastic means such as a leaf spring or helical springs. The pads allow a force to be exerted on the first interface means 16, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 10.

[0072] The pads 49 make it possible in particular to keep the battery tight and immobile relative to the hollow housing 4, especially during use during which the electric vehicle 1 may be subjected to vibrations and / or sudden jolts.

[0073] Advantageously, the pads exert pressure on the battery 6 on the side of the spacer 24, i.e. on the side where the first support 20 is mounted on the frame 2, so as to reduce the torsional forces induced by the distance separating the pads 49 and the fixing on the frame 2. The longitudinal stress between the housing 10 and the first support 20 is then directly taken up by the spacer 24, and therefore by the hollow housing 4 itself.

[0074] Finally, the first support 20 includes elements allowing the battery 6 to be removed from its hollow housing 4. Thus, the first support 20 includes an actuation means 50 connected, by an arm 52, to an axis 54 substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 10 and parallel to the axis 38 of the retractable stop 36, and preferably positioned near an edge of the first support 20, for example the edge located on the side of the attachment of the first support to the spacer 24 or the frame 2. An elastic means (not shown), for example a spring, can be positioned between a wall of the actuation means 50 or of the arm 52, and the outer wall 46 of the first support 20.

[0075] To facilitate comfortable handling of the actuating means 50, it may include an actuating surface 56 designed to serve as a support surface for the user's finger, positioned opposite the elastic means. Furthermore, the actuating means 50 may also include a finger 58 designed to come into contact with the retractable stop 36, and more specifically designed to push the retractable stop 36 from the first to the second position to allow the removal of the battery 6. BR243674FRWO

[0076] The actuation surface 56 faces downwards when the bicycle is in its upright position, i.e., on its two wheels. In other words, the actuation surface 56 is accessible from the bottom of the bicycle to allow the user to operate it. Thus, to remove the battery, the user will need to position their hand under the recessed compartment 4, place their finger on the actuation surface 56, and apply pressure.

[0077] The elastic means allows the actuation means 50 (and the finger 58) to be positioned in a first position (see figure 4 or 7 for example) in which it is at a distance from the first interface means 16, that is to say at a distance, or opposite, from the first longitudinal end 12 of the housing 10. In order to limit the rotation of the actuation means 50 under the effect of the spring, and to keep it in the first position, the arm 52 is configured to come against a wall of the body 44, in the first position.

[0078] The actuating means 50 is rotatably mounted about the axis 54 between the first position shown in Figure 4 and a second position corresponding to a battery 6 withdrawal configuration. In the first position, the actuating means 50 (and the finger 58) is retracted and extends mainly behind, i.e., recessed from, the outer wall 46 of the body 44, so as not to cooperate with the retractable stop 36 of the first interface means 16. In the second position, the finger 58 of the actuating means 50 extends beyond the outer wall 46 of the body 44 and can thus cooperate with the retractable stop 36 of the first interface means 16. For this purpose, the finger 58 of the actuating means 50 may have dimensions substantially equal to or smaller than those of the through opening 48 in the outer wall 46. so as to be able to slide through said through opening 48 and cooperate with the retractable stop 36.The transition from the first to the second position is achieved by compressing the spring of the actuation means.

[0079] Thus, to remove the battery 6 from the hollow compartment 4, the user presses on the actuating surface 56 of the actuating means 50, so as to compress the spring of the actuating means 50 and cause the finger 58 to emerge through the opening 48 of the body 44 of the first support 20. The finger 58 then comes BR243674FRWO contact with the retractable stop 36 of the first interface means 16, and will push it towards the first longitudinal end of the housing 10. By applying pressure to the actuating surface 56, the user is thus led to compress both the spring of the actuating means 50 and the spring 40 of the retractable stop 36, to position the actuating means 50 and the retractable stop 36 in the second position. Once the retractable stop 36 is in the second position, it no longer retains the battery 6 in the hollow compartment 4 (because it is no longer in contact with the retaining surface 42), which can therefore begin to extend in the retraction direction (R) under the effect of its own weight.

[0080] If the actuation means 50 is held in the second position by the user, the outer wall 28 of the first interface means 16 can be configured to contact and abut against the finger 58, which is at least partially present in the opening 29. The outer wall 28 can then form a fixed stop that cooperates with the actuation means 50, and more specifically with the finger 58, when the latter is in the second position. The battery 6 is then only partially extended, and it is by releasing the pressure on the actuation means 50 that the user can then fully extend it. Alternatively, the outer wall 28 of the first interface means 16 can be configured to rub against the finger 58 when the latter is in the second position, so as to brake and slow the battery's extension from the hollow housing 4.

[0081] As can be seen, such an operation of the battery 8 fixing device can be implemented without any locking means.

[0082] However, a locking means 60, for example with a key 62, may also be provided, configured to lock the fastening device 8 or to allow its actuation. For this purpose, the locking means 60 includes a locking finger 64 driven by the key and configured to cooperate with the actuation means 50, and more particularly the arm 52, when the actuation means 50 is in the first position (see figure 4). BR243674FRWO or 7). Thus, when the locking means 60 is activated, the locking finger 64 cooperates with the actuating means 50 and thus prevents it from pivoting around the axis 54: the user therefore perceives, when pressing on the actuating surface 56, that the actuating means 50 is locked in position, which prevents the removal of the battery 6.

[0083] Conversely, when the locking means 60 is deactivated, the actuation means 50 is no longer blocked by the locking finger 64 and can therefore pivot as described previously to allow the removal of the battery 6.

[0084] The locking means 60 can be configured to allow the key to be removed from the locking means 60 only when the locking finger 64 cooperates with the actuating means 50 to lock it, or also when the locking finger 64 releases the actuating means 50 and no longer cooperates with it. In the latter case, the fastening device 8 can then be used as described previously, as if it did not include a locking means 60.

[0085] The fastening device 8 according to the present invention thus allows the battery 6 to be mounted or removed from the frame 2, with or without locking. Furthermore, the fastening device 8 also ensures that, during battery removal, the hand is automatically positioned correctly to retrieve the extracted battery from the palm. Indeed, the positioning of the actuating means 50 on the side of the opening in the frame 2 providing access to the hollow compartment 4, with an actuating surface 56 requiring pressure towards the longitudinal end of the battery 6, naturally guides the palm of the hand under said longitudinal end of the battery 6.

[0086] Furthermore, the fastening device 8, and optionally the frame 2, may include a recess for the user's finger to manipulate the actuation means 50, and said insertion recess may extend along a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the withdrawal direction (R). Such a recess thus leads the user to position their palm perpendicular to the withdrawal direction (R) and therefore in a position to receive the battery 6 (see Figure 3). BR243674FRWO

[0087] Thus, thanks to the mounting device according to the present invention, it becomes easier and more intuitive to mount and remove the battery from the bicycle frame. In particular, it is then possible to limit the risk of the battery falling during removal, while maintaining a reliable and user-friendly device. BR243674FRWO

Claims

Demands

1. A device for attaching (8), and optionally for locking and / or electrically connecting, a battery (6) to a frame (2), particularly for an electric vehicle such as an electric bicycle, the battery comprising a casing (10) extending in a longitudinal direction between two longitudinal ends (12, 14), in which the attachment device (8) comprises: - a first interface means (16) intended to be mounted on a first longitudinal end (12) of the battery case, and - a first support (20) intended to be mounted securely to the frame (2), for example inside a hollow housing (4) in the frame, and configured to cooperate with said first interface means (16) mounted on the battery housing, in which the first interface means (16) comprises: - a retractable stop (36) mounted movable relative to the battery housing, between a first position corresponding to a first configuration called the battery housing retention configuration, and a second position corresponding to a second configuration called the battery housing retraction configuration along a retraction direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the retractable stop comprising a cooperation surface (41), and - an elastic means (40) configured to position said retractable stop (36) in the first position, wherein the first support (20) comprises: - a retention surface (42), preferably fixed, configured to be in contact with said cooperation surface (41) of the first interface means (16) when the latter is positioned in the first position, - a locking mechanism (60), preferably with a key, and - an actuation means (50), for example a trigger, separate from the locking means and movably mounted between a first position corresponding to the retention configuration, and a second position BR243674FRWO corresponding to the withdrawal configuration in which the actuating means (50) is configured to position said retractable stop (36) in the second position so as to permit the removal of the battery housing from the fastening device (8) in said withdrawal direction, in which the first support (20) is configured, when the actuating means (50) is manipulated by one or more fingers of a hand of the user, to permit said user to have the palm of said hand near the first interface means (16) and oriented substantially perpendicular to the withdrawal direction.

2. Device (8) according to claim 1, wherein the retractable stop (36) is pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation (38) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing, and wherein said cooperation surface (41) is further from the first longitudinal end (12) of the housing, in the first position than in the second position.

3. Fixing device (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuation means (50) is mounted pivotally about an axis of rotation (54) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing.

4. A fastening device (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first support (20) also includes an elastic means configured to position said actuating means (50) in the first position.

5. A fastening device (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking means (60) is configured to, in a so-called locking configuration, block the actuating means (50) in the first position and to, in another BR243674FRWO configuration, allow the actuation means (50) to be moved from the first to the second position.

6. Fixing device (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first interface means (16) also includes a stop (28), preferably fixed, configured to cooperate, possibly after partial removal of the battery housing from the fixing device, with said actuation means (50) when the latter is held in its second position by the user.

7. Fixing device (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating means (50) is configured, when moving from the first to the second position, to be moved by the user in the direction of the first interface means (16).

8. A fastening device (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuation means (50) comprises an actuation surface (52) intended to receive pressure from one or more fingers of the user when removing the battery case, and wherein pressing on the actuation surface (52) requires positioning one or more fingers in a recess accessible in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of removal.

9. A fastening device (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening device comprises: - a second interface means (18) intended to be mounted on a second longitudinal end (14) of the battery case, and - a second support (22) intended to be mounted integrally with the frame (2), for example inside a hollow housing (4) in the frame, and configured to cooperate with said second interface means (18) mounted on the battery housing, in which the fastening device also includes a spacer (24) BR243674FRWO extending along the longitudinal direction and on which the first and second supports (20, 22) are mounted.

10. A fastening device (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating means (50) is configured to be positioned downwards when the frame (2) is in the operating position.

11. Electric vehicle (1) comprising: - a hollow housing (4) with an opening for inserting a battery, preferably in a frame of said vehicle, and - a fastening device (8) according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. Electric vehicle (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the insertion opening is oriented downwards when the electric vehicle is in the operating position, and wherein the actuation means (50) is positioned downwards when the electric vehicle (1) is in the operating position. BR243674FRWO

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