Part for holding an electric cable of a motor vehicle

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a part (1) for holding an electric cable (2) of a motor vehicle, the holding part (1) having an inverted U-shape formed by a central part (1a) extending horizontally and two end parts (1b), each end part (1b) extending vertically at one end of the central part (1a), each end part (1b) comprising, at a free end thereof, means (3) for holding the central part (1a) and the end parts (1b) facing an element of the vehicle, the central part (1a) comprising a pair of through-holes configured to allow a strap (5) to pass therethrough, the strap (5) being configured to surround at least one electric cable (2) and hold the at least one electric cable (2) in contact with the central part (1a) between the element of the vehicle and the central part (1a).

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE: AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRICAL CABLE RETAINING PART The present invention claims priority from French application No. FR2501867 filed on 24 / 02 / 2025, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable retainer for motor vehicles. The invention thus concerns the technical field of securing electrical cables in motor vehicles. This aspect of the invention has interesting, but not exclusive, applications in the field of electric and hybrid vehicles equipped with an on-board charger, for example, a 400V type charger. Such an on-board charger is designed to charge a high-capacity battery in the electric or hybrid vehicle and is commonly referred to by those skilled in the art as an OBC, for "On-Board Charger."

[0002] For example, document FR-A1-2889282 describes vehicles equipped with a cable retaining clip on a multi-support rack. This rack is mounted on a support shaft fixed at one end to the underside of a vehicle passenger compartment floor. This shaft extends perpendicularly downwards from this panel and is designed to secure the rack. The rack comprises a transverse plate and a plurality of parallel ribs projecting from this transverse plate, defining pairs of parallel longitudinal open grooves extending along the length of the plate. Electrical cables are arranged in these longitudinal open grooves.

[0003] When the cable diameter exceeds the groove width, preventing insertion, two protruding elements on the lower surface of a flat base engage with two adjacent grooves in the cross plate. This secures the flat base to the rack. The flat base also features a loop extending from its upper surface, which encircles and secures the cables.

[0004] In other words, when the cable diameter exceeds the groove width, an additional part is needed to hold them in place. This part is obviously expensive and complicates the assembly.

[0005] The invention offers a solution to the problems mentioned above, by proposing an inexpensive automotive electrical cable retaining piece capable of holding electrical cables of different cross-sections.

[0006] In this context, the invention, in its broadest sense, relates to a retaining piece for an electrical cable in a motor vehicle. This retaining piece is notable in that it has a drop-handle shape formed by a horizontally extending central portion and two end portions, each end portion extending vertically from one end of said central portion. Furthermore, each end portion has, at one free end, means for retaining the central and end portions against a component of the vehicle.

[0007] According to this aspect of the invention, the central part includes a pair of through holes configured to allow the passage of a strap configured to surround at least one electrical cable and to keep the at least one electrical cable in contact with said central part between the vehicle element and said central part.

[0008] Thanks to this invention, electrical cables of varying cross-sections can be secured to a vehicle component, such as an onboard charger. Specifically, the lanyard holes allow for easy and cost-effective fastening of cables of different cross-sections to the retaining piece. Furthermore, the retaining means allow the retaining piece to be secured to the onboard charger.

[0009] In addition to the characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the retaining piece according to this aspect of the invention may have one or more additional characteristics from among the following, considered individually or according to all technically possible combinations.

[0010] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the retaining means are formed by clips.

[0011] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the central part comprises three pairs of orifices, each pair of orifices being configured to allow the passage of a strap configured to surround at least one electrical cable and keep it in contact with said central part between the vehicle element and said central part.

[0012] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the electrical cable retaining piece comprises a first strap surrounding two cables with a cross-section of 4mm2, a second strap surrounding two cables with a cross-section of 4mm2 and a third strap surrounding two cables with a cross-section of 10mm2.

[0013] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, each strap is configured to surround at least one flat cable.

[0014] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the material of the retaining piece is PA6.

[0015] Another aspect of the invention relates to an assembly for a motor vehicle, said assembly comprising an electrical cable retaining piece according to any one of the aforementioned aspects of the invention and a motor vehicle component, said vehicle component being notable in that it includes fastening means configured to cooperate with the retaining means of said electrical cable retaining piece.

[0016] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the assembly for motor vehicle is remarkable in that the vehicle element is formed by an on-board charger.

[0017] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the assembly for motor vehicles is remarkable in that the fastening means are formed by two fastening orifices.

[0018] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the assembly for motor vehicles is remarkable in that a channel for routing electrical cables is provided in a wall of the element, each electrical cable held in contact with the central part of the retaining piece being arranged in said channel.

[0019] The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures.

[0020] [Fig. 1] illustrates, schematically, an example of the realization of an electrical cable retaining piece according to a non-limiting aspect of the invention.

[0021] [Fig. 2] illustrates, schematically, the retaining piece shown in figure 1 fitted with electrical cables.

[0022] [Fig. 3] illustrates, schematically, a top view of a wall of an on-board charger according to a non-limiting aspect of the invention.

[0023] [Fig. 4] illustrates, schematically, a top view of the wall of the on-board charger shown in figure 3 and of the retaining piece according to the invention shown in figure 2.

[0024] [Fig. 5] illustrates, schematically, a front view of the wall of the on-board charger shown in figure 3 and of the retaining piece according to the invention shown in figure 2.

[0025] The figures are presented for illustrative purposes only and are in no way limiting to the invention.

[0026] Unless otherwise specified, the same element appearing on different figures has a unique reference.

[0027] Figure 1 illustrates a retaining piece 1 for an electrical cable of a motor vehicle according to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 further illustrates electrical cables 2 retained on the retaining piece 1.

[0028] The retaining piece 1 has a drop handle shape formed of a central part 1a extending horizontally and two end parts 1b.

[0029] Each end part 1b extends vertically to one end of the central part 1a.

[0030] In addition, each end part 1b has, at a free end, means for retaining the central part 1a and the end part 1b in relation to an element of the vehicle.

[0031] In this non-limiting embodiment, the retaining means 3 are formed by clips. According to a different embodiment not shown, these retaining means may be formed by screws.

[0032] The central part 1a has three pairs of through holes 4. Each pair of through holes 4 is configured to allow the passage of a strap 5.

[0033] The term strap 5 means a long, narrow and flexible band, made of plastic, rubber or any other material, suitable for encircling electrical cables 2.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment example, each strap 5 is configured to surround two electrical cables 2 and to hold the electrical cables 2 in contact with the central part 1a.

[0035] It is understood that each strap 5 can surround a different number of electrical cables, for example one, three, four, five, six or other.

[0036] For example, the retaining device 1 includes a first strap 5 surrounding two electrical cables 2 with a cross-section of 4mm2, a second strap 5 surrounding two electrical cables 2 with a cross-section of 4mm2 and a third strap 5 surrounding two electrical cables 2 with a cross-section of 10mm2.

[0037] Thanks to the flexibility of the strap 5, and in a different way to the use of grooves of the prior art, a strap 5 is able to enclose electrical cables 2 whose cross-section is circular, oval, square or even rectangular and whose cross-sectional area is of little importance.

[0038] According to a non-limiting embodiment example, the vehicle element is formed by an on-board charger, for example of the 400V type. Such an on-board charger is arranged to charge a power battery of the electric or hybrid vehicle and is commonly referred to by those skilled in the art by the acronym OBC for "On Board Charger".

[0039] Figure 3 illustrates a top view of a wall 6 of the on-board charger 7 against which the retaining means 3 are fixed.

[0040] In this embodiment, a routing channel 8 for the electrical cables 2 is provided in the wall 6 of the on-board charger 7. This routing channel 8 is formed by a longitudinal concavity provided in the wall 6 of the on-board charger 7.

[0041] The on-board charger 7 further includes fastening means 9 formed by orifices configured to cooperate with the retaining means 3 included in the retaining part 1.

[0042] More specifically, each clip 3 is clipped into a fastening hole 9. Thus, once clipped, the retaining piece 1 is attached to the on-board charger 7.

[0043] As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, during assembly onto the onboard loader 7, the retaining piece 1 is secured to the loader 7 by the two clips 3. The retaining piece 1 is easily attached to the loader 7 by applying a simple pushing force. The retaining piece 1 can also be removed by pinching the clips 3 at the rear.

[0044] In addition, each electrical cable 2 held in contact with the central part 1a is arranged in the routing channel 8 of the electrical cables 2. Thus, the electrical cables 2 are held between the on-board charger 7 and the central part 1a of the holding means 3.

[0045] Since the electrical cables 2 run in the cable channel 8, the holding forces borne by the clips 3 are low. Therefore, the material of the retaining piece 1 can be PA6 to obtain a lightweight and inexpensive retaining piece 1.

[0046] The various aspects of the aforementioned invention offer numerous advantages. Among these are: 2 electrical cables of different sections can be held together using 5 straps; A simple mounting of the retaining part 1 on the on-board charger 7 by exerting a pushing force; A simple disassembly of the retaining piece 1 by pinching the clips 3.

Claims

DEMANDS

1. Motor vehicle electrical cable (2) retainer (1), said retainer (1) being characterized in that it has a drop handle shape formed of a horizontally extending central portion (1a) and two end portions (1b), each end portion (1b) extending vertically from one end of said central portion (1a), each end portion (1b) having at one free end means for retaining (3) the central portion (1a) and end portion (1b) in relation to an element (7) of the vehicle, said central portion (1a) having a pair of through holes (4) configured to allow the passage of a strap (5) configured to encircle at least one electrical cable (2) and retain the at least one electrical cable (2) in contact with said central portion (1a) between said element (7) of the vehicle and said central portion (1a).

2. Electrical cable (2) retaining piece (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the retaining means (3) are formed by clips. [Claims] Electrical cable (2) retaining piece (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central part (1a) has three pairs of holes (4), each pair of holes (4) being configured to allow the passage of a strap (5) configured to surround at least one electrical cable (2) and to hold the at least one electrical cable (2) in contact with said central part (1a) between the vehicle element (7) and said central part (1a).

4. Electrical cable (2) retaining piece (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a first strap (5) surrounding two electrical cables (2) of 4mm2 cross-section, a second strap (5) surrounding two electrical cables (2) of 4mm2 cross-section and a third strap (5) surrounding two electrical cables (2) of 10mm2 cross-section. [Claims] A retaining piece (1) for an electrical cable (2) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that each strap (5) is configured to surround at least one flat electrical cable (2). [Claims] A retaining piece (1) for an electrical cable (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material of the retaining piece (1) is PA6.

7. Assembly for motor vehicle, said assembly comprising an electrical cable (2) retaining piece (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and a motor vehicle component (7), characterized in that said motor vehicle component (7) comprises fastening means (9) configured to cooperate with the retaining means (3) included in said retaining piece (1).

8. Assembly for motor vehicle according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the vehicle element (7) is formed by an on-board charger.

9. Assembly for motor vehicle according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the fastening means (9) are formed by two fastening holes.

10. Assembly for motor vehicle according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that a routing channel (8) for the electrical cables (2) is provided in a wall (6) of the element (7), each electrical cable (2) held in contact with the central part (1a) of the retaining piece (1) being disposed in said routing channel (8).

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