Support device for an electrical connector for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle provided with same

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for supporting an electrical connector (2) for a motor vehicle (3), the device (1) comprising a connection area (4) for receiving the electrical connector (2), which connection area is arranged in a recess (5) that is open to the outside via an opening (6), the device (1) having a protection portion (7) designed to protect the recess from water runoff flowing in the recess (5) due to gravity, the protection portion having an upper portion (8) designed to extend above the opening (6) when the device (1) is mounted in the vehicle (3), and to surround the opening (6), the upper portion (8) having a shape designed to guide, when the device (1) is mounted on the vehicle (3), runoff water on the upper portion (8) towards a flow wall (9) oriented to cause the runoff water on the wall (9) to flow out of the recess (5).

Description

Description Title of the invention: Support device for an electrical connector for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle having such a device.

[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application 2502035 filed on February 28, 2025, the content of which (text, drawings, and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. The technical field relates to support devices for an electrical connector for a motor vehicle and to motor vehicles equipped with such a device.

[0002] Car manufacturers are offering tricycle vehicles as an alternative to traditional vehicles, particularly in urban environments where their compact size and maneuverability offer mobility advantages. These vehicles often feature an open driver's cab, exposing their various components to varying weather conditions, including rain, humidity, and water spray.

[0003] In the interest of comfort and modernity, these vehicles are increasingly incorporating electronic devices, such as connectors using the USB (Universal Serial Bus) communication standard, allowing users to charge their mobile devices or power various accessories. However, this integration presents a technical challenge, as electrical connectors are vulnerable to water ingress, particularly from rainwater runoff, which can cause short circuits, premature corrosion of electrical contacts, or even complete malfunction.

[0004] To mitigate these risks, certain sealing solutions have been implemented, notably the addition of rubber or silicone seals. These sealing solutions limit water infiltration but have several drawbacks. Firstly, they increase vehicle manufacturing and assembly costs, particularly due to the precision required for fitting parts. Secondly, these seals can deteriorate over time, reducing their effectiveness and requiring periodic maintenance or replacement.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide an improved solution for integrating an electrical connector into a tricycle while effectively preventing water infiltration. The invention thus seeks to guarantee durable protection against moisture and water runoff, without resorting to costly or complex solutions.

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome the problems described above. In this technical context, one objective of the present invention is to provide a support device for an electrical connector that prevents runoff water from entering the electrical connector.

[0007] To this end, the present invention relates to a support device for an electrical connector for a motor vehicle, the device comprising a connection area designed to receive the electrical connector, the connection area being disposed in a housing of the device open to the outside by an opening, the device having a protective part designed to protect the housing against water flowing by gravity into the housing, the protective part having an upper part designed to extend over the opening, when the device is mounted in the vehicle, and to surround at least part of the opening, the upper part having a shape designed to guide, when the device is mounted on the vehicle,Runoff water flows down the upper part towards a drainage wall of the protective section, oriented to cause the runoff water to flow off the wall outside the dwelling.

[0008] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a support device according to the invention and an electrical connector mounted in the connection area.

[0009] The invention finally relates to a tricycle motor vehicle having at least one assembly according to the invention mounted on the vehicle, the upper part being arranged above the opening of the housing.

[0010] Thus, the support device according to the invention protects the housing from runoff water without the need for seals. The protective section effectively guides runoff water away from the housing: the upper part and the drainage wall manage the flow of water away from the housing, protecting the connection area. Therefore, the support device protects the electronic connector from water runoff without requiring a seal.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the device, the upper part has, in cross-section along a vertical axis of the vehicle when mounted on the vehicle, a section in the shape of a half-teardrop.

[0012] According to one possibility, the connection area comes from the same material as the protective part.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the housing has a parallelepiped shape, with the connection area positioned opposite the opening.

[0014] Depending on one possibility of the support device, the connectivity area is designed to accommodate a USB plug.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the support device is obtained by molding plastic material.

[0016] Advantageously, the support device is free of a sealing gasket designed to block runoff water flowing over the protective part.

[0017] The invention will be better understood upon reading the detailed description that follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0018] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a support device according to the invention mounted on a vehicle according to the invention;

[0019] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 represents a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the support device of Figure 1 along a vertical axis of the vehicle;

[0020] In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements.

[0021] A support device 1 according to the invention, illustrated in the figures, is designed to accommodate an electrical connector 2 and to equip a motor vehicle 3, partially illustrated in the figures, according to the invention.

[0022] As illustrated in the figures, the device 1 includes a connection area 4 designed to receive the electrical connector 2. The connection area 4 is located in a housing 5 of the device 1. The housing 5 is open to the outside by an opening 6.

[0023] In the example shown in the figures, housing 5 has a parallelepiped shape. The connector area 4 is located opposite the opening 6. In the example described, the electrical connector 2 is a USB port.

[0024] Device 1 also has a protective part 7 designed to protect housing 5 against water flowing by gravity into housing 5. Thus, device 1 is without a sealing gasket designed to block runoff water flowing over the protective part 7.

[0025] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the protective part 7 and the connection area 4 are made of material. Advantageously, the support device 1 according to the invention is obtained by molding plastic material.

[0026] As illustrated in Figure 2, the protective part 7 has an upper part 8 designed to extend over the opening 6, when the device 1 is mounted in the vehicle 3, and to surround at least part of the opening 6. As illustrated, the upper part 8 has a shape designed to guide, when the device 1 is mounted on the vehicle 3, runoff water flowing over the upper part 8 towards a flow wall 9 oriented to cause the water flowing over the wall 9 to flow out of the housing 5.

[0027] Advantageously, the upper part 8, in cross-section along the vertical axis AV of the vehicle 3 when the device 1 is mounted on the vehicle 3, has a section 10 shaped like a half-teardrop. Experience shows that such a shape facilitates the efficient flow of water running off the upper part 8 towards the outside of the housing 5.

[0028] The device 1 according to the invention makes it possible to form an assembly 11 comprising the support device 1 and the electrical connector 2 mounted in the connection area 4.

[0029] The vehicle 3 according to the invention comprises at least one assembly 11. Advantageously, the assembly is located in an area of ​​the vehicle exposed to weathering and runoff water.

[0030] Thus, the support device 1 protects housing 5 from runoff water without the need for seals. The protective section 7 effectively guides runoff water away from housing 5: the upper section 8 and the drainage wall 9 manage the flow of water away from housing 5, protecting the connection area 4.

[0031] The invention is not limited to the embodiment of the protection device described above, only by way of example, but other embodiments may be designed by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope and extent of the present invention.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A device (1) for supporting an electrical connector (2) for a motor vehicle (3), the device (1) comprising a connector area (4) designed to receive the electrical connector (2), the connector area (4) being disposed in a housing (5) of the device (1) open to the outside by an opening (6), the device (1) having a protective portion (7) designed to protect the housing against water flowing by gravity into the housing (5), the protective portion having an upper portion (8) designed to extend over the opening (6), when the device (1) is mounted in the vehicle (3), and to surround at least part of the opening (6), the upper portion (8) having a shape designed to guide, when the device (1) is mounted on the vehicle (3),runoff water flowing over the upper part (8) towards a drainage wall (9) of the protective part (7) oriented to cause the runoff water to flow over the wall (9) away from the housing (5).

2. Support device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper part (8) has, in cross-section along a vertical axis (AV) of the vehicle (3) when mounted on the vehicle (3), a section (10) in the shape of a half-teardrop.

3. Support device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connection area (4) is made of material with the protective part (7).

4. Support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the housing (5) has a parallelepiped shape, the connection area (4) being arranged opposite the opening (6).

5. Support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the connection area (4) is designed to receive a USB plug.

6. Support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is obtained by molding of plastic material.

7. Support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is devoid of a sealing joint designed to block runoff water flowing over the protective part (7).

8. Assembly (11) comprising a support device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and an electrical connector (2) mounted in the connection area (4).

9. Tricycle motor vehicle having at least one assembly (11) according to claim 8 mounted on the vehicle (3), the upper part (8) being arranged above the opening (6) of the housing (5).

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