Aerodynamic drag reduction system comprising a charging hatch for an electric vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging hatch (1) for an electric vehicle (10), the charging hatch comprising a charging connector capable of being connected to an electric battery, the hatch (1) comprising a bowl and a cover (4) articulated to rotate on the bowl. The bowl (3) comprises at least a first opening through which the connector extends and a second opening intended to be connected to an air flow duct (11), the cover (4) comprising an opening (41), the cover (4) being capable of switching between a closure position, in which the first opening is closed by the cover (4), while the opening (41) in the cover faces the second opening such that a passage is created through the cover in order to allow air to flow through the air duct, and an open position in which the charging connector is made accessible. The cover (4) is an air scoop (101) of an aerodynamic drag reduction system (100).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Aerodynamic drag reduction system with a charging hatch for an electric vehicle.

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The invention is in the field of automotive construction and relates more particularly to a charging hatch of particular design, as well as a system for reducing the aerodynamic drag of a vehicle, in particular a high-performance vehicle, and an arrangement of a side of a vehicle comprising the charging hatch and an aerodynamic drag reduction system.

[0005] Prior art

[0006] Current electric vehicles are equipped with a charging port for the traction battery, accessible via hatches located at the front of the vehicle, for example, on the grille, or at the side, for example, on the front or rear fenders or the rear bumper. Often, the placement of these hatches is dependent on the location of the vehicle's onboard charger. Indeed, to reduce manufacturing costs, the hatch should be positioned close to the charger.

[0007] Although integrating a charging port onto a vehicle body presents few technical difficulties, it is quite different when one wants to combine increased aerodynamic performance with the quest for lightness, which guarantees high dynamic performance of the vehicle.

[0008] Presentation of the invention

[0009] It is in this environment that the invention is situated, which aims to integrate a charging hatch in an area with increased technical constraints due to the presence of appendages designed to improve the vehicle's energy efficiency as well as its dynamic behavior.

[0010] Summary of the Invention: To achieve this objective, the invention relates to a charging port for an electric vehicle, the charging port comprising a charging socket adapted to be connected to an electric battery, the port comprising a bowl and a lid hinged to rotate on the bowl. The port is characterized in that the bowl has at least one first opening through which the socket extends and a second opening intended to be connected to an airflow duct, the lid comprising an opening, the lid being adapted to pivot between a closed position, in which the first opening is closed by the lid, while the opening in the lid is positioned with respect to the second opening such that a passage is created through the lid to allow airflow through the air duct, and an open position in which the charging port is made accessible.

[0011] According to other features and advantages, an embodiment of the object of the invention is given below by way of example. The charging hatch according to the invention may thus comprise the following features, taken individually or in combination:

[0012] - the opening made on the lid is in particular of a profile substantially identical to that of the second opening of the bowl so that in the closed position of the lid, air is able to circulate through the hatch;

[0013] - the lid is an air scoop comprising an air collection channel, in particular a convergent opening through the opening of the lid and said second opening of the bowl when the lid is in the closed position;

[0014] - the lid has a substantially concave profile, in particular with a longitudinally evolving cross-section;

[0015] - the opening of the lid or the second opening of the bowl has a cross-section that is substantially semi-circular, in particular delimited by an inner edge that is substantially an arc of a circle and an outer edge that is substantially straight with a vertical axis;

[0016] - the bowl and / or the lid has a substantially beveled profile in the front part; - the bowl includes a rear part of increased height compared to the front part, the rear part including a portion extending in a substantially vertical and transverse axis plane, and through which the second opening is housed;

[0017] - the hatch includes a means for articulating the lid on the bowl for rotation, said means of articulation comprising at least one arm extending outward from a rear face of the lid, the arm being mounted for rotation about an axis disposed at the level of the rear transverse portion of the bowl, the arm having in particular a gooseneck profile.

[0018] The invention relates in particular to a system for reducing the aerodynamic drag of a vehicle, according to which it comprises a hatch having at least in part the aforementioned characteristics, and an airflow duct located at the extension of the hatch, in particular of the cover in the closed position, in order to create an airflow path passing successively through the hatch and the duct.

[0019] The aerodynamic drag reduction system may also include the following features:

[0020] - it includes a side of the body delimiting a rear wing, the rear part of which extends transversely and substantially to the extension of a rear lighting block, the rear part of the wing having an opening in fluidic relation with the airflow duct;

[0021] - the airflow duct extends behind the rear wing;

[0022] - the airflow duct extends above the rear wheel.

[0023] The invention further relates to an arrangement of a vehicle's side panel, particularly a rear side panel, comprising a hollow body delimited by a body panel, an inner lining of the body panel, and a wheel arch, all assembled together. Specifically, the arrangement of the invention includes the aerodynamic drag reduction system described above.

[0024] The arrangement that is the subject of the invention may further comprise the following characteristics:

[0025] - the air flow duct is either an added part inside the hollow body or the hollow body itself; - the body side and / or the inner lining of the body side and / or the wheel arch and / or the air flow duct is made of composite material, in particular carbon fiber;

[0026] - the hatch is fixed on the side of the body at the level of a housing on the side of the body in such a way that the aerodynamic drag reduction system masks the intake which is not visible when the air scoop made by the cover is in the closed position.

[0027] The invention relates to a vehicle, in particular of the type of an automobile, which includes the aforementioned hatch, or an aforementioned aerodynamic drag reduction system, or an arrangement of a lateral side of a vehicle having at least the aforementioned characteristics.

[0028] In addition, the vehicle of the invention includes a lower air scoop disposed below the air scoop made by the charging hatch, the lower air scoop being included in a cooling system of a rear wheel braking system of the vehicle.

[0029] Presentation of the figures

[0030] These objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following description of an embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures, among which:

[0031] - [Fig.1] is a schematic view of a motor vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0032] - [Fig.2] is a partial schematic view along an axis ll-ll section of the vehicle in [Fig.1];

[0033] - [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of a rear area of ​​the vehicle including the hatch according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0034] - [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a rear part of the vehicle of [Fig.1] according to the invention.

[0035] Detailed description

[0036] The direction in which a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, moves in a straight line is defined as the longitudinal direction X. By convention, the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, located in a plane parallel to the ground, is called the transverse direction Y. The third direction, perpendicular to the other two, is called the vertical direction Z. Thus, we use a right-handed coordinate system XYZ in which X is the longitudinal direction in the front-to-back direction of the vehicle, therefore directed towards the rear, Y is the transverse direction directed to the right, and Z is the vertical direction directed upwards. The forward direction corresponds to the direction in which the vehicle usually moves in the longitudinal direction and is opposite to the backward direction.

[0037] As illustrated in Figure 1, a vehicle 10, preferably an electric motor vehicle, includes at least one charging port 1 for the electrical energy storage battery, the latter being intended to power at least one electric motor. The port 1 is located on the rear side of the vehicle, preferably at the level of the rear fender 18.

[0038] The rear wing 18 can be directly formed from the body side, particularly from composite materials such as carbon fiber. The rear wing 18 can extend radially from the body side, such that a forward portion of the wing is inclined relative to the longitudinal plane of the vehicle. This inclined portion generates an increased width of the rear track of the vehicle, which improves its stability. Due to its wider track, the rear of the vehicle is capable of transmitting increased power to the rear axle, the tires of which are adapted to the increased dimensions. With increased power, the reduction of aerodynamic drag can be achieved by the presence of an airflow duct capable of connecting the front and rear of the wing 18. For this purpose, as illustrated in particular in [Fig.4], a rear portion 181 of the rear wing 18 extends substantially to the extension of a rear lighting block 30 along a plane extending parallel to the transverse Y and vertical Z axes.

[0039] The vehicle 10 includes an aerodynamic drag reduction system 100 consisting of an air scoop 101, an airflow duct 11 communicating at one end with an opening in the refueling hatch 1 and at the other end with an opening 182 provided at the rear transverse portion of the rear wing 18.

[0040] The air flow duct 11 thus extends inside the vehicle body, longitudinally from the front to the rear of the vehicle.

[0041] The conduit 11 may, according to one embodiment, be a conduit separate from the body side 17 and / or the wing 18 and / or the inner body lining. The conduit 11 may be made of a plastic material.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the stacking assembly of the body side 17 and / or the inner body lining and / or a wheel arch makes it possible to locally form a hollow section extending longitudinally, the conduit 11 being able to be made by the hollow section thus made.

[0043] The vehicle 10 can be made of lightweight material such as a composite fiber, for example carbon fiber. Such a material can be used in the manufacture of the body side 17 and / or the inner lining of the body side and / or the fender and / or the duct 11.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle comprises a single-piece body panel visible from the outside: this consists of the body side 17 and the rear wing 18, which is molded from the body side 17 such that the rear wing 18 is inseparable from the body side 17. The longitudinally extending body side 17 may include a single door opening, allowing the rear wing 18 to be displayed with a more prominent geometry. This advantageously accommodates an aerodynamic drag reduction system 100 between the rear of the single side door and the rear wheel arch 5. Due to the angled portion of the rear wing 18, the air scoop 101 is positioned forward of the rear wheel arch 5.

[0045] The electric vehicle charger 10 can be positioned near a rear compartment of the vehicle, such that the charging port 4 is located at the rear of the vehicle, specifically at the rear fender 18. In [Fig. 2], the aerodynamic drag reduction system 100 includes the charging port 1. The cover 4 of the port 1 is the air scoop 101 and, for this purpose, includes an airflow channel forming a converging channel, achieved by a particular shape of the cover 4. The latter also includes an opening 41 through which air generated by the vehicle's movement can flow. Preferably, the opening 41 is located in a plane extending parallel to the vertical Z and transverse Y axes.

[0046] The hatch 1 includes a bowl 3 through which are provided a first opening 31 for the charging socket 2 and a second opening 32, the latter being in fluidic contact with the conduit 11. The plane in which the first opening 31 is located intersects the plane in which the second opening 32 is located. When the cover 4 of the charging hatch is in the open position, the socket 200 of the electrical charging installation shown in [Fig. 3] extends in front of the cover 4. The movement between the open and closed positions of the cover 4 is achieved by means of a hinge 12, a part of which extends near a rear area 16 of the hatch 1.

[0047] The articulation means 12 is adapted to allow rotational movement of the lid 4 on the bowl 3, said articulation means comprising at least one arm 121 extending projecting from a rear face of the lid. The arm 121 is rotatably mounted about an axis located at the rear transverse portion of the bowl 3, the arm 121 having, in particular, a gooseneck profile. Preferably, said articulation means 12 comprises two parallel arms arranged vertically opposite each other, in particular near the upper and lower edges of the lid 4, outside of which the arms 121 are rotatably assembled to the bowl 3.

[0048] In [Fig.2], hatch 1 is in the closed position, the second opening 32 is positioned opposite the opening 41 of the cover.

[0049] An air collection channel is formed by the concave-shaped cover 4, as shown in [Fig. 2]. The opening 41 extends into the continuation of the air collection channel. Given the beveled profile of the front portion 15, the cover 4 has a substantially concave profile with a longitudinally evolving cross-section, thus forming an air collection channel that can be considered a convergent section. The convergent section formed at the cover 4 can therefore have a varying depth, such that the rear of the convergent section has a greater depth than the front portion. Preferably, the opening 41 of the cover 4 or the second opening 32 of the bowl 3 has a substantially semicircular cross-section, notably delimited by a substantially arc-shaped inner edge and a substantially straight outer edge with a vertical axis.

[0050] Due to the geometry of the hatch 1 which follows a substantially beveled profile in the front part, the bowl 3 and the cover 4 are discreetly integrated at the level of the air scoop 101 of the aerodynamic drag reduction system.

[0051] The aerodynamic drag reduction system 100 thus includes an air scoop 101 comprising the cover 4 of the charging hatch 1. This integration makes it possible to conceal the charging port within the hatch 1, at the level of the first opening 31. Due to this integration, the reduction of the vehicle's aerodynamic drag is partly ensured by the hatch 1, in particular by the design of the cover 4 which includes an air collection channel and the opening 41 in fluidic connection with the duct 11.

[0052] The hatch 1 also includes a shaped indentation at the level of the lid 4 and the bowl 3 intended for easier gripping of the lid 4 for its opening.

[0053] The gripping indentation is located on the front part 15 of the hatch. The indentation made on the bowl 3 and the lid 4 creates a recess through which a finger can be placed to exert a pulling force, allowing the user to operate the lid 4.

[0054] Near the maneuvering footprint, the hatch may include a locking means that can be electrically controlled.

[0055] The hatch 1 is attached to the body side 17 via the bowl 3, which is mounted at a housing 171 on the body side 17 or the fender 18. This design helps to make the integration of the hatch 1 into the vehicle discreet. The aerodynamic drag reduction system 100 contains the intake 2 of the hatch 1, which includes a charging port that is not visible from outside the vehicle when the air scoop 101 formed by the cover (4) is in the closed position.

[0056] The invention is remarkable in that it allows two totally distinct functions to be combined, namely the aerodynamic treatment of the vehicle when it is in motion by means of the system 100 comprising the conduit 11, and the recharging of the vehicle's battery when it is parked.

[0057] The invention is also remarkable because the aerodynamic system integrating the charging hatch is located near a second air scoop 102 which is intended to supply air to a braking device for the rear wheel 5. The front part of the rear wing 18 thus includes a multitude of technical means aimed at improving the agility of the vehicle, while increasing the performance of the braking device, giving a reason for being to this electric vehicle: to make the heart of automotive passion beat.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Charging hatch (1) for an electric vehicle (10), the charging hatch comprising a charging socket (2) suitable for connection to an electric battery, the hatch (1) comprising a bowl (3) and a lid (4) pivotally hinged on the bowl, characterized in that the bowl (3) has at least a first opening (31) through which the socket (2) extends and a second opening (32) intended to be connected to an airflow duct (11), the lid (4) comprising an opening (41), the lid (4) being suitable for pivoting between a closed position, in which the first opening (31) is closed by the lid (4), while the opening (41) of the lid is arranged with regard to the second opening (32) such that a passage is created through the lid in order to make the airflow through the air duct suitable, and an open position in which the charging socket (2) is made accessible.

2. Hatch (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the cover (4) is an air scoop (101) comprising an air collection channel (1011), in particular a convergent opening through the opening (41) of the cover and said second opening (32) of the bowl when the cover is in the closed position.

3. Hatch (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the cover (4) has a substantially concave profile, in particular with a longitudinally evolving section.

4. Hatch (1) according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that the opening (41) of the lid (4) or the second opening (32) of the bowl (3) has a cross-section substantially in a semicircle, in particular delimited by an inner edge substantially in an arc of a circle and an outer edge substantially straight with a vertical axis.

5. Hatch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bowl (3) and / or the lid (4) has a substantially beveled profile at the level of a front part (15).

6. Hatch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bowl (3) comprises a rear part (16) of increased height relative to a front part (15), the rear part comprising a portion extending in a substantially vertical and transverse axis plane, and through which the second opening (32) is housed.

7. Hatch (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a means for articulating (12) the lid (4) on the bowl (3) for rotation, said means of articulation comprising at least one arm (121) extending projecting out of a rear face of the lid, the arm (121) being mounted for rotation about an axis disposed at the level of a rear transverse portion of the bowl (3), the arm (121) having in particular a gooseneck profile.

8. A vehicle aerodynamic drag reduction system (100), characterized in that it comprises a hatch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, and an airflow duct (11) located at the extension of the hatch (1), in particular of the cover (4) in the closed position, in order to create an airflow path passing successively through the hatch (1) and the duct (11).

9. Aerodynamic drag reduction system (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a body side (17) delimiting a rear wing (18) of which a rear part (181) of the wing extends transversely and substantially to the extension of a rear lighting block (30), the rear part (181) of the wing having an opening (182) in fluidic relationship with the airflow duct (11).

10. Arrangement of a side of a vehicle (10), in particular of a rear side of a vehicle (10), comprising a hollow body delimited by a body side (17), an inner lining of the body side and a wheel arch assembled together, characterized in that it includes an aerodynamic drag reduction system according to claim 8 or 9.

11. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the air flow duct (11) is either an added part inside the hollow body or the hollow body itself.

12. An arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the body side (17) and / or the inner lining of the body side and / or the wheel arch and / or the airflow duct (11) is made of composite material, in particular carbon fiber.

13. An arrangement according to at least one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the hatch (1) is fixed to the body side (17) at the level of a housing (171) in the body side such that the aerodynamic drag reduction system (100) masks the intake (2) which is not visible from outside the vehicle when the air scoop (101) formed by the cover (4) is in the closed position.

14. Vehicle (10), in particular of the type of an automobile, characterized in that it comprises a hatch (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or an aerodynamic drag reduction system (100) according to claim 8 or 9, or an arrangement of a lateral side of a vehicle according to any one of claims 10 to 13.

15. Vehicle (10) according to the preceding claim, the vehicle comprising a hatch according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a lower air scoop (102) disposed below the air scoop (101) made by the charging hatch (1), the lower air scoop being included in a cooling system of a rear wheel braking system (5) of the vehicle.

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