Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R16/00—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for
  • B60R16/02—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements
  • B60R16/04—Arrangement of batteries
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R16/00—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for
  • B60R16/02—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements
  • B60R16/023—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
  • B60R16/0238—Electrical distribution centers

Definitions

• TITLE Layout of an engine compartment of a motor vehicle
• the invention relates to an arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising a battery, a housing containing at least one electrical relay and/or at least one fuse, and means for fixing the battery and said housing.
• the invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such an arrangement.
• the invention also relates to a method of assembling such an arrangement.
• the electrical equipment is generally electrically connected to a battery, in particular a battery having a voltage of approximately 12 volts at its terminals, and to control means integrated inside a passenger compartment of the vehicle.
• the electrical equipment as well as its electrical connection devices must be integrated into an engine compartment in which the available volume is generally very limited.
• Electrical connection devices include electrical harnesses as well as electrical and/or fuse relays integrated into a housing. These boxes also occupy a considerable volume in the engine compartment and require numerous steps for their assembly and fixing. The integration of new electrical equipment therefore requires management and assembly of the numerous components to be assembled within the engine compartment. In addition, the boxes containing the electrical relays and/or fuses must remain easily accessible in the event of maintenance operations. Presentation of the invention
• the aim of the invention is to provide an arrangement for a motor vehicle remedying the above drawbacks and improving the arrangements known from the prior art.
• a first object of the invention is an arrangement for a motor vehicle which facilitates the assembly operations of the components of an engine compartment.
• a second object of the invention is an arrangement for a motor vehicle which optimizes the space available to integrate the different components of the engine compartment.
• the invention relates to an arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising a battery, a housing containing at least one electrical relay and/or at least one fuse, and a support comprising a stamped metal element, the battery and said housing being fixed directly to the support.
• the support may consist of a single stamped metal element.
• Said box can be fixed cantilevered to the support.
• the support may comprise at least one opening, and said housing may comprise at least one fixing clip cooperating with the at least one opening.
• the arrangement may include an electrical connection means between the battery and the at least one electrical relay and/or the at least one fuse contained in the housing.
• the support may comprise a first part extending generally horizontally, the battery resting on the first part, and the support may comprise a second part extending generally vertically, said housing being fixed against the second part.
• Said second part can extend generally parallel to a transverse axis and a vertical axis of the vehicle.
• the support may comprise at least one rib extending over the first part and the second part.
• the second part may comprise a central part extending in a first plane and at least one lateral part extending in a second plane parallel to the first plane and offset relative to the first plane.
• the second part may comprise a profiled shape along a vertical axis.
• the arrangement may include:
• a braking assistance means provided with a braking master cylinder, said housing being positioned along the master cylinder, and/or
• gearbox support being fixed directly to the body element, said support being fixed directly to the gearbox support.
• the invention also relates to a motor vehicle, comprising an arrangement as defined above.
• the invention also relates to a method of assembling an arrangement as defined above, the assembly method comprising:
• Figure 1 is a top view of an engine compartment of a motor vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 2 is a top view of an arrangement according to one embodiment of the invention, the arrangement comprising a battery and a housing containing electrical relays.
• Figure 3 is a top view of the arrangement, the battery and a housing cover being hidden.
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of the arrangement.
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of the arrangement, the battery being hidden.
• Figure 6 is a perspective view of the housing, the housing being attached to a support.
• Figure 7 is a side view of the arrangement, the battery being hidden.
• Figure 8 is a perspective view of the support of the arrangement to which the battery and the housing are fixed.
• Figure 9 is a top view of the support of Figure 8.
• Figure 10 is a perspective view of the housing, the housing cover being hidden.
• Figure 11 is a sectional view of the housing and part of the support to which the housing is attached. detailed description
• FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an automobile vehicle 1 according to one embodiment.
• the vehicle 1 includes an engine compartment 2 positioned at the front of the vehicle.
• the engine compartment 2 is a volume accommodating in particular an engine 3 useful for traction and/or propulsion of the vehicle but also different components or organs of the vehicle, in particular a braking system 4 as well as various electrical equipment 5.
• the engine compartment 2 is separated from a passenger compartment 3 of the vehicle 1 by an apron 6, which is a partition extending substantially parallel to a transverse axis and to a vertical axis of the vehicle.
• the vehicle can for example include computers or electronic control units, voltage converters, electric heating units, lighting devices, or even detection means.
• the vehicle 1 comprises an arrangement 7 according to one embodiment of the invention.
• Arrangement 7, better visible in Figure 2 notably comprises a battery 8 and a box 9 containing at least one electrical relay 10 and/or at least one fuse.
• the battery 8 is an energy storage device useful for powering various electrical equipment of the vehicle. It may in particular be a so-called "lead acid" battery, and/or have a voltage of approximately 12 volts at its terminals. On the other hand, the battery 8 is not an energy storage device intended to supply energy to an electric motor useful for traction and/or propulsion of the vehicle.
• the electrical relays 10 are electrical switches making it possible to control the power supply of the electrical equipment to which they are connected.
• the number of electrical relays contained in the housing 9 can be any, for example any number between one and ten, in particular two electrical relays as shown in Figure 3.
• the housing 9 could include one or several fuses, that is to say electrical protection devices interposed between the battery 8 and the equipment electrical 5 and configured to protect electrical equipment from excessive electrical currents.
• the arrangement 7 thus comprises at least one electrical connection means (not shown) between the battery 8 and the at least one electrical relay 10 and/or the at least one fuse contained in the housing 9.
• the electrical connection means may in particular be formed by one or more electrical wires or electrical harness extending between the battery 8 and the at least one electrical relay 10 and/or the at least one fuse contained in the housing 9.
• the X axis is oriented from the front to the rear of the vehicle, that is to say in the direction of reverse.
• the Y axis designates the transverse axis of the vehicle.
• the Y axis is oriented from left to right, with left and right defined from the perspective of a vehicle driver.
• the Z axis designates the axis perpendicular to the X axis and the Y axis.
• the vehicle is considered to rest on horizontal ground.
• the Z axis is a vertical axis, oriented from bottom to top.
• the terms "lower” and “upper” relate to an arrangement along the vertical axis Z.
• the axes X, Y and Z form an orthogonal XYZ coordinate system.
• the reference XYZ defined by reference to the vehicle 1, is also used to describe the arrangement 7, even considered outside the vehicle, since it is intended for assembly in a specific orientation in the vehicle.
• Battery 8 has a generally parallelepiped shape. As appears in Figure 2, it comprises a horizontal projection of rectangular shape and whose long side extends parallel to the longitudinal axis X. The terminals 11 of the battery 8 are positioned on its upper face.
• the housing 9 is positioned at the rear of the battery 8, along a short side of said rectangular shape of the battery 8.
• the housing 9 also includes a generally parallelepiped. It comprises a horizontal projection of rectangular shape and whose long side extends parallel to the transverse axis Y.
• the long side of the housing 9 has a length strictly less than the short side of the battery 8.
• the housing 9 is therefore positioned at direct proximity of the battery 8 which makes it possible to minimize the length of the electrical connection between the electrical relays 10 and/or the fuses on the one hand and the battery 8 on the other hand
• the braking system 4 of the vehicle 1 comprises a braking assistance means 12 equipped with a braking force amplifier 13, also called mastervac, and a master cylinder 14.
• the braking force amplifier 13 comprises a generally circular outline and extends vertically and transversely against the apron 4, at the height of a brake pedal.
• the master cylinder 14 is a member attached to the braking force amplifier 13 and to which a braking circuit is connected. It extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis also extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis -cylinder 14. Housing 9 is also positioned forward of one side of brake force amplifier 13. Master cylinder 14 extends forward to approximately mid-length of the long side of the battery 8.
• the vehicle 1 has a cockpit on the left and the arrangement 7 is positioned in a rear left corner of the engine compartment 2.
• the invention could of course be transposed to a vehicle 1 having a cockpit on the right side of the vehicle, the arrangement can then be positioned in a right rear corner of the engine compartment.
• the positioning of the battery 8 and the box 9 near the apron 4 is advantageous because it allows minimize the length of the electrical connection means between these two components on the one hand and the control means integrated inside the passenger compartment on the other hand.
• the vehicle 1 also includes a body forming a rigid metal structure to which various components are attached.
• This body includes not only the apron 4 but also a body element in the form of a spar 16 extending longitudinally on one side of the engine compartment.
• the battery 8 and the housing 9 are fixed via a support 17 to the spar 16.
• the vehicle 1 comprises a gearbox support 18, for example from aluminum casting, fixed directly to the spar 16.
• the support 17 is fixed directly to the gearbox support 18.
• the gearbox support 18 comprises four columns 19 extending upwards and downwards. support 17 is fixed to the upper end of these columns 19 by means of four fixing screws passing through fixing holes 20 provided in the support 17.
• the battery 8 and the box 9 are fixed directly to the support 17.
• the support 17 comprises a stamped metal element, that is to say an element formed by a process of deformation of a metal sheet.
• the support 17 consists of a single stamped metal element.
• the support 17 could also be made up of several metal elements fixed together for example by welding, by crimping or even by screwing.
• the support 17 is presented as a single component ready to be fixed within the engine compartment 2.
• the support 17 comprises a first part 21 extending generally horizontally, and in which the fixing holes 20 are arranged.
• the support 17 is fixed to the body of the vehicle via its first part 21.
• the first part 21 can possibly be openworked so as to be lightened.
• the support 17 also comprises a second part 22 extending generally parallel to the vertical axis Z and the transverse axis Y.
• the battery 8 rests on the first part 21 of the support and the housing 9 is fixed against the second part 22
• the support 17 can also comprise a third part 23 extending parallel to the vertical axis Z and to the longitudinal axis X. This third part 23 can be useful to maintain laterally the battery 8 and/or to fix a battery cover via a pin 24 provided for this purpose at its upper end.
• the support 17 advantageously comprises at least one rib 25 extending over the first part 21 and over the second part 22.
• the rib 25 makes it possible to stiffen the support 17 at the level of the connection between the first part 21 and the second part 22.
• the rib 25 makes it possible to avoid a phenomenon of vibration or beating of the second part relative to the first part 21.
• the rib 25 can take the form of a fold of material arranged so that the connecting line between the first part 21 and the second part 22 is not rectilinear but on the contrary multidimensional.
• the housing 9 is fixed cantilevered to the support 17, that is to say that the housing 9 is not supported at the level of its lower face.
• the housing 9 is fixed via its front face, which extends parallel to the transverse axis Y and to the vertical axis Z. This is not problematic insofar as the housing 9 is relatively light.
• the housing 9 can be made of plastic and the components it contains are also relatively light.
• the cantilever fixing reduces the longitudinal size of the support 17 and to free up space under the housing 9, in particular for the passage of an electrical harness.
• the second part 22 of the support 17 is clearly visible in Figures 8 to 10. It extends upwards from a rear side of the first part 21.
• the second part 22 comprises a profiled shape along the vertical axis Z. This profiled shape allows the insertion of the second part 22 into an opening 26 facing downwards provided in the housing 9, by a translational movement towards the bottom of the housing during its attachment to the support 17.
• the second part 22 further comprises a central part 27 extending in a first plane P1 and two lateral parts 28, respectively to the right and to the left of the central part 27, extending in a second plane P2 parallel to the first plane P1 and offset relative to the foreground P1.
• a shape improves the overall rigidity of the second part 22 and provides a means of guiding the housing 9 in translation during its assembly to the support 17.
• the central part 27 also comprises at least one opening 29 or window, for example two openings as is clearly visible in Figure 8. These openings 29 cooperate with a fixing clip 30 formed in the housing 9.
• the fixing clips 30 are formed along a front wall of the housing 9.
• the fixing clips 30 are positioned inside the opening 26 into which the second part 22 is inserted.
• the fixing clips advantageously form a one-piece assembly, for example obtained by plastic injection, with at least one wall of the housing 9
• the housing can advantageously be formed of a lower part and an upper part 32 fitted one inside the other.
• the fixing clips are secured to the lower part 31.
• the upper part 32 forms a removable cover which can be easily removed and then replaced for a maintenance operation.
• the housing 9 further comprises an electrical connector 33 allowing an electrical connection with the electrical relays 10 and/or the fuses it contains.
• the assembly of such an arrangement 7 to the engine compartment 2 is particularly simple.
• the support 17, ready for use The support 17 is then fixed, in particular screwed, to an element of the vehicle, in particular to the gearbox support 18.
• the battery 8 and the housing 9 are fixed to the support 17.
• the battery 8 can either be fixed first , or first the housing 9.
• Fixing the housing 9 to the support 17 by means of the fixing clips 30 has the advantage of being very simple to implement: it is enough to carry out a vertical translation movement of the housing from high to low.
• the engine compartment 2 of the vehicle 1 that is particularly simple to assemble.
• the same support 17 supports two distinct components which are the battery 8 and the housing 9 which makes it possible to save on a specific support for each of these components.
• the battery 8 and the housing 9 remain easily accessible for any maintenance operation.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Battery Mounting, Suspending (AREA)
• Connection Of Batteries Or Terminals (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=83594324

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (1)

Family Cites Families (6)

• 2022
  • 2022-08-02 FR FR2208002A patent/FR3138634A1/fr active Pending
• 2023
  • 2023-07-05 WO PCT/EP2023/068634 patent/WO2024028035A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2023-07-05 EP EP23738747.7A patent/EP4565457A1/de active Pending

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