FR3146102A1 - ELECTRIC CHARGING ARRANGEMENT FOR ELECTRIFIED MOTOR VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric charging arrangement for an electrified motor vehicle, the arrangement comprising a housing (1) for storing a deployable electric charging cable (3), an access hatch (4) to said housing (1), hollow elements (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) making it possible, depending on their internal pressure, to exert a compressive force against the charging cable (3) in the housing (1) or to release said charging cable (3) in said housing (1). The internal pressure is controlled by a depressurization circuit (9) hydraulically coupled to control means (5) of the internal pressure in the hollow elements (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), the control means (5) themselves being mechanically coupled to the access hatch (4), so that the opening or closing of said access hatch (4) respectively controls a depressurization or a pressurization of said hollow elements (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d). Figure 4

Description

ELECTRIC CHARGING ARRANGEMENT FOR ELECTRIFIED MOTOR VEHICLE

The technical context of the present invention is that of electromechanical devices used for the electrical recharging of electrified motor vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to an electrical recharging arrangement for an electrified motor vehicle.

Conventional charging cables for electrified motor vehicles may be equipped with two electrical connectors, one intended for connecting the cable to the charging socket box of electrified motor vehicles and the other to the charging station connected to an electrical network. These charging cables are usually kept on board the vehicle in a storage bag or box, generally kept in the trunk of electrified motor vehicles. A known drawback of such charging cables is that, on the one hand, it is possible to lose them or forget them near the electrified motor vehicle, and on the other hand, such charging cables kept in their storage bag take up space available in the trunk. In addition, on a daily basis, unpacking the cable from its storage bag and connecting it on each side is not practical. Thus, it is desirable to seek to improve the ergonomics of storage solutions.

Solutions are known that propose a charging cable that can be deployed outside the body of the electrified motor vehicle. Such a deployable charging cable is electrically connected and permanently secured at a first end electrically connected to an electric traction battery of said electrified motor vehicle. A second end of the deployable charging cable is then available to be extracted from the body of the motor vehicle in order to reach the charging station.

For example, document DE-A1-102009016895 is known, which describes a cable solution that can be deployed outside the vehicle bodywork, comprising a reel located behind a charging hatch. Document CN-A-109278575 describes another solution for an electric vehicle charging hatch, with a system for spirally winding the cable inside the vehicle.

Both solutions have the disadvantage that the charging cable knocks against the internal wall of its housing when the electrified motor vehicle is moving. Of course, this type of inconvenience is not desired.

The object of the present invention is to propose a novel electric charging arrangement in order to at least largely address the above problems and to further lead to other advantages.

Another aim of the invention is to reduce the inconvenience linked to the noise and shocks of a deployable charging cable housed in its storage housing when the vehicle is moving.

Another aim of the invention is to facilitate the use of such an electric charging arrangement, and in particular to improve the ergonomics of handling the electric charging cable.

According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with an electric charging arrangement for an electrified motor vehicle, the arrangement comprising:

- a deployable electric charging cable forming a helical elastic spiral

- a storage housing for the charging cable, the cable being housed in the housing;

- an access hatch to the housing, the access hatch being pivotally mounted around an axis of rotation;

- at least one hollow element of deformable volume arranged between an internal wall of the housing and the cable;

- means for controlling an internal pressure of the at least one hollow element, the pressure control means being configured to generate, in the situation of storing the cable in the housing, a first pressure value determining a first volume of the at least one hollow element so as to exert a first bearing pressure of said at least one hollow element against the cable and to generate, in the situation of releasing the cable from the housing, a second pressure value determining a second volume of the at least one hollow element so as to exert a second bearing pressure against the cable lower than the first bearing pressure, the pressure control means comprising a vacuum pump fluidly coupled to the at least one hollow element.

In the arrangement according to the first aspect of the invention, the pressure control means comprise a connecting rod connecting the hatch to the vacuum pump, such that when the hatch is configured in the open position, the vacuum pump is configured to provide access between the atmospheric air and the at least one hollow element so as to pressurize the at least one hollow element to its first pressure value and, when the hatch is configured in the closed position, the vacuum pump is configured to provide access between the vacuum pump and the at least one hollow element so as to depressurize the at least one hollow element to its second pressure value.

In the context of the present invention, an electrified motor vehicle is of the type of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle. Generally, a drive train of such an electrified motor vehicle is rotated by an electric machine, electrically powered by an electric traction battery, in order to generate a motor torque used to set the motor vehicle in motion. Additionally or alternatively, the electric machine is configured to recover mechanical energy on the drive train and convert it into electrical energy, thereby producing a braking torque on said drive train and making it possible to recharge the electric traction battery.

In the context of the present invention, the charging cable is an electric cable for electrically connecting the electrified motor vehicle, and more particularly its electric traction battery, to a charging station and, more generally, to an electrical network used to provide electrical energy necessary for recharging the electric traction battery. In the context of the present invention, the charging cable is embedded in the arrangement according to the invention, such that only a free end of the cable is made accessible to a user to connect it to an electrical outlet of the charging station or, more generally, to the electrical network.

In the context of the present invention, the housing is a hollow, concave space, configured to be able to house the charging cable entirely when it is not in use. When the charging cable is used to provide the electrical connection mentioned above, then it is partially extracted from the housing, by its free end, in order to allow mechanical and electrical coupling with the electrical outlet of the electrical network. By way of non-limiting example, the housing is delimited by cylindrical walls. Furthermore, the housing can be located at any location of the electrified motor vehicle on which the arrangement according to the first aspect of the invention is intended to be mounted.

In the context of the present invention, the housing thus forms a “hollow body” of the body of the electrified motor vehicle. The hollow body forms a closed or partially closed volume of air. The hollow body is delimited by the walls of the housing forming elements of the bodywork. A geometry and/or dimensions of the hollow body make access to it difficult or even impossible for the hands of a user, either because the elements of the bodywork are solid, or because they are perforated by small openings not allowing the user to slide his hand into the entire volume of air, or because these small openings are themselves inaccessible.

In the context of the present invention, the access hatch forms a movable wall located at one end of the housing forming the hollow body. The access hatch is generally located in the direct extension of the bodywork of the electrified motor vehicle on which the arrangement according to the first aspect of the invention is intended to be mounted. The access hatch is configured to be able to take:

- a first configuration in which it partially or completely blocks access to the hollow body, i.e. the access hatch partially or completely blocks access to the housing in which the charging cable is housed. In this first configuration, the access hatch is located directly opposite an axial end of the housing forming an access opening to the hollow body;

– a second configuration in which it allows access to the housing, i.e. the entry of the charging cable into the hollow body. In the second configuration, the access hatch is located beyond or offset to the axial end of the housing forming the access opening to the hollow body. The access hatch passes from the first configuration to the second configuration by pivoting about the axis of rotation.

In the context of the present invention, the hollow element is of the vacuum seal type. As a non-limiting example, the hollow element is formed from an extruded elastomer material. Advantageously, the arrangement according to the first aspect of the invention comprises a plurality of hollow elements located on the periphery of the housing. In this case, the hollow elements are advantageously regularly distributed around a central axis of the housing. Each hollow element is located in the housing. Each hollow element bears against a peripheral wall delimiting the housing. Each hollow element is integral with a peripheral wall delimiting the housing. Each hollow element extends along a specific elongation axis which follows an elongation of the housing in which the charging cable is housed, so as to center and maintain said charging cable at a distance from the peripheral walls delimiting said housing and against which each at least one hollow element is installed. Thus, each hollow element positions the charging cable in the housing, over the entire length of said charging cable and/or said housing.

In the context of the present invention, the pressure control means make it possible to switch from a pressurized state of each hollow element—corresponding to the first pressure value injected by the control means into said hollow element—to a depressurized state of each hollow element—corresponding to the second pressure value injected by the control means into said hollow element. To achieve the pressurized state of each hollow element, the vacuum pump forming the control means is controlled so as to inject external air into said hollow element. Conversely, to achieve the depressurized state of each hollow element, the vacuum pump forming the control means is controlled so as to extract the air contained in said hollow element. The injection of air into the at least one hollow element makes it possible to charge each at least one hollow element to the first support pressure determining the first volume so as to press said at least one hollow element against the charging cable when stored in the housing. The extraction of air from the at least one hollow element makes it possible to charge each at least one hollow element at the second support pressure determining the second volume so as to place said at least one hollow element at a distance from the charging cable in a situation of release outside the housing.

Thus, the arrangement in accordance with the first aspect of the invention makes it possible to reduce the inconvenience linked to the noise and shocks of a deployable charging cable housed in its storage housing when the vehicle is moving on the one hand and, on the other hand, to facilitate the use of such an electric charging arrangement, and in particular to improve the ergonomics of handling of the electric charging cable.

The arrangement in accordance with the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

- the vacuum pump comprises a piston housed in a liner, the connecting rod comprising a first end coupled to the piston and a second end coupled to the hatch. The vacuum pump is advantageously located near the access hatch. Optionally, the vacuum pump is located near the storage housing for the charging cable;

– according to a first embodiment variant, the second end of the connecting rod is coupled to the trap at a proximal portion of the axis of rotation of the trap. Alternatively, according to a second embodiment variant, the second end of the connecting rod is coupled to the trap at a distal portion of the axis of rotation of the trap;

- the connecting rod comprises a connecting member located at its first end and/or at its second end, the connecting member allowing at least one rotation. This configuration makes it possible to facilitate the interaction between the access hatch and the piston of the vacuum pump;

- by way of non-limiting example, the connecting member is of the pivot or ball joint type;

- the vacuum pump is fluidically coupled to the at least one hollow element via at least one fluid conduit;

- a first termination of each at least one fluid conduit is fluidically coupled to the vacuum pump liner, and a second termination of each at least one fluid conduit is fluidically coupled to one of the at least one hollow member.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an electrified motor vehicle comprising an arrangement in accordance with the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements.

Various embodiments of the invention are provided, incorporating, in all of their possible combinations, the various optional features set out herein.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows on the one hand, and from several examples of embodiment given for information purposes and without limitation with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the second aspect of the invention;

illustrates a schematic front view of a storage housing for a charging cable and in which hollow elements are configured in their depressurized state;

illustrates a schematic front view of a storage housing for a charging cable and in which hollow elements are configured in their pressurized state;

illustrates a schematic view of a first configuration of an arrangement according to the first aspect of the invention;

illustrates a schematic view of a second configuration of an arrangement according to the first aspect of the invention.

Of course, the features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

In particular, all variants and embodiments described can be combined with each other if there is no technical obstacle to this combination.

In the figures, elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

With reference to FIGURES 3 and 4, the invention relates to an arrangement 12 for electric charging for an electrified motor vehicle 100, the arrangement 12 comprising:

- a deployable electric charging cable 3 forming a helical elastic spiral when housed in a storage housing 1;

- an access hatch 4 to the housing 1, the access hatch 4 being pivotally mounted around an axis of rotation 41;

- at least one hollow element 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of deformable volume arranged between an internal wall 13 of the housing 1 and the cable 3;

- means 5 for controlling an internal pressure of the at least one hollow element 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, the pressure control means 5 being configured to generate, in the situation of storing the cable 3 in the housing 1, a first pressure value determining a first volume of the at least one hollow element 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d so as to exert a first bearing pressure of said at least one hollow element 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d against the cable 3 and to generate, in the situation of releasing the cable 3 from the housing 1, a second pressure value determining a second volume of the at least one hollow element 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d so as to exert a second bearing pressure against the cable 3 lower than the first bearing pressure, the pressure control means 5 comprising a vacuum pump 8 fluidly coupled to the at least one hollow element 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

More specifically, the shows the arrangement 12 according to the invention and in which the access hatch 4 is closed, while the shows the arrangement 12 according to the invention in which the access hatch 4 is open.

According to the invention, the pressure control means 5 comprise a connecting rod 82 connecting on the one hand the hatch and, on the other hand, the vacuum pump 8, so that when the hatch is configured in the open position - as visible in the – then the vacuum pump 8 is configured to provide access between the atmospheric air and the at least one hollow element 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d so as to pressurize the at least one hollow element 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d to its first pressure value. On the other hand, when the hatch is configured in the closed position – as visible in the – then the vacuum pump 8 is configured to provide access between the vacuum pump 8 and the at least one hollow element 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d so as to depressurize the at least one hollow element 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d to its second pressure value.

The vacuum pump 8 comprises a piston 81 housed in a liner 80. A first end of the connecting rod 82 is coupled to the piston 81 and a second end of the connecting rod 82 coupled to the hatch. The pump may be located near the access hatch 4 or near the housing 1 for storing the charging cable 3.

The connecting rod 82 comprises a connecting member located at its first end and/or at its second end, the connecting member allowing at least one rotation. The connecting member is for example of the type of a pivot or a ball joint.

The vacuum pump 8 is fluidically coupled to the at least one hollow element 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d via at least one fluid conduit forming a depressurization circuit 9. In particular, a first termination of the depressurization circuit 9 is fluidically coupled to the liner 80 of the vacuum pump 8, and a second termination of the depressurization circuit 9 is fluidically coupled to each at least one hollow element 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

In reference to the , an electrified motor vehicle 100 is described comprising an arrangement 12 as described above. Such an electrified motor vehicle 100 comprises a rotating electric machine – not shown – generating a motor torque on a traction chain of the electrified motor vehicle 100. In order to provide electrical energy necessary for the operation of the rotating electric machine, the electrified motor vehicle 100 comprises an electric traction battery 10.

The electric traction battery 10 is electrically coupled to the arrangement 12 according to the invention by means of an on-board charger 11 enabling an electrical conversion to be carried out by transformation of current and/or voltage. In particular, the charging cable 3 is permanently electrically coupled, at a first end, to the on-board charger 11. The charging cable 3 extends into the housing 1 of the arrangement 12 according to the invention in order to have a free end enabling its connection to a charging station, not shown.

The charging cable 3 is thus stored temporarily in the housing 1 of the arrangement 12, itself embedded in the electrified motor vehicle 100. The charging cable 3 is retractable and can be partially extracted – while remaining connected to the on-board charger 11 at its first end – in order to access the charging station.

To do this, of course, the access hatch 4 to the housing 1 must be open. This operation is facilitated by the rotation of the hatch relative to its axis of rotation 41, allowing it to pivot between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The access hatch 4 comprises an opening and closing element movable in rotation about the aforementioned axis of rotation 41. In the open position, the user can grasp the cable 3. In the closed position, the charging cable 3 is stored in its housing 1 and protected by the access hatch 4.

The storage housing 1 forms, for example, a chute located in a free space under a body of the electrified motor vehicle 100, in the upper part of the rear wheel arch. Other locations are conceivable without departing from the scope of the invention as long as the free space allows the housing 1 to be installed, for example in the front zone of the electrified motor vehicle 100 or in the zone under a chassis of said electrified motor vehicle 100. The chute performs the function of a guide and protection tube for the charging cable 3. The chute is advantageously oriented along a sloping axis allowing the cable 3 to be stored under the simple effect of gravity. The chute can, for example, be arranged with an angle of inclination that can be between 0° and 60° relative to a vertical axis of the electrified motor vehicle 100.

The charging cable 3 takes for example the form of a helical elastic spiral allowing a user to deploy it outside the housing 1 and stretch it in order to electrically connect it to a charging station located nearby. The charging cable 3 is deployable because it can be stretched outside the body of the electrified motor vehicle 100. The spiral is elastic because at rest, without action by the user, the spiral has a length intended to allow it to be stored in the housing 1 and the access hatch 4 to be closed. When the charging cable 3 is stretched by a user, the spiral has a greater length allowing it to be connected to the charging station. The elastic spiral shape of the charging cable 3 and the sloping orientation of the housing 1 have the effect that the charging cable 3 folds back by itself under the effect of gravity once it is released.

To avoid vibrations of the charging cable 3 against an internal wall 13 of the housing 1, the arrangement 12 according to the invention comprises at least one hollow element 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d made of elastic material and of deformable volume. It is positioned between the spiral formed by the charging cable 3 and the internal wall 13 of the housing 1.

In particular, the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the arrangement 12 according to the invention comprises a plurality of hollow elements 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, distributed around the periphery of the charging cable 3, i.e. circumferentially to an internal wall 13 of the housing 1. Thus, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the arrangement 12 comprises a first hollow element 2a, a second hollow element 2b, a third hollow element 2c and a fourth hollow element 2d. Each element is fixed integrally, for example by gluing, to the internal wall 13 of the housing 1.

All the hollow elements 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are preferably identical and each form a vacuum seal made of elastic material which allows a variation of its volume as a function of the pressure controlled in its internal cavity 21a. The material is an elastomer, of the rubber type or of the type of materials usually used for seals. It is an extruded elastomer.

Each of the hollow elements 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d comprises an internal cavity 21a of deformable volume and a support zone 22a located radially between the internal cavity 21a and the charging cable 3. The internal cavity 21a is tubular in shape and extends longitudinally to the housing 1 as far as the depressurization circuit 9 coming from the vacuum pump 8. The support zone 22a has a shape intended to match a portion of the surface of the charging cable 3 so as to improve the holding pressure on said charging cable 3 when they are in contact. The support zone 22a is formed by an elastomer overmolding made on the surface of the internal cavity 21a.

Each hollow element 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d has a deformable shape and/or volume delimiting an internal cavity 21a, which when pressurized to a first pressure value, for example equal to atmospheric pressure, exerts a holding pressure against the charging cable 3, and which, when depressurized to a second pressure value lower than the first pressure value, allows the charging cable 3 to be released.

More specifically, when the access hatch 4 is closed, the hollow element has an internal pressure such that the volume of its internal cavity 21a exerts a holding force against the charging cable 3, thus avoiding shocks and vibrations while driving. This configuration is respectively illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4.

On the other hand, when the access hatch 4 is open, the hollow element is subjected to a depression involving a deformation of the type of a retraction of said hollow element, so that the holding force of the charging cable 3 is reduced or even cancelled, thus making it possible to release the charging cable 3 and to allow a user to grasp it and easily extract it from its housing 1. This configuration is respectively illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 5.

This pressure variation is made possible by means 5 for controlling the internal pressure of the hollow element and which equip the arrangement 12 according to the invention. These control means 5 comprise a vacuum pump 8 mechanically coupled to the access hatch 4, so that it is indeed the opening and closing movement of the access hatch 4 which respectively controls the depressurization and pressurization of the internal cavity 21a of each hollow element 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d. This advantageous configuration allows hydraulic operation without an actuator and without energy consumption.

For this purpose, the vacuum pump 8 comprises a piston 81 housed in a liner 80. The piston 81 is movable in translation in the liner 80, and allows during its translational movement to pressurize or depressurize a depressurization circuit 9 coupled to a closed end of the liner 80, opposite an open end oriented schematically towards the access hatch 4 in FIGURES 4 and 5.

In summary, the invention relates to an arrangement 12 for electric charging for an electrified motor vehicle 100, the arrangement 12 comprising a housing 1 for storing a deployable electric charging cable 3, an access hatch 4 to said housing 1, hollow elements 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d making it possible, depending on their internal pressure, to exert a compressive force against the charging cable 3 in the housing 1 or to release said charging cable 3 in said housing 1. The internal pressure is controlled by a depressurization circuit 9 hydraulically coupled to control means 5 for controlling the internal pressure of the hollow elements 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, the control means 5 themselves being mechanically coupled to the access hatch 4, such that the opening or closing of said access hatch 4 respectively controls a depressurization or a pressurization of said hollow elements 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d. 2b, 2c, 2d.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described and many adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the different characteristics, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

Claims (9)

Electric charging arrangement (12) for an electrified motor vehicle (100), the arrangement (12) comprising:
- a deployable electric charging cable (3) forming a helical elastic spiral
- a housing (1) for storing the cable (3), the cable (3) being housed in the housing (1);
- an access hatch (4) to the housing (1), the access hatch (4) being pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation (41);
- at least one hollow element (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) of deformable volume arranged between an internal wall (13) of the housing (1) and the cable (3);
- means (5) for controlling an internal pressure of the at least one hollow element (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), the pressure control means (5) being configured to generate, in a situation of storing the cable (3) in the housing (1), a first pressure value determining a first volume of the at least one hollow element (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) so as to exert a first bearing pressure of said at least one hollow element (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) against the cable (3) and to generate, in a situation of releasing the cable (3) from the housing (1), a second pressure value determining a second volume of the at least one hollow element (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) so as to exert a second bearing pressure against the cable (3) lower than the first bearing pressure, the pressure control means (5) comprising a vacuum pump (8) fluidically coupled to the housing (1). the at least one hollow element (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d);
characterized in that the pressure control means (5) comprise a connecting rod (82) connecting the hatch to the vacuum pump (8), such that when the hatch is configured in the open position, the vacuum pump (8) is configured to provide access between the atmospheric air and the at least one hollow element (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) so as to pressurize the at least one hollow element (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) to its first pressure value and, when the hatch is configured in the closed position, the vacuum pump (8) is configured to provide access between the vacuum pump (8) and the at least one hollow element (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) so as to depressurize the at least one hollow element (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) to its second pressure value. Arrangement (12) according to the preceding claim, in which the vacuum pump (8) comprises a piston (81) housed in a liner (80), the connecting rod (82) comprising a first end coupled to the piston (81) and a second end coupled to the trapdoor. Arrangement (12) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, in which the second end of the connecting rod (82) is coupled to the trapdoor at a proximal portion of the axis of rotation (41) of the trapdoor. Arrangement (12) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the second end of the connecting rod (82) is coupled to the trapdoor at a distal portion of the axis of rotation (41) of the trapdoor. Arrangement (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the connecting rod (82) comprises a connecting member located at its first end and/or at its second end, the connecting member allowing at least one rotation. Arrangement (12) according to the preceding claim, in which the connecting member is of the pivot or ball joint type. Arrangement (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vacuum pump (8) is fluidically coupled to the at least one hollow element (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) via at least one fluid conduit. Arrangement (12) according to the preceding claim, wherein a first termination of each at least one fluid conduit is fluidically coupled to the liner (80) of the vacuum pump (8), and a second termination of each at least one fluid conduit is fluidically coupled to one of the at least one hollow element (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d). An electrified motor vehicle (100) comprising an arrangement (12) according to any one of the preceding claims.