WO2011042634A1

WO2011042634A1 - Device for streamlining a bottom portion of an electric battery for a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2011042634A1
Application number: PCT/FR2010/051946
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pascal Jean Thoumire
Original assignee: Renault Sas
Priority date: 2009-10-09
Filing date: 2010-09-20
Publication date: 2011-04-14
Also published as: FR2951124B1; FR2951124A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (4) for streamlining a bottom portion (33) of an electric battery (3) for a motor vehicle (1), said device being accessible from underneath the chassis (2) of the motor vehicle, said device including a first means (46) for guiding the movement of the device in relation to the chassis, and a first means (45) for limiting the movement of the device in relation to the chassis, the first guide means and the first limiting means being intended to engage with a second guide means (25) and a second limiting means (24), respectively, which are produced on the chassis of the motor vehicle.

Description

Fairing device for a lower part

of an electric battery of a motor vehicle

The present invention relates to a fairing device of a lower part of an electric battery of a motor vehicle. It also relates to an assembly comprising an electric battery and such a fairing device. It also relates to a chassis of a motor vehicle having in its lower part an opening of a housing of an electric battery. Finally, it relates to a vehicle comprising such a fairing device and such a chassis.

Some motor vehicles, such as electric or hybrid vehicles, include a battery pack for an electric drive motor. Because of the autonomy of these vehicles, it may be interesting to exchange this battery for a new battery full of energy, when the energy level of the first is low. This can be done in a station similar to a service station in which one can fill a gas tank of a motor vehicle.

Document US Pat. No. 5,612,606 discloses an electric battery exchange station for powering an electric vehicle drive motor and a method for performing such an exchange.

On some motor vehicles, it is planned to introduce the battery from the underside of the vehicle. Thus, an opening is made in the chassis of the motor vehicle, this opening giving access to a trunk in which is housed the battery. After placing the battery, the lower part of the battery, which may for example consist of a cover closing the housing, remains accessible from below the vehicle. This lower part of the battery is particularly vulnerable to obstacles such as pads, terminals, sidewalks may damage it, under the impact of shocks, during driving or maneuvering the vehicle.

MS \ text_ for extension

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) There is therefore a need for a solution for protecting an electric power supply battery of a drive motor of an electric vehicle which does not hinder the possibility of exchange of this battery in a charging station. drums.

In addition, the lower part of the battery must be easily accessible so that the batteries can be exchanged automatically or semi-automatically in stations. In this case, the presence of a casing to be removed prior to the removal of the discharged battery to protect the lower part, then to go back after mounting the new battery complicates and increases the procedure time.

Thus, the object of the invention is to provide a battery fairing device remedying the disadvantages mentioned above and improving the fairing devices known from the prior art. In particular, the invention provides a simple, reliable and robust battery fairing device for easy and quick disassembly and reassembly of the battery. The invention further relates to a chassis of motor vehicles having the same advantages.

According to the invention, the device allows to fair a lower part of an electric battery of a motor vehicle accessible from below a chassis of the motor vehicle. Said device comprises a first means for guiding the movement of the device relative to the chassis and a first means for limiting the movement of the device relative to the chassis. The first guiding means and the first limiting means are respectively intended to cooperate with a second guiding means and a second limiting means made on the chassis of the motor vehicle.

MS \ text_ for extension The first and second guide means may define a direction of movement at least substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the motor vehicle. The first means of guiding the movement of the device relative to the chassis may comprise a hole and / or a shaft oriented at least substantially along an axis parallel to the vertical axis of the motor vehicle. The hole and / or the shaft are respectively intended to cooperate with a shaft oriented at least substantially along an axis parallel to the vertical axis of the motor vehicle and / or with a hole made on the chassis of the motor vehicle.

The first means of limiting the movement of the device relative to the chassis may comprise a stop, the stop being intended to cooperate with a stop made on the chassis of the motor vehicle.

The first guide means may allow a movement of limited amplitude of the fairing device relative to the chassis of the motor vehicle along the longitudinal and / or transverse axes of the motor vehicle.

The device may comprise a first resilient fixing means for elastically fixing the fairing device to the electric battery. The fairing device may comprise passages, including tool passages, for removing and / or mounting the battery on the chassis of the motor vehicle, the fairing device being fixed on the battery.

MS \ text_ for extension According to the invention, the assembly comprises an electric battery, in particular an electric battery for supplying a driving motor of a motor vehicle, and a fairing device defined previously. According to the invention, the chassis of a motor vehicle has in its lower part an opening of a housing of an electric battery. It comprises a second means for guiding the movement of a battery fairing device relative to the chassis and a second means for limiting the movement of the fairing device with respect to the chassis. The second guiding means and the second limiting means are respectively intended to cooperate with a first guide means and a first limiting means made on the fairing device.

The first and second guide means may define a direction of movement at least substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the motor vehicle.

The second means for guiding the movement of the fairing device relative to the chassis may comprise a hole and / or a shaft oriented at least substantially along an axis parallel to the vertical axis of the motor vehicle, the hole and / or the shaft being respectively intended to cooperate with a shaft oriented at least substantially along an axis parallel to the vertical axis of the motor vehicle and / or a hole made on the fairing device.

The second means of limiting the movement of the fairing device relative to the chassis may comprise a stop, the stop being intended to cooperate with a stop made on the fairing device. The second guide means may allow a limited amplitude movement of the fairing device relative to the vehicle frame

MS \ text_ for extension automobile along the longitudinal and / or transverse axes of the motor vehicle.

According to the invention, the system comprises a fairing device defined above and a previously defined chassis or comprises a previously defined assembly and a previously defined chassis.

The appended drawing shows, by way of example, an embodiment of a battery fairing device according to the invention.

Figure 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of a motor vehicle having a battery fairing device embodiment of the invention, no obstacle being present under the motor vehicle.

Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a motor vehicle having a battery fairing embodiment of the invention, an obstacle being present under the motor vehicle.

Figure 3 is a bottom view of an embodiment of a motor vehicle having a battery fairing device according to the invention.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an assembly comprising an electric battery and a battery fairing device according to the invention, an embodiment of the fairing device being shown only at the bottom of the figure.

Figure 5 is another perspective view of the embodiment of an assembly comprising an electric battery (shown partially) and a battery fairing device according to the invention.

MS \ text_ for extension Figure 6 is a view identical to the view of Figure 3, the limits of the fairing device being represented in bold dotted line. Figure 7 is a view identical to the view of Figure 5, the limits of the fairing device being represented in bold dotted line.

The motor vehicle 1, partially shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, mainly comprises a chassis 2, an electric battery 3, in particular an electric supply battery for a drive motor of the motor vehicle, and a fairing device (or a housing). 4.

The electric battery is located in a housing accessible from below the chassis of the motor vehicle. Therefore, after setting up the battery in its housing, a lower portion 33 of the battery remains accessible from below the vehicle, in particular from below the chassis. The fairing device is provided to limit this access so that damage to the battery under the effect of shocks is avoided. The fairing device 4 mainly comprises a fairing element 41 shaped to fit the parts of the battery and the chassis that it is intended to cover. For example, the fairing element comprises a metal sheet made in particular of steel or an element made of a polymer material, in particular an element made of fiber reinforced polymer material.

As shown in FIG. 4, the battery 3 comprises, for example, a container 31 closed by a cover 32 constituting its lower part 33. The container 31 contains the electrochemical elements containing the energy. A frame 23 secured to the chassis of the motor vehicle defines a

MS \ text_ for extension opening of the battery housing, the battery being fixed, for example by its cover 32, to this frame by means of fixing elements.

Fixing means 5, 42 allow the fairing device to be resiliently attached to the battery, for example on the battery container cover 32. By "elastic fixation" is meant that a possibility of movement of the fairing device relative to the battery is possible according to at least one degree of freedom and against the action of a return force in a predetermined return position of the fairing device with respect to the battery. The return force is for example obtained by virtue of the presence in the fastening means of an elastic return means, such as a spring, in particular a helical spring. The at least one degree of freedom comprises at least one direction substantially parallel to the vertical axis Z of the motor vehicle. At least one of the attachment means 42 is part of the fairing device. This fixing means may for example comprise a hole, in particular a bore or tapping provided in a boss 42 or a stud made on the fairing device.

The fairing device 4 comprises a first means 46 for guiding the movement of the device with respect to the chassis, the first guide means being intended to cooperate with a second guide means 25 made on the chassis of the motor vehicle. Preferably, the first and second guide means define a movement direction 47 at least substantially parallel to the vertical axis Z of the motor vehicle. For example, the first guide means comprises one or more holes 46 made in the fairing device and the second guide means comprises one or more shafts 24 oriented at least substantially along the axis 47 and made on the chassis of the motor vehicle. Obviously, the shafts may be provided on the fairing device to cooperate with holes made in the frame or shafts may be provided on the fairing device to cooperate with holes made in the frame

MS \ text_ for extension while other shafts are provided on the frame to cooperate with holes made in the fairing device. Furthermore, the first and second guiding means may also constitute movement limitation means according to other degrees of freedom than the one they guide. For example, the first and second guiding means can make it possible to limit the movements of the fairing device horizontally, that is to say along the longitudinal axis X of the motor vehicle and / or along the transverse axis Y of the motor vehicle . In the embodiments described above, such freedom of movement of limited amplitude of the fairing device in a horizontal plane relative to the battery can be achieved in a simple manner by providing a clearance between the shafts 25 and the holes 46. Preferably, there is provided, between the first and second guide means, filtering or damping means for limiting noises.

The fairing device 4 comprises a first means 45 for limiting the movement of the device relative to the chassis, the first limiting means being intended to cooperate with a second means 24 of limitation made on the chassis of the motor vehicle. Preferably, the first means of limiting the movement of the device relative to the chassis comprises a stop 45, the stop being intended to cooperate with another stop 24 made on the chassis of the motor vehicle. The normal directions to the stop contact areas are preferably at least substantially parallel to the vertical axis Z of the motor vehicle.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, in which the fairing device is in its return position relative to the battery, the space a1 existing between the battery and the fairing device is greater than the space β existing between the stops 24 and 45. No stress or mechanical action is exerted on the fairing device. By

MS \ text_ for extension for example, the space α1 existing between the battery and the fairing device is then maximal. The strokes of the guiding means mentioned above are preferably greater than the maximum space that can exist between the abutments 45 and 24. a1 can be between 15 and 40 mm, in particular between 20 and 30 mm, it can in particular be about 25 mm. β may be between 5 and 30 mm, in particular between 10 and 20 mm, it may in particular be about 15 mm.

In the configuration shown in Figure 2, an obstacle 7 is housed between the fairing device 4 and the ground 6. This obstacle causes a mechanical action on the fairing device and creates on it a stress having the effect of bringing the device according to a movement defined by the guiding means and against a return action exerted by a biasing means of the fastening means. The return means is dimensioned so that the maximum forces and constraints transmitted to the battery can not damage the latter. In the configuration shown, the dimensions of the obstacle are such that the fairing device is moved until cooperation of the movement limiting means, that is to say until contact with the abutments 45 with the stops 24. Thus, the space β between the stops is now zero. Nevertheless, there remains a space a2 between the fairing device and the battery. This space protects the battery against the effects of possible impact of obstacles against the fairing device. In this position, it is noted that virtually all forces and constraints due to the obstacle are transmitted to the chassis of the vehicle via the fairing device without being transmitted to the battery. This avoids deformation or even breakage of the battery or damage to battery locking mechanisms on the chassis of the vehicle.

MS \ text_ for extension It is noted that it is useful to provide reinforcements on the chassis at the areas of recovery efforts, to avoid any deformation of the chassis following efforts recovery due to shocks caused by obstacles. The fairing device is also shaped so that it allows a passage, including a tool passage 100, necessary for the removal and / or automatic or semi-automatic mounting of the battery while the fairing device is fixed on the battery. To do this, the outer forms of the fairing device are such that this passage is possible. Alternatively or additionally, the fairing device may have holes 43,44 allowing this passage.

Preferably, the fairing device has forms for producing aerodynamic effects, including aerodynamic effects of improving the road holding of the motor vehicle during taxiing or improving the aerodynamic drag of the motor vehicle. The fixing means are preferably rigid enough so that the fairing device does not move (or moves very little, for example less than 1 mm) relative to the battery under the effect of aerodynamic actions.

By "at least substantially parallel" is meant throughout this text "parallel or substantially parallel".

MS \ text_ for extension

Claims

claims

1. Device (4) for shrouding a lower part (33) of an electric battery (3) of a motor vehicle (1) accessible from below a chassis (2) of the motor vehicle, said device comprising a first means (46) for guiding the movement of the device relative to the frame and a first means (45) for limiting the movement of the device relative to the frame, the first guiding means and the first limiting means being respectively intended to cooperate with a second guiding means (25) and a second limiting means (24) made on the chassis of the motor vehicle, so as to render the fairing device movable relative to the battery against the action of a return force according to less a degree of freedom.

2. fairing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second guide means define a direction (47) of movement at least substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the motor vehicle.

3. Fairing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first means (46) for guiding the movement of the device relative to the frame comprises a hole (46) and / or a shaft oriented at least substantially along an axis. (47) parallel to the vertical axis of the motor vehicle, the hole and / or the shaft being respectively intended to cooperate with a shaft (24) oriented at least substantially along an axis (47) parallel to the vertical axis of the vehicle automobile and / or a hole made on the chassis of the motor vehicle. 4. Fairing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first means (45) for limiting the

MS \ text_ for extension movement of the device relative to the frame comprises a stop (45), the stop being intended to cooperate with a stop (24) made on the chassis of the motor vehicle.

Fairing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first guide means allows a movement of limited amplitude of the fairing device relative to the chassis of the motor vehicle along the longitudinal and / or transverse axes of the motor vehicle.

Fairing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises a first elastic fixing means (42) for elastically fixing the fairing device to the electric battery.

Fairing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises passages (43, 44), including tool passages, for removing and / or mounting the battery on the chassis of the motor vehicle , the fairing device being fixed on the battery.

An assembly comprising an electric battery (3), in particular an electric battery for powering a drive motor of a motor vehicle, and a fairing device according to one of the preceding claims.

Chassis (2) of a motor vehicle having in its lower part an opening of a housing of an electric battery (3), comprising a second means (25) for guiding the movement of a battery fairing device relative to to the frame and a second means (24) for limiting the movement of the

MS \ text_ for extension fairing relative to the frame, the second guide means and the second limiting means being respectively intended to cooperate with a first guide means (46) and a first limiting means (45) made on the fairing device, so as to make the fairing device movable relative to the battery against the action of a return force according to at least one degree of freedom.

10. Chassis according to claim 9, characterized in that the first and second guide means define a direction (47) of movement at least substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the motor vehicle.

1 1. Chassis according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the second means (24) for guiding the movement of the fairing device relative to the chassis comprises a hole and / or a shaft (24) oriented at least approximately along an axis (47). ) parallel to the vertical axis of the motor vehicle, the hole and / or the shaft being respectively intended to cooperate with a shaft oriented at least substantially along an axis (47) parallel to the vertical axis of the motor vehicle and / or a hole (46) formed on the fairing device.

Chassis according to one of claims 9 to 1 1, characterized in that the second means (24) for limiting the movement of the fairing device relative to the frame comprises a stop (24), the stop being intended to cooperate with a stop (45) performed on the fairing device.

Chassis according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the second guide means allows a limited amplitude movement of the fairing device relative to the vehicle frame

System, in particular a motor vehicle and in particular an electric motor vehicle, comprising a fairing device according to one of claims 1 to 7 and a frame according to one of claims 9 to 13 or comprising an assembly according to claim 8 and a frame according to one of claims 9 to 13.

MS \ text_ for extension