WO2011114074A1

WO2011114074A1 - Arrangement for removably connecting a battery that powers a motor that drives a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2011114074A1
Application number: PCT/FR2011/050559
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thierry Fillion; Stephane Trentin; Christophe Delaine
Original assignee: Renault S.A.S.
Priority date: 2010-03-18
Filing date: 2011-03-18
Publication date: 2011-09-22
Also published as: FR2957576B1; EP2547542A1; FR2957576A1

Abstract

Fixed connector (10) for connecting a battery (2) to a motor vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises an electrical connector (11) designed for electrical connection in a vertical direction and a ventilation inlet (12) designed for connection in a vertical direction.

Description

The present invention relates to a connection arrangement of a battery-type energy container on an electric motor vehicle. Subsequently, the term battery will be used for a reason of simplification. The invention also relates to the two parts as such of this connection arrangement, as well as to an electric motor vehicle battery associated with a first part of this connection arrangement, and to a motor vehicle as such comprising a such battery removably attached. Finally, the invention also relates to a system and method for replacing a battery or any energy container of a motor vehicle including such a battery connection arrangement as well as a battery replacement station using such a battery system.

Some motor vehicles, such as electric or hybrid vehicles, include a battery for powering an electric drive motor. It may be interesting to exchange this battery when its energy level is low against a new charged battery. This can be done in a station similar to a service station in which one can fill a fuel tank of a motor vehicle provided with a thermal traction chain.

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. In the exchange station described, the driver approximately positions the vehicle in a rail, against a longitudinal stop relative to the equipment of the station. Subsequently, in more or less automatic phases, mobile means of removing the electric battery and assembling the new battery to the vehicle are positioned relative to the vehicle through sensors. A difficulty for the implementation of such a battery exchange concept lies in the fact that there is a multitude of motor vehicles that can include batteries of different types, fixed differently on the motor vehicle. However, it is not economically feasible to multiply the automatic devices for removing and replacing these different types of batteries or to set up a manual solution because of its cost and the weight of the batteries.

Thus, to make possible an easy deployment of battery exchange stations (requiring little technological expertise), it is necessary to make reliable, robust, flexible and universal the operation of these stations and the battery exchange process implemented. artwork. In addition, it is also necessary to define a device for fixing a battery with a motor vehicle that can deliver the necessary energy optimally during a movement of the vehicle.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a connection solution of a battery on a motor vehicle that allows the optimal operation of the battery during its mounting configuration on the motor vehicle while allowing its easy replacement, reaching the objectives mentioned above.

For this purpose, the invention is based on a base for connecting a battery to a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises an electrical connector adapted for an electrical connection in a vertical direction and a ventilation input adapted for a connection in a vertical direction.

The base may comprise sealing elements on its upper surface to receive the connection of at least one additional upper part by sealing the connection. In addition, she can comprise at least two seals arranged on two separate steps.

These two seals allow a double security preventing the penetration of water at the connections between the battery and the vehicle. The battery is in fact in a dusty and dusty area. The sub-box under which it is disposed has large geometric dispersions that do not guarantee good plating of a single seal to obtain a good seal, using a plating system at a reasonable price. The presence of two joints positioned on two separate steps overcomes this disadvantage.

It may also include a duct for conducting a flow of air from the ventilation inlet in its upper part to an outlet oriented in an area capable of ventilating a battery.

According to one embodiment, the base is metal.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle battery, characterized in that it comprises a base as described above.

The invention also relates to a connection arrangement of a battery on a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a base as described above and an upper part comprising an air inlet for guiding a flow of air from the motor vehicle and an electrical connector at the end of an electrical connection from the motor vehicle, this air intake being adapted to a connection with the air inlet of the base in a vertical direction and this electrical connector being adapted for connection with the electrical connector of the base in a vertical direction. The upper part may comprise a protective bell in which are arranged the air inlet and an air duct to the air inlet of the base and the electrical connector. The protective bell may be sealed to the motor vehicle by seals in its upper part and adapted to a removable sealing connection with the base in its lower part.

The electrical connection can be inserted into the protective bell via a bellows.

The upper part may comprise a duct for conducting a flow of ventilation air, suitable for a removable waterproof connection with the base in its lower part, and a retractable duct in a flexible and waterproof material of rubber type, including the electrical connection , ending with the connector integrated in a protective bell adapted to a removable connection sealed with the base in da lower part.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a battery for its drive and a ventilation air flow, characterized in that the battery is releasably connected by a connection arrangement as described above.

The invention also relates to a system for replacing a battery of a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a fixing device and a device for lifting a battery suitable for mounting / dismounting it on a motor vehicle in a vertical direction adapted to link the battery with a battery connection arrangement as described above. The invention also relates to a replacement station of a motor vehicle power supply battery, characterized in that it comprises a replacement system as described above.

The invention also relates to a method of mounting / dismounting a battery on a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

relative displacement in a vertical direction of a base linked to the battery with respect to an upper part of a connection arrangement connected to the motor vehicle;

- Connection / disconnection of an electrical connection between two connectors respectively of the base and the upper part of the connection arrangement;

- Connection / disconnection of a ventilation inlet to the battery of the base respectively and an air duct of the upper part of the connection arrangement.

These objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in detail in the following description of particular embodiments given in a non-limiting manner in relation to the appended figures among which:

FIG. 1 represents a sectional side view of a motor vehicle whose battery is connected to the vehicle by a connection arrangement according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows in more detail the particular connection of the battery to the motor vehicle by the connection arrangement according to the first embodiment of the invention. 3 shows a side view in section of a motor vehicle whose battery is separated from the vehicle according to the first embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 shows in more detail the particular configuration of the connection arrangement of the battery to the motor vehicle according to the first embodiment of the invention in its separate configuration.

FIG. 5 represents a perspective view from above of the base of the battery connection arrangement according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a sectional side view of the particular connection of the battery to the motor vehicle by a connection arrangement according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 shows a side sectional view at a ventilation device of the connection of the battery to the motor vehicle by the connection arrangement according to the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 represents a sectional front view at the level of the electrical connection of the connection of the battery to the motor vehicle by the connection arrangement according to the second embodiment of the invention. Figure 9 shows a front view in section at the ventilation device of the connection of the battery to the motor vehicle by the connection arrangement according to the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 represents a front view in section at the ventilation device of the connection of the battery to the motor vehicle by the connection arrangement according to a variant of the second embodiment of the invention.

The concept of the invention is based on a connection arrangement of a battery on a motor vehicle comprising a rigid base in its lower part, connected to the battery, coming to bind in a vertical direction with an upper part complementary to the arrangement link provided in the motor vehicle, allowing the realization of an electrical connection and a ventilation system between the motor vehicle and the battery via this connection arrangement, in a sealed manner and protected from numerous attacks exterior. This concept will now be detailed by particular modes of execution.

Figures 1 and 3 show a motor vehicle 1 equipped with a battery 2 respectively in a fixing configuration and in a non-attachment configuration to the motor vehicle. This motor vehicle 1 with 4 electric drive means is provided to operate with a battery 2 removably attached under its floor 3, in a relatively central area. Alternatively, the battery 2 could be fixed in a different housing under the motor vehicle.

The connection arrangement of this battery 2 on the motor vehicle first makes it possible to establish an electrical connection 5 between the battery 2 and the motor vehicle 1, and particularly its electric drive means 4. This electrical connection 5 may comprise two high voltage cables and a low voltage cable. Then, this connection arrangement also makes it possible to form a ventilation system of the battery 2, from a stream of air 6 from the motor vehicle, for example from a ventilation system and / or air conditioning of the motor vehicle, then directed to the battery of the motor vehicle at the level of the connection arrangement, to establish a circulation of air in the battery to cool before an air outlet 7 in its rear area.

The battery 2 is removable and provided for rapid exchange, automated, in a vertical movement. For this, the connection arrangement between the battery and the motor vehicle is provided to meet the following numerous constraints:

- it must guarantee the tightness of the connection, because water, mud or dust will damage the battery;

it must also provide resistance against all other aggression such as gravel;

it must be adapted to a very irregular cycle of assembly / disassembly operations, which may last from a few hours to several months;

it is intended for mounting and dismounting in a vertical direction of the battery;

it is suitable for many assembly / dismantling operations of the battery, of the order of several thousand;

it must allow a rapid assembly or disassembly operation of a battery, of the order of a few minutes;

it must be suitable for all vehicles and take into account the dispersions, geometric tolerances of the various components of the motor vehicle and the arrangement itself.

The connection arrangement chosen in the first embodiment is more precisely shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, respectively in the fixing and non-fixing configuration. The connection arrangement therefore rests on a first part connected to the battery 2 and being in the form of a rigid base 10 made of metal, a very rigid plastic, or a hybrid material comprising a mixture of metal and plastic, in particular a plastic material. an internal metal lattice extending horizontally towards the front of the battery 2. This base comprises a connector 1 1, an air inlet 12 and a duct 13 for the flow of air to the battery 2 to participate in the battery ventilation system.

Then, the connection arrangement of the battery comprises a second portion, said upper part cooperating with the base 10, which comprises an electrical connector 21 at the end of the electrical connection 5 of the motor vehicle, intended to cooperate with the electrical connector 1 1 of the base 10. In this chosen embodiment, the electrical connector 21 is a high voltage connector comprising one or more male pins 23 and the electrical connector January 1 on the base 10 comprises the corresponding female part. In addition, this upper part of the arrangement comprises a ventilation air inlet 22 through which flows 6 from the motor vehicle, for guiding a flow of air to the zone 12 at the base 10 and then to the battery 2, through the conduit 13 arranged in the base 10 and mentioned above. This air intake 22 is located at the tunnel of the motor vehicle.

In this first embodiment of the invention, the upper part of the connection arrangement, which is connected to the motor vehicle, is under a protective bell 20 of plastic material, which cooperates with the base 10 to form a Closed case sealed and protective of the connection.

In its attachment configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2, the protective bell 20 is fixed to the vehicle floor sealingly by a fixed seal 8. In addition, the sealing of the housing is provided by complementary seals 14, 15, arranged respectively on different steps 16, 17 provided on the lateral periphery of the base 10, as is particularly visible in Figure 5. This seal has large bending radii, greater than 75 mm, to allow automatic assembly / disassembly operations, absorbing Tolerance variations, without sticking during disassembly, even after a possible long period of fixation.

The introduction of the electrical connection 5 within the protective bell 20 is effected by means of a bellows seal 24, which makes it possible to seal while adapting to the different deflections of the power train of the motor vehicle.

The removable mechanical connection between the upper and lower parts of the connection arrangement of the battery is obtained by the combination of an opening finger 25 connected to the upper part of the connection arrangement, which cooperates with a trap door. closure 18 connected to the base 10 in a mobile manner in vertical translation, on which acts an elastic means 19, consisting of thrust springs in the embodiment shown, to fulfill a function of return of the closure door 18 .

This connection arrangement therefore advantageously combines a metal base in its lower part, which can be distinct from the battery and connected thereto by any means or be an integral part of a battery case, with an upper part connected to the vehicle and under a protective plastic case. The metal base is the most exposed to aggressions because of its location and thus fulfills the following functions:

it strengthens the front area of the motor vehicle, especially at the tunnel level;

it protects the various seals 14, 15 attacks by high pressure jet for example;

it guarantees a good positioning of the high voltage connector 1 1, which is fixed freely in three dimensions on the base 10, in order to succeed easily the electrical assembly in an automated manner despite the dispersions.

FIGS. 6 to 10 show a second embodiment of the invention in which the upper part of the connection arrangement of the battery is separated into two distinct upper sub-parts, each comprising respectively an arrangement for the electrical supply. and an arrangement for ventilation. Each upper subpart is fixed removably and independently on a base as described in the previous embodiment. This embodiment provides great flexibility for the geometry of the arrangement, as will be detailed below. The same references will be used to designate the elements corresponding to those of the first embodiment for reasons of simplification of the description.

The electrical conduit of the electrical connection 5 is positioned in retractable conduits 34 in a flexible and waterproof material, for example of the rubber type, which make it possible to fulfill the sealing function and to adapt to the deflections of the motor, thereby guaranteeing a reliable electrical connection. These ducts open into a simplified protective bell 40, of reduced volume since it encompasses only the electrical connectors 21, 1 1 of the connection arrangement. This set represents a protection closer to the electrical components, forming a protective sock.

In parallel, a separate air duct 35 is provided, comprising at its end a tight connection 36 with the base 10, for example by means of a seal. This makes it possible to form an air flow independent of the part relating to the electrical connection, thus avoiding the pressure losses due to the air circulation through other obstructing elements. Figures 9 and 10 illustrate two variants of realization of the air duct 35 which may have slightly different shapes. This separation of the upper part of the arrangement into two sub-parts thus optimizes the implementation of the two electrical and ventilation functions. The rest of the elements of the arrangement remain similar to the first embodiment.

The invention also relates to a method of mounting / dismounting a battery on a motor vehicle, which comprises the following essential steps:

Relative displacement in a vertical direction of a base

10 linked to the battery with respect to an upper portion of the connection arrangement connected to the motor vehicle;

- Connection / disconnection of an electrical connection between two connectors 1 1, 21 respectively of the base 10 and the upper part of the connection arrangement;

- Connection / disconnection of a ventilation link 22, 12 to the battery 2 between the base and the upper part of the connection arrangement. The invention also relates to a battery replacement system and a replacement station using such a system, which comprises a device for lifting and possibly moving a battery and a tool for carrying out the fixing and the mechanical release of a battery. a battery on a motor vehicle, while making the electrical connection and ventilation by a connection arrangement according to the invention. It is possible to provide a lifting system that is not provided with a displacement function and is limited only to a lifting function, that is to say to the substantially vertical movement of the battery. The displacement function will then be obtained by a separate displacement system that can either move the battery to be mounted or the vehicle on which it is desired to mount the battery. For this purpose, conveyor rails can be provided for movements in a horizontal direction in order to bring the battery under a motor vehicle to the vertical of his future position. The fixing and mechanical release of the battery can be carried out by any means of connection, in an automated manner, by a robot or a universal toolbox type device, comprising link interfaces and motorized means for implementing the actuation of fixing and release tools.

Claims

Claims:

1. Base plate (10) for connecting a battery (2) to a motor vehicle (1), comprising:

- an electrical connector (1 1) adapted for electrical connection in a vertical direction and a ventilation input (12) adapted for connection in a vertical direction,

and sealing elements (14, 15) on its upper surface for receiving the connection of at least one additional upper part by sealing the connection,

characterized in that it comprises at least two seals (14, 15) arranged on two distinct steps (16, 17).

2. Base (10) according to the preceding, characterized in that it comprises a conduit (13) for conducting a flow of air from the ventilation inlet (12) in its upper part to an oriented outlet in a suitable zone to ventilate a battery (2).

3. Base (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is metal.

4. Battery (2) of a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a base (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

5. Connecting arrangement of a battery (2) on a motor vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises a base according to one of claims 1 to 3 and an upper portion comprising an air inlet (22). ) for guiding a flow of air (6) from the motor vehicle and an electrical connector (21) at the end of an electrical connection (5) from the motor vehicle, this air intake (22) being adapted to a connection with the entrance air (12) of the base in a vertical direction and the electrical connector (21) being adapted for connection with the electrical connector (1 1) of the base in a vertical direction.

6. Connecting arrangement of a battery (2) on a motor vehicle according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the upper part comprises a protective bell (20) in which are arranged the air inlet (22). and an air duct to the air inlet of the base (12) and the electrical connector (21).

7. A connection arrangement of a battery (2) on a motor vehicle according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the protective bell (20) is sealingly connected to the motor vehicle by seals (8) in its upper part and adapted to a removable sealed connection with the base (10) in its lower part.

8. Connection arrangement of a battery (2) on a motor vehicle according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the electrical connection (5) is inserted into the protective bell (20) via a bellows (24).

9. A connection arrangement of a battery (2) on a motor vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the upper part comprises a duct (35) for driving a flow of ventilation air, suitable for a waterproof removable connection. (36) with the base (10) in its lower part, and a retractable conduit (34) in a rubber-like flexible and waterproof material, including the electrical connection (5), terminating in the connector (21) integrated in a protective bell (40) adapted for a sealed removable connection with the base (10) in the lower part.

10. Motor vehicle comprising a battery (2) for its drive (4) and a ventilation airflow (6), characterized in that the battery (2) is releasably connected by a connection arrangement according to the invention. one of claims 5 to 9.

1 1. System for replacing a battery of a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a fixing device and a device for lifting a battery (2) suitable for mounting / dismounting it on a motor vehicle (1) in a vertical direction adapted to link the battery (2) with a battery connection arrangement according to one of claims 5 to 9.

12. Station for replacing a battery (2) for powering a drive motor (4) of a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a replacement system according to the preceding claim.

13. A method of mounting / dismounting a battery (2) on a motor vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

relative displacement in a vertical direction of a base (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, connected to the battery (2) with respect to an upper part of a connection arrangement connected to the motor vehicle (1 );

- Connection / disconnection of an electrical connection between two connectors (1 1, 21) respectively of the base (10) and the upper part of the connection arrangement;

- Connection / disconnection of a ventilation inlet (12) to the battery (2) of the base (10) and an air duct (22; 35) of the upper part of the connection arrangement.