FR3095571A1 - SUPPORT DEVICE FOR A JUNCTION BOX AND A VEHICLE BATTERY CHARGER, SUITABLE FOR THE RECHARGE CONNECTOR - Google Patents

Abstract

A support device (DS) is fitted to a vehicle and comprises: - a base (EF) secured to an element and comprising two support elements (ES) parallel to a chosen direction and each comprising at least first and second walls perpendicular to each other, the first walls being located in the same plane and specific to support a battery charger (CB), and the second walls being parallel to each other and participating in the delimitation of a space, and - two support pieces (PS) fixedly secured, in this space, to the second walls and respectively defining two L-shaped angles and intended to support a junction box (BJ) and to allow its sliding in the space under the battery charger (CB). Figure 1

Description

SUPPORT DEVICE FOR A JUNCTION BOX AND A VEHICLE BATTERY CHARGER, ADAPTED TO THE CHARGING CONNECTOR

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to support devices which are intended to support a battery charger and a junction box of a vehicle.

State of the art

Certain vehicles, with an electric or rechargeable hybrid powertrain, comprise a battery charger coupled to a charging connector and to a junction box (or in English “junction box”) which provides the electrical connection and notably comprises fuses.

Due to its contents, the junction box must be easily accessible for maintenance operations, and therefore it is generally installed on the upper face of the battery charger, which is itself installed on a support fixed to an element of the vehicle. , as described in particular in US-B2 9,277,674. The charging connector is generally installed close to the battery charger, for example on an inverter and slightly offset forward under this battery charger.

When you want to use a larger charging connector in the vertical direction than a conventional charging connector, without changing the installation position of the latter, it is partially located in the space dedicated to the battery charger. Consequently, we are forced to shift the assembly consisting of the battery charger and the junction box upwards. However, in some vehicles it is not possible to carry out such an upward shift of the assembly due to the minimum space that must be left free under the front bonnet.

The aim of the invention is therefore in particular to improve the situation.

Presentation of the invention

It proposes in particular for this purpose a support device intended to support a vehicle battery charger, itself intended to be coupled to a junction box.

This support device is characterized by the fact that it includes:

- a base intended to be secured to an element of the vehicle and comprising two support elements parallel to a chosen direction and each comprising at least first and second walls perpendicular to each other, the first walls being located in the same plane and capable of supporting the battery charger, and the second walls being parallel to each other and participating in the delimitation of a space, and

- two support parts fixedly secured, in this space, to the second walls and respectively defining two L-shaped angles and intended to support the junction box and to allow it to slide in the space under the battery charger.

Thanks to this upward offset of the battery charger, it is placed at a height which is perfectly suited to its coupling to the charging connector, while the junction box remains easily accessible due to its sliding mounting under the battery charger. CB.

The support device according to the invention may comprise other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

- each support element may comprise at least a first through-hole intended to be traversed by a screw, and each support piece may comprise at least a second through-hole intended to be placed in front of a corresponding first through-hole in order to be traversed by the screw passing through the latter and having a threaded end intended to be screwed into a threaded hole of the junction box to participate in the immobilization of the latter and of this support part with respect to the corresponding support element;

- each angle can be intended to support two protrusions defined on one of the two side faces of the junction box and allowing the sliding of the latter;

- the threaded end of each screw may be intended to be screwed into a threaded hole defined in one of the protrusions;

- each support piece may comprise at one end of its angle a stop intended to interrupt the sliding of the junction box so that it is placed in a position allowing it to be immobilized;

- each support piece may include a wall parallel to at least part of a wall of its angle responsible for participating in the support of the junction box, and defining with this angle a slide;

- each support element may comprise a third wall perpendicular to its first wall and parallel to, and located at the same level as, its second wall;

- each first wall of a support element may comprise at least a third through hole intended to be traversed by a screw comprising a threaded end intended to be screwed into a threaded hole of the battery charger;

- the support elements can be an integral part of the base.

The invention also proposes a vehicle, optionally of the automotive type, and comprising an element, at least one rechargeable battery coupled to a battery charger also coupled to a junction box, and at least one support device of the type presented above. -front, fixedly secured to this element and supporting these battery charger and junction box.

Brief description of figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examination of the detailed description below, and of the appended drawings, in which:

schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, an embodiment of a support device according to the invention, supporting a battery charger and a junction box, and

schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, the main components of the support device of figure 1, before assembly, as well as the junction box of this figure 1.

Detailed description of the invention

The object of the invention is in particular to propose a support device DS intended to support a battery charger CB and a junction box BJ of a vehicle.

In what follows, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the support device DS is intended to equip a vehicle of the automobile type, such as for example a car. But the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. Indeed, a DS support device can equip any vehicle comprising at least one battery charger and one associated junction box, whether land, sea (or river), or air.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the X direction is a so-called longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which is parallel to the lateral sides of the latter, the Y direction is a so-called transverse direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the X direction, and the Z direction is a so-called vertical direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal X and transverse Y directions.

There is schematically shown in Figure 1 an embodiment of a support device DS according to the invention, supporting a battery charger CB and a junction box BJ.

The battery charger CB is coupled to the junction box (or junction box) BJ which ensures the electrical connection and notably comprises fuses, and intended to be coupled to a charging connector (not shown).

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a support device DS, according to the invention, comprises at least one base EF and two support parts PS.

The EF base is intended to be secured to an element of a vehicle, such as a cross member for example. This base EF comprises two support elements ES which are parallel to a chosen direction and each comprise at least first P1 and second P2 mutually perpendicular walls. In the example illustrated without limitation in Figures 1 and 2, the direction chosen is the longitudinal direction X, but this is not an obligation.

The first two walls P1 (here right and left) are located in the same plane and suitable for supporting the battery charger CB. The two second walls P2 (here right and left) are parallel to each other and participate in the delimitation of a space EB. In the example illustrated without limitation in Figures 1 and 2, the first two walls P1 are located in an XY plane (horizontal) and the two second walls P2 are located in XZ planes (longitudinal and vertical), but it is not This is not an obligation.

The two support parts PS are secured fixedly and respectively to the second walls P2, in this space EB. These two support parts PS (here right and left) respectively define two angles having a section in the plane YZ in L and intended to support the junction box BJ and to allow its sliding in the space EB under the battery charger CB .

Thus, the battery charger CB finds itself shifted upwards (along Z) to a height which is perfectly adapted to its coupling to the charging connector, whereas the junction box BJ is placed under this battery charger CB while remaining easily accessible due to its sliding assembly. At the same time, this upward offset of the CB battery charger is not a problem because the BJ junction box is placed under the latter, and therefore the minimum space that must be left free under the front cover is preserved.

For example, and as illustrated without limitation in FIG. 2, the second wall P2 of each support element ES can comprise at least one first through-hole TT1 which is intended to be crossed by a screw, and each support piece PS can comprise at least one second through hole TT2 intended to be placed in front of a corresponding first through hole TT1 in order to be crossed by the screw passing through the latter (TT1). Thus, the threaded end of each screw can be screwed into a threaded hole TF defined in a side face FL of the junction box BJ in order to participate in the immobilizations of the latter (Bj) and of the corresponding support part PS with respect to the corresponding ES support element. The two side faces FL of the junction box BJ are those which are placed here in planes XZ.

With such an arrangement, the support parts PS and the junction box BJ are perfectly immobilized in the three directions of space when the base EF is fixedly secured to an element of the vehicle, for example by screwing. Moreover, when you want to work on the junction box BJ during a maintenance operation, you must unscrew the screws at least from its threaded holes TF so that it can at least slide in relation to the support parts PS .

In the example illustrated without limitation in Figure 2, the second wall P2 of the support element ES which is placed furthest to the left (but which in reality of a vehicle is located on the right) comprises two first through holes TT1, and the second wall P2 of the support element ES which is placed furthest to the right (but which in the reality of a vehicle is located to the left) comprises a single first through-hole TT1. Therefore, the PS support part which is placed farthest left (but which in the reality of a vehicle is located on the right) comprises two second through holes TT2, and the PS support part which is placed farthest right (but which in the reality of a vehicle is located on the left) comprises a single second through hole TT2.

It will be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIG. 2, that each L-shaped angle iron of a support part PS can be intended to support two protuberances PB which are defined on one of the two lateral faces FL of the junction box BJ and which allow the latter to slide (BJ). In order to facilitate sliding by limiting friction, the protrusions PB may have a section in the plane XZ that is at least semi-circular. For example and as illustrated without limitation in Figure 2, they can be circular cylindrical. This makes it possible, in particular and for example, to advantageously define in each of them (PB) one of the threaded holes TF allowing the screwing of the threaded end of one of the screws. The internal thread is thus longer. But the threaded holes TF could be defined next to the protrusions PB.

It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIG. 2, that each support piece PS may comprise at one of the two opposite ends of its L-shaped angle iron a stop BP which is intended to interrupt the sliding of the next junction box BJ the chosen direction (here X) so that it is placed in a position allowing its immobilization in a predefined position (for example with a view to screwing by the aforementioned screws). It will be understood that this immobilization position is preferentially that in which the threaded holes TF are found opposite the first TT1 and second through-holes TT2. Each stop BP can, for example and as illustrated without limitation in FIG. 2, be defined by a wall of the support part PS considered which is perpendicular to the first P1 and second P2 walls (and therefore here placed in a plane YZ).

It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIG. 2, that each support part PS may comprise a wall PP parallel to at least part of the wall of its L-shaped angle iron which is responsible for participating in the support of the junction box BJ (here the one which is placed in an XY plane and on which the possible protuberances PB slide). Thus, each wall PP defines with the associated L-shaped angle iron a slide (or slide) which makes it possible to optimally guide the junction box BJ during its sliding along the direction X (here longitudinal) and to maintain it tightly in its position. immobilization the time to carry out the aforementioned screwing of the screws in its threaded holes TF.

It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIG. 2, that each support element ES may comprise a third wall P3 which is perpendicular to its first wall P1 and parallel to, and located at the same level as, its second wall P2. This makes it possible to advantageously reinforce the solidity of each support element ES and the support for the battery charger CB in a fixed and constant position.

In the presence of this last option, at least one of the two third walls P3 comprises at least a first through-hole TT1 placed opposite another corresponding first through-hole TT1, defined in the adjacent second wall P2, so as to allow the passage of a screw.

It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIG. 2, that each first wall P1 of a support element ES may comprise at least one third through-hole TT3 intended to be traversed by a screw comprising a threaded end intended to be screwed into a threaded hole of the CB battery charger. This makes it possible to firmly secure the battery charger CB with respect to the two second walls P2 of the two support elements ES.

It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 and 2, that the support elements ES can advantageously form an integral part of the base EF. In this case, the one-piece EF base can be produced by machining and stamping or by molding, for example. This option makes it possible to reinforce the homogeneity of the EF base.

This EF base is made of a rigid material. For example, this rigid material can be a plastic material or a metal (such as aluminum, steel or iron).

Likewise, the support parts PS are made of a rigid material. For example, this rigid material can be a plastic material or a metal (such as aluminum, steel or iron).

Claims (10)

Support device (DS) for a battery charger (CB) of a vehicle intended to be coupled to a junction box (BJ), characterized in that it comprises i) a base (EF) intended to be secured to an element of said vehicle and comprising two support elements (ES) parallel to a chosen direction and each comprising at least first (P1) and second (P2) walls perpendicular to each other, said first walls (P1) being situated in the same plane and suitable for supporting said battery charger (CB), and said second walls (P2) being parallel to each other and participating in the delimitation of a space (EB), and ii) two support pieces (PS) fixedly secured, in said space (EB), to said second walls (P2) and respectively defining two L-shaped angles and intended to support said junction box (BJ) and to allow it to slide in said space (EB) under said battery charger (CB). Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that i) each support element (ES) comprises at least a first through hole (TT1) intended to be traversed by a screw, and ii) each support part (PS) comprises at least a second through-hole (TT2) intended to be placed in front of a corresponding first through-hole (TT1) so as to be traversed by the screw passing through the latter (TT1) and comprising a threaded end intended to be screwed into a threaded hole (TF) of said junction box (BJ) to participate in the immobilizations of the latter (Bj) and of this support part (PS) with respect to the corresponding support element (ES). Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each angle iron is intended to support two protuberances (PB) defined on one of two lateral faces (FL) of said junction box (BJ) and allowing the latter to slide ( BJ). Device according to the combination of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that said threaded end of each screw is intended to be screwed into a threaded hole (TF) defined in one of said protuberances (PB). Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that each support part (PS) comprises at one end of its angle a stop (BP) intended to interrupt said sliding of the junction box (BJ) so that it is placed in a position allowing its immobilization. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each support part (PS) comprises a wall (PP) parallel to at least part of a wall of its angle iron responsible for participating in the support of said junction box (BJ), and defining with this angle a slide. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each support element (ES) comprises a third wall (P3) perpendicular to its first wall (P1) and parallel to, and located at the same level as, its second wall (P2). Device according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each first wall (P1) of a support element (ES) comprises at least one third through hole (TT3) intended to be traversed by a screw having one end threaded intended to be screwed into a threaded hole of said battery charger (CB). Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said support elements (ES) form an integral part of said base (EF). Vehicle comprising an element and at least one rechargeable battery coupled to a battery charger (CB) also coupled to a junction box (BJ), characterized in that it further comprises at least one support device (DS) according to l 'One of the preceding claims, fixedly secured to said element and supporting said battery charger (CB) and junction box (BJ).