WO2012114040A1

WO2012114040A1 - Electric vehicle comprising automated means for connecting/disconnecting the batteries

Info

Publication number: WO2012114040A1
Application number: PCT/FR2012/050371
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian Rigaux
Original assignee: Synergethic Sa
Priority date: 2011-02-24
Filing date: 2012-02-22
Publication date: 2012-08-30
Also published as: FR2971986A1; FR2971986B1

Abstract

Electric vehicle comprising a drawer (1) accommodating batteries (2), the structure of the vehicle being provided with guide means (4) secured to the structure which allow a movement for extracting or inserting the drawer (1) into a housing belonging to the vehicle, members (6) for electrically connecting the batteries (2) to the vehicle being arranged between the drawer (1) and the vehicle, characterized in that a flap (5) is mounted in an articulated manner on the structure of the vehicle so that it pivots between a position in which it closes the housing and a position in which it opens access to the housing, actuating means (10) being arranged between the drawer (1) and the flap (5) so that a pivoting of the flap (5) causes a movement of the drawer (1) which electrically connects or disconnects the connecting members (6).

Description

Electric vehicle comprising means for automatic connection / disconnection of the batteries

The present invention relates to an electric propulsion vehicle equipped with a system for exchanging a drawer enclosing the energy storage batteries.

Many systems have been envisaged to allow the replacement of batteries discharged by electrically charged batteries on electric propulsion vehicles. These systems must allow a quick exchange of batteries so as not to immobilize the vehicle for too long. One of these systems consists in placing the batteries in a drawer, the drawer being slidably mounted on guide means belonging to the vehicle. An extraction or insertion movement of the drawer makes it possible to remove or install the batteries inside a housing provided in the vehicle. As a safety measure, the electrical connection of the batteries to the vehicle's drivetrain is performed once the drawer is installed in the vehicle.

The invention aims to simplify and make reliable the electrical connection / disconnection between the batteries and the vehicle.

According to the invention, the electric vehicle comprises a drawer receiving batteries, the structure of the vehicle being provided with guide means integral with the structure which allows an extraction movement or insertion of the drawer inside a housing of the vehicle, the electrical connection devices of the batteries to the vehicle being arranged between the drawer and the vehicle, a flap being mounted articulated on the vehicle structure so as to pivot between a position where it closes the housing and a position where it opens the door. access to the housing, actuating means being arranged between the drawer and the flap so that a pivoting of the flap controls a displacement of the drawer which makes the connection or the electrical disconnection of the connecting members. This arrangement makes it possible to automate the electrical connection or disconnection between the batteries and the vehicle. Eliminating any manual intervention on the electrical part makes it reliable and secures this operation while making it faster. According to a particular characteristic, the actuating means comprise a slot disposed on the drawer and a finger secured to the flap, the finger being movable in the slot. These characteristics allow a simple and reliable realization of the actuating means.

According to another particular feature, the slot is disposed substantially vertically and has an opening releasing the finger of the slot when the flap is in its open position to allow the extraction or insertion of the drawer. This simple feature frees the vehicle drawer.

According to a particular characteristic the flap is articulated on the vehicle structure along a substantially horizontal axis, the finger being located in the immediate vicinity of said axis. This characteristic makes it possible, thanks to the leverage effect, to obtain a large force to move the drawer from the force exerted by the operator on the flap.

According to another characteristic of the invention, a first side of the slide has first positioning members which cooperate with first complementary positioning members integral with the shutter when the shutter is closed. This characteristic makes it possible to ensure the relative positioning of the connection members during the closing or opening operation of the shutter. Thus, thanks to the pivoting of the shutter operator ensures at the same time the positioning of the drawer and the connection of the battery to the vehicle.

According to a particular feature, a second side of the drawer located opposite the first side has second positioning members which cooperate with second complementary positioning members integral with the vehicle structure. The drawer is thus rigidly locked on the vehicle structure which avoids any relative movement. The locking operation is advantageously obtained by closing the shutter.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the electrical connection members have a plug equipped with pins integral with the vehicle and a socket secured to the drawer, the opening pivoting, respectively closing the shutter commander through the actuating means disconnection, respectively the connection of the pins on the socket. The actuating means thus make it possible to obtain sufficient force allowing insertion or removal of the pins from the socket. This same operation performed manually would require a force too important for a person.

According to a particular characteristic, the male and female plugs are situated at the level of the guide means and between these guide means. These features ensure that the insertion or removal of the pins of the socket runs in alignment with the guide means and thus avoids any risk of jamming during connection / disconnection.

According to an additional characteristic, the batteries are equipped with an electronic management system, at least one of the pins being electrically connected to a relay housed in the drawer, the relay automatically controlling the power off, respectively the powering up of said battery management system during the pivoting opening, respectively closing said shutter. These characteristics make it possible automatically to turn on / off the energy storage device while ensuring the safety of the people but also the protection of the electronic management system against handling errors.

Other details, characteristics and advantages will become apparent on reading the following description made with reference to the figures given for information only and in no way limiting, among which:

- Figures 1a and 1b are side views of the invention when opening the shutter;

- Figures 2a and 2b are side views of the invention when closing the shutter;

- Figures 3a and 3b are side views showing the extraction / insertion of the drawer;

- Figures 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d mount a sequence of extraction of the vehicle drawer in a perspective view from the front;

Figure 1a shows the part of the electric vehicle equipped with a system according to the invention. The left side of the figure is located towards the rear of the vehicle and the right side towards the front. The system comprises a drawer 1 constituted under tray form inside which are fixed batteries 2 energy storage. The system makes it possible to exchange the drawer 1 with its batteries 2. To do this, the drawer 1 has rollers 3a, 3b rolling on substantially horizontal rails 4 allowing a substantially horizontal sliding of the drawer 1 in order to extract or insert it. in the vehicle. The rails 4 are integral with the vehicle structure which is constituted for example by its body or its frame. The drawer 1 is installed in a housing of the vehicle, the housing being closed towards the rear by a flap 5. The flap 5 is hingedly mounted on the vehicle structure along a substantially horizontal axis A. The axis A is located at the bottom of the drawer 1. Electrical connection members 6 are arranged at the level of the upper part of the drawer 1. These members 6 have a plug 7 equipped with pins 70 secured to the vehicle and a socket 8 secured to the drawer 1. The connection / disconnection of the sockets 7,8 is made by a horizontal movement of the socket 8. In order to ensure a good guiding of the relative movement of the two sockets 7,8, these are arranged at the level of the rails 4 and between these rails. To control this movement, actuating means 10 are arranged between the drawer 1 and the flap 5. More precisely these actuating means 10 comprise a slot 1 1 oriented substantially vertically close to a first side 20 of the drawer 1, a finger 12 secured to the flap 5 being slidably mounted inside the slot 1 1. During an opening pivoting movement of the flap 5, as shown in FIG. 1b, the finger 12 bears on the left side of the slot 1 1 and pulls the drawer 1 towards the left causing the disconnection 7 and 8 female plugs 8. This disconnection operation coupled to the pivoting of the flap 5 to turn off the battery 2 from the beginning of the opening of the flap 5. It is advisable to order the disconnection and therefore the disconnection for a opening angle of the flap 5 less than 20 ° to ensure safety. The pivoting of the flap 5 will continue until a horizontal position thereof illustrated in Figure 2a. It is observed in this position that the catches 7.8 are completely separated. It is also observed that because of the pivoting, the finger 12 is placed opposite an opening 13 of the slot January 1. In this relative position of the finger 12 and the slot 1 1 it is possible to extract the drawer 1 by sliding on the rails 4 as shown in Figures 3a and 3b. In the position of Figure 3b, the drawer 1 is placed above the flap 5 in the horizontal position, the roller 3b is still engaged in the rail 4. By continuing the movement to the left of the drawer 1, the roller 3 goes out of the rail 4 and the drawer 1 will land on sliding elements of the flap 5. It is advisable to position the roller 3b in the vicinity of the plumb with the center of gravity G of the drawer 1, so as to ensure a passage in The drawer 1 can then be moved manually on a carriage (not shown). It is then possible to insert in the vehicle a new drawer 1 equipped with charged batteries 2. It can be observed in FIG. 2b that when the shutter 5 is closed, the finger 12 bears on the right side of the slot 1 1. The closing pivot of the flap 5 pushes the drawer horizontally forward and engages the socket 8 on the plug 7. To complete the relative positioning of the plugs 7, 8 at the time of their insertion, the first side 20 of the drawer 1 has first positioning members 21 which cooperate with first complementary positioning members 22 integral with the flap 5. More precisely the first side 20 of the drawer 1 carries cylindrical pins 21 which are housed in orifices 22 of complementary shape integral with the flap 5. At the time of racking the pins 21 are housed in the orifices 22 and precisely position the socket 8 relative to the pins 70. The pins 21 have a conical end 23 to facilitate their introduction into the orifices 22 A second side 30 (see Figure 4d) of the drawer located opposite the first side 20 has second positioning members, namely pawns 31 which cooperate with second complementary positioning members (orifice) integral with the vehicle structure near the bottom of the housing. On each of the sides 20 and 30 of the drawer there are two pins 21, 31 spaced apart from each other which cooperate with orifices 22. Thus when the drawer 1 is installed in the vehicle it is supported at the front and at the rear by said positioning members. The drawer 1 and the batteries 2 are then rigidly secured to the vehicle structure. This feature allows blocking the drawer 1 on the vehicle structure and thus prevent any movement of the drawer 1 relative to the structure. This characteristic is particularly interesting for a tilting type of vehicle in which the drawer housing the batteries follows the tilting movement of the vehicle structure.

An electronic battery management system is installed in the drawer. This system makes it possible, among other things, to control the powering up of the energy storage device. More specifically, at least one of the pins 70 of the plug 7 is electrically connected to a relay housed in the drawer 1. The relay controls the power off or on respectively of said battery management system when the outlets are disconnected, respectively connected. Thus, the opening pivoting, respectively closure of the shutter 5 automatically controls the power off or power on the energy storage device. This feature ensures reliable automatic connection and disconnection without manual intervention. Since no manual intervention is required on the electrical system, the safety of the people is ensured and the electronic management system is protected.

Figures 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d illustrate an extraction phase of the drawer 1 of the vehicle. In FIG. 4a, the flap 5 is closed and the battery 2 connected to the vehicle via the connecting members 6. In FIG. 4b the flap 5 is being opened, the drawer 1 has been pulled towards the back thanks to the finger 12 which pulls the slot 1 1 backwards. With the opening angle of the flap 5 shown in this figure, the plugs 7,8 are disconnected. In FIG. 4c the shutter 5 is completely open and is horizontal, the finger 12 being opposite the opening 13 of the slot, it can be disengaged from it and thus allow the drawer 1 to be extracted. along a substantially horizontal trajectory as illustrated in FIG. 4d. Figure 4d shows that the drawer is supported by four rollers, a first pair 3a is located towards the front of the drawer near the second side 30 and a second pair 3b substantially towards the middle of the drawer. To facilitate the transfer of the drawer 1 of the rails 4 on the flap 5, the center of gravity G of the drawer 1 is located between the two pairs of rollers 3a, 3b and near the second pair 3b (see Figure 3b).

A preferred embodiment is a tilting vehicle with three wheels or four wheels, whose two drive wheels are located at the rear of the vehicle. vehicle, wheel (s) before being director (s). The drawer 1 is disposed between the rear wheels and carried by the rails 4 which are placed just above the drawer. The rails 4 are integrated into the vehicle structure, the structure being tiltable. The inclination is obtained by means of an actuating device. This arrangement provides great stability to the vehicle from the distribution of the weight of the batteries 2 between the wheels and the fact that the batteries are inclined with the vehicle. The flap 5 is located at the rear of the vehicle. The extraction and insertion of the drawer 1 is rearward along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

Claims

1. Electric vehicle comprising a drawer (1) receiving batteries (2), the structure of the vehicle being provided with guiding means (4) integral with the structure which allow an extraction or insertion movement of the drawer (1) to the interior of a vehicle housing, members (6) for electrical connection of the batteries (2) to the vehicle being arranged between the drawer (1) and the vehicle, characterized in that a flap (5) is hingedly mounted on the structure of the vehicle so as to pivot between a position where it closes the housing and a position where it opens the access to the housing, actuating means (10) being arranged between the drawer (1) and the flap (5) of so that a pivoting of the flap (5) controls a movement of the drawer (1) which makes the connection or the electrical disconnection of said connecting members (6).

2. Vehicle according to claim 1 characterized in that the actuating means (10) comprise a slot (1 1) disposed on the drawer (1) and a finger (12) integral with the flap (5), the finger (12). ) being movable in the slot (1 1).

3. Vehicle according to claim 2 characterized in that the slot (1 1) is arranged substantially vertically and has an opening (13) releasing the finger (12) of the slot (1 1) when the flap (5) is in its open position to allow extraction or insertion of the drawer (1).

4. Vehicle according to one of claims 2 or 3 characterized in that the flap (5) is mounted articulated on the vehicle structure along a substantially horizontal axis (A), the finger (12) being located in the immediate vicinity of said axis (AT).

5. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that a first side (20) of the slide (1) has first positioning members (21) which cooperate with first complementary positioning members (22). secured to the shutter (5) when the shutter is closed.

6. Vehicle according to claim 5 characterized in that a second side (30) of the slide located opposite the first side (20) has second positioning members (31) which cooperate with complementary complementary second positioning members of the vehicle structure.

7. Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the members (6) for electrical connection have a plug (7) equipped with pins (70) integral with the vehicle and a socket (8) secured to the drawer ( 1), the opening and closing pivoting of the flap (5) controlling by means of the actuating means (10) the disconnection, respectively the connection of the pins (70) to the socket (8).

8. Vehicle according to claim 7 characterized in that the plugs (7) and female (8) are located at the guide means (4) and between said guide means (4).

9. Vehicle according to claim 7 or 8 characterized in that the batteries (2) are equipped with an electronic management system, at least one of the pins (70) being electrically connected to a relay housed in the drawer (1). ), the relay automatically controlling the power off, respectively powering said battery management system during the opening pivoting, respectively closing said flap (5).