Abstract:
A motor vehicle including a structure including a bottom and which bears a motor powered by a removable power supply battery, the structure further including an element for receiving the battery and an attachment mechanism for attaching the battery onto the receiving element. The receiving element and the attachment mechanism are adapted to enable installation of the battery in the receiving element from the underside of the structure by an upward movement towards the structure, and removal of the battery under the structure by a downward movement in a direction opposite to the structure.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to a motor vehicle whose motor is supplied continuously or in alternative manner by a battery that provides electric power. The present invention therefore relates to electric-motor vehicles and to hybrid-motor vehicles. 
     The document US 2005274556 A1 describes a motor vehicle whose motor may be supplied by a battery. This battery is fixed to the vehicle structure at a housing disposed underneath the passenger compartment, between the front and rear wheels of the vehicle. The battery may be installed in or removed from the structure by a horizontal sliding movement, in the manner of a drawer. 
     The document JP 2003237456 A1 describes a motor vehicle of the truck type, which has a structure that supports a driver&#39;s cab and which extends behind the cab. The motor of this vehicle may be supplied by a battery housed in a container. The container is fixed to the structure by way of a receiving element, integral with the structure and which contains a frame formed by elements that are longitudinal and transverse relative to the structure. The container is disposed on this frame, situated behind the cab. Installation of the container on the frame is achieved by a vertical downward movement. The container is maintained in suspension above the frame, or in other words above the structure, then lowered toward this structure in order to be deposited on the frame. Removal of the battery takes place in the following manner: the container has extensible feet, which may be braced on the ground, on each side of the vehicle. When the feet are extended, the container is raised above the structure, which makes it possible to disconnect it electrically from the structure. The structure is then displaced horizontally, beyond the underside of the container. The latter remains on its feet, above the ground. 
     This vertical installation and removal movement is practical, but may be employed only for a vehicle having a structure equipped with a receiving element accessible from above the vehicle. Since the battery may be extremely heavy, it is necessary to provide appropriate gear for its installation, its removal and subsequent handling. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     One objective of the present invention is to propose a motor vehicle whose motor is capable of being supplied by an electric battery, which permits easy and quick installation and removal of this battery. 
     This objective is achieved by means of a motor vehicle provided with a structure that has an underside and that supports a motor supplied by a removable power supply battery, the structure being additionally provided with an element for receiving the battery and with means for fixing the battery on the receiving element, the battery being capable of being installed in or removed from the receiving element by a vertical movement. 
     According to the invention, the structure, the receiving element and the fixation means are conformed in such a way as to permit installation of the battery in the receiving element from the underside of the structure, by an upward movement in the direction of the structure, and removal of the battery underneath the structure by a downward movement in the direction away from the structure. 
     In this way, the battery may be disposed under the vehicle structure, at the passenger compartment, for example, without any need for access to the battery from above. 
     According to one embodiment, the battery contains a box having two opposite vertical surfaces, in each of which there is made at least one recess having an upper bracing surface, and the fixation means have at least two bolt-forming fingers, which have free ends and which are movable between an installation position, in which the free ends are spaced apart from one another or are able to be braced against the vertical surfaces of the box, and a fixation position, in which the free ends are close to one another and are able to be braced against the upper bracing surface of each of the recesses, so as to suspend the box between the fingers. 
     Advantageously, the vehicle is provided with means for interlocking the fixation means. 
     According to one embodiment, the interlocking means include a drive element, integral with one of the fingers, and an interlocking element, which pulls on the drive element to maintain the finger inserted in the recess. 
     Advantageously, the bolt-forming fingers are mounted on the receiving element via restoring means, which exert a restoring force on each of the fingers, which maintains the fingers in the fixation position. 
     According to one embodiment, the box is provided on each of the vertical surfaces with a substantially vertical guide groove that intersects the recess. 
     The present invention also relates to a device for installing and removing a removable battery on a receiving element with which the structure of a vehicle according to the invention is equipped. This device is provided with a horizontal platform capable of being disposed underneath the structure and with means for unblocking the fixation means, so that the fixation means can be moved from the fixation position to the installation position by a vertical upward displacement of the platform and/or of the unblocking means toward the structure, as a result of which the battery becomes detached from the structure and is braced on the platform. 
     According to a particular embodiment, the unblocking means include two vertical rods mounted on the platform. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the description hereinafter of a particular embodiment of the invention, provided by way of indication but not limitation, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a longitudinal section of a vehicle according to a particular embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective side view of a particular embodiment of the receiving element, on which there is mounted a particular embodiment of the battery; 
         FIG. 3  shows a schematic view in section according to a vertical plane passing through axis III-III of the preceding embodiment, the battery being in the course of installation; 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic view in section of the preceding embodiment, the battery being mounted on the receiving element and the removal maneuver beginning; and 
         FIG. 5  shows in more detail the fixation means of the embodiment shown in the preceding figures. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a motor vehicle provided with a structure or chassis  1 , on which there is fixed a receiving element  2 . Structure  1  is provided with two rails  11  extending longitudinally along the vehicle and two or more crossbeams (not visible) extending across the vehicle. Each rail  11  has a front portion  13 , situated at the hood, a middle portion  15 , situated underneath the passenger compartment and a rear portion  17 , situated underneath the trunk. In the embodiment shown, receiving element  2  is mounted on structure  1  at rear portion  17  thereof. This position is not limitative with respect to the present invention. In fact, receiving element  2  may be mounted on any portion of structure  1 , because of its installation and removal which are achieved by a vertical movement (along the direction Z, shown in  FIG. 1 ), which takes place between the ground S, on which the vehicle wheels rest, and structure  1 . Underneath receiving element  2 , therefore, the structure has an opening (not shown), via which battery  3  may be installed and removed. In  FIG. 1 , battery  3 , set down on the ground S, is represented by dashed lines. 
     In the case of the present invention, battery  3  is a unit that supplies energy to the motor to make it run for a limited duration. Especially because of its size and weight, battery  3  cannot be considered equivalent to the electric battery that is present in all motor vehicles for the purpose of starting them and for supplying the electrical systems of the vehicle, and that is recharged during travel of the vehicle. Receiving element  2  and battery  3  will be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , receiving element  2  is provided with two lateral supports  22 , each mounted on a rail  11  of structure  1 . Each lateral support  22  is provided with a longitudinal arm  23 , mounted longitudinally on rail  11 , and a vertical arm  24 , integral with one end of longitudinal arm  23 . The two supports  22  are therefore L-shaped and are disposed one beside the other, the two vertical arms  24  facing one another. The two supports  22  are joined by a cage  25 , which is mounted at the free end of vertical arms  24  and which extends above longitudinal arms  23 . This cage  25  and the supports  22  define a receiving element  2  for battery  3 , thus forming a housing for battery  3 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , battery  3  has two opposite vertical surfaces  31  or vertical walls. When battery  3  is mounted in receiving element  2 , the upper face of battery  3  is disposed close to cage  25 . A portion of battery  3  extends below receiving element  2 . Receiving element  2  is provided with fixation means which include four bolt-forming fingers  41 , mounted in pairs facing one another on longitudinal arms  23 , and means  5  for interlocking these fixation means. Fixation fingers  41  extend transversely relative to receiving element  2 , in a direction perpendicular to longitudinal arms  23  and in a plane perpendicular to vertical arms  24 . Interlocking means  5  are provided with four drive elements  51 , joined in pairs to fingers  41 , which are disposed facing one another, each on a vertical face  31  of battery  3 . These drive elements  51  are coupled to a rotary interlocking element  52 , which will be described in more detail later. One end of each drive element  51  is connected to a finger  41 , while the other end is connected to interlocking element  52 . This interlocking element  52  is mounted to move by rotation around a horizontal axis X. The rotation of interlocking element  52  around axis X simultaneously pulls the two drive elements  51  connected thereto in opposite directions. The aforesaid rotation of interlocking element  52  therefore causes the ends of drive elements  51 , which are connected to this interlocking element  52 , to approach one another. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 to 4 , battery  3  has four vertical grooves  33  arranged in pairs on opposite vertical faces  31 . Each of these vertical grooves  33  intersects a recess  35  transverse relative to battery  3  and substantially perpendicular to groove  33 . All recesses  35  are situated at the same height along vertical grooves  33 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , during installation of battery  3  in receiving element  2  (for simplification, structure  1  has not been shown), battery  3  is installed on a table or platform  7  of raise-and-lower type, or in other words a table that can move by vertical translation in the Z direction (see  FIG. 1 ). A simple table equipped with a scissors mechanism for raising and lowering it may suffice. Vertical faces  31  are disposed parallel to longitudinal arms  23  of supports  22 . Fingers  41 , with which each of longitudinal arms  23  is equipped, are disposed face-to-face, and have free ends spaced apart by a given distance d 1  (see  FIG. 4 ), measured in the direction transverse relative to the vehicle (or in other words in the direction perpendicular to longitudinal arms  23  of supports  22 ). Table  7  is disposed underneath the vehicle then raised toward structure  1 , in the direction of receiving element  2 . The free ends of fingers  41  disposed face-to face are moved farther apart from one another, because of the fact of their contact with the surface of vertical faces  31 . When battery  3  is raised to a height above the ground S such that fingers  41  reach recesses  35 , fingers  41  penetrate into the latter. The distance separating the free ends of fingers  41  is then equal to d 1 , as already stated. As shown in  FIG. 4 , battery  3  is therefore suspended by fingers  41 , which bear on the upper face of recesses  35 , as described in more detail in reference to  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 5  shows fixation means  4  and interlocking means  5  in more detail. In  FIG. 5 , the fixation means are in an intermediate position. Fingers  41  have a chamfered free end. Thus, in section along axis III-III, the upper longitudinal edge of fingers  41  is longer than the lower longitudinal edge. Each finger  41  is mounted in a housing  27  made in a longitudinal arm  23  of a support  22 . This housing  27  extends transversely relative to longitudinal arm  23  and has an aperture disposed on the internal face of longitudinal arm  23  (or in other words on the face of longitudinal arm  23  that faces the other longitudinal arm  23 ). A restoring spring  45  is disposed longitudinally in the bottom of housing  27  so as to push finger  41  out of housing  27 , toward the other support  22  disposed facing the one under consideration. Finger  41  has a longitudinal slot  47  disposed close to its end housed in housing  27  and is provided with a transverse stop  43  situated between the free end of finger  41  and the aforesaid longitudinal slot  47 . Slot  47  and stop  43  are disposed in housing  27 . A shaft  53 , transverse relative to drive element  51 , passes through slot  47 . This shaft  53  is integral with drive element  51 . In  FIG. 5 , it is seen that vertical groove  33  extends above recess  35 . In fixation position, the free end of finger  41  is housed in recess  35 . Battery  3  is supported by fingers  41 , which are braced against upper horizontal face  351  of recess  35 . The free end of finger  41  is spaced apart from the vertical bottom of recess  35 . In the fixation position, shaft  53  is disposed at the end of slot  47  that is closest to the outlet of housing  27 . By turning interlocking element  52 , the operator simultaneously pulls on the two drive elements  51 . Each of these two drive elements  51  is joined to a finger  41  situated on a different support  22 . These two fingers  41  are mounted facing one another, each on a support  22 . The rotation of interlocking element  52  around axis X pulls drive element  51  toward the opposite support  22 . Since shaft  53  is integral with drive element  51  and is stopped against the end of slot  47  closest to the aperture of housing  27 , the displacement of drive element  51  causes displacement of finger  41  toward the bottom of recess  35 . When spring  45  is relaxed and stop  43  comes into contact with the vertical wall of longitudinal arm  22 , around the aperture of housing  27 , finger  41  is in interlocked position. Interlocking element  52  is blocked because of the opposing forces exerted thereon by drive elements  51 . Battery  3  is therefore completely blocked in position. Since springs  45  are no longer loaded, fingers  41  remain in position and, consequently, battery  3  is not subject to the risk of falling, even in case of bumps or jolts. Furthermore, since the length of finger  41  inserted in recess  35  and braced against upper horizontal face  351  thereof is greater than in the fixation position, battery  3  is held more securely in interlocked position. In interlocked position, the distance between the free ends of fingers  41  is shorter than d 1 . 
     The operation of the device of the invention will now be explained with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 5 . 
     The installation of battery  3  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 3 . As explained in the foregoing, battery  3  is placed on a table  7  disposed underneath receiving element  2 . Table  7  is raised manually or automatically. Upon contact with vertical walls  31 , fingers  41  disposed face-to-face move farther away from one another, in the direction transverse relative to the vehicle. At recesses  35 , springs  45 , which continuously exert a restoring force on spaced-apart fingers  41 , push fingers  41  toward the vertical bottom of these recesses  35 , thus holding and blocking battery  3 . 
     The removal of battery  3  will now be described with reference to the foregoing figures. Battery  3  is mounted in receiving element  2  and the fixation means are in their interlocked position. In a first step, the operator unblocks the fixation means. To do so, he turns interlocking element  52  so as to move the ends of drive elements  51  that are connected to this interlocking element  52  farther apart from one another. Each drive element  51  moves back toward support  22  and causes shaft  53  to be displaced in slot  47 . When shaft  53  becomes stopped against the end of slot  47  that is disposed closest to the bottom of housing  27 , shaft  53  pushes finger  41  back toward the bottom of housing  27 . Finger  41  moves back in recess  35 , toward the aperture thereof, situated at vertical face  31 . Spring  45  continues to exert a restoring force that pushes finger  41  toward recess  35  and, because of this, battery  3  is always suspended on fingers  41 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , a table or platform  7  provided with vertical rods  71  (see  FIG. 4 ) is then disposed underneath receiving element  2 . By raising table  7  or by lowering the vehicle, vertical rods  71  are made to penetrate into vertical grooves  33 . When rods  71  become stopped against the chamfered ends of fingers  41 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , fingers  41  are pushed toward support  22  by rods  71 , which continue their upward movement, driven by table  7 . Each of the fingers  41  is therefore pushed into its housing  27 ; spring  45  is now maintained compressed by finger  41 , itself pushed by rod  71 . Rod  71  penetrates vertically as far as the bottom of groove  33 , beyond recess  35 . When it becomes stopped against the bottom of groove  33 , battery  3  rests on table  7  and the vertical upward movement of the latter is stopped. Table  7  is lowered; battery  3  is then subjected to its own weight and remains on table  7 . Vertical rods  71  prevent fingers  41  from returning to their fixation position by pushing them toward housing  27  and blocking the entry to recesses  35 . As long as table  7  is being lowered, fingers  41  remain in contact with vertical rods  71 , which maintain them in installation position, spaced apart from one another in the direction transverse relative to the vehicle, and pushed toward their housing  27 . When battery  3  is completely disposed underneath structure  1 , fingers  41  return to fixation position. The battery is removed and may be exchanged. 
     The aforesaid removal and installation maneuvers may be easily automated, thus making replacement of battery  3  easy and quick. The vehicle may therefore travel long distances by replacing its battery instead of filling up with fuel, as is the case for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine.