Short-radius electric shovel loader comprising a removable battery

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric shovel loader (1) comprising: - a chassis (2) supported by movement members (4), - a turret (3) mounted so as to be free to rotate on the chassis about a vertical axis (X) distant from the lateral edge (5) of the chassis by a length d, the turret having a radius of rotation Ri; - an articulated arm (6) fixed to the turret; - an electric motor configured to actuate the rotation of the turret, the movements of the articulated arm and / or the transmission of the movement members; - a main battery (9) for powering the electric motor, the main battery being removably mounted on the chassis or the turret while being comprised, as viewed along the vertical axis (X), in a circle of radius R2 centred on the vertical axis (X), the ratios of R1 to d and of R2 to d being less than or equal to 1.40.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title: Short-radius electric excavator including a removable battery

[0003] technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to the field of construction equipment. In particular, the present invention relates to an excavator, also called a hydraulic excavator, comprising at least one electric motor which drives the rotation of the turret and / or the actuation of the articulated arm and / or the transmission of the excavator.

[0005] The invention is particularly suited to the conversion, or retrofit, of internal combustion engine excavators into electric excavators.

[0006] Previous technique

[0007] Currently, consideration is being given to using electric-powered excavators instead of internal combustion engine excavators or to converting, also known as retrofitting, existing internal combustion engine excavators into electric-powered excavators, primarily to meet greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.

[0008] Furthermore, the conversion provides an economical solution for electrifying a fleet of internal combustion engine excavators.

[0009] However, to date, electric excavators using electrochemical batteries are subject to specific operating constraints. The operating time of an electric excavator is limited by the available battery capacity and weight. The size of a battery pack is often insufficient to fully meet user needs, especially for continuous operation throughout a full workday. Furthermore, managing battery charging can also be a significant constraint, particularly when direct access to the electrical grid is unavailable, as is often the case on construction sites.In the absence of access to the electrical grid, it becomes necessary either to move the excavator itself to a power grid access point using suitable transport, or to implement a mobile charging solution such as a generator or power bank. One way to overcome these constraints is to use easily replaceable batteries, meaning batteries that can be installed on and removed from the electric excavator.

[0010] As an example, Limach offers the E88.1 electric excavator model, which features two sets of batteries that can be mounted or removed independently using mechanical arms. This allows at least one set of batteries to be installed on the construction equipment at all times and enables the sets to be swapped. For instance, one set of batteries can be charged while two other sets are installed on the excavator, powering it for operation.

[0011] Patent application EP1770223 Al describes an electric motor excavator powered by a battery that can be replaced.

[0012] However, these solutions are not satisfactory because integrating the batteries significantly increases the size of these electric excavators, making them poorly suited, if at all, for use in confined and / or cramped environments. In particular, the turrets of these electric excavators require considerable space to rotate.

[0013] Furthermore, replacing batteries in these solutions is complex and can be tedious.

[0014] Therefore, there is a need for an electric excavator that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks. There is a need for an electric excavator with a battery to power its electric motor, and for an excavator that is compact enough to be easily maneuvered in confined and / or cramped environments. In particular, there is a need for a compact electric excavator, notably one with a low tail swing, and one with a battery that is easily and quickly replaceable.

[0015] The aim of the invention is to meet at least part of this need.

[0016] Description of the invention

[0017] To this end, the invention relates to an electric excavator comprising:

[0018] - a chassis supported by movement components included in the chassis;

[0019] - a turret mounted freely in rotation on the chassis around a vertical axis X arranged between the movement components and distant from the lateral edge of the chassis by a length d, the turret having a radius of rotation Ri, the ratio, called the compactness index, of Ri on d being less than or equal to 1.40;

[0020] - an articulated arm fixed to the turret;

[0021] - at least one electric motor configured to power the rotation of the turret and / or the movements of the articulated arm and / or the transmission of the movement components;

[0022] - a main battery configured to electrically power at least the electric motor, the main battery being adapted to be mounted removably on the chassis or on the turret by being electrically connected to the electric motor and being entirely contained, viewed along the vertical axis, within a circle centered on the vertical axis and of radius R2, the ratio of R2 to d being less than or equal to 1.40.

[0023] By definition, the "radius of rotation Ri", also called "radius of gyration", or even "rear offset", of the turret corresponds to the distance between the vertical axis X and the point of the turret furthest from said vertical axis.

[0024] By definition, the "lateral edge of the chassis" corresponds to the sides of the smallest rectangle circumscribed about the chassis when viewed along the vertical axis.

[0025] The electric motor can drive a hydraulic unit comprising at least one hydraulic pump to operate the rotation of the turret and / or the movements of the articulated arm and / or the transmission of the movement components. For example, the hydraulic unit may include hydraulic cylinders to move the articulated arm and / or one or more hydraulic motors to rotate the turret and / or operate the transmission of the movement components.

[0026] Alternatively, the excavator may include one or more electric motors to directly drive the turret rotation and / or the transmission of the travel components. The excavator may also include electric cylinders configured to directly drive the movements of the articulated arm, preferably powered by the main battery.

[0027] The excavator can be the result of converting, or retrofitting, a combustion engine excavator into an electric one. Preferably, the main battery is mounted removablely on the chassis or the turret.

[0028] Preferably, the rotation radius Ri is greater than or equal to the radius of the circle R2.

[0029] Preferably, the compactness index is less than or equal to 1.30, or even 1.20. Preferably, the radius of rotation Ri is less than or equal to the length d.

[0030] Preferably, the ratio of the radius of circle R2 to the length d is less than or equal to 1.30, or even 1.20. Preferably, the radius of circle R2 is less than or equal to the length d.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the chassis or turret may include a cavity configured to house the main battery when mounted on the chassis, respectively on the turret.

[0032] The cavity can be formed by the chassis and arranged under the turret. Alternatively, the cavity can be formed by the turret itself. In particular, the excavator can be the result of converting, or retrofitting, a combustion engine excavator into an electric excavator, and the cavity can be at least partially, and preferably completely, arranged in the former location of the combustion engine.

[0033] Preferably, the chassis or turret includes a deployment mechanism configured to support and guide the main battery in movement between a deployed position, in which the main battery is out of the cavity, and a folded position, in which the main battery is housed in the cavity, and vice versa.

[0034] Preferably, the movement of the main battery between the deployed and folded positions, and vice versa, is a translation. Even more preferably, the deployment mechanism includes at least one telescopic slide comprising a fixed part within the cavity and at least one movable part adapted to receive the main battery, the movable part being configured to slide relative to the fixed part between the folded position, in which the movable part is within the cavity, and the deployed position, in which the movable part protrudes from the cavity.

[0035] According to another embodiment, the main battery can be removably mounted on the roof of the turret or on a side of the turret.

[0036] Preferably, the main battery is configured to provide a power output of 4 kW or more, preferably 7 kW, and / or a capacity of 5 kWh or more, preferably 20 kWh. Preferably, the main battery weighs 50 kg or more. The excavator may be a conversion, or retrofit, of a combustion engine excavator to an electric excavator, and the main battery may be configured to replace the inert mass that forms the counterweight of the construction equipment.

[0037] Preferably, the excavator includes a handling device mounted on the turret or chassis. The handling device is configured to lift and move the main battery from a first position, in which the main battery is lowered and away from the turret and chassis, to a second position, in which the main battery is lowered and supported by the turret or chassis, and to lift and move the main battery from the second position back to the first position. Preferably, if the chassis or turret includes the deployment mechanism, then the main battery is lowered onto said deployment mechanism in the second position. Alternatively, the second position may be the position of the main battery when mounted on the chassis or turret.

[0038] The handling device may include a handling tool mounted, preferably removably, on the turret or chassis and comprising a winch for winding and unwinding a handling cable or at least one lifting arm. Preferably, the handling tool includes a jib, preferably rotating, comprising an arm on which the winch is fixed and a shaft extending along an axis, referred to as the vertical axis of the jib, the arm being mounted on the shaft. Preferably, the arm is mounted on the shaft so that its position along said shaft is adjustable. Preferably, the arm is articulated. Preferably, the arm is rotatable relative to the shaft around the vertical axis of the jib.

[0039] The handling tool can be mounted so that, viewed along the vertical axis, it is entirely contained within a circle centered on the vertical axis X and with a radius less than or equal to the length d.

[0040] The articulated arm can be part of the handling device, and the handling device can include a hanging system configured to attach the main battery to the articulated arm. For example, the hanging system can include a hanging cable and / or a lifting socket, such as a hook.

[0041] The handling device may include a lifting platform fixed to a leveling blade of the excavator or to the chassis, the lifting platform being configured to rise when the main battery is in its deployed position so as to lift the main battery which then rests on said lifting platform.

[0042] Preferably, the excavator includes at least one auxiliary battery configured to power the handling device. Preferably, the main battery is configured to charge the auxiliary battery when mounted on the chassis or turret. The auxiliary battery may also power other excavator auxiliaries such as the heater and / or radio, and / or anti-theft systems, and / or lighting sources, and / or an instrument display, and / or windshield wipers. Anti-theft systems may include a camera and / or an alarm. Lighting sources may include the excavator's headlights.

[0043] Preferably, the excavator includes an electrical charging socket and / or an induction charging coil configured to recharge the main battery mounted on the chassis or turret.

[0044] According to another aspect, the present invention also relates to a method of installing a main battery of an electric excavator, the method comprising the following successive steps: a) supplying an excavator according to the present invention, the main battery being placed next to the turret and the chassis, b) hooking the main battery by the handling device mounted on the turret or the chassis, c) lifting the main battery by the handling device and moving the main battery so as to mount the main battery on the turret or on the chassis.

[0045] Preferably, the installation process is carried out with the excavator positioned on flat ground that is horizontal relative to the Earth's axis of gravity.

[0046] Preferably, the excavator includes a leveling blade in contact with the ground during at least part of the installation process.

[0047] Preferably, the excavator's electric motor is switched off during the installation process.

[0048] The present invention also relates to a method for uninstalling a main battery of an electric excavator, the method comprising the following successive steps: a) supplying an excavator according to the present invention, the main battery being mounted on the chassis or on the turret, b) attaching the main battery by the handling device mounted on the turret or chassis, c) lifting and moving the main battery by the handling device so as to place the detached main battery next to the turret and the chassis.

[0049] Preferably, the dismantling process is carried out with the excavator positioned on flat ground that is horizontal relative to the Earth's axis of gravity.

[0050] Preferably, the excavator includes a leveling blade in contact with the ground during at least part of the dismantling process.

[0051] Preferably, the excavator's electric motor is switched off during the dismantling process.

[0052] The present invention essentially consists of a compact electric excavator comprising a removable main battery that is mounted on the turret or chassis with minimal, or even no, protrusion from the chassis during rotational movements of the turret around its vertical axis. Thus, the electric excavator according to the present invention is easily maneuverable in confined and / or cramped environments; that is, the turret can rotate with a very limited, or even negligible, risk of being struck by an obstacle or the main battery. Advantageously, the chances of damaging the main battery during excavator handling are significantly reduced.

[0053] Furthermore, the excavator according to the present invention may include a handling device mounted on the turret or chassis, allowing for the rapid installation and removal of the main battery on the turret or chassis without the need for an external device or manual handling. This greatly simplifies the maintenance and management of the excavator's main battery. In particular, when the main battery is discharged, it can be quickly replaced with a fully charged one, enabling continuous operation of the excavator on a construction site without having to move it.

[0054] Furthermore, as will be explained later, the present invention is particularly suitable for the conversion, or retrofitting, of internal combustion engine excavators into electric excavators. Brief description of the drawings

[0055] Other advantages and features will become clearer upon reading the detailed description, provided for illustrative purposes only and not as a limitation, with reference to the following figures:

[0056] [Fig IA] and [Fig IB] Figures IA and IB are perspective views of an excavator according to a first embodiment of the present invention and of a main battery intended to power the electric motor of said excavator;

[0057] [Fig 2] Figure 2 is a top view of the excavator according to figures 1 A and 1 B, the walls of the turret of said excavator being shown in transparency;

[0058] [Fig 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the excavator according to figures IA and IB, the walls of the turret of said excavator being shown in transparency to show the main battery housed in the cavity of the turret;

[0059] [Fig 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the excavator according to figures 1 A and 1 B, the walls of the turret of said excavator being partially shown in transparency to show the electric motor and the hydraulic unit housed in the cavity of the turret;

[0060] [Fig 5A], [Fig 5B], [Fig 5C], [Fig 5D] and [Fig 5E] Figures 5A to 5E are perspective views of the different stages of a process for uninstalling a main battery of the excavator according to Figures IA and IB;

[0061] [Fig 6A], [Fig 6B], [Fig 6C], [Fig 6D] and [Fig 6E] Figures 6A to 6E are perspective views of the different stages of a process for uninstalling a main battery of the excavator according to Figures IA and IB;

[0062] [Fig 7A] and [Fig 7B] Figures 7A and 7B are perspective views of an excavator according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0063] [Fig 8A], [Fig 8B], [Fig 8C], [Fig 8D], [Fig 8E] and [Fig 8F] Figures 8A and 8F are perspective views of an excavator according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and of the different stages of a method for uninstalling a main battery of said excavator;

[0064] [Fig 9A], [Fig 9B] and [Fig 9C] Figures 9A and 9C are perspective views of an excavator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and of the different stages of a method for dismantling a main battery of said excavator; [Fig 10A], [Fig 10B], [Fig 10OC] and [Fig 10D] Figures 10A and 10D are perspective views of an excavator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and of the different stages of a method for dismantling a main battery of said excavator;

[0065] [Fig 1 IA], [Fig 1 IB] and [Fig 1 IC] Figures 1 IA and 1 IC are perspective views of an excavator according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and of the different stages of a method for uninstalling a main battery of said excavator;

[0066] [Fig 12A], [Fig 12B] and [Fig 12C] Figures 12A and 12C are perspective views of an excavator according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, and of the different stages of a method for uninstalling a main battery of said excavator.

[0067] Detailed description

[0068] Throughout this application, the terms "vertical", "front", "rear" are to be understood by reference to the orientation of the excavator, i.e., according to the direction of travel of the excavator, and the turret is free to rotate around a vertical axis.

[0069] Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a first example of an excavator 1 according to the present invention. The excavator 1 comprises a chassis 2 which supports a turret 3. The chassis 2 is supported by drive elements 4 configured to move the excavator 1 when driven by a transmission. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the drive elements 4 are tracks, but they can alternatively be wheels.

[0070] Turret 3 is rotatable relative to chassis 2 about a vertical axis X and can complete a full rotation around this vertical axis X. Thus, turret 3 can be oriented in any direction within a horizontal plane. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, turret 3 is facing forward.

[0071] The vertical axis X is arranged between the drive elements 4, i.e., it passes through the frame 2. The vertical axis X is located a distance d from the lateral edge 5 of the frame 2. Preferably, the vertical axis X is equidistant from the drive elements 4. Preferably, the vertical axis X lies on the median plane of the frame 2, for which the drive elements 4 are arranged symmetrically on either side of said median plane. If applicable, the length d between the vertical axis X and the lateral edge 5 of the frame 2 is equal to half the width of the frame 2. Preferably, the vertical axis X intersects the center of gravity of the excavator 1.

[0072] The width of the chassis 2 depends on the weight range of the excavator 1. Excavators within the same weight range have standard dimensions. The excavator 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4 is a mini-excavator in the 2.5-ton range and has a chassis 2 width between 1.40 m and 1.60 m, but other types of excavator 1 are possible. For example, the excavator could be a mini-excavator in the 1-2.5-ton or 5-6-ton range. It could also be an excavator in any weight range between 500 kg and 200 tons.

[0073] Turret 3 has a rotation radius Ri such that the compactness index, corresponding to the ratio of said rotation radius Ri to the length d between the vertical axis X and the lateral edge 5 of the chassis 2, is less than or equal to 1.40. Thus, when turret 3 is rotated around the vertical axis X, the protrusion of turret 3 beyond the chassis 2 is less than the length d multiplied by 0.40. The protrusion of turret 3 beyond the chassis 2 corresponds to the distance between the chassis 2 and the point of turret 3 that protrudes most from the chassis 2, measured along a view parallel to the vertical axis X.

[0074] In an advantageous embodiment, the radius of rotation Ri is less than or equal to the length d. If applicable, during a rotation of the turret 3 around the vertical axis X, the protrusion of the turret 3 outside the chassis 2 is zero, there is no part of the turret 3 that protrudes from the chassis 2.

[0075] The turning radius Ri is dependent on the weight range of the excavator 1; the higher the weight range, the higher the turning radius Ri.

[0076] As explained previously, if the vertical axis X lies on the median plane of the chassis 2, then the length d between the vertical axis X and the lateral edge 5 of the chassis 2 is equal to half the width of the chassis 2, which itself depends on the weight range of the excavator 1. In this case, the maximum overhang of the turret 3 from the chassis 2 during a complete rotation of the turret 3 around the vertical axis X is then dependent on the weight range of the excavator 1. The inventor has measured this maximum overhang as a function of the weight ranges of the excavators 1.

[0077] For excavators in the weight range of 800 kg to 3 T and with a turning radius Ri corresponding to the length d defined previously, the inventor measured a maximum overhang of less than 10 cm. For excavators in the weight range of 3 T to 8 T and with a turning radius Ri corresponding to the length d defined previously, the inventor measured a maximum overhang of less than 20 cm. For excavators in the weight range exceeding 8 T and with a turning radius Ri corresponding to the length d defined previously, the inventor measured a maximum overhang of less than 40 cm.

[0078] The excavator 1 also includes an articulated arm 6 fixed to the turret 3. A bucket 7 is mounted, preferably removably, on the free end of the articulated arm 6. The orientation of the articulated arm 6 is fixed relative to the turret 3. However, the articulation of said articulated arm 6 advantageously allows its free end to be moved in two directions, in particular vertically and laterally. The movements of the articulated arm 6 can be controlled, in particular, by hydraulic cylinders 24 powered by a hydraulic unit 19.

[0079] Excavator 1 may still include a leveling blade 8 mounted on the chassis 2 at the front of excavator 1.

[0080] An electric motor 20 is housed in the turret 3. Alternatively, the electric motor can be fixed in the chassis 2. The electric motor 20 is configured to drive the rotation of the turret 3 and / or the hydraulic unit 19 driving the movements of the articulated arm 6 and / or the transmission of the movement components 4.

[0081] The excavator 1 includes a main battery 9 to electrically power the electric motor 20. The main battery 9 is parallelepiped in shape, in particular cubic, but other shapes are quite conceivable, particularly depending on integration requirements.

[0082] The main battery 9 has a weight greater than or equal to 50 kg. Advantageously, the main battery 9 acts as a counterweight for the excavator 1; that is, the weight of the main battery 9 counterbalances the weight of the loads intended to be lifted by the articulated arm 6. Thus, the main battery 9 ensures the stability of the excavator 1 and facilitates the maneuvering of the loads handled by the excavator 1.

[0083] The main battery 9 includes an enclosure housing the various electronic components, including a plurality of accumulators storing electrical energy. The enclosure thus protects these electronic components from the external environment, in particular from shocks, dust and / or splashes.

[0084] The main battery 9 includes a handling socket 21, for example an anchor point, for lifting and moving said main battery 9.

[0085] The main battery 9 may also include a telecommunications system configured to transmit information relating to the status of the main battery 9 to a control unit external to the main battery 9. The information may be the GPS position of the main battery 9, the state of charge of the accumulators of the main battery 9 and / or a diagnostic of the health status of the main battery 9.

[0086] The telecommunications system can also receive instructions to activate and deactivate the transfer of electrical energy from the main battery 9 to an element external to the main battery 9 and / or vice versa.

[0087] The main battery 9 is removably mounted on the turret 3. In particular, the turret 3 includes a cavity 10 in which the main battery 9 is housed. The cavity 10 is arranged under the seat 11 of the turret 3. In particular, the excavator 1 is the result of the conversion, or retrofit, of a thermal engine excavator into an electric excavator and the cavity 10 is at least partly, preferably totally, arranged in the former location of the thermal engine.

[0088] Advantageously, the dimensions of the internal combustion engine locations in internal combustion engine excavators differ little from one model of internal combustion engine excavator to another, especially within the same weight range.

[0089] The main battery 9, designed for an electric excavator 1 according to a first model, will also be designed for another electric excavator 1 according to a second model different from the first. These main batteries 9 are therefore considered "universal." The same model of main battery 9 can be used to power different electric excavators 1, which greatly simplifies the management of charging and maintenance of the main batteries 9. The electric excavator according to the first model and / or the electric excavator according to the second model may be the result of converting, or retrofitting, a combustion engine excavator. In other words, it is possible to use similar, or even identical, main batteries 9 for different electric excavators 1, whether they were originally designed to be electric or the result of converting, or retrofitting, different combustion engine excavators.

[0090] Since the main battery 9 is entirely housed within turret 3, it is therefore entirely contained, viewed along the vertical axis X, within a circle centered on the vertical axis X and with a radius R2 smaller than the rotation radius Ri. Thus, during a rotation of turret 3 around the vertical axis X, the maximum protrusion of the main battery 9 beyond chassis 2 is less than the maximum protrusion of turret 3 beyond chassis 2. The protrusion of the main battery 9 beyond chassis 2 corresponds to the distance between chassis 2 and the point of the main battery 9 that protrudes most from chassis 2, measured along a view parallel to the vertical axis X.

[0091] In an advantageous embodiment, the radius of the circle R2 is less than or equal to the length d. If necessary, when rotating the turret 3 around the vertical axis X, the protrusion of the main battery 9 outside the chassis 2 is zero; there is no part of the main battery 9 that protrudes from the chassis 2.

[0092] To connect the main battery 9 to the electric motor 20, the turret 3 may include an electrical connection plate arranged in the cavity 10, and the main battery 9 may include an additional electrical connection plate to that of the turret 3. When the battery 2 is housed in the cavity 10, the electrical connection plates of the turret 3 and the main battery 9 make contact, thus establishing the electrical connection between the main battery 9 and the electric motor 20. The electrical connection may be established automatically as soon as these electrical connection plates make contact. Alternatively, the turret 3 and / or the main battery 9 may include a sensor configured to detect if the main battery 9 is incorrectly positioned in the cavity 10 and, in that case, prevent the electrical connection between the electrical connection plates.

[0093] Alternatively, the turret 3 may include an electrical socket, arranged in the cavity 10 and the main battery 9 may include an electrical socket complementary to that of the turret 3 so that said electrical sockets can be plugged into each other to establish the electrical connection between the main battery 9 and the electric motor 20. Said electrical connection can then be made manually.

[0094] The excavator 1 may include a charging socket and / or an inductive charging coil configured to charge the main battery 9 housed in the cavity 10. The inductive charging coil advantageously allows the main battery 9 to be charged without connecting an electrical cable to the excavator 1, but rather by induction, by placing the excavator 1 over an inductive charging pad. The main battery 9 can also be charged outside the cavity 10 in the standard manner.

[0095] Turret 3 includes a locking device for reversibly locking the main battery 9 housed in cavity 10. The locking device may include latches, retaining bars, magnets, a locking handle and / or a locking screw and / or a keying system.

[0096] The turret 3 also includes a door 12 for opening and closing the cavity 10. Thus, when the cavity 10 is closed by the door 12, the main battery 9 is protected by the wall of the cavity 10. When the door 12 is open, the main battery 9 is easily accessible and can be removed from the cavity 10, or a new main battery 9 can easily be installed in the cavity 10. The door 12 is arranged at the rear of the excavator 1, that is, on the side of the turret 3 opposite to the side to which the articulated arm 6 is attached.

[0097] Figures 5A to 5E illustrate a method for removing the main battery 9 from the turret 3. The method for removing the main battery 9 comprises the following successive steps: a) supplying the excavator 1 according to Figures 1 to 4, with the main battery 9 mounted in the cavity 10 of the turret 3, b) hooking the main battery 9 by a handling device mounted on the turret 3 or the chassis 2, c) lifting and moving the main battery 9 by the handling device so as to place the main battery 9 out of the turret 3 and the chassis 2, i.e. away from and detached from the turret 3 and the chassis 2.

[0098] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 5A to 5E, the handling device includes a handling tool 13 removably mounted in the body of the turret 3. In particular, the turret 3 includes a housing 14 cut into its body at the rear of the turret 3, preferably adjacent to the door 12, and the handling tool 13 is inserted into the housing 14 without obstructing the opening and closing of said door 12.

[0099] The handling tool 13 includes a winch 15 attached to a rotating jib 16. The rotating jib 16 is articulated. The winch 15 is adapted to lift the weight of the main battery 9. The winch 15 can be electrically powered by a source external to the excavator 1 or by auxiliary batteries included in the excavator 1. Alternatively, the winch 15 can be mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic.

[0100] The rotating arm 16 can be snapped into the housing 14 or the handling tool 13 can include a pin to lock the rotating arm 16 inserted into the housing 14 in translation.

[0101] Step b) includes a substep bi) of disconnection between the main battery 9 and the electric motor 20.

[0102] In the process illustrated in Figures 5A to 5E, step b) includes a substep bi) during which the main battery 9 is extracted from the cavity 10. Substep bi) may be carried out before, during, or after substep bi), preferably after. If necessary, substep bi) is preceded by actuation of the turret locking device 3 to unlock battery 2.

[0103] As illustrated in Figures 5B to 5E, the excavator 1 includes a deployment mechanism 17 configured to support the main battery 9 and guide its movement between a folded position, in which the main battery 9 is housed in the cavity 10, and a deployed position, in which the main battery 9 is outside the cavity 10. Thus, the folded position corresponds to that illustrated in Figure 5A and the deployed position corresponds to that illustrated in Figure 5B. The deployment mechanism 17 supports the main battery 9 throughout its movement in both the folded and deployed positions.

[0104] Preferably, the deployment mechanism 17 is motorized to move the main battery 9 between its folded and deployed positions, and vice versa. The motorization can be electrically powered by the auxiliary battery. This facilitates changing the main battery 9 because no physical effort is required to deploy or fold the main battery 9 in or out of the cavity 10. This is particularly advantageous for changing the main battery 9 when the excavator 1 is on a slope.

[0105] Preferably, the deployment mechanism 17 includes a tilt sensor to prevent the main battery 9 from moving between its folded and deployed positions, and vice versa, when the excavator 1 exceeds a predetermined angle of inclination relative to the gravitational axis. Advantageously, this prevents any risk of the main battery 9 being carried away during replacement.

[0106] The movement between the deployed and folded positions is a translational movement. This translational movement is achieved by telescopic slides 18 included in the deployment mechanism 17. More specifically, the telescopic slides 18 comprise a fixed part in the cavity 10 and at least one movable part on which the main battery 9 rests, the movable part being configured to slide relative to the fixed part between the folded position, in which the movable part is in the cavity 10, and the deployed position, in which the movable part protrudes out of the cavity 10.

[0107] Extraction of sub-step bi) is carried out by moving the main battery 9, using the deployment mechanism 17, from the folded position to the deployed position.

[0108] Once the main battery 9 has been extracted from the cavity 10, the handling device hooks the main battery 9 by the handling grip 21. The handling device then carries out step c) of the uninstallation process as illustrated in Figures 5C to 5E, in particular by winding the winch cable 15 and then pivoting and articulating the rotating jib 16 and then unwinding the winch cable 15 until the main battery 9 rests on the ground or on a platform external to the excavator 1.

[0109] The procedure for installing the main battery 9 in the turret 3 is carried out in reverse order of the removal procedure described previously, as illustrated in Figures 6A to 6E. The procedure for installing the main battery 9 comprises the following successive steps: a) supplying the excavator 1, with the main battery 9 out of the cavity 10 and detached from the turret 3, b) hooking the main battery 9 by the handling device mounted on the turret 3 or the chassis 2, c) lifting the main battery 9 by the handling device and moving the main battery 9 so as to mount the main battery 9 in the cavity 10 of the turret 3.

[0110] The handling device for the installation process is the same as that described for the disinstallation process. The handling device carries out the lifting of step c) of the installation process as illustrated in Figures 6A to 6C, in particular by winding the winch cable 15 and then pivoting and articulating the rotating jib 16 and then unwinding the winch cable 15 until the main battery 9 rests on the deployment mechanism 17 as described for the disinstallation process.

[0111] Next, the deployment mechanism 17 supports and guides the main battery 9 from its deployed position to its folded position in which the main battery 9 is housed in the cavity 10. Then, the main battery 9 is electrically connected with the electric motor 20, alternatively the electrical connection can be established before the movement of the main battery 9 between its deployed position and its folded position.

[0112] Optionally, step c) is followed by closing door 12 and / or actuating turret locking device 3 to lock main battery 9 in cavity 10 and connected with electric motor 20.

[0113] The handling device can be powered by one or more auxiliary batteries integrated into the excavator 1 during the installation and removal process.

[0114] Figures 7A and 7B illustrate another embodiment of an electric excavator 1 according to the present invention. This excavator 1 differs from that illustrated in Figures 1 to 6E in that it comprises a base 22 on which the handling tool 13 is mounted, preferably removably. The base 22 is fixed to the turret 3, in particular to the rear of the turret 3, preferably adjacent to the door 12 without obstructing the opening and closing of said door 12.

[0115] Preferably, the base 22 and the handling tool 13 are configured so that the rotating arm 16 of the handling tool 13 fits into the base 22. The rotating arm 16 can snap into the base 14 or the handling tool 13 can include a pin to lock the rotating arm 16 inserted in the base 22 in translation.

[0116] The methods for installing and removing the main battery 9 in the turret 3 of the excavator 1 illustrated in Figures 7A and 7B are similar to the methods for installing and removing the main battery 9 in the excavator 1 illustrated in Figures 5A to 6E. Figures 8A to 8F illustrate another embodiment of an electric excavator 1 according to the present invention, the handling device of said excavator 1 being different from that of the excavator 1 illustrated in Figures 1 to 6E. In this case, the handling device comprises a lifting platform 23 fixed to the leveling blade 8 of the excavator 1, the lifting platform 23 being configured to support the main battery 9.In addition, the articulated arm 6 is part of the handling device which also includes a hooking system configured to hook the main battery 9 to the articulated arm 6, in particular to hook the handling socket 21 of the main battery 9 to the articulated arm 6.

[0117] Step b) of the method for removing the main battery 9 for the excavator 1 illustrated in Figures 8A to 8F is carried out in accordance with the following substeps: bi) disconnection between the main battery 9 and the electric motor 20, bi) extraction of the main battery 9 out of the cavity 10 by the deployment mechanism 17, the turret 3 being oriented so that the main battery 9 is above the lifting platform 23 in the deployed position, in particular the turret 3 being oriented towards the rear, ba) lifting the lifting platform 23 so as to lift the main battery 9 out of the deployment mechanism, the main battery 9 then resting on the lifting platform 23, b4) hooking the main battery 9, resting on the lifting platform 23, by the articulated arm 6.

[0118] Substep b?) may include lifting the leveling blade 8 as illustrated in Figures 8B and 8C.

[0119] Substep b4) may include superimposing the articulated arm 6 with the main battery 9 by orienting the turret 3, in particular by orienting it forwards.

[0120] In the embodiment illustrated in figures 8A to 8F, the articulated arm 6 includes a lifting grip 25 for directly hooking the handling grip 21 of the main battery 9.

[0121] Once attached to the articulated arm 6, the main battery 9 is lifted and moved by the articulated arm 6, during step c), so as to place it next to the turret 3 and the chassis 2. The excavator 1 may include one or more auxiliary batteries configured to power the articulated arm 6, the actuation of the rotation of the turret 3 and the actuation of the lifting of the lifting platform 23, during steps b) and c).

[0122] The procedure for installing the main battery 9 in the turret 3 of the excavator 1 illustrated in Figure 8A is carried out in reverse order of the removal procedure described previously. This procedure for installing the main battery 9 comprises the following successive steps: a) supplying the excavator 1 with the main battery 9 outside the cavity 10 and detached from the turret 3, b) attaching the main battery 9 by the articulated arm 6, c) lifting the main battery 9 by the handling device and moving the main battery 9 so as to mount the main battery 9 in the cavity 10 of the turret 3.

[0123] Step c) is carried out according to the following sub-steps: ci) lifting the main battery 9 by the articulated arm 6 so as to place the main battery 9 on the lifting platform 23,

[0124] C2) Installation of the deployment mechanism 17 under the main battery 9 resting on the lifting platform 23,

[0125] C3) Deposition of the main battery 9 onto the deployment mechanism 17,

[0126] C4) movement of the main battery 9, supported by the deployment mechanism 17, from its deployed position to its folded position in which the main battery 9 is housed in the cavity 10.

[0127] The main battery 9 can then be electrically connected to the electric motor 20. Alternatively, the electrical connection can be established before moving the main battery 9 between its deployed and folded positions.

[0128] Optionally, step c) is followed by closing door 12 and / or actuating turret locking device 3 to lock main battery 9 in cavity 10 and connected with electric motor 20.

[0129] Figures 9A to 9C illustrate another embodiment of an electric excavator 1 according to the present invention. This excavator 1 differs from that illustrated in Figures 1 to 6E in that the main battery 9 is removably mounted on the roof of the turret 3. The main battery 9 is dimensioned so as not to protrude beyond the lateral and longitudinal sides of the turret 3; in particular, viewed along the vertical axis X, the radius R2 of the circle centered on the vertical axis X in which the main battery 9 is circumscribed is less than or equal to the radius of rotation Ri of the turret 3.

[0130] The excavator 1 includes a base 22 fixed on the turret 3 on which the handling tool 13 is mounted in a removable manner. The base 22 is fixed to the rear of the turret 3, so that the main battery 9 mounted on the roof is within reach of the handling tool 13.

[0131] The main battery 9 can be secured to the roof of the turret 3 by means of a locking device. Step b) of the procedure for removing the main battery 9 then involves actuating the locking device to unlock the main battery 3.

[0132] During step c) of the process of uninstalling the main battery 9, the handling tool 13 lifts the main battery 9 which was previously placed on the roof of the turret 3 and then moves said main battery 9 so as to place it next to the chassis and the turret, as illustrated in figures 9B and 9C.

[0133] Figures 10A to 10D illustrate another embodiment of an electric excavator 1 according to the present invention. This excavator 1 differs from that illustrated in Figures 1 to 6E in that the main battery 9 is removably mounted on a side of the turret 3. In particular, this side of the turret 3 includes a shoulder on which the main battery 9 rests.

[0134] The main battery 9 is dimensioned so as not to protrude beyond the aforementioned shoulder. In particular, the main battery 9 has a curved shape conforming to the body of turret 3. Specifically, viewed along the vertical axis X, the radius R2 of the circle centered on the vertical axis X, in which the main battery 9 is circumscribed, is less than or equal to the radius of rotation Ri of turret 3.

[0135] The main battery 9 can be held on the side of the turret 3 by means of a locking device. Step b) of the procedure for removing the main battery 9 then involves actuating the locking device so as to unlock the main battery 3. The excavator 1 includes a base 22 fixed to the turret 3 on which the handling tool 13 is removably mounted. The base 22 is fixed to the rear of the turret 3, so that the side-mounted main battery 9 is within reach of the handling tool 13.

[0136] During step c) of the process of uninstalling the main battery 9, the handling tool 13 lifts the main battery 9 which was previously placed on the side of the turret 3 and then moves said main battery 9 so as to place it next to the chassis and the turret, as illustrated in figures 10B to 10D.

[0137] Figures 11A to 1IC illustrate another embodiment of an electric excavator 1 according to the present invention. This excavator 1 differs from that illustrated in Figures 1 to 6E in that the main battery 9 is removably mounted in the chassis 2. In particular, the chassis 2 includes a cavity 28 in which the main battery 9 is housed. This cavity 28 is arranged under the turret 3, preferably on the side opposite the leveling blade 8. Thus, the main battery 9, viewed along the vertical axis X, is entirely contained within a circle centered on the vertical axis X and of radius R2 less than the radius of rotation Ri.

[0138] A sliding drawer 26 is mounted in the cavity 28, with the main battery 9 housed in and supported by said sliding drawer 26. The sliding drawer 26 is configured to move between a folded position, in which the main battery 9 is housed in the cavity 28 and preferably the sliding drawer 26 closes said cavity 28, and a deployed position, in which the main battery 9 is outside the cavity 28. Thus, the folded position corresponds to that illustrated in Figure 11A and the deployed position corresponds to that illustrated in Figure 11B. The sliding drawer 26 thus forms the deployment mechanism of the excavator 1. The sliding drawer 26 includes telescopic slides similar to the deployment mechanism 17 of the excavator 1 illustrated in Figures IA to 6E.

[0139] Preferably, the sliding drawer 26 is motorized to move it from the folded to the extended position. The motor can be electrically powered by the auxiliary battery. This facilitates changing the main battery 9 because no physical effort is required to move the sliding drawer 26. This is particularly advantageous for changing the main battery 9 when the excavator 1 is on a slope. Preferably, the sliding drawer 26 includes a tilt sensor to prevent the main battery 9 from moving between its folded and extended positions, and vice versa, when the excavator 1 exceeds a predetermined angle of inclination relative to the gravitational axis. Advantageously, this prevents any risk of the main battery 9 being carried away during its replacement.

[0140] The method for removing the main battery from the chassis 2 of the excavator 1 illustrated in Figures 11A to 11C comprises the following successive steps: a) supplying the excavator 1 according to Figure 1 IA, with the main battery 9 mounted in the cavity 28 of the chassis 2, b) hooking the main battery 9 by a handling device mounted on the turret 3 or the chassis 2, c) lifting and moving the main battery 9 by the handling device so as to place the main battery 9 out of the turret 3 and the chassis 2, i.e. away from and detached from the turret 3 and the chassis 2.

[0141] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 11A to 11C, the handling device includes the handling tool 13 mounted removably in the base 22 similarly to the excavator 1 illustrated in Figures 7A and 7B.

[0142] Step b) of the procedure for removing the main battery 9 for the excavator 1 illustrated in Figures 11A to 11C is carried out according to the following substeps: bi) disconnection between the main battery 9 and the electric motor 20, bi) extraction of the main battery 9 out of the cavity 28 by sliding the sliding drawer 26, ba) hooking the handling grip 21 of the main battery 9 by the handling tool 13.

[0143] The handling tool 13 then carries out step c) of the dismantling process, in particular by winding the winch cable 15 and then pivoting the rotating jib 16 and then unwinding the winch cable 15 until the main battery 9 rests on the ground or on a platform external to the excavator 1.

[0144] The method for installing the main battery 9 in the chassis 2 of the excavator 1 illustrated in Figures 11A to 11C is carried out in reverse order of the removal method described previously. This method for installing the main battery 9 comprises the following successive steps: a) supplying the excavator 1 with the main battery 9 outside of cavity 28 and placed next to the chassis 2 and the turret 3, b) attaching the main battery 9 to the handling tool 13 mounted on the turret 3, c) lifting the main battery 9 with the handling tool 13 and moving the main battery 9 so as to mount the main battery 9 in cavity 28 of the chassis 2.

[0145] Step c) is carried out according to the following sub-steps: ci) lifting the main battery 9 by the handling tool 13 so as to place the main battery 9 in the sliding drawer 26,

[0146] C2) translation of the sliding drawer 26 from its deployed position to its folded position in which the main battery 9 is housed in the cavity 10.

[0147] The main battery 9 can then be electrically connected to the electric motor 20. Alternatively, the electrical connection can be established before moving the main battery 9 between its deployed and folded positions.

[0148] Figures 12A to 12C illustrate another embodiment of an electric excavator 1 according to the present invention, the handling device of said excavator 1 being different from that of the excavator 1 illustrated in Figures 11A to 11C. The articulated arm 6 is part of the handling device which also includes a hooking system comprising a hooking cable 27 for attaching the main battery 9 to the articulated arm 6.

[0149] Step b) of the procedure for removing the main battery 9 for the excavator 1 illustrated in Figures 12A to 12C is carried out according to the following sub-steps: bi) disconnection between the main battery 9 and the electric motor 20,

[0150] 62) extraction of the main battery 9 from cavity 28 by sliding the sliding drawer 26,

[0151] 63) attachment of the main battery 9, resting on in the sliding drawer 26 in the deployed position, by the articulated arm 6.

[0152] Substep b) may include superimposing the articulated arm 6 with the main battery 9 by orienting the turret 3, in particular by orienting it rearward. Once attached to the articulated arm 6, the main battery 9 is lifted and moved by the articulated arm 6, during step c), so as to position it next to the turret 3 and the chassis 2.

[0153] The procedure for installing the main battery 9 in the chassis 2 of the excavator 1 illustrated in Figures 12A to 12C is carried out in reverse order of the removal procedure described previously. This procedure for installing the main battery 9 comprises the following successive steps: a) supplying the excavator 1 with the main battery 9 outside of cavity 28 and placed next to the chassis 2 and the turret 3, b) attaching the main battery 9 by the articulated arm 6, c) lifting the main battery 9 by the articulated arm 6 and moving the main battery 9 so as to mount the main battery 9 in cavity 28 of the chassis 2.

[0154] Step c) is carried out according to the following sub-steps: ci) lifting the main battery 9 by the articulated arm 6 so as to place the main battery 9 in the sliding drawer 26,

[0155] C2) translation of the sliding drawer 26 from its deployed position to its folded position in which the main battery 9 is housed in the cavity 10.

[0156] The main battery 9 can then be electrically connected to the electric motor 20. Alternatively, the electrical connection can be established before moving the main battery 9 between its deployed and folded positions.

[0157] Other variations and improvements may be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, the deployment mechanism may be configured so that the movement of the main battery 9 between its folded and deployed positions is a pivoting motion. To achieve this, the main battery 9 may be mounted on the inner side of the door 12, and opening the door 12 causes the main battery 9 to pivot out of the cavity 10.

Claims

Demands 1. Electric excavator (1) comprising: - a chassis (2) supported by moving parts (4) included in the chassis; - a turret (3) mounted freely in rotation on the chassis around a vertical axis (X) arranged between the movement members and distant from a lateral edge (5) of the chassis of a length d, the turret having a radius of rotation Ri, the ratio, called the compactness index, of Ri on d being less than or equal to 1.40, the lateral edge being the sides of the smallest rectangle circumscribed about the chassis seen along the vertical axis; - an articulated arm (6) fixed on the turret; - at least one electric motor (20) configured to operate the rotation of the turret and / or the movements of the articulated arm and / or the transmission of the movement components; - a main battery (9) configured to electrically power at least the electric motor, the main battery being adapted to be mounted removably on the chassis or on the turret by being electrically connected to the electric motor and being entirely contained, viewed along the vertical axis (X), in a circle centered on the vertical axis (X) and of radius R2 of which the ratio of R2 to d is less than or equal to 1.

40.

2. Electric excavator according to claim 1, the radius of rotation Ri being greater than or equal to the radius of the circle R 2 3. Electric excavator according to any one of the preceding claims, the chassis or turret comprising a cavity (10, 28) configured to house the main battery when mounted on the chassis, respectively on the turret.

4. Electric excavator according to claims 3 and 4, the chassis or turret comprising a deployment mechanism (17, 26) configured to support and guide the main battery in movement between a deployed position, in which the main battery is out of the cavity, and a folded position, in which the main battery is housed in the cavity, and vice versa.

5. Electric excavator according to the preceding claim, the movement of the main battery between the deployed and retracted positions, and vice versa, being a translation, preferably the deployment mechanism comprising at least one telescopic slide (18) including a part fixed in the cavity and at least one movable part adapted to receive the main battery, the moving part being configured to slide relative to the fixed part between the folded position, in which the moving part is in the cavity, and the deployed position, in which the moving part protrudes out of the cavity.

6. Electric excavator according to claim 1 or 2, the main battery being mounted removably on the roof of the turret or on a side of the turret.

7. Electric excavator according to any one of the preceding claims, the main battery being configured to provide a power greater than or equal to 4 kW and / or having a capacity greater than or equal to 5 kWh.

8. Electric excavator according to any one of the preceding claims, the main battery having a weight greater than or equal to 50 kg.

9. Electric excavator according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a handling device mounted on the turret or chassis, the handling device being configured to lift and move the main battery from a first position, in which the main battery is dropped and away from the turret and chassis, to a second position, in which the main battery is dropped and supported by the turret or chassis, and to lift and move the main battery from the second position back to the first position.

10. Electric excavator according to the preceding claim, the handling device comprising a handling tool (13) mounted, preferably removably, on the turret or chassis and comprising a winch (15) for winding and unwinding a handling cable or at least a lifting arm.

11. Electric excavator according to claim 9 or 10, the articulated arm forming part of the handling device, the handling device comprising a hooking system configured to hook the main battery to the articulated arm.

12. Electric excavator according to any one of claims 9 to 11 taken in dependence on claim 4 or 5, the handling device comprising a lifting platform (23) fixed on a leveling blade (8) of the excavator or on the chassis, the lifting platform being configured to rise when the main battery is in its deployed position so as to lift the main battery which then rests on said lifting platform.

13. Electric excavator according to any one of claims 9 to 12, comprising at least one auxiliary battery configured to electrically power the handling device.

14. Method of installing a main battery of an electric excavator, the method comprising the following successive steps: a) supplying an excavator according to any one of claims 9 to 13, the main battery being placed next to the turret and the chassis, b) hooking the main battery by the handling device mounted on the turret or the chassis, c) lifting the main battery by the handling device and moving the main battery so as to mount the main battery on the turret or on the chassis.

15. Method for uninstalling a main battery of an electric excavator, the method comprising the following successive steps: a) supplying an excavator according to any one of claims 9 to 13, the main battery being mounted on the chassis or on the turret, b) hooking the main battery by the handling device mounted on the turret or chassis, c) lifting and moving the main battery by the handling device so as to place the detached main battery next to the turret and chassis.

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