A travel motor energy recovery system and method for an extended-range forklift

Abstract

The present invention relates to a travel motor energy recovery system and method for an extended-range forklift, which includes a travel drive module, a vehicle control module, a generator control module and an energy recovery module; the vehicle control module is respectively connected to the travel drive module, the generator control module and the energy recovery module to control the operation of each module; the travel drive module is respectively connected to the generator control module and the energy recovery module to drive the vehicle to move; the generator control module is connected to the energy recovery module to provide electric energy and transmit it to the travel drive module, and transmit the excess electric energy to the energy recovery module; the energy recovery module is used to recover the excess electric energy generated by the generator control module, and transmit the excess electric energy to the vehicle control module and the travel drive module. The present invention can effectively improve the utilization efficiency of energy and reduce the use cost of forklifts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of forklifts, and in particular to an energy recovery system and method for a travel motor of an extended-range forklift. Background Art

[0002] With the vigorous development of the logistics and transportation industry, as the main force of material transportation in the industry, the sales volume of forklifts has increased year by year, and has shown explosive growth in the past two years. Traditional fuel forklifts have many disadvantages, such as high fuel costs, large emissions and pollution, and short driving range. The emergence of extended-range forklifts has solved this problem. Equipped with high-performance engines, the entire extended-range power system is more efficient, energy-saving and environmentally friendly.

[0003] Existing traditional fuel forklifts have high emission pollution and high fuel costs, and the engine energy cannot be fully utilized. There is no energy recovery device and the comprehensive utilization rate is low. This will bring higher vehicle costs to users and increase user costs in a helpless way. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a travel motor energy recovery system and method for an extended-range forklift, which can effectively improve the energy utilization efficiency and reduce the use cost of the forklift.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions: a travel motor energy recovery system for an extended-range forklift, which includes a travel drive module, a vehicle control module, a generator control module and an energy recovery module; the vehicle control module is respectively connected to the travel drive module, the generator control module and the energy recovery module, and is used to control the operation of each module; the travel drive module is respectively connected to the generator control module and the energy recovery module, and is used to drive the whole vehicle to move; the generator control module is connected to the energy recovery module, and is used to provide electrical energy and transmit it to the travel drive module, and transmit excess electrical energy to the energy recovery module; the energy recovery module is used to recover excess electrical energy generated by the generator control module, and transmit the excess electrical energy to the vehicle control module and the travel drive module.

[0006] Furthermore, the vehicle control module includes a vehicle controller; the vehicle's electronic pedal exchanges information with the vehicle controller.

[0007] Furthermore, the travel drive module includes a gearbox, a drive axle and wheels, a travel motor and a travel motor controller; the output end of the gearbox is connected to the drive axle and wheels, the input end of the gearbox is connected to the travel motor, and the travel motor is controlled by the travel motor controller; the travel motor controller is also connected to the vehicle control module, the generator control module and the energy recovery module respectively through connecting lines.

[0008] Furthermore, the generator control module includes a generator controller, a generator and an engine; the output end of the engine is connected to the generator, and the generator exchanges information with the generator controller; and the generator controller is respectively connected to the vehicle control module, the travel drive module and the energy recovery module through connecting lines.

[0009] Furthermore, the energy recovery module includes a battery management system and a battery; the battery management system is respectively connected to the vehicle controller, the travel drive module and the generator control module, and the battery management system is also connected to the battery.

[0010] A method for energy recovery of a travel motor for an extended-range forklift is provided. The method is implemented based on the above energy recovery system and includes energy recovery during normal working state of the forklift and energy recovery during braking.

[0011] Furthermore, in normal working state, the engine drives the generator to generate electricity, and transmits the electric energy to the travel motor controller and the whole vehicle controller through the generator controller, thereby driving the travel motor to operate and make the forklift move; if the generator generates excess electricity, it is transmitted to the battery management system through the generator controller, and the battery is charged through the battery management system. If the generator generates insufficient electricity, the battery provides the remaining required electricity to the travel motor controller and the whole vehicle controller through the battery management system.

[0012] Furthermore, when braking is performed using the electronic pedal, the vehicle controller collects the signal from the electronic pedal, and then the vehicle controller communicates with the battery management system and the generator controller to stop the generator from generating electricity and the battery from discharging externally, and to stop supplying power to the travel motor controller. At the same time, the travel motor continues to move with the help of the inertia of the gearbox, drive axle and wheels. At this time, the travel motor switches to generator mode, using the inertia of the forklift to drive the rotor of the generator to rotate, converting part of the kinetic energy or potential energy into electrical energy for energy recovery. The electrical energy is finally stored in the battery through conversion for future use.

[0013] A computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs include instructions, which, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform any of the above methods.

[0014] A computing device comprises: one or more processors, a memory and one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, and the one or more programs include instructions for executing any of the above methods.

[0015] The present invention adopts the above technical solution, which has the following advantages:

[0016] 1. The energy recovery system of the present invention can help solve the problems of range anxiety and high cost of use. When the forklift decelerates, the generator stops generating electricity and the battery stops supplying power to the travel motor. At the same time, the travel motor becomes a generator to charge the battery, thereby improving the energy utilization efficiency and reducing the use cost of the forklift.

[0017] 2. The extended-range forklift of the present invention can use travel motors of different power levels corresponding to forklifts with different rated load capacities, and the product coverage is wide. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the energy recovery system in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure numerals: 1-gearbox, 2-drive axle and wheels, 3-travel motor controller MCU, 4-connecting wire, 5-vehicle controller VCU, 6-electronic pedal, 7-generator controller GCU, 8-engine, 9-generator, 10-battery management system BMS, 11-battery, 12-travel motor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiment of the present invention clearer, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings of the embodiment of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiment is a part of the embodiment of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the described embodiment of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field belong to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0022] The present invention provides an energy recovery system for a travel motor of an extended-range forklift. The energy recovery module adopted by the system can stop the generator from generating electricity and the battery from supplying power to the travel motor when the forklift decelerates. At the same time, the travel motor becomes a generator to charge the battery, thereby improving the energy utilization efficiency and reducing the use cost of the forklift.

[0023] In a first embodiment of the present invention, a travel motor energy recovery system for an extended-range forklift is provided, which includes a travel drive module, a vehicle control module, a generator control module and an energy recovery module. Among them:

[0024] The vehicle control module is connected to the travel drive module, the generator control module and the energy recovery module respectively, and is used to control the operation of each module;

[0025] The travel drive module is also connected to the generator control module and the energy recovery module respectively to drive the whole vehicle forward;

[0026] The generator control module is also connected to the energy recovery module to provide electric energy and transmit it to the travel drive module, and transmit excess electric energy to the energy recovery module;

[0027] The energy recovery module is used to recover the excess electric energy generated by the generator control module and transmit the excess electric energy to the vehicle control module and the travel drive module.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle control module includes a vehicle controller VCU 5. The electronic pedal 6 of the vehicle exchanges information with the vehicle controller VCU 5.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, Figure 1 As shown, the travel drive module includes a gearbox 1, a drive axle and wheels 2, a travel motor 12 and a travel motor controller MCU 3. The output end of the gearbox 1 is connected to the drive axle and wheels 2, the input end of the gearbox 1 is connected to the travel motor 12, and the travel motor 12 is controlled by the travel motor controller MCU 3; the travel motor controller MCU 3 is also connected to the vehicle control module, the generator control module and the energy recovery module through the connecting line 4.

[0030] When in use, the travel motor controller MCU 3 controls the working state of the travel motor 12, and the travel motor 12 is connected to the drive axle through the gearbox 1, thereby driving the wheels 2 to rotate, so that the whole vehicle moves.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, Figure 1As shown, the generator control module includes a generator controller GCU 7, a generator 9 and an engine 8. The output end of the engine 8 is connected to the generator 9, and the generator 9 exchanges information with the generator controller GCU 7; and the generator controller GCU 7 is connected to the vehicle control module, the travel motor controller MCU 3 in the travel drive module and the energy recovery module through the connecting line 4.

[0032] When in use, the engine 8 drives the generator 9 to generate electricity, and transmits the electric energy to the travel motor controller MCU 3, the vehicle controller VCU 5 and the energy recovery module through the generator controller GCU 7.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, Figure 1 As shown, the energy recovery module includes a battery management system BMS 10 and a battery 11. The battery management system BMS 10 is respectively connected to the vehicle controller VCU 5, the travel motor controller MCU 3 in the travel drive module, and the generator controller GCU 7 in the generator control module, and the battery management system BMS 10 is also connected to the battery 11.

[0034] During use, when the forklift is moving normally, if the generator 9 generates excess electric energy, the excess electric energy is transmitted to the battery management system BMS 10 through the generator controller GCU7, and the battery management system BMS 10 charges the battery 11. When the driver brakes through the electronic pedal 6, the inertia of the forklift drives the rotor of the generator 9 to rotate, and a part of the kinetic energy or potential energy is converted into electric energy, which is transmitted to the battery management system BMS 10 and then stored in the battery 11. When the vehicle moves next time or other electrical appliances need electric energy, the battery 11 supplies power to them through the battery management system BMS 10, for example, to the travel motor controller MCU 3 and the vehicle controller VCU 5.

[0035] In a second embodiment of the present invention, a method for energy recovery of a travel motor for an extended-range forklift is provided. The method is implemented based on the energy recovery system in the first embodiment, and includes energy recovery during normal working state of the forklift and energy recovery during braking; respectively:

[0036] (1) In normal working state, the engine 8 drives the generator 9 to generate electricity, and transmits the electric energy to the travel motor controller 3 and the vehicle controller VCU 5 through the generator controller 7, thereby driving the travel motor 12 to operate and make the forklift move; if the generator 9 generates excess electricity, it is transmitted to the battery management system BMS 10 through the generator controller 7, and the battery management system BMS 10 charges the battery 11; if the power generation of the generator 9 is insufficient, the battery 11 provides the remaining required electric energy to the travel motor controller 3 and the vehicle controller VCU 5 through the battery management system BMS 10.

[0037] (2) When the driver brakes by controlling the electronic pedal 6 of the forklift, the vehicle controller VCU 5 collects the signal of the electronic pedal 6, and then the vehicle controller VCU 5 communicates with the battery management system BMS 10 and the generator controller GCU 7, so that the generator 9 stops generating electricity and the battery 11 does not discharge to the outside, that is, it stops supplying power to the travel motor controller MCU 3. At the same time, the travel motor 12 continues to move with the help of the inertia of the gearbox 1, the drive axle and the wheel 2. At this time, the travel motor 12 switches to the generator mode and uses the inertia of the forklift to drive the rotor of the generator 9 to rotate, converting part of the kinetic energy or potential energy into electrical energy for energy recovery. The electrical energy is finally stored in the battery 11 through conversion and will be used again when the vehicle moves next time or other electrical appliances need electrical energy.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, a computing device is provided, which may be a terminal, and may include: a processor, a communication interface, a memory, a display screen, and an input device. Among them, the processor, the communication interface, and the memory communicate with each other through a communication bus. The processor is used to provide computing and control capabilities. The memory includes a non-volatile storage medium and an internal memory, and the non-volatile storage medium stores an operating system and a computer program. When the computer program is executed by the processor, an energy recovery method is implemented; the internal memory provides an environment for the operation of the operating system and the computer program in the non-volatile storage medium. The communication interface is used to communicate with an external terminal in a wired or wireless manner, and the wireless manner can be implemented through WIFI, a management network, NFC (near field communication) or other technologies. The display screen may be a liquid crystal display screen or an electronic ink display screen, and the input device may be a touch layer covered on the display screen, or a key, trackball or touchpad provided on the housing of the computing device, or an external keyboard, touchpad or mouse, etc.

[0039] In addition, the logic instructions in the above-mentioned memory can be implemented in the form of software functional units and can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium when sold or used as an independent product. Based on such an understanding, the technical solution of the present invention, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present invention. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (ROM, Read-Only Memory), random access memory (RAM, Random Access Memory), disk or optical disk, etc., which can store program code.

[0040] In one embodiment of the present invention, a computer program product is provided, wherein the computer program product includes a computer program stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer program includes program instructions. When the program instructions are executed by a computer, the computer can execute the methods provided by the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores server instructions, and the computer instructions enable a computer to execute the methods provided in the above embodiments.

[0042] The above embodiment provides a computer-readable storage medium, whose implementation principle and technical effect are similar to those of the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0043] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that each process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the processes and / or boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to generate a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device generate instructions for implementing the processes in the flowchart and / or block diagram. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in a block or multiple blocks.

[0044] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory capable of directing a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture comprising an instruction device, which implements the process Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A function specified in one or more boxes.

[0045] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions for implementing the process in the computer or other programmable device. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps for the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0046] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0047] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application may be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application may adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application may adopt the form of a computer program product implemented in one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) that include computer-usable program code.

[0048] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that each process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the processes and / or boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to generate a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device generate instructions for implementing the processes in the flowchart and / or block diagram. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in a block or multiple blocks.

[0049] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory capable of directing a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture comprising an instruction device, which implements the process Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A function specified in one or more boxes.

[0050] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions for implementing the process. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps for the functions specified in one or more boxes.

Claims

1. An energy recovery method based on an energy recovery system for a travel motor of an extended-range forklift. It is characterized in that The travel motor energy recovery system for the extended-range forklift includes a travel drive module, a vehicle control module, a generator control module and an energy recovery module; The vehicle control module is connected to the travel drive module, the generator control module and the energy recovery module respectively, and is used to control the operation of each module; The travel drive module is connected to the generator control module and the energy recovery module respectively, and is used to drive the whole vehicle to move forward; The generator control module is connected to the energy recovery module, and is used to provide electric energy and transmit it to the travel drive module, and transmit excess electric energy to the energy recovery module; The energy recovery module is used to recover the excess electric energy generated by the generator control module and transmit the excess electric energy to the vehicle control module and the travel drive module; The travel drive module includes a gearbox, a drive axle and wheels, a travel motor and a travel motor controller; the output end of the gearbox is connected to the drive axle and wheels, the input end of the gearbox is connected to the travel motor, and the travel motor is controlled by the travel motor controller; the travel motor controller is also connected to the vehicle control module, the generator control module and the energy recovery module through connecting lines; The generator control module includes a generator controller, a generator and an engine; the output end of the engine is connected to the generator, and the generator exchanges information with the generator controller; and the generator controller is respectively connected to the vehicle control module, the travel drive module and the energy recovery module through connecting lines; The vehicle control module includes a vehicle controller; the vehicle's electronic pedal exchanges information with the vehicle controller; The energy recovery module includes a battery management system and a battery; the battery management system is respectively connected to the vehicle controller, the travel drive module and the generator control module, and the battery management system is also connected to the battery; The energy recovery method includes energy recovery when the forklift is in normal working state and energy recovery when braking; In normal working state, the engine drives the generator to generate electricity, and transmits the electric energy to the travel motor controller and the vehicle controller through the generator controller, thereby driving the travel motor to operate and make the forklift move; if the generator generates excess electricity, it is transmitted to the battery management system through the generator controller, and the battery is charged through the battery management system. If the generator generates insufficient electricity, the battery provides the remaining required electricity to the travel motor controller and the vehicle controller through the battery management system; When braking through the electronic pedal, the vehicle controller collects the signal of the electronic pedal, and then the vehicle controller communicates with the battery management system and the generator controller to stop the generator from generating electricity and the battery from discharging externally, and stops supplying power to the travel motor controller. At the same time, the travel motor continues to move with the help of the inertia of the gearbox, drive axle and wheels. At this time, the travel motor switches to generator mode and uses the inertia of the forklift to drive the rotor of the generator to rotate, converting part of the kinetic energy or potential energy into electrical energy for energy recovery. The electrical energy is finally stored in the battery through conversion for future use.

2. A computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs, It is characterized in that The one or more programs include instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform the method of claim 1 .

3. A computing device, It is characterized in that include: One or more processors, a memory, and one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, and the one or more programs include instructions for executing the method according to claim 1.

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