Electric vehicle with axle module

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric vehicle (1) with axle modules, comprising a frame structure (2) and axle modules coupled to the frame structure (2), namely a front axle module (7) and a rear axle module (8), wheels (9) being kinematically coupled to the axle modules, at least one of the axle modules (7, 8) having a drive and an energy source. One of the axle modules (7, 8) has four suspension points (11) for connection to the frame structure (2) by means of elastic bearings, two suspension points (11) in each case forming a pair, and the pairs being located at different heights in the vertical direction (Z) of the motor vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an electric vehicle for transporting people or loads. Background Art

[0002] Electric vehicles are known in the prior art. Electric energy is used to drive the electric vehicle. Some new concepts here are that, unlike motor vehicles operated by a single driver, such vehicles are also called people movers. Their purpose is to transport multiple people or multiple pieces of goods as comfortably as possible, especially in urban areas.

[0003] For example, the universal passenger transport system can be found in patent document WO 2018 / 222375 A1.

[0004] The system has a body or chassis. The chassis itself is coupled to the axle modules. This type of electric vehicle can travel in both directions. Therefore, the typical forward and reverse directions of travel no longer apply.

[0005] The aim is to minimize the ground clearance so that multiple people can easily enter or leave the so-called low-rise area or to provide convenience for physically disabled people. Alternatively or additionally, the available volume in the interior is maximized, especially when transporting goods. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to improve the driving comfort of a universal electric vehicle based on the prior art while maintaining a modular configuration.

[0007] The solution used by the present invention to achieve the above-mentioned purpose is: an electric vehicle for transporting people and / or loads, comprising a frame structure and axle modules coupled to the frame structure, namely a front axle module and a rear axle module, the wheels being kinematically coupled to the axle modules, wherein at least one of the axle modules has a drive and / or an energy source, and at least one of the axle modules has four suspension points for connecting to the frame structure by means of elastic bearings, wherein each two suspension points form a pair, and the pairs are located at different heights in the vertical direction (Z) of the motor vehicle.

[0008] In one embodiment, the axle module has a battery carrier which is arranged centrally in the axle module, in particular is an integral component of the axle module.

[0009] In one embodiment, an upper enclosure frame is constructed on the axle module, wherein two upper suspension points are arranged to protrude laterally from the frame.

[0010] In one embodiment, an axle subframe is arranged in the lower region of the axle module.

[0011] In one embodiment, two lower suspension points are arranged on the axle subframe.

[0012] In one embodiment, the lower suspension point is arranged on a side of the axle module opposite the upper suspension point in the longitudinal direction (X) of the motor vehicle.

[0013] In one embodiment, the line from the upper suspension point to the lower suspension point passes through the wheel center in a side view, or is offset by ±100 mm from the wheel center in the vertical direction (Z) of the motor vehicle and / or passes through the center of mass of the battery box.

[0014] In one embodiment, the axle module has a wheel hub motor and / or a transverse leaf spring.

[0015] In one embodiment, the axle module has a cooling structure for the battery rack.

[0016] In one embodiment, the frame structure is made of profiles, in particular as a lattice frame.

[0017] In an embodiment, the axial direction (A) is oriented from the suspension point and / or along the vertical direction (Z) of the motor vehicle.

[0018] Electric vehicles are designed for transporting people and / or loads and include a frame structure. The frame structure is also referred to as a chassis frame or a body frame. This is a frame structure made of profiles in a grid-like shape. The frame structure can then be panelized from the outside with windows and / or side walls as well as a roof skin and a floor. This allows the electric vehicle to be manufactured in an energy-efficient manner. At the same time, a large interior variability should be ensured, and a high degree of crash safety should be ensured by the torsional rigidity of the frame. In addition, the electric vehicle has an extremely low deadweight. The frame can be made of steel and / or aluminum profiles.

[0019] Axle modules are coupled to the frame structure. To distinguish, one axle module is referred to as a front axle module and one axle module is referred to as a rear axle module. However, it should be noted that in terms of speed, steering performance and other kinematic characteristics, the forward and reverse directions of travel can be configured in essentially the same manner.

[0020] The wheels are kinematically coupled to the axle module. This is preferably achieved by means of a transverse link, in particular a McPherson suspension can also be used, whereby a lower transverse link and a McPherson spring strut are used. For example, the suspension can also be achieved by means of a double transverse link. Particularly preferably, a transverse leaf spring is used.

[0021] At least one of the axle modules, preferably both, has a drive and an energy source. In a particularly preferred variant of the invention, a wheel hub motor is used as the drive. As an energy source, a corresponding battery housing or battery pack, also called a battery tray, which is centrally arranged in the axle module is also used. Particularly preferably, the battery housing itself is an integral component of the axle module itself. In this way, especially in connection with wheel hub motors, a particularly compact and simple modular configuration can be ensured. The axle module only needs to be coupled to the frame structure and connected in terms of electrical and / or cooling technology. This seems to provide the drive function. The axle module can further have a collision management system, so that, for example, the crossbeam is preferably arranged on the axle module itself via a crash box.

[0022] It is now essential to the invention that at least one axle module has four suspension points for connection to the frame structure by means of elastic bearings. Two suspension points in each case form a pair. These pairs themselves are arranged at different heights in the vertical direction of the motor vehicle.

[0023] This results in a decoupling from the frame structure due to the elastic bearings. This significantly improves ride comfort, especially interior vibrations and thus also interior noise to a certain extent. Due to the kinematic arrangement of the suspension points, the connection strength is further significantly improved due to the different heights in the vertical direction of the motor vehicle, which increases crash safety and the torsional stiffness applied in the event of driving or braking torques, which also affects ride comfort.

[0024] In a particularly preferred variant, an upper frame is formed on the axle module. For this purpose, the frame itself is provided to form and / or accommodate a battery compartment. Batteries can be arranged in the battery compartment. The batteries can be arranged in two layers or also in three or more layers stacked on top of each other.

[0025] This in turn maximizes the interior space of the electric vehicle itself, since the installation space requirements for the drive, energy source and moving wheel suspension in the respective axle module are compressed and arranged in an optimized manner.

[0026] The upper pair of suspensions is constructed on a corresponding support structure, which is coupled to the upper enclosure frame. It is arranged approximately at the height of the upper side or upper end of the axle module.

[0027] The second pair of suspension points is then preferably arranged on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle.

[0028] The axle module preferably has an axle subframe. The axle subframe forms the bottom side or is arranged below the axle module. The lower suspension points are arranged on the axle subframe. They are especially at the height of the bottom side of the axle module. The lower suspension points are located below the upper suspension points in the vertical direction of the motor vehicle.

[0029] According to the invention, surprisingly, the line from the upper suspension point to the lower suspension point preferably intersects the wheel center. On the one hand, this means that the wheel centers themselves actually intersect. But it also means that in a side view, i.e. when viewed in the lateral direction of the motor vehicle or in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle, the wheel center and / or the center of gravity of the battery rack can be at the level of a line passing through the two suspension points. It has also been shown here that according to the invention, it is possible to achieve an improvement in driving behavior and driving comfort, in particular by compensating for vibrations, so that natural vibration behavior or any other unnecessary increase in driving influences does not occur at all. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Further advantages, features, characteristics and aspects of the subject matter of the present invention are described below. Preferred variants are shown in the schematic diagrams. These drawings are used to clearly understand the present invention. In the drawings:

[0031] Figure 1 showing a perspective view of an electric vehicle;

[0032] Figure 2 and Figure 3 A perspective view showing a front axle module;

[0033] Figure 4 and Figure 5 A side view and a front view showing the principle configuration of the front axle module; and

[0034] Figure 6 A preferred variant is shown with regard to the axial direction of the bearing of the suspension point in the vertical direction of the motor vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Figure 1 An electric vehicle 1 according to the invention is shown in the form of a people mover or a cargo mover.

[0036] The figure shows a frame structure 2 made of profiles. Overall, a relatively large interior 3 is obtained, which can also be called a passenger compartment. The vehicle 1 also has a low ground clearance 4 in the low-rise area to enable easy entry and exit from the side. The driving direction of the vehicle 1 itself can be expanded in the same way in both directions. However, for the sake of simplicity, this figure shows the front side 5 and the rear side 6. The front axle module 7 is arranged on the front side 5, while the rear axle module 8 is arranged on the rear side 6. The wheels 9 are kinematically coupled to the respective axle modules 7, 8, so that a springing or compression process can be carried out to provide a corresponding level of driving comfort. The figure also shows a front cross member 10, which constitutes a collision management system to absorb the collision energy in the event of a rear-end collision.

[0037] Here, it is described as being on the front axle module 7, but the rear axle module 8 can also be suspended on the frame structure 2 via four suspension points 11. Two suspension points 11 are combined into a pair. In the vertical direction Z of the motor vehicle, the front upper suspension point 11 is arranged to be higher than the rear suspension point 12 below the vertical direction Z of the motor vehicle. A rubber elastomer bearing is preferably arranged at each suspension point 12, and each suspension point 11, 12 is coupled to the frame structure 2 via the rubber elastomer bearing.

[0038] Figure 2 A perspective front view of the front axle module 7 is shown in FIG. Figure 3 A perspective view from the bottom up is shown. The front axle mould 7 has an upper frame 13. In this case, the frame 13 itself forms a battery rack for accommodating a battery 14. The battery rack is an integral component of the front axle module 7. On the frame 13 itself, an in-situ arm 15 is arranged laterally in the transverse direction Y of the motor vehicle. An axle subframe 16 is constructed on the lower side. The axle subframe 16 also forms an integral component of the front axle module 7. A transverse leaf spring 17 is further arranged. A transverse guide arm 18 is coupled to the axle subframe 16 via the transverse leaf spring 17. A shock absorber strut 19 is arranged on a top bearing 20, wherein the top bearing 20 is fastened to the frame 13. Power electronics 21, for example in the form of an on-board charger, are further constructed. The cooling system can, for example, be a component of the front axle module 7, which is not specifically shown in the figure. The optional wheel hub motor for driving the wheel 9 is further shown in the figure.

[0039] Figure 4 and Figure 5 Schematic front and side views of the front axle module 7 are shown. Figure 4 , showing the center of mass 22 of the battery 14 or the battery holder and the wheel center 23 of the wheel 9. It is also shown that the upper suspension point 11 and the lower suspension point 12 located below in the vertical direction Z of the motor vehicle each form a pair, and the figure also shows that the axial direction A of the bearing is oriented in the vertical direction Z of the motor vehicle. When rubber metal bearings are used in the suspension points 11, 12, due to the axial orientation in the vertical direction Z of the motor vehicle, support in the vertical direction is possible. At the same time, the radial stiffness of the bearing in the longitudinal direction X of the motor vehicle and in the transverse direction Y of the motor vehicle can be designed to achieve better comfort when crossing obstacles.

[0040] Figure 5 A side view of a motor vehicle cross section Y is shown. In this side view, a straight line passes through the wheel center 23 and / or the center of mass 22 of the battery rack. However, this does not mean that the points 22, 23 must lie on a straight line. In the projected side view, the straight line 24 passes through at least one of the two points 22, 23.

[0041] Likewise, Figure 6The axial orientation of the suspension points 11 , 12 in the vertical direction Z of the motor vehicle is shown again in FIG.

[0042] Reference numerals list

[0043] 1- Electric Vehicles

[0044] 2-Frame structure

[0045] 3-Inner Room

[0046] 4- Ground clearance

[0047] 5-Front side

[0048] 6-Rear side

[0049] 7-Front axle module

[0050] 8-Rear axle module

[0051] 9-Wheels

[0052] 10-Beam

[0053] 11-Upper suspension point

[0054] 12-Lower suspension point

[0055] 13-Framework

[0056] 14-Battery

[0057] 15-Arm

[0058] 16-Axle subframe

[0059] 17- Transverse leaf spring

[0060] 18- Transverse guide arm

[0061] 19-Shock absorber strut

[0062] 20-Jack bearing

[0063] 21-Power Electronic Devices

[0064] 22-Center of mass of battery rack

[0065] 23-Wheel Center

[0066] 24-Connection

[0067] A-Axial direction

[0068] X - longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle

[0069] Y - transverse direction of the motor vehicle

[0070] Z-vertical direction of motor vehicle

Claims

1. An electric vehicle with axle modules, comprising a frame structure (2) and axle modules coupled to the frame structure (2), namely a front axle module (7) and a rear axle module (8), wheels (9) being kinematically coupled to the axle modules, wherein: At least one of the axle modules (7, 8) has a drive and / or energy source, characterized in that at least one of the axle modules (7, 8) has four suspension points (11, 12) for connecting to the frame structure (2) by means of elastic bearings, wherein two suspension points (11, 12) each form a pair, and the pairs are located at different heights in the vertical direction (Z) of the motor vehicle, and an upper frame (13) is constructed on the axle module (7, 8), and the upper frame (13) constitutes a battery rack for accommodating a battery (14), and the battery rack The invention relates to a battery rack having a plurality of battery modules, wherein the plurality of battery modules are centrally arranged in the axle module, wherein two upper suspension points are arranged to protrude laterally from the frame (13), an axle subframe (16) is arranged in the lower region of the axle module, two lower suspension points (12) are arranged on the axle subframe (16), the lower suspension points (12) are arranged on the side of the axle module (7, 8) opposite to the upper suspension points (11) in the longitudinal direction (X) of the motor vehicle, and a line (24) from the upper suspension points (12) to the lower suspension points (11) passes through the center of mass (23) of the battery rack in a side view.

2. The electric vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that A line (24) from the upper suspension point (12) to the lower suspension point (11) passes through the wheel center (22) in a side view, or is offset from the wheel center (2) by ±100 mm in the vertical direction (Z) of the motor vehicle.

3. The electric vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The axle modules (7, 8) have a wheel hub motor and / or a transverse leaf spring (17).

4. The electric vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The axle modules (7, 8) have a cooling structure for the battery rack.

5. The electric vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The frame structure (2) is made of profiles.

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