Energy storage compartment and vehicle frame arrangement for a heavy vehicle

Abstract

An energy storage tank and a vehicle frame arrangement for a heavy vehicle are disclosed. The disclosure relates to an energy storage tank (100) connectable between a pair of longitudinally extending frame rails (200) of a heavy vehicle, the energy storage tank being arranged to accommodate an energy storage system (300) configured to supply energy to a prime mover of the vehicle to propel the prime mover, wherein the energy storage tank (100) comprises a longitudinally extending portion (400) forming a surrounding load absorbing module, the longitudinally extending portion (400) comprising a pair of longitudinally extending side wall portions (402, 404) connectable to the pair of longitudinally extending frame rails (200), a longitudinally extending bottom plate portion (406) and a longitudinally extending top plate portion (408), wherein the longitudinally extending portion of the surrounding load absorbing module is arranged and configured to absorb a lateral component of a load from the longitudinally extending frame rails when subjected to the load.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an energy storage compartment connectable between a pair of longitudinally extending frame rails of a vehicle and a vehicle frame arrangement including such an energy storage compartment. Although the energy storage compartment will be described primarily with respect to a heavy vehicle in the form of a truck, it may also be applicable to other types of vehicles including such longitudinally extending frame rails. Background Art

[0002] The propulsion systems of vehicles are constantly evolving to meet the demands of the market. A particular aspect concerns the emission of exhaust gases which are harmful to the environment. Therefore, vehicles propelled by electric motors or hydrogen fuel cells are becoming more and more popular, especially trucks and other heavy vehicles.

[0003] The battery or hydrogen fuel tank connected to the vehicle's propulsion system needs to be relatively large to be able to deliver large amounts of power to the electric motor / fuel cell, especially when aiming to cover long driving ranges without having to recharge / refuel.

[0004] Conventional placement of these energy storage systems (i.e., batteries / hydrogen fuel tanks) in heavy vehicles is along the longitudinal running frame rails of the vehicle. This is essentially the same as the location of a conventional diesel tank for a truck that uses an internal combustion engine for propulsion. However, positioning the heavy battery / hydrogen fuel tank in this location exposes the frame and connecting brackets to high stresses, thus requiring multiple brackets to safely suspend the energy storage system. Also, during operation of the vehicle, this location is susceptible to damage to the energy storage system. Therefore, further developments are needed to overcome at least these aspects. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present disclosure is to describe an energy storage capsule which at least partially overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks. This is achieved by an energy storage capsule according to the present invention as follows.

[0006] According to a first aspect, an energy storage cabin is provided, which can be connected between a pair of longitudinally extending frame rails of a heavy vehicle, and the energy storage cabin is arranged to accommodate an energy storage system, which is configured to supply energy to a prime mover of the vehicle to propel the prime mover, wherein the energy storage cabin includes a longitudinally extending portion forming a surrounding load absorbing module, and these longitudinally extending portions include a pair of longitudinally extending side wall portions, a longitudinally extending bottom plate portion and a longitudinally extending top plate portion, and the pair of longitudinally extending side wall portions can be connected to the pair of longitudinally extending frame rails, wherein the longitudinally extending portion of the surrounding load absorbing module is arranged and configured to absorb the lateral component of the load when subjected to a load from the longitudinally extending frame rails.

[0007] The expression "longitudinally extending" is to be interpreted as a part having a main extension in the longitudinal direction. Thus, according to the above definition, the thickness of a transversely extending part is not to be interpreted as longitudinally extending. Longitudinal extension is also to be interpreted as the direction when the energy storage compartment is connected to the vehicle, i.e. the frame rails extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0008] Furthermore, the surrounding load absorbing modules should be interpreted as surrounding as seen in a cross section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the energy storage compartment. The surrounding load absorbing modules should not be interpreted as necessarily having a circular shape. On the contrary, as will be apparent with reference to the various embodiments described below, the surrounding load absorbing modules can be arranged in different shapes, as long as the side wall portions, the bottom plate portions and the top plate portions together form a continuous and circumferentially arranged housing for the energy storage system.

[0009] The present disclosure is based on the insight that by providing an energy storage compartment that can be arranged between the pair of longitudinally extending frame rails of a heavy vehicle, an energy storage system arranged within a surrounding load absorbing module is well protected from, for example, a side impact that may occur during operation of the vehicle. Also, the otherwise unoccupied space between the longitudinally extending frame rails can be effectively utilized. Furthermore, the space between the longitudinally extending frame rails enables a larger volume for positioning the energy storage system compared to a position laterally located outside the longitudinally extending frame rails. As a result, a larger energy storage system can be provided to the vehicle, and thus the driving range can be increased.

[0010] More importantly, because the longitudinally extending portions of the surrounding load absorbing modules are arranged and configured to absorb loads, the energy storage compartment provides improved stiffness when connected between the longitudinally extending frame rails, thereby eliminating the need for separate transversely arranged reinforcements between the longitudinally extending frame rails. Thus, the energy storage compartment contributes additional torsional and bending stiffness to the longitudinally extending frame rails.

[0011] According to an example embodiment, the surrounding load absorbing module may be free of transverse, non-longitudinal extending load absorbing structures. As indicated above, the surrounding load absorbing module is arranged to absorb loads, so the transverse non-longitudinal extending load absorbing structures can be omitted, which is advantageous from, for example, a cost perspective. Another advantage of omitting the transverse non-longitudinal extending load absorbing structures is that the energy storage compartment can contain an energy storage system having a longer extension in the longitudinal direction. When the transverse non-longitudinal extending load absorbing structures are arranged between the longitudinally extending frame rails, the energy storage system needs to be divided into several smaller energy storage systems. These smaller energy storage systems will be able to contain less energy that can be used to propel the prime mover. When the transverse non-longitudinal extending load absorbing structures are omitted, the larger energy storage system occupies a larger space and thus achieves a greater mileage for the vehicle.

[0012] A transverse non-longitudinally extending load absorbing module is to be understood as a module which absorbs loads from a longitudinally extending frame rail. Thus, a cover arranged only at the end portion of a load absorbing module should not be interpreted as falling within the meaning of the term transverse non-longitudinally extending load absorbing module.

[0013] According to yet another example embodiment, the surrounding load absorbing module may be free of transverse, non-longitudinally extending load absorbing structures along the longitudinal length of the energy storage compartment.

[0014] According to an example embodiment, when the energy storage compartment is connected between the pair of longitudinally extending frame rails, the floor portion may extend transversely from one of the longitudinally extending frame rails to the other of the longitudinally extending frame rails. The floor portion may preferably also be attached to the longitudinally extending frame rails. Thus, during operation of the vehicle, the floor portion effectively absorbs the transverse component of the load exposed to the longitudinally extending frame rails.

[0015] According to example embodiments, the roof portion may include a horizontal roof section and a pair of inclined roof sections, each inclined roof section extending between the horizontal roof section and a respective one of the side wall sections.

[0016] The advantage of the inclined section is that the stiffness of the surrounding load absorbing module is increased. This is due to the fact that the inclined section acts as a frame directing the transverse loads in both the transverse and vertical directions.

[0017] According to example embodiments, the side wall portions may be arranged to be connected to vertical lower end portions of longitudinally extending frame rails, respectively.

[0018] Thus, the vertical upper end portion of the longitudinally extending frame rail can be arranged to be connected to other vehicle auxiliary equipment that is laterally connected to the outside of the longitudinally extending frame, such as, for example, an additional vehicle battery, etc. Thus, connecting the side wall portion to the vertical lower end portion creates additional space at the vertical upper end portion of the longitudinally extending frame rail.

[0019] According to an exemplary embodiment, when the energy storage compartment is connected between the pair of longitudinally extending frame rails, the top plate portion may extend laterally from one of the longitudinally extending frame rails to another of the longitudinally extending frame rails.

[0020] Thus, the energy storage compartment can be arranged in a substantially rectangular or square shape, which enables optimization of the space arranged therein. Thus, the space within the energy storage compartment can contain an optimized number of energy storage systems or energy storage systems of increased size.

[0021] According to an example embodiment, the longitudinally extending portion can be arranged to extend between the front wheelbase location and the rear wheelbase location of the vehicle when the energy storage system is connected between the pair of longitudinally extending frame rails. Thus, a relatively large size / length energy storage system can be arranged within the surrounding load absorbing module.

[0022] According to example embodiments, the surrounding load absorbing module may house at least one longitudinally extending energy storage rack, which is arranged parallel to and vertically above the floor portion. Thus, energy storage systems may be arranged on top of each other within the surrounding load absorbing module.

[0023] According to example embodiments, the at least one longitudinally extending energy storage rack may further extend between the pair of longitudinally extending side wall portions.

[0024] According to a second aspect, a vehicle frame arrangement of a heavy vehicle is provided, the vehicle frame arrangement comprising: a pair of longitudinally extending frame rails; and an energy storage compartment according to any one of the embodiments described above with respect to the first aspect, wherein a side wall portion of the energy storage compartment is connected to the pair of longitudinally extending frame rails.

[0025] According to example embodiments, an energy storage compartment may include a front portion and a rear portion, with the longitudinal portion extending between the front portion and the rear portion.

[0026] According to an example embodiment, an energy storage compartment may include an energy storage system for supplying energy to a prime mover of a vehicle.

[0027] According to example embodiments, the energy storage system may extend undisturbed between a forward portion and a rearward portion of the energy storage compartment.

[0028] Thus, and as indicated above, an energy storage system of considerable size / length may be arranged within the surrounding load absorbing module.

[0029] According to an example embodiment, the energy storage system may include at least one vehicle battery. According to an example embodiment, the energy storage system includes at least one hydrogen tank.

[0030] Other effects and features of the second aspect are largely similar to those described above with respect to the first aspect.

[0031] Further features and advantages will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following description. Those skilled in the art will recognize that various features may be combined to create embodiments other than those described below, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The above and further objects, features and advantages will be better understood from the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of exemplary embodiments, in which:

[0033] Figure 1 is a side view illustrating a heavy vehicle in the form of a truck according to an example embodiment;

[0034] Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating a longitudinally extending frame rail and an energy storage compartment according to an example embodiment;

[0035] Figure 3 According to an example embodiment Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the energy storage compartment in FIG. 1 ; and

[0036] Figure 4 According to another exemplary embodiment Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the energy storage compartment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for the purpose of being exhaustive and complete. The same reference numerals represent the same elements throughout this specification.

[0038] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle 1 in the form of a truck. The vehicle comprises a cab 5 in which the driver controls the operation of the vehicle. The vehicle is preferably propelled by one or more electric motors which receive power from one or more batteries or one or more fuel cells. The following will describe a vehicle 1 in the form of a fuel cell truck comprising one or more hydrogen tanks arranged to contain hydrogen for operating the fuel cell. In addition or as an alternative, the vehicle may also comprise one or more vehicle batteries.

[0039] like Figure 1 As further illustrated, the vehicle 1 includes a pair of longitudinally extending frame rails 200 and an energy storage compartment 100 disposed between the pair of longitudinally extending frame rails 200 as viewed in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the vehicle 1 .

[0040] refer to Figure 2 , which is another detailed perspective view illustrating the longitudinally extending frame rails 200 and the energy storage compartment 100 according to an example embodiment. As described above, the energy storage compartment 100 is arranged laterally between the frame rails 200, that is, as seen in the transverse direction Y, between the longitudinally extending frame rails 200. Figure 2 It can be further observed that the energy storage compartment 100 houses the energy storage system 300. Figure 2 in and Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the following description, an energy storage system 300 includes a plurality of hydrogen tanks 302. The hydrogen tanks 302 contain hydrogen that is supplied to a fuel cell that is arranged to generate electricity that is supplied to an electric motor (not shown).

[0041] like Figure 2 As can be seen in the figure, the energy storage cabin 100 includes a longitudinal portion 400 extending in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle 1. The longitudinal portion 400 can extend between the front wheelbase and the rear wheelbase (not shown) of the vehicle, and preferably there is no non-longitudinally extending load absorbing structure. By not using, for example, a transversely arranged load absorbing structure, the hydrogen tank 302 positioned in the energy storage cabin 100 can have a length substantially the same as the length of the longitudinal portion 400 of the energy storage cabin 100, that is, extending undisturbed between the front end portion and the rear end portion of the energy storage cabin. In addition, and as will be described in more detail below, the longitudinally extending portion 400 together forms a surrounding load absorbing module 150. The longitudinally extending portion 400 includes a pair of longitudinally extending side wall portions 402, 404 connected to the pair of longitudinally extending frame rails 200, a longitudinally extending bottom plate portion 406 and a longitudinally extending top plate portion 408, so that the longitudinally extending portion 400 forms a surrounding load absorbing module 150. The longitudinally extending portion 400 of the surrounding load absorbing module 150 is arranged and configured to absorb transverse loads exposed to the longitudinally extending frame rails 200 during operation of the vehicle. Thus, the loads are absorbed by the longitudinally extending portion 400 rather than using, for example, a transversely extending load absorbing structure.

[0042] To describe the energy storage compartment 100 in more detail, reference is made to a diagram of a corresponding example embodiment of an energy storage compartment 300. Figure 3 and Figure 4 .

[0043] from Figure 3 Initially, the figure is a diagram according to a first exemplary embodiment Figure 2 00. As indicated above, the energy storage compartment 100 includes a pair of side wall portions 402, 404 connected to the pair of longitudinally extending frame rails 200, a longitudinally extending bottom plate portion 406 and a longitudinally extending top plate portion 408, wherein the side wall portions, the bottom plate portion and the top plate portion form a surrounding load absorbing module 150.

[0044] exist Figure 3In the depicted embodiment, the roof portion 408 includes a horizontal roof section 410, a first inclined roof section 412, and a second inclined roof section 414. The first inclined roof section 412 extends between the first of the side wall sections 402 and the horizontal roof section 410, while the second inclined roof section 414 extends between the second of the side wall sections 404 and the horizontal roof section 410. The floor portion 406 extends transversely between the frame rails 200, while the horizontal roof section 410 extends a distance from the respective frame rails between the end portions of the inclined roof sections.

[0045] Furthermore, the energy storage compartment 100 is connected to the longitudinally extending frame rail 200 at the lower end portion 202 of the longitudinally extending frame rail 200 using a suitable connection arrangement. Figure 3 As depicted, at least two layers of longitudinally extending hydrogen tanks 302 may be positioned within the energy storage compartment 100. However, depending on the size of the tanks, another layer of longitudinally extending hydrogen tanks 302 is also conceivable. In addition, each layer of longitudinally extending hydrogen tanks 302 may be separated by providing longitudinally extending energy storage racks 420 within the energy storage compartment 100. Thus, as depicted, the energy storage racks 420 are vertically arranged between the bottom plate portion 406 and the top plate portion 408.

[0046] Now turn Figure 4 , which is a diagram according to the second exemplary embodiment Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the energy storage compartment 100 in FIG. Figure 3 Similar to the depicted embodiment, the energy storage compartment 100 includes a pair of side wall portions 402, 404 connected to the pair of longitudinally extending frame rails 200, a longitudinally extending bottom plate portion 406 and a longitudinally extending top plate portion 408, wherein the side wall portions, the bottom plate portion and the top plate portion form a surrounding load absorbing module 150.

[0047] Figure 3 The depicted embodiments are Figure 4 The main differences between the depicted embodiments are that Figure 4 The energy storage compartment 100 in the embodiment is arranged as a square energy storage compartment 100, that is, the height of the side wall portions 402, 404 is substantially the same as the width of the top plate portion 408 and the bottom plate portion 406. Therefore, both the top plate portion 408 and the bottom plate portion 406 extend transversely between the longitudinally extending frame rails 200. The energy storage compartment 100 may also be arranged in a rectangular shape, wherein, for example, the height of the side wall portions is greater than the width of the top plate portion 408 and the bottom plate portion 406.

[0048] Furthermore, the energy storage compartment 100 is connected to the longitudinally extending frame rail 200 at an upper end portion 203 of the longitudinally extending frame rail 200 using a suitable connection arrangement.

[0049] also, Figure 4 The configuration depicted in includes three layers of longitudinally extending hydrogen tanks 302 positioned within the energy storage compartment 100. However, another layer of longitudinally extending hydrogen tanks 302 is also conceivable, depending on the size of the tanks. In addition, Figure 4 The depicted embodiment includes a further longitudinally extending energy storage rack 430. The further longitudinally extending energy storage rack 430 is thus positioned vertically above the first longitudinally extending energy storage rack 420, so that the three levels are physically separated from each other.

[0050] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings; in fact, those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An energy storage tank (100) capable of being connected between a pair of longitudinally extending frame rails (200) of a heavy vehicle, the energy storage tank being arranged to accommodate an energy storage system (300) configured to supply energy to a prime mover of the vehicle to propel the prime mover, wherein the energy storage tank (100) comprises a longitudinally extending portion (400) forming a surrounding load absorbing module, the longitudinally extending portion (400) comprising a pair of longitudinally extending Side wall portions (402, 404), a longitudinally extending floor portion (406) and a longitudinally extending roof portion (408), the pair of longitudinally extending side wall portions (402, 404) being connectable to the pair of longitudinally extending frame rails (200), wherein the surrounding load absorbing module is free of transverse, non-longitudinally extending load absorbing structures, wherein the longitudinally extending portions of the surrounding load absorbing module are arranged and configured to absorb a transverse component of a load when subjected to the load from the longitudinally extending frame rails.

2. An energy storage cabin according to claim 1, wherein when the energy storage cabin is connected between the pair of longitudinally extending frame rails, the bottom plate portion extends laterally from one of the longitudinally extending frame rails to another of the longitudinally extending frame rails.

3. An energy storage cabin according to claim 1, wherein the roof portion (408) includes a horizontal roof section (410) and a pair of inclined roof sections (412, 414), each inclined roof section (412, 414) extending between the horizontal roof section (410) and a corresponding one of the side wall sections (402, 404).

4. The energy storage compartment according to claim 3, wherein the side wall portions are arranged to be connected to vertical lower end portions (202) of the longitudinally extending frame rails, respectively.

5. An energy storage cabin according to claim 1, wherein when the energy storage cabin is connected between the pair of longitudinally extending frame rails, the top plate portion (408) extends laterally from one of the longitudinally extending frame rails to another of the longitudinally extending frame rails.

6. The energy storage compartment of claim 1, wherein the longitudinally extending portion is arranged to extend between a front wheelbase position and a rear wheelbase position of the vehicle when the energy storage system is connected between the pair of longitudinally extending frame rails.

7. An energy storage compartment according to claim 1, wherein the surrounding load absorbing module accommodates at least one longitudinally extending energy storage rack (420, 430), and the at least one longitudinally extending energy storage rack (420, 430) is parallel to the bottom plate portion and arranged vertically above the bottom plate portion.

8. An energy storage compartment according to claim 7, wherein the at least one longitudinally extending energy storage rack further extends between the pair of longitudinally extending side wall portions.

9. A vehicle frame arrangement for a heavy vehicle, the vehicle frame arrangement comprising: a pair of longitudinally extending frame rails; and an energy storage compartment according to claim 1, wherein a side wall portion of the energy storage compartment is connected to the pair of longitudinally extending frame rails.

10. The vehicle frame arrangement of claim 9, wherein the energy storage compartment comprises a front end portion and a rear end portion, the longitudinal portion extending between the front end portion and the rear end portion.

11. The vehicle frame arrangement of claim 9, wherein the energy storage compartment comprises an energy storage system for supplying energy to a prime mover of the vehicle.

12. The vehicle frame arrangement of claim 10, wherein the energy storage system extends undisturbed between the front end portion and the rear end portion of the energy storage compartment.

13. The vehicle frame arrangement of claim 11, wherein the energy storage system comprises at least one vehicle battery.

14. The vehicle frame arrangement of claim 11, wherein the energy storage system comprises at least one hydrogen tank.

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