Electric work vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to electric work vehicles. An electric work vehicle includes a work vehicle frame and a plurality of ground engaging units for supporting the work vehicle frame from the ground, at least one ground engaging unit powered by an electric drive motor to drive the vehicle. An electric power storage system is carried by the work vehicle frame and connected to the electric drive motor to provide power to the electric drive motor. A work tool coupler is carried by the work vehicle and is configured to selectively interconnect the work vehicle with a coupler receiver of a selected work tool of a plurality of different work tools. A vehicle side electrical connector is carried by the work tool coupler and is configured to transmit power to the electric power storage system to charge the electric power storage system. Such a work vehicle can be used in conjunction with an external charging station. The external charging station can include a power source, a coupler receiver, and a charging station side electrical connector configured to electrically interconnect with the vehicle side electrical connector when the work tool coupler is mechanically interconnected with the coupler receiver.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to electric work vehicles, including but not limited to skid steer loaders or compact tracked loaders. Background Technology

[0002] Typical electric work vehicles consist of a diesel engine, replacing a conventional fossil fuel-powered work vehicle, and a battery that supplies fuel. To recharge the battery when it is depleted, the driver manually connects a power cable from an external power source to power the onboard charger. This manual connection during each charging cycle is inconvenient for the driver and causes wear and tear on the connectors and cables.

[0003] Therefore, there is a continued need for improved charging systems for such electric work vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one embodiment, the electric work vehicle includes a work vehicle frame and a plurality of grounding units for supporting the work vehicle frame from the ground, at least one of which is powered by an electric drive motor to drive the vehicle. An electric power storage system is carried by the work vehicle frame and connected to the electric drive motor to supply power to the electric drive motor. A work tool connector is carried by the work vehicle and configured to selectively interconnect the work vehicle with a connector receiver of a selected work tool from a plurality of different work tools. A vehicle-side electrical connector is carried by the work tool connector and configured to transfer power to the electric power storage system to charge the electric power storage system.

[0005] This type of work vehicle can be used in conjunction with an external charging station. The external charging station may include: a power source; a connector receiver configured for mechanical interconnection with a work tool connector; and a charging station-side electrical connector configured for electrical interconnection with a vehicle-side electrical connector when the work tool connector is mechanically interconnected with the connector receiver. The charging station-side electrical connector is configured to connect the power source to the vehicle-side electrical connector.

[0006] In other aspects of this disclosure, the power transmission connection on the work vehicle provides an interface for other types of electrical accessories, such as power tools.

[0007] Many objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a left view of an electric work vehicle (such as a skid steer loader), with the work tool coupler connected to the front of the work vehicle.

[0009] Figure 2This is an enlarged left view of the front of the work vehicle, where the work tool connector is engaged with the work tool connector receiver, which in the example shown is a bucket.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a schematic left view of the front of the work vehicle, showing the work tool connector juxtaposed with an external charging station. The vehicle-side electrical connector and the charging station-side electrical connector are schematically shown in the form of wireless power transfer connectors.

[0011] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 The diagram shown is a cut-off line 4-4, which illustrates a front view of the connector receiver of the external charging station.

[0012] Figure 5 It is similar to Figure 3 The diagram shows the vehicle-side electrical connector and the charging station-side electrical connector schematically in the form of current power transmission connectors.

[0013] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the section cut by line 6-6, which shows... Figure 5 Front view of the connector receiver of the external charging station.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a schematic hydraulic diagram of the hydraulic components of the work vehicle and the external charging station in an optional embodiment, which specifies the use of hydraulic fluid circulating from the hydraulic system of the work vehicle to cool the power electronic devices of the external charging station.

[0015] Figure 8 The diagram schematically illustrates a work vehicle that is operationally coupled with an electric work tool. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Figure 1This is a left view of an electric work vehicle 100. The work vehicle 100 is shown as a skid steer loader (which may also be called a skid steering loader), but it can be any work vehicle that can be connected to a work tool with retaining components, to name just a few examples, such as backhoe loaders, compact track loaders, excavators, tractors, tractor-mounted loaders, and wheel loaders. The work vehicle 100 can perform a variety of work operations, to name just a few, including digging or loading materials, shaping or smoothing ground surfaces, digging or drilling, or breaking materials. As used herein, the orientation of the work vehicle 100 can be referenced from the perspective of the driver seated in the cab 102: the left side of the work vehicle 100 is the driver's left, the right side of the work vehicle 100 is the driver's right, the front or front of the work vehicle 100 is the direction the driver is facing, the rear or rear of the work vehicle 100 is the driver's rear, the top of the work vehicle 100 is above the driver, and the bottom of the work vehicle 100 is below the driver.

[0017] The work vehicle 100 is supported from or on the ground 103 by a grounding unit 104, which provides rolling support and traction to the work vehicle frame 106. The grounding unit 104 can be as follows: Figure 1 The wheels shown can, alternatively, be track units. Figure 1 In the example shown, grounding unit 104 includes a left front grounding unit 104a and a left rear grounding unit 104b, as well as a right front grounding unit and a right rear grounding unit not visible in the figure. The grounding units may be collectively referred to as grounding unit 104. At least one grounding unit (preferably all grounding units) is powered by a separate electric drive motor 107a, 107b, etc., to drive the work vehicle 100. The electric drive motors may be collectively referred to as electric drive motor 107.

[0018] The work vehicle frame 106 provides strength and support for the work vehicle 100 and interconnects components of the work vehicle 100, including the boom 108. The boom 108, also referred to as a linkage, is pivotally connected to the work vehicle frame 106 via pins 110 and 112. These pivoting connections allow the work vehicle 100 to raise and lower the boom 108, which in turn raises and lowers the work tool connector 114 and any work tools attached to it. Figure 2 In the diagram, the work tool connector 114 is shown attached to an exemplary work tool 109 in the form of a bucket. The work vehicle 100 can raise and lower the boom 108 by extending and retracting the double-acting lifting hydraulic cylinder 116.

[0019] As shown below Figure 7As further illustrated in the hydraulic diagram, each hydraulic cylinder 116 can be controlled by a hydraulic control valve 117, which supplies hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic pump 148. The work tool connector 114 can also tilt relative to the boom 108 via a tilting cylinder 118, which is controlled by a hydraulic control valve such as a hydraulic control valve 119. These hydraulic actuators 116, 118 allow the work tool 109 connected to the work tool connector 114 to perform functions such as a bucket 109, which can tilt upwards to collect material or tilt downwards to dump material.

[0020] The work tool coupler 114 is pivotally connected to one longitudinal end of the boom 108 via pin 120 and to one longitudinal end of each tilt cylinder 118 via pin 122. The work tool coupler 114 thus transmits forces between the work tool 109 attached to it, the boom 108, and the tilt cylinders 118, allowing the work tool 109 to be raised, lowered, and tilted relative to the work vehicle frame 106. The work tool coupler 114 includes a body 123, a rigid structure providing strength and load-bearing capacity, and a latch 124, which helps to hold and secure the work tool 109 to the coupler 114.

[0021] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, body 123 is a welded component, wherein multiple steel parts are joined together by welding. In alternative embodiments, body 123 may be configured differently, to name just a few examples, including as a casting without welding or joining operations, having parts joined by structural adhesives, or having parts joined by fasteners. Body 123 provides a rigid structure for the tool coupler 114, thereby bearing the necessary forces, providing rigidity and strength, and providing connection points for other components of the tool coupler 114.

[0022] The latch 124 includes a plurality of interconnected components that allow the work tool to be held in an engaged position with the work tool connector 114 (e.g., when the work vehicle 100 is operated with the work tool 109), or released from engagement (e.g., when the work tool 109 is replaced with another work tool). The latch 124 may be referred to as engaged or in an engaged position when it holds the work tool, and may be referred to as disengaged or in a disengaged position when it does not hold the work tool. The latch 124 may also take a position intermediate between the engaged and disengaged positions, for example, when it is actuated between the engaged and disengaged positions. The latch 124 may be manually operated or may be remotely hydraulically or electrically operated by a driver located in the cab 102. Further details of the configuration of the manually actuated type of latch 124 can be found in U.S. Patent No. 9,624,621, details of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0023] Examples of other configurations of working tool connectors with associated connector receivers and latching mechanisms can be found in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,252,022, 10,550,541, and 10,294,629, the details of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0024] exist Figure 1 The power storage system, schematically represented as 126, is carried by the work vehicle frame 106 and connected to the electric drive motor 107 to provide power to the electric drive motor. The power storage system 126 may include at least one rechargeable battery 127. Alternatively, other energy storage devices such as capacitor banks may be included.

[0025] The work tool connector 114 is configured to selectively connect the work vehicle 100 with multiple different work tools 109 (such as... Figure 2 The connector receiver 134 of the selected working tool in the bucket 109 shown is interconnected. The working tool can be a non-powered tool, such as the bucket 109. The working tool can also be an electrically or hydraulically driven working tool. As described below... Figure 7 The hydraulic diagram further illustrates that hydraulic power can be supplied to these working tools via vehicle-side hydraulic connections 162 and 164.

[0026] Similarly, Figure 8 As shown, the vehicle-side electrical connector associated with the work tool connector 114 can also be used to supply power to the electric work tool 109. Examples of electric work tools include augers and claw buckets.

[0027] Vehicle-side electrical connector 132 Figure 1The image is schematically shown and carried by a work tool connector 114, configured to transfer power to an energy storage system 126 for charging. A vehicle-side electrical connector 132 is arranged relative to the work tool connector 114 such that a mechanical interconnection between the work tool connector 114 and a connector receiver 134 of an external charging station 136 defines a translational alignment and proximity of the vehicle-side electrical connector 132 relative to a charging station-side electrical connector 138 of the external charging station 136. Therefore, when the work tool connector 114 is interconnected with the connector receiver 134 of the external charging station 136, the vehicle-side electrical connector provides power from the external charging station 136 to the energy storage system 126. Alternatively, if the vehicle-side electrical connector 132 is configured as a bidirectional connector, the work tool connector 114 can be connected to a connector receiver of an electric work tool 109 to transfer power from the energy storage system 126 to the electric work tool 109.

[0028] The connector receiver 134 can be, for example, Figure 2 The configuration shown, and further described in U.S. Patent No. 9,624,621, may include an upper lip portion 134a and a lower cavity portion 134b for engaging with the upper edge 114a of the working tool connector 114 and the latch 124, respectively.

[0029] In such Figure 3 and Figure 4 In one embodiment schematically illustrated, the vehicle-side electrical connector 132 and the charging station-side electrical connector 138 are wireless power transfer connectors 132a and 138a. Wireless power transfer connectors 132a and 138a can be configured for inductive or capacitive power transfer. Wireless power transfer connectors 132a and 138a are preferably small-gap wireless power transfer connectors. By incorporating wireless power transfer connectors 132a and 138a into the work tool connector 114 and connector receiver 134, these connectors can be reliably positioned and maintained in close proximity, which is necessary for small-gap power transfer.

[0030] In such Figure 5 and Figure 6 In another embodiment schematically shown, the vehicle-side electrical connector 132 and the charging station-side electrical connector 138 are current power transmission connectors 132b and 138b. A current power transmission connector is a connector that provides a physical connection of electrical conductors, such as a plug-in connection.

[0031] The external charging station 136 further includes a power source 140, which may be, for example, an AC / DC converter that converts alternating current from the AC grid 142 into direct current to charge the battery 127 of the energy storage system 126. The external charging station 136 further includes a charging station frame 144, and a connector receiver 134 is attached to the charging station frame 144 such that when the work tool connector 114 is mechanically interconnected with the connector receiver 134, a work vehicle is configured to lift and transport the external charging station 136.

[0032] In one embodiment, the work vehicle 100 may be an all-electric work vehicle 100 that does not include any hydraulically driven components. In this embodiment, various actuators (such as actuators 116 and 118) may be electric actuators.

[0033] In another embodiment, the work vehicle 100 may include hydraulically driven components. For example, in this embodiment, actuators 116 and 118 may be hydraulic cylinders. In this embodiment, the work vehicle 100 may include an electro-hydraulic power source 146 configured to provide hydraulic power to the hydraulic components of the work vehicle 100, such as 116 and 118.

[0034] Hydraulic power source 146 Figure 7 The diagram is schematically shown. The hydraulic power source 146 may include a hydraulic pump 148 driven by an electric motor 150, which receives power from an electrical storage system 126. A reservoir 152 provides a storage container for hydraulic fluid on the work vehicle 100. An intake passage 154 connects the reservoir 152 to the pump inlet 156. A supply passage 158 connects the pump outlet 160 to various hydraulic drive components and also to a vehicle-side hydraulic fluid supply connector 162, which may be located on the exterior of the boom 108 near the work tool connector 114 or on the work tool connector 114 itself. Adjacent to the hydraulic fluid supply connector 162 is a vehicle-side hydraulic fluid return connector 164, which connects to a hydraulic fluid return passage 166. The hydraulic fluid return passage 166 connects the hydraulic fluid return connector 164 and the low-pressure side of various hydraulic drive components (such as control valves 117 and 119 associated with hydraulic actuators 116 and 118) to the reservoir 152.

[0035] As previously described, the vehicle-side hydraulic fluid supply connector 162 and the vehicle-side hydraulic fluid return connector 164 provide the ability to supply hydraulic power to the hydraulically driven working tool 109 attached to the working tool connector 114.

[0036] The vehicle-side hydraulic fluid supply connector 162 and the vehicle-side hydraulic fluid return connector 164 also provide the capability to provide a cooling system for the electronic components of the external charging station 136. In this embodiment, a first heat exchanger 168 is disposed in a hydraulic fluid return passage 166 between the vehicle-side hydraulic fluid return connector 164 and the oil tank 152 to cool the hydraulic fluid flowing through the hydraulic power source, particularly the hydraulic fluid returning from the vehicle-side hydraulic fluid return connector 164. The first heat exchanger 168 may be an externally finned tube heat exchanger in the form of a hydraulic oil cooler / radiator, which transfers heat from the hot hydraulic fluid flowing through the internal passages of the heat exchanger 168 to the cooling air flowing through the external finned tubes of the heat exchanger 168.

[0037] like Figure 3 and Figure 7 As schematically shown, the external charging station 136 may include a second heat exchanger 170 configured to transfer heat generated by power electronics 172 associated with the power source 140 from the hydraulic fluid supply connection 162 to hydraulic fluid circulating through the second heat exchanger 170. The second heat exchanger 170 may be in the form of a cold plate having the power electronics 172 mounted thereon and having internal cooling channels through which hydraulic fluid flows. The internal channels of the second heat exchanger 170 may be connected to a charging station-side hydraulic fluid supply connection 174 and a charging station-side hydraulic fluid return connection 176.

[0038] like Figure 3 and Figure 7 As schematically illustrated, when the work tool connector 114 is mechanically and electrically connected to the connector receiver 134, the vehicle-side hydraulic fluid supply connector 162 and the vehicle-side hydraulic fluid return connector 164 can be connected to the charging station-side hydraulic fluid supply connector 174 and the charging station-side hydraulic fluid return connector 176 via flexible supply lines 178 and flexible return lines 180, respectively. Connectors 162, 164, 174, and 176 can all be suitable quick-connects, and the supply line 178 and the return line 180 can have compatible quick-connects at each end.

[0039] The hydraulic cooling option just described for external charging station 136 provides a means for cooling external charging station 136 of the fast charger type. In the fast charger embodiment, external charging station 136 includes power electronics 172 that handles tens of kilowatts of power, and losses in power electronics 172 generate heat that is difficult to remove by air cooling, especially in dirty working environments where fans and cooling fins are impractical. Instead, the power electronics 172 within external charging station 136 is mounted to a "cold plate" heat exchanger 170, which includes channels for the flow of hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic fluid circulates from vehicle-side hydraulic fluid supply connection 162 on work vehicle 100 through the "cold plate" heat exchanger 170 and returns to vehicle-side hydraulic fluid return connection 164, thereby cooling power electronics 172 by absorbing heat into the fluid. The hot fluid then passes through a first heat exchanger 168, which may be in the form of a hydraulic oil cooler / radiator on the work vehicle 100, to cool the fluid back, thus circulating it in a loop. This would require the electric hydraulic pump 148 on the work vehicle 100 to operate during charging; however, because there is minimal pressure drop in the cold plate heat exchanger 170 and the fluid does no work, the hydraulic pumping power requirement for pump 148 will be minimal.

[0040] Figure 8 The use of a work vehicle 100 with a wireless power transmission connector 132a, as described above, combined with an electric work tool 109 in the form of an electric auger 109a is illustrated schematically. The electric auger 109a includes a mounting frame 182 and a tool-side wireless power transmission connector 184. The mounting frame 182 carries connector receivers 134a and 134b. The tool-side wireless power transmission connector 184 is constructed similarly to the charging station-side wireless power transmission connector 138a. A current connector can also be used instead of the wireless power transmission connector. The electric auger motor 186 is mounted on the mounting frame 182 and drives rotating auger blades 188. Electrical energy from the power storage system 126 is transmitted to the electric auger motor 186 via an operational electrical connection between connectors 132a and 184.

[0041] The system disclosed herein offers numerous advantages. By integrating an electrical connection to the power storage system 126 into the work tool connector 114, the driver can drive to an external charging station 136, engage the work tool connector 114 with the connector receiver 134 of the external charging station 136, and then lock the external charging station 136 to the work tool connector 114 using a manual or power latch 124. The electrical connection between the vehicle-side electrical connector 132 and the charging station-side electrical connector 138 is automatic, and the translational alignment and proximity of the electrical connectors 132 and 138 are ensured through the mechanical interconnection between the work tool connector 114 and the connector receiver 134. For example, in Figure 4 and Figure 6 As schematically seen, the upper portion 134a of the connector receiver 134 may include tapered guides 134a' and 134a', which guide the upper edge 114a of the work tool connector 114 to ensure that the work tool connector 114 and the connector receiver 134 are translated and aligned across the width of the mechanical interconnection. The driver of the work vehicle 100 does not need to leave the cab 102 to manually connect the power plug.

[0042] The external charging station 136 can be semi-permanently connected to the AC power grid 142 at the charging location using a flexible AC power cable 143.

[0043] When it is desired to move the external charging station 136, the mechanical connection between the work tool connector 114 and the connector receiver 134 allows the work vehicle 100 to lift the external charging station 136 and move it to another location.

[0044] No connector mating operation is required during each charging cycle, thus reducing wear on connectors and cables and mitigating corrosion problems caused by open, unmated connectors.

[0045] The optional hydraulic cooling system can be used for the power electronics in external charging stations, which allows for the use of fast charger technology in external charging stations.

[0046] An optional bidirectional embodiment can be used for vehicle-side power transmission connections, which allows the same connection to be used to power electric work tools.

[0047] Therefore, it can be seen that the apparatus and methods of this disclosure readily achieve the mentioned and inherent purposes and advantages. Although certain preferred embodiments of this disclosure have been shown and described for this purpose, many changes can be made by those skilled in the art to the arrangement and configuration of components and steps, which are included within the scope and spirit of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Each feature or embodiment of the disclosure may be combined with any other feature or embodiment of the disclosure.

Claims

1. An electric work vehicle (100), the electric work vehicle comprising: Frame of the work vehicle (106); Multiple grounding units (104) are used to support the work vehicle frame from the ground (103), and at least one of the grounding units is powered by an electric drive motor (107) to drive the work vehicle; An electric storage system (126) is carried by the work vehicle frame and connected to the electric drive motor to provide power to the electric drive motor; A work tool connector (114), carried by the work vehicle and configured to selectively interconnect the work vehicle with a connector receiver (134) of a selected work tool among a plurality of different work tools (130); as well as A vehicle-side electrical connector (132), carried by the work tool connector and configured to transmit power to the power storage system for charging the power storage system. The electric work vehicle is combined with an external charging station (136), the external charging station comprising: Power supply (140); The connector receiver (134) is configured to be mechanically interconnected with the work tool connector (114); and A charging station-side electrical connector (138) is configured to electrically interconnect with the vehicle-side electrical connector (132) when the work tool connector is mechanically interconnected with the connector receiver, wherein the charging station-side electrical connector is configured to connect the power supply to the vehicle-side electrical connector. in: The work vehicle includes an electro-hydraulic power source (146) configured to provide hydraulic power to the hydraulic components (116, 118) of the work vehicle. The electro-hydraulic power source includes a vehicle-side hydraulic fluid supply connection (162) and a vehicle-side hydraulic fluid return connection (164). The electro-hydraulic power source includes a first heat exchanger (168) configured to cool the hydraulic fluid returning from the vehicle-side hydraulic fluid return connection (164) to the electro-hydraulic power source. The external charging station (136) includes a second heat exchanger (170) configured to transfer heat generated by electronic components (172) of the external charging station to hydraulic fluid flowing through the second heat exchanger; and The external charging station (136) further includes a charging station-side hydraulic fluid supply connector (174) and a charging station-side hydraulic fluid return connector (176), the charging station-side hydraulic fluid supply connector (174) and the charging station-side hydraulic fluid return connector (176) being configured to be hydraulically connected to the vehicle-side hydraulic fluid supply connector and the vehicle-side hydraulic fluid return connector, such that hydraulic fluid from the electro-hydraulic power source of the work vehicle can circulate through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to cool the electronic components of the external charging station while the external charging station is charging the power storage system of the work vehicle.

2. The electric work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle-side electrical connector (132) is arranged relative to the work tool connector (114) such that the mechanical interconnection between the work tool connector and the connector receiver (134) of the external charging station (136) defines the translational alignment and proximity of the vehicle-side electrical connector (132) relative to the charging station-side electrical connector (138) of the external charging station (136).

3. The electric work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle-side electrical connector is a wireless power transmission connector (132a).

4. The electric work vehicle according to claim 3, wherein: The wireless power transfer connector (132a) is configured for inductive power transfer or capacitive power transfer.

5. The electric work vehicle according to claim 3, wherein: The wireless power transfer connector (132a) is bidirectional, enabling power to be transferred to the power storage system (126) to charge the power storage system, and power to be transferred from the power storage system to a power tool (109a) operatively engaged with the work tool connector (114).

6. The electric work vehicle according to claim 3, wherein: The wireless power transmission connector (132a) is a small-gap wireless power transmission connector.

7. The electric work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the electric work vehicle further comprises: An electro-hydraulic power source (146) is configured to provide hydraulic power to the hydraulic components of the work vehicle. The electro-hydraulic power source includes a vehicle-side hydraulic fluid supply connection (162) and a vehicle-side hydraulic fluid return connection (164), so that hydraulic power can also be provided to the work tool (109) or other equipment.

8. The electric work vehicle according to claim 7, wherein, The electro-hydraulic power source further includes: Oil tank (152), configured as a reservoir for providing hydraulic fluid; An electric hydraulic pump (148) includes a pump inlet (156) and a pump outlet (160). A suction passage (154) connects the oil tank to the pump inlet; Supply channel (158) connects the pump outlet to the hydraulic component and the vehicle-side hydraulic fluid supply connector (162). Return channel (166), which connects the oil tank to the hydraulic component and the vehicle-side hydraulic fluid return connector (164); and A heat exchanger (168) is disposed in the return channel such that hydraulic fluid returning from the vehicle-side hydraulic fluid return connector to the oil tank passes through the heat exchanger and is cooled by the heat exchanger.

9. The electric work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The tool connector (114) includes a latch (124) configured to lock the tool connector to the connector receiver (134); and The work vehicle includes a cab (102), and the latch can be remotely operated by a driver located in the cab.

10. The electric work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the electric work vehicle further comprises: The boom (108) is hinged relative to the work vehicle frame (106); and The tool connector (114) and the vehicle-side electrical connector (132) are carried by the boom.

11. The electric work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle-side electrical connector (132) is arranged relative to the work tool connector (114), and the charging station-side electrical connector (138) is arranged relative to the connector receiver (134), such that the mechanical interconnection between the work tool connector and the connector receiver defines the translational alignment and proximity of the vehicle-side electrical connector relative to the charging station-side electrical connector.

12. The electric work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The external charging station (136) includes a charging station frame (144), and the connector receiver (134) is attached to the charging station frame such that when the work tool connector (114) is mechanically interconnected with the connector receiver, the work vehicle is configured to lift and transport the external charging station.

13. The electric work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The external charging station (136) is configured to be connected to the AC power grid (142).

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