Battery power system for multi-function vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery power system for a utility vehicle, in particular for an agricultural tractor, comprising a rim (12) and at least one annular battery pack (44) mounted in a free or free area (46) of the rim (12), wherein the at least one annular battery pack (44) has, in a fastening region (18) designed for mounting on the axle (22), an interface (50) for detachably establishing a rotation-independent electrical and / or fluid-communicating connection (52a, 52b) to the on-board operating system (54).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to battery power systems for utility vehicles, particularly agricultural tractors. Background Art

[0002] Battery power systems for vehicle operation are becoming increasingly important in the automotive sector in order to avoid the carbon dioxide emissions that occur when burning fossil fuels. However, the power requirements of multi-purpose vehicles are many times higher than in the automotive sector. This applies in particular to agricultural tractors, because here there is a higher demand for traction and work must be performed continuously for many hours. For example, this refers to plowing thicker fields. Generally, the structural space required for the use of battery power systems with corresponding electrical energy capacity is not available in the engine compartment or load-bearing frame area of ​​agricultural tractors due to functional boundary conditions such as the presence of required operating assemblies or power assemblies or large tires. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is therefore to specify a battery power system suitable for use in a utility vehicle and in particular an agricultural tractor.

[0004] This task is accomplished by a battery power system for a utility vehicle, particularly an agricultural tractor.

[0005] A battery power system for a multi-purpose vehicle, in particular an agricultural tractor, comprises a wheel rim and at least one annular or ring-shaped battery pack mounted in a vacant or free area of ​​the wheel rim, wherein at least one annular battery pack has an interface in a fixed area designed for mounting on an axle for detachably establishing a rotation-independent electrical and / or fluid connection to an onboard operating system.

[0006] The battery power system of the invention makes use of the fact that the wheels of utility vehicles have a relatively large diameter. This applies in particular to the tires and therefore the rims of agricultural tractors. In the case of tractors of the 7R series from the manufacturer John Deere, therefore, the maximum tire size is specified according to the instructions as 170 cm (front) or 215 cm (rear).

[0007] By installing the annular battery pack in the otherwise unused wheel rim free area or free space, the battery power system can be integrated into the multi-purpose vehicle in a particularly space-saving manner. The battery power system can be used to expand the capacity of the main battery system of the multi-purpose vehicle, but can also be the only main battery system for the multi-purpose vehicle with a hybrid drive system.

[0008] The electrical and / or fluid communication connection established with the operating system via the interface is, for example, a power transmission connection, a liquid connection with a coolant circulation, and / or an electrical connection for data communication. Correspondingly, the onboard operating system has a power supply and / or charging management system in addition to a liquid cooling device for the coolant circulation operation, which is used in particular for temperature monitoring and charge state control of the battery power system in addition to coordinating the power consumption or charging process.

[0009] In particular, the interface has a first connection port in the central wheel rim region of the wheel rim, wherein a complementary second connection port is located on the axle, more precisely on the wheel hub provided for mounting the wheel rim, the second connection port itself being connected to a swivel joint provided on the axle. In this case, when the wheel rim is flanged to the wheel hub, the two connection ports are electrically or fluid-tightly connected to one another, so that finally a rotationally independent electrical or fluid connection to an onboard operating system is established via the swivel joint.

[0010] Preferably, the at least one annular battery pack is composed of a plurality of battery modules designed in the shape of ring segments arranged in series. Each battery module is composed of a module body in which a plurality of unit cells are installed. The unit cells are, for example, cylindrical, prismatic or pouch-shaped. Due to their power density, cylindrical unit cells are preferred, wherein they are arranged in a matrix in the module body or wired and connected to each other and are preferably flushed with a non-conductive coolant during operation, and the non-conductive coolant is supplied to the module body or the infusion system arranged therein through a fluid connection on the vehicle operating system side. These battery modules are also encapsulated in a module housing in a liquid-tight manner. The module housing can be composed of injection-molded plastic.

[0011] It is possible for the battery modules to have, on their radially facing end faces, complementary module interfaces for mounting one another and for establishing electrical and / or fluidic interconnections. By separating the module interfaces, uncomplicated replacement of possibly defective battery modules is possible. In this case, they can be designed as plug-in locking connectors and fixed by means of mechanical mounting means. Each module interface comprises an assembly consisting of plug contacts for power transmission and / or data transmission and a liquid-tight connection for transmitting a coolant circulating in a coolant circuit.

[0012] In order to further increase the charging capacity of the battery power system, it can be provided that at least two annular battery packs are arranged side by side in the form of a battery pack along the rim axis, i.e. along its axial extension, wherein they have complementary battery interfaces for establishing electrical and / or fluid interconnection. The battery interface can be designed as a plug-and-lock connector similar to the module interface and fixed by means of additional mechanical mounting means. Each battery interface itself includes an assembly consisting of plug contacts for power transmission and / or data transmission and a liquid-tight connection for transmitting a coolant circulating in the coolant circuit.

[0013] In addition to being incorporated into a coolant circuit or producing an electrical connection to a power supply and / or charge management system of a battery power system, the module interface or cell interface also allows, in particular, an exchange of data between battery modules or donut-shaped battery packs.

[0014] With regard to the mounting of the at least one annular battery, various possibilities are now conceivable.

[0015] Thus, firstly, there is the possibility that the at least one annular battery extends along the periphery of the rim, in particular the periphery of the rim base surrounded by the associated rim flange for mounting the tire. The empty or free area used to mount the at least one annular battery is in this case the tire air volume surrounded by the rim base or the tire mounted thereon.

[0016] On the other hand, the at least one annular battery pack can also extend along the inner circumference of the wheel rim and in this way utilize the empty or free area in the wheel rim radially surrounded by the wheel rim. The at least one annular battery pack is in this case mounted on the wheel rim and / or a central wheel rim disk connected thereto or formed integrally therewith, which serves to mount the wheel rim on the axle or the wheel hub it contains.

[0017] In this case, it can be provided that the at least one annular battery pack is arranged along the inner circumference of the wheel rim in such a way that it is accessible from the outside for later removal or replacement.

[0018] It is also conceivable that the system housing of the at least one annular battery pack is simultaneously an integral component of the load-bearing wheel rim structure. The system housing, like the rest of the wheel rim body, consists of deep-drawn sheet steel. If the at least one annular battery pack is arranged along the rim periphery, the system housing surrounding the wheel rim base can simultaneously serve as a support ring in the event of a loss of tire pressure due to a defect (so-called runflat system).

[0019] In order to allow a later removal or replacement of the at least one annular battery pack here as well, the system housing is detachably mounted on the rim body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The battery power system for a multi-purpose vehicle according to the present invention will be explained in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Here, components with the same or similar functions are marked with the same reference numerals, wherein:

[0021] Figure 1 A cross-sectional perspective view showing a battery power system of the present invention disposed on an agricultural tractor axle having a donut-shaped battery pack extending along the inner circumference of the wheel rim,

[0022] Figure 2 Shown in disassembled state Figure 1 The circular battery pack shown in

[0023] Figure 3 Shown Figure 2 The donut-shaped battery pack includes a battery module having a plurality of cylindrical unit batteries.

[0024] Figure 4 Show Figure 1 A first variation of the battery power system shown, in which the annular battery pack is also surrounded by a protective system housing, and

[0025] Figure 5 A donut-shaped battery pack is shown extending along the periphery of the wheel rim. Figure 1 A second variation of the battery power system is shown, in which it is also located within the protective system housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Figure 1 One embodiment of a battery power system according to the present invention for a utility vehicle designed as an agricultural tractor is shown in a cross-sectional perspective view.

[0027] The battery power system 10 comprises a wheel rim 12 having a rim ring 14 and a central rim plate 16 connected thereto or formed integrally therewith, which is mounted in a fixing area 18 by means of a plurality of bolts 26 on a wheel hub 20 of an axle 22 of an agricultural tractor 24 (not shown in detail). A rim bottom 30 arranged along the outer periphery 28 of the rim ring 14 is surrounded by rim flanges 32, 34 which are opposite and extend parallel to each other and are used for mounting an associated tire 36.

[0028] For example, axle 22 is one of two driven rear axles 38a, 38b of an agricultural tractor 24, wherein rear axles 38a, 38b extend outwardly on either side of a differential case 40. For the sake of clarity, battery power system 10 is shown only for right rear axle 38a, although it is also present at left rear axle 38b.

[0029] As in Figure 1As can be seen in the figure, on each side of the wheel rim 16, along the inner circumference 42 of the rim 12, in a free area or free zone 46 radially surrounded by the wheel rim 14, an annular battery pack 44 is mounted. The two annular battery packs 44 are mounted on the wheel rim 16, and are additionally or alternatively provided to be mounted on the wheel rim 14. In other words, the wheel rim 16 or the wheel rim 14 forms a mounting base 48 for the two annular battery packs 44, wherein they are detachably mounted on the mounting base 48 by means of suitable fixings (not shown). In this case, the annular battery packs 44 are arranged along the inner circumference 42 of the rim 12 in such a way that they can be accessed from the outside for later removal or replacement on the wheel rim 12 and can be removed from the mounting base 48 after the fixings have been loosened or removed.

[0030] By mounting the annular battery pack 44 in an otherwise unused free area or free region 46 of the wheel rim 12, a particularly space-saving integration of the battery power system 10 in the agricultural tractor 24 can be achieved. The battery power system 10 is used here to expand the capacity of the main battery system of the agricultural tractor 24. Alternatively, it is the only main battery system for the agricultural tractor 24 with a hybrid drive system.

[0031] Furthermore, an interface 50 is provided in the fastening region 18 of the rim 12 designed for mounting on the axle 22 for detachably establishing a rotationally independent electrical and / or fluid connection 52 a , 52 b between the annular battery pack 44 and an onboard operating system 54 .

[0032] The electrical and / or fluid communication connections 52a, 52b established via the interface 50 with the onboard operating system 54 are, for example, power transmission connections, liquid connections with a coolant circuit, and / or electrical connections for data communication. Accordingly, the onboard operating system 54, in addition to the liquid cooling device 56 provided for the coolant circuit operation, also has a power supply and / or charging management system 58, which, in addition to coordinating the power consumption or charging process, is also used in particular for temperature monitoring and charge quantity control of the battery power system 10.

[0033] More specifically, the interface 50 has a first connection port 60 in the region of the wheel rim 12, wherein a complementary second connection port 62 is located on the axle 22, more specifically on the wheel hub 20 designed for mounting the wheel rim 12, and the second connection port is in turn connected to a swivel joint 64 arranged on the axle 22. In this case, when the wheel rim 16 is flange-connected to the wheel hub 20, the two connection ports 60, 62 are connected to one another electrically or fluid-tightly, so that finally, via the swivel joint 64, a rotation-independent electrical or fluid connection 52a, 52b is established with the onboard operating system 54.

[0034] The structure of such a swivel joint is generally known from the relevant prior art, so further detailed explanations should be omitted at this point.

[0035] Figure 2 One of the two annular battery packs 44 is shown in a disassembled state. As can be seen, each of the annular battery packs 44 is composed of a plurality of battery modules 66 arranged in series and designed in the shape of ring segments. Figure 3 The opened state presented corresponds to each battery module 66 consisting of a module body 68 (see Figure 3 ) is composed of a plurality of cylindrical unit batteries 70 installed in the module body. The cylindrical unit batteries 70 are arranged in a matrix in the module body 68 or are wired and connected to each other and are flushed with a non-conductive coolant during operation. The non-conductive coolant is supplied to the module body 68 or the built-in (therefore, in the vehicle operating system 54) through the fluid communication connection 52b on the vehicle operating system 54 side. Figure 3 The battery modules 66 are also encapsulated in a module housing 74 (see FIG. Figure 2 ). The module housing 74 is made of injection-molded plastic.

[0036] Here, each of the annular battery cells 44 has four battery modules 66 designed as quarter circles, but it may also be any other number depending on the diameter of the annular battery cells 44 .

[0037] If still Figure 2 and Figure 3 As can be seen in the figure, the battery module 66 has a complementary module interface 80, 82 for mutual installation and establishment of electrical and / or fluid interconnection connection on its radially facing end faces 76, 78. By separating the module interfaces 80, 82, it is possible to achieve an uncomplicated replacement of a possibly defective individual battery module 66. The module interfaces 80, 82 are designed as plug-in locking connectors, which are additionally locked by means of a mechanical mounting mechanism (not shown). Each module interface 80, 82 includes a component consisting of a plug-in contact 84 for power transmission and / or data transmission and a liquid-tight connector 86 for transmitting a coolant circulating in the coolant circuit.

[0038] In order to improve the charging capacity of the battery power system 10, for example, two annular battery cells 44 are provided for each of the two rear wheels of the agricultural tractor 24. The two annular battery cells 44 are arranged side by side in the form of a battery pack 90 along the rim axis 88, i.e., along its axial extension (see FIG. Figure 1). They have battery interfaces 92, 94 of complementary design for mutual installation and establishment of electrical and / or fluid communication connection. The battery interfaces 92, 94 extending through the notch 96 formed in the wheel rim 16 are designed as plug-in locking connectors similar to the module interfaces 80, 82. Additional mechanical locking can be omitted because it is already fixed on the wheel rim 16 or the wheel rim 14, because it keeps the annular battery cells 44 fixed in place to each other. However, each of the battery interfaces 92, 94 itself includes an assembly consisting of plug contacts 98 for power transmission and / or data transmission and a liquid-tight connector 100 for transmitting a coolant circulating in the coolant circuit.

[0039] For simplified line routing considerations, the module interfaces or battery interfaces 80, 82, 92, 94 are integrated into the same group (see Figure 3 ) In addition to being integrated into the coolant circuit of the liquid cooling device 56 or establishing an electrical connection to the power supply and / or charging management system 68 of the battery power system 10, it also allows data exchange between the battery modules 66 or the annular battery pack 44.

[0040] Figure 4 Show Figure 1 The first variant of the battery power system 10 shown here has a further annular battery pack in addition to the two annular battery packs 44, wherein they are also surrounded by a protective system housing 102, which is also an integral component of the load-bearing rim structure. For reasons of stability, the multi-part system housing 102 and the remaining rim body are here made of deep-drawn steel sheets.

[0041] Figure 5 Re-present Figure 1 A second variant of the battery power system 10 is shown. Here, the annular battery pack 44 extends along the outer circumference 28 of the rim 12, more precisely along the outer circumference of the rim base 30 surrounded by the rim flanges 32, 34. The empty area or free area 46 used for the installation of the annular battery pack 44 is in this case the tire air volume surrounded by the rim base 30 or the tire 36 mounted thereon. The system housing 104 surrounds the rim base 30 and simultaneously serves as a support ring in the event of a loss of tire pressure caused by a defect (so-called anti-explosion system).

[0042] In order to enable the removal or replacement of the annular battery unit 44 , the respective system housing 102 , 104 is detachably mounted on the rim body in both variants.

Claims

1. A battery power system for a utility vehicle, in particular an agricultural tractor, comprising a wheel rim (12) and at least one annular battery pack (44) mounted in a vacant or free area (46) of the wheel rim (12), wherein: The at least one annular battery pack (44) has an interface (50) in a fixing area (18) designed for mounting on an axle (22) for detachably establishing a rotationally independent electrical and / or fluid connection (52a, 52b) to an onboard operating system (54).

2. The battery power system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The at least one annular battery pack (44) is composed of a plurality of battery modules (66) arranged in series and designed in the shape of ring segments.

3. The battery power system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The battery modules (66) have, on their radially facing end faces (76, 78), complementary designed module interfaces (80, 82) for mounting one another and for establishing an electrical and / or fluid communication connection with one another.

4. A battery power system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that At least two annular battery packs (44) are arranged side by side in the form of a battery pack (90) along the rim axis (88), wherein the at least two annular battery packs (44) have complementary battery interfaces (92, 94) for establishing electrical and / or fluid interconnection.

5. A battery power system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The at least one annular battery pack (44) extends along the outer circumference (28) of the rim (12), in particular the outer circumference of the rim bottom (30) surrounded by the associated rim flanges (32, 34) for mounting a tire (36).

6. A battery power system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The at least one annular battery pack (44) extends along the inner periphery (42) of the rim (12).

7. A battery power system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The at least one donut-shaped battery pack (44) is arranged along the inner periphery (42) of the rim (12) such that the at least one donut-shaped battery pack (44) is accessible from the outside.

8. A battery power system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The system housing (102, 104) of the at least one annular battery pack (44) is simultaneously a component of the load-bearing wheel rim structure.

9. The battery power system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The system housing (102, 104) is detachably mounted on the rim body.

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