Energy storage trailer with self-walking function and control method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses an energy storage trailer with a self-walking function and a control method thereof, and the energy storage trailer with the self-walking function comprises an energy storage trailer which is provided with an energy storage battery, a controller and trailer wheels used for walking, and the advancing directions of all the trailer wheels are parallel to one another; the driving device comprises a support, a power transmission mechanism arranged on the support, a power output wheel driven by the power transmission mechanism and a contact control mechanism used for driving the power output wheel to make contact with or be separated from wheels of the trailer. The power transmission mechanism and the contact control mechanism are electrically connected with the controller and are powered by the energy storage battery. According to the energy storage trailer, an external hanging type driving mode is adopted, the energy storage trailer does not need to be redesigned, the cost is low, meanwhile, flexible switching between external traction and self-walking can be achieved, and the use efficiency of the energy storage trailer is improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of vehicles, in particular to a storage energy trailer with self-walking function and a control method thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] At present, with the rapid development of new energy technology, storage energy technology is applied more and more widely, and storage energy trailer is popular in the market due to convenient road traction transportation. The storage energy trailers of various specifications produced in China are mostly driven in a traction mode, and some deficiencies exist in use. After the storage energy trailer and the towing vehicle are separated, the storage energy trailer cannot be moved on site, which is inconvenient to use. Therefore, it is necessary to propose a storage energy trailer with self-walking function and a control method thereof. SUMMARY

[0003] The present application aims to provide a storage energy trailer with self-walking function and a control method thereof. The storage energy trailer adopts an external driving mode, does not need to be redesigned, has low cost, and can be flexibly switched between external traction and self-walking, so as to improve the use efficiency of the storage energy trailer.

[0004] The technical scheme adopted by the present application is as follows: a storage energy trailer with self-walking function, comprising: a storage energy trailer having a storage battery, a controller, and trailer wheels for walking, the walking directions of all the trailer wheels being parallel to each other; a driving device comprising a support, a power transmission mechanism arranged on the support, a power output wheel driven by the power transmission mechanism, and a contact control mechanism for driving the power output wheel to contact or separate from the trailer wheels; The power transmission mechanism and the contact control mechanism are respectively electrically connected to the controller and are powered by the storage battery.

[0005] As a preferred scheme, the power output wheel is a friction wheel, which drives the storage energy trailer by pressing the trailer wheels and generating friction.

[0006] As a preferred scheme, the power transmission mechanism comprises a driving motor and a reduction box connected to the output end of the driving motor, and the output end of the reduction box is fixedly connected to the friction wheel. The reduction box is linearly and slidingly connected to the support, so that the friction wheel, the driving motor and the reduction box can be linearly moved in the direction of contacting or separating from the trailer wheels.

[0007] As a preferred scheme, the contact control mechanism is a linear actuator, the fixed end of the linear actuator is connected to the support, and the movable end of the linear actuator is connected to the reduction box.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment, the bracket includes a fixed bracket, and the gearbox is mounted in an elongated hole on the fixed bracket via a pin, the pin being able to slide along the elongated hole.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment, the energy storage trailer includes a frame and a tow bar connected to the frame, the tow bar being able to be connected to or disconnected from the towing vehicle.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, the bracket includes a mounting bracket fixed to the energy storage trailer, and the lower end of the mounting bracket is connected to the fixed bracket by a U-bolt.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment, the system also includes an operation box, which is communicatively connected to the controller and used to send operation commands to the controller.

[0012] A control method for an energy storage trailer with self-propelled capability, wherein the energy storage trailer can switch between external towing and self-propelled states, and the self-propelled state includes the following steps: The controller controls the contact control mechanism to move the power output wheel of the drive device toward the trailer wheel of the energy storage trailer, and makes the power output wheel and the trailer wheel make stable frictional contact. The controller starts the power transmission mechanism, drives the power output wheel to rotate, and drives the trailer wheels to rotate through the friction wheel. All the trailer wheels of the energy storage trailer rotate together, enabling the energy storage trailer to enter a self-propelled state.

[0013] As a preferred option, the self-propelled state includes the energy storage trailer traveling in a straight line and the energy storage trailer turning while traveling. Energy storage trailer travels in a straight line: the power transmission mechanism of the energy storage trailer is controlled to drive all the trailer wheels to rotate synchronously in the same direction; Steering and walking of the energy storage trailer: Control the power transmission mechanism of the energy storage trailer on the steering side to disengage the power output wheel on that side from the trailer wheel; control the power transmission mechanism of the energy storage trailer on the other side to make the trailer wheel on that side rotate synchronously in the same direction.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. The drive unit installed on the energy storage trailer uses the energy storage battery carried by the energy storage trailer to directly power the drive unit. After the energy storage trailer is detached from the external towing vehicle, the drive unit drives the trailer wheels to rotate the energy storage trailer, enabling the energy storage trailer to move on its own in the field.

[0015] 2. The power output wheel of the drive unit can selectively contact or disengage from the trailer wheels according to the specific usage situation, which facilitates the switching between external traction and self-propelled states of the energy storage trailer, as well as the switching between straight-line travel and turning travel of the energy storage trailer, making control simple and flexible.

[0016] 3. The drive unit can be retrofitted onto the energy storage trailer later, so there is no need to redesign the energy storage trailer, which is low-cost and conducive to large-scale use. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic front view of the entire invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic side view of the entire invention; Figure 3 This is a front view schematic diagram of the driving device in this invention; Figure 4 This is a top view of the driving device in this invention.

[0019] Reference numerals: 1. Towing rod, 2. Frame, 3. Front axle, 4. Front wheel, 5. Rear axle, 6. Rear wheel, 7. Drive unit, 8. Energy storage battery, 9. Controller, 10. Drive motor, 11. Friction wheel, 12. Gearbox, 13. Electric push rod, 14. Mounting bracket, 15. Fixed bracket, 16. Control box, 17. U-bolt, 18. Pin. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The present invention will now be described in detail through exemplary embodiments. However, it should be understood that, without further description, elements, structures, and features in one embodiment may be advantageously incorporated into other embodiments.

[0021] It should be noted that, unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used herein should have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terms "a," "an," or "the," etc., used in the specification and claims of this patent application do not express a limitation on quantity, but rather indicate the presence of at least one; the terms "first," "second," and "third," as used herein, should not be considered as a limitation on the order of components, but are merely for distinguishing different components; the terms "comprising," "including," etc., indicate that the elements or objects preceding "comprising" or "including" encompass the elements or objects listed following "comprising" or "including" and their equivalents, but do not exclude other elements or objects having the same function.

[0022] To more clearly describe the self-propelled energy storage trailer and its control method, in conjunction with the attached... Figures 1-4 This embodiment is described as follows: like Figures 1-4 As shown, an energy storage trailer with self-propelled function includes an energy storage trailer and a drive unit 7; the energy storage trailer has an energy storage battery 8, a controller 9, and trailer wheels for walking, all of which travel in parallel directions; the drive unit 7 includes a bracket, a power transmission mechanism mounted on the bracket, a power output wheel driven by the power transmission mechanism, and a contact control mechanism for driving the power output wheel to contact or disengage from the trailer wheels; the power transmission mechanism and the contact control mechanism are electrically connected to the controller 9 and are powered by the energy storage battery 8.

[0023] The energy storage trailer includes a frame 2 and a tow bar 1 connected to the frame 2. The tow bar 1 can be connected to or disconnected from the towing vehicle. The frame 2 has a front axle 3 and a rear axle 5. The trailer wheels include front wheels 4 and rear wheels 6. The front wheels 4 and rear wheels 6 are respectively located at the front axle 3 and the rear axle 5. Drive units 7 are installed at the front of the front wheels 4 on both sides of the front axle 3 and at the rear of the rear wheels 6 on both sides of the rear axle 5 under the frame 2, respectively corresponding to the two front wheels 4 and the two rear wheels 6.

[0024] In the above embodiment, the power output wheel is a friction wheel 11, which drives the energy storage trailer by pressing against the trailer wheels (front wheel 4 / rear wheel 6) and generating friction.

[0025] In the above embodiment, the power transmission mechanism includes a drive motor 10 and a reduction gearbox 12 connected to the output end of the drive motor 10. The output end of the reduction gearbox 12 is fixedly connected to the friction wheel 11. The reduction gearbox 12 is linearly slidably coupled to the bracket, so that the friction wheel 11, the drive motor 10 and the reduction gearbox 12 can move linearly synchronously in the direction of contacting or disengaging from the trailer wheel.

[0026] The contact control mechanism is a linear actuator. The fixed end of the linear actuator is connected to the bracket, and the movable end of the linear actuator is connected to the reduction gearbox 12. In this embodiment, the linear actuator adopts an electric push rod 13, which drives the friction wheel 11, the drive motor 10, and the reduction gearbox 12 to move by extending and retracting.

[0027] Specifically, the bracket includes a mounting bracket 14 and a fixing bracket 15. The mounting bracket 14 is fixed to the frame 2 of the energy storage trailer. The lower end of the mounting bracket 14 is connected to the fixing bracket 15 via U-bolts 17. The gearbox 12 is mounted in an elongated hole in the fixing bracket 15 via a pin 18, which can slide along the elongated hole. For example, there are three elongated holes, which can improve the stability of the gearbox 12 during sliding.

[0028] It also includes an operation box 16, which is communicatively connected to the controller 9 and is used to send operation commands to the controller 9.

[0029] A control method for an energy storage trailer with self-propelled capability, wherein the energy storage trailer can switch between external towing and self-propelled states, and the self-propelled state includes the following steps: The controller 9 controls the action of the contact control mechanism to drive the power output wheel of the drive unit 7 to move toward the trailer wheel that is close to the energy storage trailer, and to make the power output wheel and the trailer wheel make stable frictional contact. The power transmission mechanism is started by the controller 9, which drives the power output wheel to rotate. The friction wheel drives the trailer wheels to rotate, and all the trailer wheels of the energy storage trailer rotate in tandem, enabling the energy storage trailer to enter a self-propelled state.

[0030] Among them, the self-propelled state includes the energy storage trailer traveling in a straight line and the energy storage trailer turning; Straight-line movement of the energy storage trailer: The power transmission mechanism of the energy storage trailer is controlled to drive all trailer wheels to rotate synchronously in the same direction; Steering and walking of the energy storage trailer: Control the power transmission mechanism of the energy storage trailer on the steering side to disengage the power output wheel on that side from the trailer wheel; control the power transmission mechanism of the energy storage trailer on the other side to make the trailer wheel on that side rotate synchronously in the same direction.

[0031] The control process of the energy storage trailer is as follows: When the energy storage trailer needs to be towed along the road during operation, the front and rear drive devices are not working. The electric push rod 13 drives the reduction gearbox 12 and friction wheel 11 to retract. The friction wheel 11 leaves the wheel, and the energy storage trailer can be towed along the road.

[0032] During operation, in non-traction mode, when the energy storage trailer needs to move autonomously within the site, pressing the button on the control box 16 extends the electric push rod 13, pushing the reduction gearbox 12, along with the friction wheel 11 and drive motor 10, towards the wheel. After the friction wheel 11 presses against the wheel, pressing the forward (or reverse) button on the control box 16 activates the four drive motors 10, which drive the friction wheel 11 to rotate forward (or backward), thus rotating the wheel. This allows the energy storage trailer to move forward (or backward). Releasing the control button stops the energy storage trailer.

[0033] When the energy storage trailer needs to turn forward, operate the left (or right) forward button on the control box 16. The two electric push rods 13 on the left (or right) side retract, causing the reduction gearbox 12, along with the friction wheel 11 and drive motor 10, to slide away from the wheels. The friction wheel 11 disengages from the left (or right) wheel, and the two drive motors 10 on the right (left) side drive the friction wheel 11 to rotate, causing the right (left) wheel to rotate. This allows the trailer to turn left (or right) and move forward. Release the control button, and the energy storage trailer stops.

[0034] When the energy storage trailer needs to turn and move backward, press the left (or right) reverse button on the control box 16. The two electric push rods 13 on the left (or right) side will retract, causing the reduction gearbox 12, along with the friction wheel 11 and drive motor 10, to slide away from the wheels. The friction wheel 11 disengages from the left (or right) wheel, and the two drive motors 10 on the right (left) side drive the friction wheel 11 to rotate in the opposite direction, causing the right (left) wheel to rotate in the opposite direction. This allows the trailer to turn left (or right) and move backward. Releasing the control button will stop the energy storage trailer.

[0035] The parts not described in detail in the above embodiments are existing technologies.

[0036] It should be noted that although the present invention has been described through the above embodiments, the present invention may have many other embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, those skilled in the art can obviously make various corresponding changes and modifications to the present invention, but all such changes and modifications should fall within the scope of protection of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An energy storage trailer with self-propelled capability, characterized in that, include: An energy storage trailer has an energy storage battery (8), a controller (9) and trailer wheels for travel, with all trailer wheels traveling in parallel directions. The drive unit (7) includes a bracket, a power transmission mechanism mounted on the bracket, a power output wheel driven by the power transmission mechanism, and a contact control mechanism for driving the power output wheel to contact or disengage from the trailer wheel. The power transmission mechanism and the contact control mechanism are electrically connected to the controller (9) and powered by the energy storage battery (8).

2. The energy storage trailer with self-propelled function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power output wheel is a friction wheel (11), which drives the energy storage trailer by pressing against the trailer wheel and generating friction.

3. The energy storage trailer with self-propelled function according to claim 2, characterized in that: The power transmission mechanism includes a drive motor (10) and a reduction gearbox (12) connected to the output end of the drive motor (10). The output end of the reduction gearbox (12) is fixedly connected to the friction wheel (11). The gearbox (12) slides linearly with the bracket, enabling the friction wheel (11), drive motor (10) and gearbox (12) to move linearly synchronously in the direction of contacting or disengaging from the trailer wheel.

4. The energy storage trailer with self-propelled function according to claim 3, characterized in that: The contact control mechanism is a linear actuator. The fixed end of the linear actuator is connected to the bracket, and the movable end of the linear actuator is connected to the gearbox (12).

5. The energy storage trailer with self-propelled function according to claim 3, characterized in that: The bracket includes a fixed bracket (15), and the gearbox (12) is installed in an elongated hole on the fixed bracket (15) by means of a pin (18), which can slide along the elongated hole.

6. The energy storage trailer with self-propelled function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The energy storage trailer includes a frame (2) and a tow bar (1) connected to the frame (2), the tow bar (1) being able to connect to or disconnect from the tractor.

7. The energy storage trailer with self-propelled function according to claim 5, characterized in that: The bracket includes a mounting bracket (14) fixed to the energy storage trailer, and the lower end of the mounting bracket (14) is connected to the fixed bracket (15) by a U-bolt (17).

8. The energy storage trailer with self-propelled function according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an operation box (16), which is communicatively connected to the controller (9) and is used to send operation instructions to the controller (9).

9. The control method for an energy storage trailer with self-propelled function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The energy storage trailer can switch between external towing and self-propelled modes, wherein the self-propelled mode includes the following steps: The contact control mechanism is controlled by the controller (9) to drive the power output wheel of the drive device (7) to move toward the trailer wheel close to the energy storage trailer, and to make the power output wheel and the trailer wheel make stable frictional contact. The power transmission mechanism is started by the controller (9), which drives the power output wheel to rotate. The friction wheel drives the trailer wheels to rotate, and all the trailer wheels of the energy storage trailer rotate together, so that the energy storage trailer enters the self-propelled state.

10. The control method according to claim 9, characterized in that, Self-propelled states include energy storage trailers traveling in a straight line and energy storage trailers turning while traveling; Energy storage trailer travels in a straight line: the power transmission mechanism of the energy storage trailer is controlled to drive all the trailer wheels to rotate synchronously in the same direction; Steering and walking of the energy storage trailer: Control the power transmission mechanism of the energy storage trailer on the steering side to disengage the power output wheel on that side from the trailer wheel; control the power transmission mechanism of the energy storage trailer on the other side to make the trailer wheel on that side rotate synchronously in the same direction.

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