Lithium battery underground mine car

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of engineering machinery, and particularly relates to a lithium battery underground mine car. Comprising a front frame and a rear frame which are hinged to each other; the power system comprises a battery pack arranged on the front frame; the hydraulic system comprises a hydraulic power motor fixed on the front frame, a transfer case in transmission connection with the output end of the hydraulic power motor, and a working pump, a steering pump and a brake pump which are simultaneously driven by the transfer case; a transmission system; the cab assembly is fixed on the front frame; and the carriage assembly is hinged on the rear frame and is driven to lift by a lifting oil cylinder. By means of the technical method, the technical problems that an existing lithium battery underground mine car is poor in power integration adaptability, insufficient in safety protection, low in maintenance convenience and poor in working condition adaptability are solved, and the lithium battery underground mine car which is integrated, intelligent and high in adaptability is provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of engineering machinery technology, and in particular relates to a lithium battery underground mining vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] As global mining activities continue to extend into deeper and more geologically complex areas, underground mining transportation equipment faces increasingly stringent technical challenges and environmental requirements. Traditional underground mining trucks have long relied on diesel engines as their power source. While these engines offer advantages such as stable power output and long driving range, their inherent drawbacks are becoming increasingly apparent: First, internal combustion engines produce large amounts of harmful exhaust gases such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which accumulate in underground tunnels with limited ventilation, seriously endangering miners' occupational health and the safety of the production environment. Second, diesel power systems have complex structures, involving multiple precision subsystems such as high-pressure oil circuits, turbochargers, and exhaust aftertreatment systems. Under harsh working conditions of high temperature, high humidity, and pervasive dust, the failure rate increases significantly, requiring frequent underground operations by professional personnel for maintenance, resulting in high spare parts reserves and repair costs.

[0003] Electric mining trucks powered by lithium-ion batteries have significant environmental advantages, achieving zero emissions during underground operations. However, their practical application has revealed a series of shortcomings: First, the output characteristics of lithium battery packs present challenges in energy conversion and matching with traditional hydraulic systems and transmission mechanisms, resulting in sluggish power response and large fluctuations in range. Second, the underground mining environment presents multiple risks such as rockfalls, water seepage, and gas accumulation. Existing lithium-ion mining trucks lack targeted protection in areas such as battery pack explosion-proof design, high-voltage insulation protection, and thermal runaway warning, posing significant safety hazards. Third, the battery packs are bulky and have a fixed shape, making it difficult to adapt to the confined space and extremely small turning radius of underground tunnels, severely reducing the effective cargo capacity.

[0004] In addition, existing models have failed to fully consider the ergonomic requirements of underground operations during the design phase: the cab space is cramped, the blind spots are large, and the structure of the cab is not optimally matched with the cross-section of narrow tunnels, resulting in low loading and unloading efficiency, increased driver fatigue, and seriously restricting the overall efficiency and safety level of mining operations. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems in the existing technology, the present invention provides a lithium battery underground mining vehicle, which is an integrated, intelligent, and highly adaptable lithium battery underground mining vehicle.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution provided by the present invention is as follows: This invention provides a lithium battery underground mining vehicle, comprising: The chassis assembly includes a front frame and a rear frame that are articulated together. The powertrain includes a battery pack mounted on the front frame; The hydraulic system includes a hydraulic power motor fixed on the front frame, a transfer case that is driven by the output end of the hydraulic power motor, and a working pump, a steering pump and a brake pump that are driven by the transfer case simultaneously; the working pump is connected to the working hydraulic system, the steering pump is connected to the steering hydraulic system, and the brake pump is connected to the brake hydraulic system. The transmission system includes a front drive motor and a rear drive motor for driving the vehicle, and the output ends of the front drive motor and the rear drive motor are respectively connected to the front drive axle and the rear drive axle via drive shafts. The cab assembly is fixed to the front frame; The carriage assembly is hinged to the rear frame and lifted by a lifting cylinder.

[0007] Optionally, the battery pack integrates a high-voltage distribution box, a liquid cooling / heating device for regulating battery temperature, and a fire-fighting device.

[0008] Optionally, the battery pack is hoisted and fixed to the front frame, and the electrical interface of the battery pack is a quick-connect structure.

[0009] Optionally, the hinge joint between the front frame and the rear frame is provided with two vertically arranged hinge pins, wherein the upper hinge point is the tight hinge point and the lower hinge point is the loose hinge point; heat-treated steel sleeves are inlaid in the hinge plate holes of both the front frame and the rear frame.

[0010] Optionally, it also includes a swing bracket, the front drive axle being connected to the front frame via the swing bracket and a pin, the swing bracket being used to drive the front drive axle to swing.

[0011] Optionally, in the hydraulic system: The working pump is connected to the hydraulic system to form an independently powered quantitative working hydraulic system; The steering pump is connected to the oil inlet of the electronic steering valve, and the electronic control handle is electrically connected to the electronic steering valve and the hydraulic power motor respectively, so as to synchronously control the speed of the hydraulic power motor when the electronic control handle is operated to turn. The brake pump is connected to the brake hydraulic system, forming a variable brake hydraulic system with service brake, parking brake and manual emergency brake functions.

[0012] Optionally, both the front drive motor and the rear drive motor are configured to switch to generator mode when the vehicle is going downhill or braking, converting kinetic energy into electrical energy and recharging it back to the battery pack through an energy recovery circuit. The transmission system also includes a braking resistor module, which is connected in series with the energy recovery circuit; The braking resistor module is configured to connect to the circuit when the current or voltage in the energy recovery circuit exceeds a preset threshold, thereby converting excess electrical energy into heat energy for consumption.

[0013] Optionally, the front and rear axles integrate reverse wet brakes for providing service and parking braking.

[0014] Optionally, the heat dissipation system includes a cooling fan, which can automatically adjust its speed and automatically backflush to remove dust according to the temperature.

[0015] Optionally, the frame assembly has at least one traction point at both the front and rear.

[0016] Optionally, it also includes an electrical system, which includes a controller electrically connected to the battery pack, the front drive motor, the rear drive motor, and the hydraulic system, for adjusting the operation of each actuator according to vehicle status information.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: The hydraulic system of this invention uses a single motor and a transfer case to simultaneously drive the working pump, steering pump and brake pump, reducing the number of motors and hydraulic lines, resulting in a compact layout. The battery pack integrates a high-voltage distribution box, liquid cooling and heating devices and fire-fighting devices. When swapping batteries, only the electrical interface needs to be plugged and unplugged, without the need to connect heat dissipation pipes, which improves the utilization rate of downhole space and the convenience of maintenance.

[0018] The transmission system integrates energy recovery, converting kinetic energy into electrical energy to recharge the battery during downhill driving or braking, reducing energy consumption and increasing range. The energy recovery circuit has a series braking resistor module that automatically connects to consume excess power when the recovery power is too high, protecting the battery and electrical components from impact and improving system safety.

[0019] The battery pack has a built-in fire suppression system that can actively extinguish fires in the early stages of thermal runaway; the front and rear axles integrate reverse wet brakes, which have good heat dissipation and high wear resistance, and can work in conjunction with the motor brakes when descending long slopes; the cooling fan can automatically adjust its speed according to the temperature and reverse to remove dust after a preset time to prevent a decrease in heat dissipation efficiency. The above design provides systematic safety assurance for underground working conditions with high dust and long slopes.

[0020] In this invention, the electric control handle simultaneously controls the steering valve and the speed of the hydraulic power motor, resulting in no steering response delay. When not steering, the motor automatically reduces speed to reduce energy consumption. The front and rear axles are directly driven by independent travel motors, eliminating the need for a gearbox, which improves transmission efficiency. Furthermore, the vehicle can still travel at low speeds even if a single motor fails, thus improving operational efficiency and reliability. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application 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 this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a front view of the lithium battery underground mining vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a top view of the lithium battery underground mining vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a bottom view of the lithium battery underground mining vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Cooling system; 2. Front frame; 3. Cab assembly; 4. Front drive axle; 5. Electrical components; 6. Cargo box; 7. Rear frame; 8. Lifting cylinder; 9. Cargo box assembly; 10. Battery pack; 11. Hydraulic power motor; 12. Brake pump; 13. Hydraulic oil tank; 14. Swing frame; 15. Front drive motor; 16. Rear drive motor; 17. Rear drive axle. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit this application or its application or use.

[0024] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0025] The following detailed description of some embodiments of the present invention is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.

[0026] Example 1

[0027] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this embodiment provides a lithium battery underground mining vehicle, including a frame assembly, a power system, a hydraulic system, a transmission system, a cover assembly, an electrical system, a cargo box assembly, a cab assembly, and a centralized lubrication module. Each module is integrated and assembled into the frame assembly to form a vehicle structure suitable for underground confined spaces, humid and dusty conditions, and frequent slopes.

[0028] The frame assembly includes a front frame 2 and a rear frame 7, which are connected by a hinge device, specifically two vertically arranged hinge pins, with the upper hinge point being the tight hinge point and the lower hinge point being the loose hinge point. Heat-treated steel sleeves are inlaid in the hinge plate holes of both the front frame 2 and the rear frame 7 to improve strength and reduce contact pressure.

[0029] The front frame 2 is connected to the front drive axle 4 at its bottom via a swing bracket 14 and a pin shaft, allowing the front drive axle 4 to swing ±7° relative to the front frame 2, ensuring good ground contact for the wheels on rough roads. The vehicle has three towing points (left, center, and right) at the front and rear, with the front lifting point located in the center of the front frame 2, facilitating vehicle rescue and hoisting in confined spaces.

[0030] In this embodiment, the power system uses battery pack 10 as the core power source, which is hoisted and fixed to the front right side of the front frame 2. Battery pack 10 integrates a high-voltage distribution box, a liquid cooling / heating device for regulating battery temperature, and a fire-fighting device. The high-voltage distribution box is responsible for power distribution, overcurrent protection, and insulation monitoring; the liquid cooling / heating device keeps the battery operating within its optimal temperature range; the fire-fighting device includes a temperature sensor, a smoke detector, and a fire extinguishing medium release unit, which can automatically trigger fire suppression in the early stages of thermal runaway. The electrical interface of battery pack 10 is a quick-connect structure; during battery replacement, only the electrical interface needs to be plugged and unplugged, eliminating the need for complex heat dissipation piping connections.

[0031] The cab assembly 3 is fixed to the left side of the front frame 2. The design fully considers the ergonomic requirements of underground operations, optimizing visibility and ease of operation.

[0032] The hydraulic system includes a hydraulic power motor 11 fixed inside the rear side of the front frame 2, a transfer case connected to the output end of the hydraulic power motor 11, and a working pump, a steering pump, and a brake pump 12 simultaneously driven by the transfer case. The working pump is connected to the working hydraulic system and supplies oil to the lifting cylinder 8 and other working devices; the steering pump is connected to the steering hydraulic system and supplies oil to the steering system; the brake pump is connected to the brake hydraulic system and supplies oil to the braking system. A hydraulic oil tank 13 is fixed to the rear right side of the front frame 2, and a housing 6 for storing accumulators and other hydraulic components is fixed to the rear left side. Electrical components 5, such as a PDU, are arranged on the front frame above the front wheels.

[0033] The transmission system includes a front drive motor 15 and a rear drive motor 16. The front drive motor 15 is located at the lower rear end of the front frame 2, and its output end is connected to the front drive axle 4 via a drive shaft. The rear drive motor 16 is located in the lower middle part of the body assembly 9, and its output end is connected to the rear drive axle 17 via a drive shaft. This technical approach eliminates the need for a gearbox, which not only reduces costs and saves space but also improves transmission efficiency.

[0034] The cargo box assembly 9 is mounted on top of the rear frame 7, and its rear end is hinged to the rear frame 7. The left and right ends of the front part of the rear frame 7 are connected to the lifting cylinder 8 through lifting pins. The other end of the lifting cylinder 8 is connected to the cargo box assembly 9, which is used to drive the cargo box to lift and unload.

[0035] In this embodiment, electrical components are connected by electrical lines, and hydraulic components are connected by hydraulic pipelines, forming a fully functional whole.

[0036] Example 2

[0037] This embodiment also includes a cooling system 1, which is located at the front of the cab assembly 3 and fixed to the foremost end of the front frame 2. This location allows for full utilization of the oncoming airflow during driving to enhance natural cooling while preventing hot air from baking the driver. The cooling system 1 uses a cooling fan that can automatically adjust its speed and automatically backflush to remove dust based on the temperature.

[0038] In this embodiment, the working pump is a fixed displacement pump, forming an independently powered fixed displacement hydraulic system. During operation, the working pump supplies oil at a constant displacement, and controls the movement of actuators such as the lifting cylinder 8 through a multi-way valve.

[0039] The front axle 4 and the rear axle 17 integrate reverse wet brakes for providing service braking and parking braking.

[0040] In this embodiment, the steering pump is connected to the oil inlet of the electronic steering valve. The electronic steering valve is an electromagnetic proportional valve, and its electromagnetic coil is electrically connected to the electronic steering handle, which can directly receive the steering control signal output by the handle. The electronic steering handle is also electrically connected to the controller of the hydraulic power motor 11. When the driver operates the electronic steering handle, the handle outputs two signals simultaneously: one signal is transmitted to the electromagnetic coil of the electronic steering valve to control the opening and reversing of the valve core, thereby determining the oil supply direction and flow rate of the steering cylinder; the other signal is transmitted to the controller of the hydraulic power motor 11 as a given command for the motor speed, realizing the synchronous linkage between the steering speed and the motor speed.

[0041] In this invention, the brake pump is a variable pump, forming a variable brake hydraulic system with service brake, parking brake and manual emergency brake functions.

[0042] In another possible embodiment, both the forward drive motor 15 and the rear drive motor 16 can operate in electric motor mode and generator mode, respectively.

[0043] When the vehicle controller detects that the vehicle is coasting downhill or the driver has pressed the brake pedal, the controller sends a switching command to the drive motors (front drive motor 15 and rear drive motor 16) to switch the motors from electric motor mode to generator mode. The inertia of the wheels drives the motor rotor to rotate, and the motor converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, which is then used to charge the battery pack 10 (lithium battery pack) through the energy recovery circuit.

[0044] To prevent excessive regenerative braking power from overloading and damaging the lithium battery pack or electrical components, a braking resistor module is connected in series in the energy recovery circuit. This braking resistor module is connected to the vehicle controller. The controller monitors the current and voltage in the energy recovery circuit in real time. When the monitored values ​​exceed a preset threshold, the controller activates the braking resistor to convert excess electrical energy into heat energy, thereby stabilizing the circuit voltage and current. When the regenerative braking power drops back to a safe range, the controller disconnects the braking resistor from the circuit.

[0045] Through the above design, the vehicle can achieve continuous energy recovery under long downhill conditions, extending its driving range. The addition of the braking resistor module ensures the safety of the electrical system, preventing excessive charging current from impacting the battery management system and lithium battery pack.

[0046] This invention provides a lithium battery-powered underground mining vehicle that achieves zero-emission operation, high space utilization, high safety, and high adaptability to various working conditions by highly integrating power, hydraulic, transmission, and electrical systems onto an articulated frame. Its hydraulic system uses a centralized permanent magnet synchronous motor for drive, the transmission system uses dual motors to independently drive the front and rear axles, and the power system uses an integrated, quickly swappable battery pack. It is particularly suitable for ore transportation operations in underground mines, possessing significant industrial practical value and broad application prospects.

[0047] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0048] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of this application. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the technical principles of this application, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A lithium battery-powered underground mining vehicle, characterized in that, include: The chassis assembly includes a front frame and a rear frame that are articulated together. The powertrain includes a battery pack mounted on the front frame; The hydraulic system includes a hydraulic power motor fixed on the front frame, a transfer case that is driven by the output end of the hydraulic power motor, and a working pump, a steering pump and a brake pump that are driven by the transfer case simultaneously; the working pump is connected to the working hydraulic system, the steering pump is connected to the steering hydraulic system, and the brake pump is connected to the brake hydraulic system. The transmission system includes a front drive motor and a rear drive motor for driving the vehicle, and the output ends of the front drive motor and the rear drive motor are respectively connected to the front drive axle and the rear drive axle via drive shafts. The cab assembly is fixed to the front frame; The carriage assembly is hinged to the rear frame and lifted by a lifting cylinder.

2. The lithium battery underground mining vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The battery pack integrates a high-voltage distribution box, a liquid cooling and heating device for regulating battery temperature, and a fire-fighting device.

3. The lithium battery underground mining vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that, The battery pack is hoisted and fixed to the front frame, and the electrical interface of the battery pack is a quick-connect structure.

4. The lithium battery underground mining vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hinge joint between the front frame and the rear frame is provided with two vertically arranged hinge pins, with the upper hinge point being the tight hinge point and the lower hinge point being the loose hinge point; heat-treated steel sleeves are inlaid in the hinge plate holes of both the front frame and the rear frame.

5. The lithium battery underground mining vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a swing arm, and the front drive axle is connected to the front frame via the swing arm and a pin.

6. The lithium battery underground mining vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the hydraulic system: The steering pump is connected to the oil inlet of the electronic steering valve, and the electronic control handle is electrically connected to the electronic steering valve and the hydraulic power motor respectively. When the electronic control handle is operated to turn, the speed of the hydraulic power motor is controlled synchronously.

7. The lithium battery underground mining vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front and rear axles integrate reverse wet brakes for providing service and parking brakes; and / or, also include a cooling system comprising a cooling fan that can automatically adjust its speed and automatically backflush to remove dust based on temperature.

8. The lithium battery underground mining vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the front drive motor and the rear drive motor are configured to switch to generator mode when the vehicle is going downhill or braking, converting kinetic energy into electrical energy and then recharging it back to the battery pack through the energy recovery circuit. The transmission system also includes a braking resistor module, which is connected in series with the energy recovery circuit; The braking resistor module is configured to connect to the circuit when the current or voltage in the energy recovery circuit exceeds a preset threshold, thereby converting excess electrical energy into heat energy for consumption.

9. The lithium battery underground mining vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frame assembly is provided with at least one traction point at both the front and rear.

10. The lithium battery underground mining vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, It also includes an electrical system, which includes a controller that is electrically connected to the battery pack, the front drive motor, the rear drive motor and the hydraulic system, and is used to regulate the operation of each actuator according to the vehicle status information.

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