Vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle includes a pair of side frames (16) and a mounting portion (20) provided on a side of the side frame (16) to which a replaceable battery (13) is detachably mounted. The mounting portion (20) includes a guide rail portion (22) extending in a longitudinal direction of the side frame (16) and supporting the replaceable battery (13) at any position in the longitudinal direction, and a current collector (26) capable of connecting to an electrode of the replaceable battery (13) supported by the guide rail portion (22).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a vehicle having a battery. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2018-167596 discloses a configuration in which multiple batteries are detachably mounted in a storage unit fixed to a vehicle side frame. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The problem to be solved by the present invention In the aforementioned vehicles, multiple batteries can be installed in predetermined locations; however, when the expected driving distance is short, only a portion of the batteries are installed. Installing only a portion of the batteries may alter the vehicle's front-rear weight balance, potentially negatively impacting its driving performance.

[0004] This disclosure focuses on this point, with the aim of mitigating changes in vehicle weight balance when a portion of the battery is installed.

[0005] Problem-solving methods One aspect of this disclosure provides a vehicle including: a pair of chassis frames; and a mounting portion disposed on the side of the chassis frames, to which a replaceable battery is detachably mounted, wherein the mounting portion includes: a guide rail portion extending longitudinally along the chassis frames and configured to support the battery at any position longitudinally; and a current collector capable of connecting to the electrodes of the battery supported by the guide rail portion.

[0006] In addition, the current collector can be installed on the guide rail section.

[0007] In addition, multiple batteries can be mounted on the mounting section, and when a portion of the multiple batteries is mounted, the guide rail section can support the batteries at a position that suppresses changes in the longitudinal weight balance of the vehicle.

[0008] In addition, multiple batteries can be installed on the mounting section, and when all of the multiple batteries are installed, the guide rail section can support the batteries in a position that suppresses changes in the longitudinal weight balance of the vehicle.

[0009] In addition, the guide rail can support multiple batteries at any position in the longitudinal direction, allowing the longitudinal spacing between the multiple batteries to be adjusted.

[0010] In addition, the guide rail can support multiple batteries at any position in the longitudinal direction, allowing the longitudinal spacing between the multiple batteries to be adjusted.

[0011] In addition, the guide rail portion may include a first guide rail portion and a second guide rail portion that are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction at a predetermined interval. The first guide rail portion may support a first roller disposed on the battery in a longitudinally movable manner, and the second guide rail portion may support a second roller disposed on the battery in a longitudinally movable manner.

[0012] In addition, the first rail portion may include a first current collector capable of being connected to the first electrode of the battery, and the second rail portion may include a second current collector capable of being connected to the second electrode of the battery.

[0013] In addition, the vehicle may also include: a fixed part that fixes the longitudinal position of the rollers relative to the guide rail part.

[0014] In addition, the guide rail portion may include a first guide rail portion and a second guide rail portion that are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction by a predetermined interval, and the fixing portion may be located between the first guide rail portion and the second guide rail portion in the vertical direction.

[0015] Effects of the present invention According to this disclosure, changes in vehicle weight balance can be suppressed when a portion of the battery is installed. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle 1 according to one embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the partially replaceable battery 13 is installed in the mounting section 20.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the mounting section 20.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the installation state of the mounting section 20 for the replaceable battery 13.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of installing the replaceable battery 13 into the mounting section 20.

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures 1 vehicle 13 Replaceable batteries 16-sided frame 20 Installation Department 22 Guide rail section 23 First guide rail section 24 Second guide rail section 26 current collectors 27 Episode 1 Electrical Appliances 28 Episode 2 Electrical Appliances 30 Fixed parts Detailed Implementation

[0022] <Vehicle Configuration> Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a vehicle 1 according to one embodiment. Vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle, specifically a battery electric vehicle (BEV). Vehicle 1 operates by using electricity stored in a battery as a power source to drive an electric motor. Here, vehicle 1 is a truck with a frame structure. Figure 1 As shown, vehicle 1 includes a motor 10, a replaceable battery 13, a side frame 16, and a mounting section 20.

[0023] The motor 10 is the drive source that propels the vehicle 1. The motor 10 generates driving force that is transmitted to the wheels 12 of the vehicle 1. The motor 10 generates driving force by receiving power from the replaceable battery 13.

[0024] The replaceable battery 13 is a replaceable battery. The replaceable battery 13 is a rechargeable secondary battery. The replaceable battery 13 is, for example, a lithium-ion battery. The replaceable battery 13 can be charged from an external charger. Replacement of the replaceable battery 13 is, for example, automatically performed by replacement equipment located at a replacement station.

[0025] Side frames 16 are a pair of chassis frames that form the frame supporting vehicle 1. Side frames 16 have a U-shaped cross-section (see...). Figure 4 The side frame 16 extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1. The motor 10 and the replaceable battery 13 are mounted on the side frame 16. Figure 1 In the middle, the replaceable battery 13 is installed on the left side of the side frame 16 in the vehicle width direction. Figure 1 The front side of the vehicle), but in fact, the replaceable battery 13 is also mounted on the right side of the side frame 16 in the vehicle width direction ( Figure 1 (The rear side of the middle).

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the mounting portion 20 is the part where the replaceable battery 13 is detachably mounted. The mounting portion 20 is provided on the side frame 16. The mounting portion 20 is provided on the side of the side frame 16 in an exposed manner, thereby facilitating the removal of the replaceable battery 13 from the mounting portion 20 and the installation of the replaceable battery 13 onto the mounting portion 20. Multiple (two in this case) replaceable batteries 13 can be mounted on the mounting portion 20.

[0027] exist Figure 1 The image only shows the mounting portion 20 on the left side of the upper frame 16 in the vehicle width direction, but in reality, a mounting portion 20 is also provided on the right side of the upper frame 16 in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, four replaceable batteries 13 can be mounted on the vehicle 1 through two mounting portions 20.

[0028] In vehicle 1, the number of replaceable batteries 13 mounted on mounting section 20 can be varied. For example, when the driving distance of vehicle 1 is short, only a portion of the four replaceable batteries 13 (e.g., two or three replaceable batteries 13) can be mounted on mounting section 20. Typically, the front-rear weight balance of vehicle 1 is adjusted assuming all four replaceable batteries 13 are mounted. Therefore, if only a portion of the replaceable batteries 13 are mounted on mounting section 20, the front-rear weight balance of vehicle 1 may change, which could adversely affect the driving of vehicle 1. For example, the load acting on the front axle of vehicle 1 and the load acting on the rear axle of vehicle 1 may differ.

[0029] On the other hand, in vehicle 1 of this embodiment, in order to suppress changes in weight balance when a portion of the replaceable battery 13 is installed onto the mounting portion 20, such as Figure 2 As shown, the replaceable battery 13 can be installed in any position on the mounting section 20.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the state in which a partially replaceable battery 13 is mounted on the mounting section 20. Here, one replaceable battery 13 is mounted on the mounting section 20, which can accommodate two replaceable batteries 13. The mounting position of the replaceable battery 13 in the front-rear direction is such that the front-rear weight balance does not change, and it is in harmony with... Figure 1 The two replaceable batteries 13 shown are mounted in different positions in the front-to-back direction.

[0031] <Detailed Configuration of the Installation Department> Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 Describe the detailed configuration of the installation unit 20.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the mounting section 20. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the installation state of the mounting section 20 for the replaceable battery 13. The mounting section 20 includes a guide rail section 22, a current collector 26, and a fixing section 30.

[0033] The guide rail portion 22 extends along the longitudinal direction of the side frame 16 (in other words, the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1). Specifically, the guide rail portion 22 extends longitudinally on the side of the side frame 16, between the front and rear wheels of the vehicle 1. The guide rail portion 22 supports the replaceable battery 13 at any longitudinal location. Specifically, the guide rail portion 22 supports the replaceable battery 13 at locations that suppress changes in the longitudinal weight balance of the vehicle 1.

[0034] When a single replaceable battery 13 is installed, the guide rail portion 22 supports the replaceable battery 13 at any longitudinal position. As a result, it is easier to adjust the newly installed replaceable battery 13 to any position in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle 1. Specifically, the replacement equipment located at the replacement station can more easily install the replaceable battery 13 to the desired position along the guide rail portion 22.

[0035] The guide rail portion 22 supports rollers disposed in the replaceable battery 13 in a longitudinally movable manner. By allowing the rollers of the replaceable battery 13 to move longitudinally, it is easier to adjust the replaceable battery 13 to any longitudinal position. In particular, by allowing the replaceable battery 13 supported by the guide rail portion 22 to move longitudinally via the rollers, the replacement device can more easily fine-tune the longitudinal position of the replaceable battery 13.

[0036] like Figure 4 As shown, the replaceable battery 13 includes a first roller 41 and a second roller 42. The first roller 41 is rotatably supported by a first support 43. The second roller 42 is rotatably supported by a second support 44. The first support 43 and the second support 44 protrude from the side of the replaceable battery 13. The first support 43 and the second support 44 are spaced apart vertically at a predetermined interval. The first roller 41 is supported by the distal end of the first support 43, and the second roller 42 is supported by the distal end of the second support 44. The first roller 41, the second roller 42, the first support 43, and the second support 44 are made of, for example, metal.

[0037] The guide rail portion 22 includes a first guide rail portion 23 and a second guide rail portion 24 spaced apart vertically at a predetermined interval. The first guide rail portion 23 is located above in the vertical direction, and the second guide rail portion 24 is located below in the vertical direction. The length of the first guide rail portion 23 in the longitudinal direction is the same as the length of the second guide rail portion 24 in the longitudinal direction. The cross-sectional shape of the first guide rail portion 23 is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the second guide rail portion 24, such as... Figure 4 As shown.

[0038] The first guide rail portion 23 supports the first roller 41 disposed in the replaceable battery 13 in a longitudinally movable manner. The second guide rail portion 24 supports the second roller 42 disposed in the replaceable battery 13 in a longitudinally movable manner. By having the first guide rail portion 23 and the second guide rail portion 24 support the first roller 41 and the second roller 42, the replaceable battery 13 can be more easily supported in a stable state. Furthermore, the first roller 41 and the second roller 42 move together in the longitudinal direction, making it easier to adjust the longitudinal position of the replaceable battery 13 without changing its orientation.

[0039] The guide rail section 22 can support multiple replaceable batteries 13 at any longitudinal position. For example, for adjustment Figure 1 The longitudinal spacing between the two replaceable batteries 13 is shown, with the first guide rail portion 23 and the second guide rail portion 24 supporting the two replaceable batteries 13 at any longitudinal position (specifically, at a position that suppresses changes in the longitudinal weight balance of the vehicle 1). As an example, the replacement device can adjust the longitudinal spacing between the two replaceable batteries 13 according to the load state of the vehicle 1 (e.g., the position of the load).

[0040] The current collector 26 is a portion connected to the electrodes of the replaceable battery 13 supported by the guide rail portion 22. Therefore, power can be supplied from the replaceable battery 13 supported by the guide rail portion 22 to the motor 10. The electrodes of the replaceable battery 13 are, for example, provided on the first roller 41 and the second roller 42.

[0041] Current collector 26 is disposed on guide rail portion 22. Specifically, current collector 26 is formed longitudinally on the surface (specifically the inner surface) of guide rail portion 22. Therefore, even when the position of replaceable battery 13 in the longitudinal direction is adjusted along guide rail portion 22, it is easier to connect the electrodes of replaceable battery 13 to current collector 26.

[0042] In this embodiment, the current collector 26 includes a first current collector 27 and a second current collector 28. The first current collector 27 is disposed on the first guide rail portion 23, and the second current collector 28 is disposed on the second guide rail portion 24. The first guide rail portion 23 is connected to the first electrode (e.g., the positive electrode) of the replaceable battery 13, and the second guide rail portion 24 is connected to the second electrode (e.g., the negative electrode) of the replaceable battery 13. The first electrode of the replaceable battery 13 is disposed on the first roller 41, and the second electrode is disposed on the second roller 42. Therefore, even when the position of the replaceable battery 13 is adjusted, the first electrode and the second electrode of the replaceable battery 13 can be properly connected.

[0043] The fixing portion 30 is used to fix the roller of the replaceable battery 13 in a longitudinal position relative to the guide rail portion 22. The fixing portion 30 extends longitudinally on the side of the side frame 16. Specifically, the fixing portion 30 is disposed between the first guide rail portion 23 and the second guide rail portion 24 in the vertical direction. Therefore, even when the first guide rail portion 23 and the second guide rail portion 24 support the replaceable battery 13, it is easier to properly connect the first electrode and the second electrode of the replaceable battery 13 to the first current collector 27 of the first guide rail portion 23 and the second current collector 28 of the second guide rail portion 24.

[0044] The fixing portion 30 secures the longitudinal position of the first roller 41 and the second roller 42 of the replaceable battery 13 by engaging with a connecting portion 46 provided in the replaceable battery 13. The connecting portion 46 is a protrusion extending from the side of the replaceable battery 13. The connecting portion 46 is located between the first support portion 43 and the second support portion 44 in the vertical direction. The connecting portion 46 is movable between a standby position before engagement and an engagement position engaged with the fixing portion 30. The fixing portion 30 is, for example, a recess formed on the side of the side frame 16 and engages with the distal portion of the connecting portion 46 in the engagement position. The recess of the fixing portion 30 is a groove formed along the longitudinal direction of the side frame 16. Therefore, the first roller 41 and the second roller 42 can be easily secured in any longitudinal position.

[0045] Although the guide rail portion 22 includes the first guide rail portion 23 and the second guide rail portion 24 in the above description, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the guide rail portion 22 may include only the first guide rail portion 23, and the first current collector 27 and the second current collector 28 may be disposed on the first guide rail portion 23.

[0046] <Installation process for replaceable batteries> Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the installation of the replaceable battery 13 into the mounting section 20. Here, the installation of the replaceable battery 13 into the mounting section 20 is performed automatically by the replacement device.

[0047] First, the replacement device moves the replaceable battery 13 toward the mounting section 20 (state 200). For example, the replacement device moves the replaceable battery 13 toward the mounting section 20 while supporting it with an arm or the like (not shown). At this time, the replacement device positions the replaceable battery 13 at a desired position (a position with stable weight balance) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1. It should be noted that the desired position is preset according to the number of replaceable batteries 13 to be installed.

[0048] Next, the replacement device inserts the rollers of the replaceable battery 13 into the guide rail portion 22. Specifically, the replacement device inserts the first roller 41 into the first guide rail portion 23 and the second roller 42 into the second guide rail portion 24 (state 210). At this time, the replaceable battery 13 is tilted so that the first roller 41 can be easily inserted into the first guide rail portion 23 and the second roller 42 can be easily inserted into the second guide rail portion 24.

[0049] Next, the replacement device causes the engagement portion 46 of the replaceable battery 13 to protrude, thereby engaging the engagement portion 46 with the fixed portion 30 (state 220). Specifically, by moving the engagement portion 46 from the standby position (position shown in state 210) to the engagement position (position shown in state 220), the replacement device engages the distal portion of the engagement portion 46 with the recess that serves as the fixed portion 30. In this way, the first roller 41 and the second roller 42 do not rotate, and the longitudinal position of the replaceable battery 13 is fixed.

[0050] When the engagement portion 46 engages with the fixing portion 30, the direction of the replaceable battery 13 becomes parallel to the horizontal plane, the first roller 41 is supported by the first guide rail portion 23, and the second roller 42 is supported by the second guide rail portion 24 (state 220). Therefore, the first electrode of the replaceable battery 13 is connected to the first current collector 27 of the first guide rail portion 23, and the second electrode of the replaceable battery 13 is connected to the second current collector 28 of the second guide rail portion 24.

[0051] <Effects of the Example> The vehicle 1 described in the above embodiment includes a mounting section 20 disposed on the side of a side frame 16, to which a replaceable battery 13 is detachably mounted. The mounting section 20 includes a guide rail portion 22 that supports the replaceable battery 13 at any longitudinal position; and a current collector 26 capable of connecting to the electrodes of the replaceable battery 13 supported by the guide rail portion 22. Therefore, the current collector 26 can connect to the electrodes of the replaceable battery 13 when the replaceable battery 13 is positioned in a position where the longitudinal weight balance of the vehicle 1 remains unchanged.

[0052] This disclosure is based on exemplary embodiments. The technical scope of this disclosure is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of this disclosure. For example, all or part of the apparatus may be configured with any functionally or physically distributed or integrated units. Furthermore, new exemplary embodiments resulting from any combination thereof are included in the exemplary embodiments. Moreover, the effects of the new exemplary embodiments resulting from these combinations also have the effects of the original exemplary embodiments.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising: A pair of chassis frames; as well as A mounting section is disposed on the side of the chassis frame, and a replaceable battery is detachably mounted to the mounting section, wherein the mounting section includes: The guide rail portion extends longitudinally along the chassis frame and is configured to support the battery at any location along that longitudinal direction; and The current collector is capable of being connected to the electrodes of the battery supported by the guide rail portion.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The current collector is mounted on the guide rail section.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, Multiple batteries can be mounted on the mounting portion, and When a portion of multiple batteries is installed, the guide rail section supports the battery at a position that suppresses changes in the longitudinal weight balance of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, Multiple batteries can be mounted on the mounting portion, and When all of the multiple batteries are installed, the guide rail section supports the batteries at a position that suppresses changes in the longitudinal weight balance of the vehicle.

5. The vehicle according to claim 4, wherein, The guide rail section supports the plurality of batteries at any position in the longitudinal direction, allowing the longitudinal spacing between the plurality of batteries to be adjusted.

6. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The guide rail section supports the rollers mounted on the battery in a manner that allows for longitudinal movement.

7. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The guide rail portion includes a first guide rail portion and a second guide rail portion that are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction at a predetermined interval. The first guide rail section supports the first roller mounted on the battery in a manner that allows for longitudinal movement, and The second guide rail section supports a second roller mounted on the battery in a manner that allows it to move longitudinally.

8. The vehicle according to claim 7, wherein, The first guide rail portion includes a first current collector capable of being connected to the first electrode of the battery, and The second guide rail portion includes a second current collector that can be connected to the second electrode of the battery.

9. The vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising: The fixed part fixes the position of the roller relative to the guide rail part in the longitudinal direction.

10. The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein, The guide rail portion includes a first guide rail portion and a second guide rail portion that are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction at a predetermined interval, and The fixing part is located between the first guide rail part and the second guide rail part in the vertical direction.

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