Vehicle with an on-board electrical system

Abstract

Vehicle (1) with an electrical system (2) which provides a voltage between 30 V and 60 V, wherein the electrical system (2) comprises a generator (4), an energy storage device (7) and a belt drive (5), wherein the generator (4) is coupled to the belt drive (5) with a drive unit (3) of the vehicle (1) with which the vehicle (1) is driven, wherein the electrical system (2) has an output (8) at which the voltage (6) of the electrical system (2) is provided for external components (9) of the vehicle (1) and / or external components (10), wherein the output (8) has terminals and / or a plug connector, and the vehicle's external component (9) (1) directly taps the voltage of the vehicle's electrical system (2) at the output (8), wherein the vehicle's external component (9) (1) is a DC-AC converter (11) to which the vehicle's external component (10) can be connected, characterized by the fact that three-phase current is provided by the DC-AC converter (11) for the connectable vehicle-external component (10), wherein the vehicle-external component (10) is a drill, a welding machine (6a), a winch (15), a loading crane (14) or a lifting spindle (13), an electric motor (12) is directly connected to the output (8) as a further external component (9) of the vehicle (1), wherein a separate further external component (9) of the vehicle (1) is connected to the electric motor (12) and can be driven / supplied with energy by the electric motor (12), wherein the further external component (9) is a refrigeration machine (17) or a hydraulic pump (18) or a liftgate (19).

Description

[0001] One aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle with an on-board electrical system that provides a voltage between 30 V and 60 V.

[0002] German patent DE 10 2016 217 036 A1 describes an emergency vehicle, in particular a fire engine, with an electrical system for supplying electrical consumers on board the vehicle. For this purpose, the electrical system includes at least one low-voltage generator for generating a low voltage in the range of 30 V to 60 V. It is also described that an intermediate gearbox is connected between the power take-off and the low-voltage generator, to which at least one further output element, for example a fire pump, in particular a centrifugal fire pump, is coupled or can be coupled. Furthermore, it is also described that an electric pump drive can also be connected to the vehicle's electrical system as an electrical consumer.

[0003] US Patent 2007 / 0200428 A1 describes a hybrid vehicle with an integrated generator for external loads. The hybrid vehicle has an internal combustion engine coupled to a starter motor-generator, which is coupled to the vehicle's transmission. The starter motor-generator is coupled to a high-voltage battery pack via an inverter with a power output to provide power externally to the vehicle. When external loads need to be driven, the control unit can automatically place the vehicle in park or, alternatively, activate an electric parking brake to hold the vehicle stationary.

[0004] US patent 7 057 376 B2 discloses an energy management system for a vehicle. A similar system is known from US patent 2019 / 0 389 406 A1.

[0005] A converter system for a vehicle is known from US patent 2009 / 0315393A1.

[0006] The vehicles in question are capable of providing electrical power by means of a generator driven by the combustion engine. However, the described devices are limited with regard to supplying electrical consumers while driving. Furthermore, when using an electric generator provided by the vehicle's hybrid drive, it is only intended that this generator can provide electrical power via one output when the vehicle is stationary.

[0007] The invention is based on the objective of creating a vehicle in which the vehicle's on-board electrical system, which can provide a voltage between 30 V and 60 V, can be used in an improved manner.

[0008] The problem is solved by the vehicle according to the independent patent claim.

[0009] Advantageous further developments of the invention are described by the dependent patent claims, the following description and the figure.

[0010] One aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle with an electrical system that provides a voltage between 30 V and 60 V. The electrical system comprises a generator, an energy storage device, and a belt drive, wherein the generator is coupled to the belt drive and to a drive unit of the vehicle, which drives the vehicle or is configured to drive the vehicle. The electrical system has an output at which the voltage of the electrical system is provided for external components of the vehicle and / or external components, wherein the output has terminals and / or a plug connector.

[0011] The vehicle provides electrical energy via a mechanically driven generator. The generator can be driven by the engine via a belt drive. This allows the generator to supply electrical energy to the vehicle's electrical system even while driving. Such electrical systems are particularly reliable and stable, enabling the supply of voltage to external components as well. This allows for more flexible and situation-specific use of the vehicle's electrical system. It can supply voltage both internally and externally in a variety of situations. Therefore, the vehicle's electrical system voltage can be supplied to external components in a wide range of ways.

[0012] The use of a generator coupled to the drive unit via a belt drive also allows for a compact drive unit design. Modern vehicles already feature a hybrid drive. This hybrid drive provides the vehicle with both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The electric motor can be used as a starter-generator to start the internal combustion engine, but also to propel the vehicle using recovered electrical energy. This occurs during a so-called recuperation phase. Furthermore, the electric motor can also be used as a generator to produce electrical energy from braking energy or the drive energy of the internal combustion engine.

[0013] This electrical energy can power an on-board electrical system with an energy storage device, which in turn provides energy for electrical components. The vehicle has an on-board electrical system that provides a voltage between 30 V and 60 V. This voltage is considered low voltage. This low voltage can be generated by a generator. This voltage, or the energy it generates, can then be used to power an energy storage device. The generator is coupled to the drive unit via a belt. Preferably, the generator is a belt-driven starter generator. In particular, the generator, the belt drive, and the drive unit can be part of a hybrid drive system for the vehicle. The generator can thus be operated as an electric motor to start the drive unit via the belt drive.The generator can also function as an electric motor to propel the vehicle. Furthermore, the generator can recover energy during braking. Preferably, the generator can also be driven by the drive unit and generate electrical power.

[0014] When the generator delivers electrical power, this power can be used to charge the energy storage system via the vehicle's electrical system. The energy storage system can then provide this electrical power as a voltage via its output. External components and / or vehicle-integrated components can be connected to this output. External components can be components that draw power from the vehicle's electrical system. Specifically, external components are not part of the vehicle's electrical system itself, but they can draw power from it and may be part of the vehicle. Vehicle-integrated components, on the other hand, are not part of the vehicle but can be connected to the vehicle's electrical system via the output. In particular, unlike vehicle-integrated components, external components can be permanently connected to the vehicle's electrical system via wiring.The use of low voltage allows for easy connection of the components to be operated via terminal blocks and / or plug connectors.

[0015] For example, it may be designed so that at the start of vehicle operation, the generator, used as an electric motor, starts the drive unit. Once started, it may drive the generator to produce electrical power. This electrical power can be drawn directly from the generator or via an energy storage device by electrical consumers. These electrical consumers can be components external to the vehicle's electrical system, such as interior lighting. Alternatively, they can be external components, such as a refrigeration unit used in commercial vehicles. In this case, the compressor required for the operation of the refrigeration unit can be powered by the vehicle's electrical system.

[0016] The plan is for an external component of the vehicle's electrical system to directly tap the voltage from the vehicle's electrical system at its output. Therefore, no further intermediate component is required.

[0017] By tapping the voltage of the vehicle's electrical system at the output, the advantage arises that a simpler and more uniform design of the electrical network in the vehicle can be achieved.

[0018] An advantageous embodiment provides that an external component of the vehicle's electrical system is a DC-AC converter to which an external component can be connected.

[0019] It is planned that a DC-AC converter will be installed in the vehicle. This converter can be capable of generating an AC voltage from the supplied voltage, which is preferably a DC voltage. In particular, the DC-AC converter can have an external output connection. This allows the operation of connectable devices that require an AC voltage.

[0020] This offers the advantage that the energy provided by the vehicle's electrical system can be converted into an alternating voltage, so that external vehicle components that require an alternating voltage for operation can be powered.

[0021] According to the invention, three-phase current can be provided at the output of the vehicle electrical system. In particular, three-phase current can be provided for the connectable external vehicle component by means of a DC-AC converter.

[0022] Three-phase current is a three-phase alternating current. It is defined as multi-current alternating current consisting of three individual alternating currents or voltages of the same frequency, whose phase angles are fixed at 120 degrees relative to each other. For example, the three-phase current can be supplied by a suitable DC-AC converter. Specifically, the DC-AC converter can provide an output specific to three-phase current. Alternatively, the generator can function as a DC-AC converter. In particular, the generator, driven by the drive unit, can supply three-phase current that is directly drawn by the vehicle's external component.

[0023] This results in an advantage over a single-phase alternating or direct current system: in a three-phase system, the material required for electrical conductors is reduced for the same electrical power output. Furthermore, three-phase AC / DC converters can be manufactured with a smaller core cross-section than single-phase converters of the same power rating.

[0024] For example, three-phase current can provide higher power to an electrical appliance. In particular, this can enable the connection of tools requiring power, such as a welding machine or an electric motor. Specifically, for the provision of high power, it may be possible to draw energy directly from the generator. This can, on the one hand, avoid the conversion of direct current to alternating current or three-phase alternating current, and on the other hand, allow for higher power outputs than those obtainable from the low voltage of the vehicle's electrical system.

[0025] It is intended that an external vehicle component is a tool, in particular a drill, a welding machine, a winch, a loading crane or a lifting spindle.

[0026] This offers the advantage that no external generator is needed to power tools. This is particularly beneficial for tradespeople's vehicles or camper vans.

[0027] An advantageous embodiment provides that the voltage at the output is available while the vehicle is in motion, so that an external component of the vehicle can be supplied with energy from the vehicle's electrical system. The generator can also be driven by the drive unit while the vehicle is in motion. The power supplied can then charge the energy storage device during operation. The external component can either be powered by energy from the energy storage device, which can be charged by the generator, or it can be directly powered by the energy supplied by the generator.

[0028] This offers the advantage that even during operation of the vehicle, i.e., when the vehicle's drive unit is started and while moving, the low voltage can be provided to operate the external component.

[0029] An advantageous embodiment provides that the voltage at the output is available when the vehicle is stationary, so that an external component can be connected to the output and supplied with energy from the vehicle's electrical system when the vehicle is stationary.

[0030] It can be provided that energy is supplied to operate external components even when the vehicle is stationary. This energy can be supplied by the generator, which is also driven by the drive unit when the vehicle is stationary. Preferably, the energy is supplied by the energy storage device when the vehicle is stationary. The supplied energy can then be used to operate the external components. Preferably, or alternatively, the external component can also be connected to the output and supplied with energy. This component does not move when the vehicle is stationary. A drive unit, such as an internal combustion engine, is switched off.

[0031] This offers the advantage that even when the vehicle is stationary, external and external electrical components can be supplied with energy at voltages between 30V and 60V. The vehicle can then be used as a power source.

[0032] For example, it may be provided that an electrical device is connected to the output when the vehicle is stationary. In particular, external components may be electrical devices that are not normally used while the vehicle is in operation. For example, it may be provided that a drill is connected when the vehicle is stationary.

[0033] One advantageous embodiment provides that the DC-AC converter supplies a voltage of 230 V for the connectable external vehicle component.

[0034] This offers the advantage that components designed for operation in the mains supply, i.e. for 230 V, can be operated using the energy provided by the vehicle's electrical system.

[0035] It is intended that an electric motor, as an external component of the vehicle, is directly connected to the output, with a separate additional external component of the vehicle being connected to the electric motor and being powered by the electric motor.

[0036] It is possible for an electric motor to be connected to the vehicle's electrical system as an external component. The electric motor can convert electrical energy supplied by the electrical system into mechanical energy. If mechanical loads are to be connected to the electrical system, this can only be done indirectly. This requires a conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy.

[0037] This offers the advantage that mechanical consumers that can be driven exclusively or preferably mechanically can be operated with energy from the vehicle's electrical system.

[0038] For example, a mechanical drive can be used to power consumers that require high power. Alternatively, an electric motor can provide mechanical energy that can be used by multiple mechanical consumers. For instance, a loading crane mounted on a vehicle can draw electrical power directly from the vehicle's electrical system and also utilize the mechanical energy provided by the electric motor to rotate the crane.

[0039] It is planned that the other external component will be a refrigeration unit, a hydraulic pump, or a motor-driven swiveling tail lift.

[0040] This offers the advantage that the external component, which requires higher power, can be mechanically driven by the electric motor.

[0041] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments.

[0042] An embodiment of the invention is described below. The following is shown: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a vehicle with an on-board electrical system, an external component and a vehicle-external component; and Fig. 2 a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle electrical system with different components external to the vehicle electrical system and / or external to the vehicle,

[0043] The embodiment described below is a preferred embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the described components each represent individual features of the invention that can be considered independently of one another. Each of these features further develops the invention independently and can therefore be considered part of the invention individually or in a combination other than that shown. Furthermore, the described embodiment can also be supplemented by other features of the invention already described.

[0044] In the figures, functionally identical elements are each provided with the same reference symbols.

[0045] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a vehicle 1 with an electrical system 2. The vehicle 1 can be a motor vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle. For example, it can be a tradesman's vehicle or a camper van. It can also be another special-purpose vehicle, such as a refrigerated van. The electrical system 2 is in particular a 48 V electrical system. The electrical system 2 includes, among other things, a drive unit 3 and a generator 4, which can be connected to the drive unit 3 by a belt drive 5 of the electrical system 2. In particular, the drive unit 3, the generator 4, and the belt drive 5 can be part of a hybrid drive system of the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 can therefore, in particular, have an electric drive and another drive unit, in particular an internal combustion engine. The generator 4 can provide electrical energy in the form of a DC voltage for the electrical system 2. In particular, the generator 4 can charge an energy storage device 7 of the electrical system 2.The energy storage device 7 can supply the stored energy to an external component 9. In particular, the energy of the energy storage device 7 can be supplied to external components 10 via an output 8 of the vehicle electrical system 2. Additionally or alternatively, a DC-AC converter 11 can be provided between the energy storage device 7 and the output 8, so that an alternating voltage can be made available via the output 8.

[0046] For example, the generator 4 can be configured as part of a hybrid drive system. On the one hand, the generator 4 can be driven by the combustion engine 3 via a belt drive 5; on the other hand, it can also be configured to supply the recovered energy during regenerative braking to the vehicle's electrical system 2 in the form of electrical energy. In particular, it can also be configured to supply the electrical energy directly to an electrical load. This is especially advantageous if the electrical load is to be operated with a high power consumption. Specifically, the generator 4 can supply three-phase alternating current to an electrical load. The electrical voltage 6 generated by the generator 4 can be direct current or alternating current. Preferably, the generator 4 provides alternating current. This alternating current can be converted by a transformer, here in the form of a transformer. Fig. The DC voltage (not shown) can be rectified. This DC voltage can be used to charge an electrical energy storage device 7. The energy storage device 7 may be equipped with a control unit (not shown) for regulating its state of charge. This control unit can regulate the power supplied by the generator 4. The voltage 6 supplied by the energy storage device 7 can be a low voltage, preferably in the range of 30 V to 60 V. This low voltage can be supplied to at least one external component 9. The external component 9 can be a lighting device for the interior of the vehicle 1 or another electrical consumer.

[0047] Furthermore, the energy provided by the energy storage device 7 can also be transferred to an output 8 of the vehicle electrical system 2. The energy storage device 7 can provide the electrical energy directly to the output 8. Alternatively, a DC-AC converter 11 can be connected between the energy storage device 7 and the output 8 to generate an AC voltage from the DC voltage. This AC voltage can preferably be 230 V. The DC voltage and / or the AC voltage can be transferred via the output 8 to the vehicle-external component 10 if such a component 10 is connected to it. The vehicle-external component 10 can be, for example, a tool such as a welding machine, a loading crane, or a drill.

[0048] It is also possible to connect an electric motor 12 to the energy storage device 7 as an external component 9. The electric motor 12 can then provide mechanical energy for another external component 9. This mechanical energy can, for example, be transferred to a refrigeration unit 17, a hydraulic pump 18, or a loading platform 19.

[0049] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an on-board electrical system 2 installed in a vehicle 1, with connection options for components. The drive unit 3 can drive a generator 4, which can directly supply energy in the form of three-phase alternating current 16 to, for example, a welding machine 16a. The generator 4 can also transfer electrical energy to an energy storage device 7. This can provide an electrical voltage 6 to an output 8. External components 9 and external components 10, for example, can be directly connected to the output 8 as electrical consumers.

[0050] For example, it may be provided that, as an alternative to the one in Fig.In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the DC-AC converter 11 is connected to output 8, thus providing an alternating voltage. Furthermore, a lifting spindle 13, a loading crane 14, and / or a winch 15 can be connected to output 8. These components are examples of external vehicle or external electrical system components.

[0051] Output 8 can also provide electrical energy for an electric motor 12. The electric motor 12 can drive mechanical devices. For example, the electric motor 12 can drive one or more electrical devices individually or simultaneously. In particular, the electric motor 12 can drive a refrigeration unit 17, a hydraulic pump 18, and / or a liftgate 19. These are also examples of components external to the vehicle or external to the vehicle's electrical system.

[0052] Vehicles, especially commercial vehicles, often require additional electrical loads, such as a refrigeration unit. These loads typically need to be retrofitted to the vehicle using a power take-off (PTO). This retrofitting requires additional installation space, and the power output of the belt drive would be insufficient for the refrigeration unit. Using a 48 V electrical system allows for the necessary power supply to power electrical and / or mechanical loads. This supply can be provided, for example, via a plug connection or terminals, particularly at a 48 V output. Furthermore, a control unit can be provided to regulate the power demand between the loads and the vehicle electronics. This allows for the standardized design of engine components and PTOs.Furthermore, the 48 V electrical system can be provided with an energy storage device 7, which supplies energy to the consumers even when the vehicle or drive unit is stationary, in particular when the combustion engine is switched off. Intelligent control, for example, the use of a recuperation phase when decelerating the vehicle 1, enables an energy-saving and thus CO2-optimized operating strategy. Reference symbol list 1 vehicle 2 On-board electrical system 3 Drive unit 4 Generator 5 Belt drive 6 electrical voltage 7 Energy storage 8 Exit 9 external component 10 vehicle-external components 11 DC-AC converters 12 Electric motor 13 Lifting spindle 14 loading crane 15 winch 16 three-phase current 16a Welding machine 17 Refrigeration machine 18 Hydraulic pump 19 Tail lift

Claims

[1] Vehicle (1) with an electrical system (2) which provides a voltage between 30 V and 60 V, wherein the electrical system (2) comprises a generator (4), an energy storage device (7) and a belt drive (5), wherein the generator (4) is coupled to the belt drive (5) to a drive unit (3) of the vehicle (1) with which the vehicle (1) is driven, wherein the electrical system (2) has an output (8) at which the voltage (6) of the electrical system (2) is provided for external components (9) of the vehicle (1) and / or external components (10), wherein the output (8) has terminals and / or a plug connector, and the vehicle's external component (9) (1) directly taps the voltage of the vehicle's electrical system (2) at the output (8), wherein the vehicle's external component (9) (1) is a DC-AC converter (11) to which the vehicle's external component (10) can be connected, characterized by , that three-phase current is provided by the DC-AC converter (11) for the connectable vehicle-external component (10), wherein the vehicle-external component (10) is a drill, a welding machine (6a), a winch (15), a loading crane (14) or a lifting spindle (13), an electric motor (12) is directly connected to the output (8) as a further external component (9) of the vehicle (1), wherein a separate further external component (9) of the vehicle (1) is connected to the electric motor (12) and can be driven / supplied with energy by the electric motor (12), wherein the further external component (9) is a refrigeration machine (17) or a hydraulic pump (18) or a liftgate (19). [2] Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the voltage at the output (8) is provided during the driving operation of the vehicle (1), so that during driving operation the on-board network external component (9) of the vehicle (1) can be supplied with energy from the on-board network (2). [3] Vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the voltage at the output (8) is provided when the vehicle (1) is stationary, so that when stationary the vehicle-external component (10) can be connected to the output (8) and supplied with energy from the vehicle electrical system (2).

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