People Mover

Abstract

Rail-free, electrically powered people mover (1) having the following features: 1.1. A self-supporting cabin structure (2) with a low-floor area (7) between an electric-motorized front axle arrangement (3) and an electric-motorized rear axle arrangement (4) with wheels (5) and with at least one energy storage device (15 - 21); 1.2. The axle arrangements (3, 4) are identically configured steerable multi-link axles with drive units (6) arranged either close to the wheels or in the wheel hubs of the wheels (5); characterized by the following features: 1.3. In the area of ​​each axle arrangement (3, 4) between wheel houses (10, 11, 12, 13) of the cabin structure (2), a walkable step (8, 9) adjoins the low-floor area (7); 1.4. The axle arrangements (3, 4) and the at least one energy storage device (15 - 21) are located horizontally next to each other under the step (8, 9); 1.5. The step (8,9) has a step height (H2) of up to 250 mm.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a people mover according to the features of patent claim 1.

[0002] A people mover is typically a means of transport, usually automated, for short distances, such as at airports or trade fairs. People movers are also known as passenger transport systems. They are land vehicles of classes M2 or M3 of Directive 70 / 156 / EEC with more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat. Typical applications involve shuttle services between two local destinations for a relatively small number of 8 to 22 people.

[0003] The generic document WO 2018 / 222375 A1 discloses a modular people mover featuring a self-supporting cabin structure with a low-floor area between an electric-driven front axle assembly and an electric-driven rear axle assembly with wheels and an energy storage unit. The two axle arrangements are identically configured. They are steerable multi-link axles.

[0004] DE 10 2019 121 250 A1 discloses a vehicle body for a fuel cell vehicle with hydrogen tanks arranged on a roof side and on an underbody side of a vehicle cabin and filled with hydrogen. A fuel cell stack is arranged in a front module or rear module of the vehicle body. The vehicle has a passenger compartment for several seats. One seat can be located in the rear row at the upper part of a power unit compartment.

[0005] US 2020 / 0398690 A1 discloses a rail-independent electric vehicle based on a platform that can be coupled with different superstructures, such as containers, mobile homes or passenger cabins.

[0006] DE 10 2020 120 690 A1 discloses an electric vehicle with axle modules for transporting passengers and / or loads. The electric vehicle has a frame structure with axle modules. Axle modules have drives and energy sources.

[0007] DE 10 2019 116 969 A1 discloses an energy storage device for a motor vehicle, which has a plurality of round cells for the electrochemical storage of energy, wherein the energy storage device is arranged in the floor area of ​​the motor vehicle and is formed, in particular in the footwell, from fewer superimposed layers of round cells than in the seat area of ​​the storage housing.

[0008] The invention is based on the object of providing a rail-independent, electrically powered people mover for transporting groups of people that is cost-effective to manufacture and repair. Furthermore, the people mover should have the largest possible passenger compartment while remaining compact.

[0009] The people mover according to the features of patent claim 1 solves this problem particularly well.

[0010] The subclaims relate to advantageous developments of the invention.

[0011] The people mover according to the invention is electrically powered. It is not tied to a physical rail and, in this sense, is rail-independent, nor connected to an external power supply, such as an overhead line. It is designed to be particularly lightweight. This is achieved by a self-supporting cabin structure with a frame construction, characterized by a large central low-floor area. The low-floor area is located between an electric-driven front axle assembly and an electric-driven rear axle assembly. Wheels are arranged on the axle assemblies. It is a two-track road vehicle. The drive energy for the wheels is taken from an energy storage unit in the people mover.

[0012] The People Mover is characterized by its identically configured steerable multi-link axles. Identically configured means that their design is based on as many identical parts as possible and can be used as a prefabricated assembly for both the front and rear axle configurations.

[0013] The people mover according to the invention has independent wheel suspension. Each axle arrangement is a multi-link axle. Each wheel is guided by a system of three or five links. The multi-link axle is vibration-isolated from the vehicle. The cabin structure is supported on the axle arrangements via a spring-damper arrangement.

[0014] The people mover has both a front and rear steerable multi-link axle. The all-wheel steering increases the ability to maneuver in difficult spatial conditions. The vehicle can move sideways and turn even in the tightest spaces. At higher speeds, stability can be increased by steering the rear wheels in the same direction with small steering angles. At low and medium speeds, agility is improved by steering the rear wheels in opposite directions with small steering angles, and the turning circle is reduced with large steering angles.

[0015] The people mover has a low-floor area that should be as large as possible. It is limited in the direction of travel by accessible steps located between the wheelhouses of the cabin structure in the area of ​​each axle assembly. This step serves two functions: Firstly, the axle assembly is located below the step. Secondly, the at least one energy storage unit, in particular an electric battery, is also located below the accessible step and horizontally next to the axle assembly. Placing the energy storage unit horizontally next to the axle assembly makes it possible to keep the step as low as possible and not exceed a height of 250 mm. This is a walkable step. This means that the energy storage units, the drive units, and the axle assemblies, with the exception of the wheels on the axle assembly, are not located under passenger seats, but under the tread of the accessible steps.This means that the entire floor space above the walkable step and also the low-floor area can be used to transport standing passengers.

[0016] The low-floor area should be positioned low enough that the entry height is no more than 270 mm. Due to the ground clearance required for a suspended vehicle, there is no space below the low-floor area to accommodate an energy storage unit. The energy storage units have therefore been relocated from the areas usually located in the middle of electrically powered vehicles horizontally towards the axle arrangements, but not vertically above the axle arrangements. The energy storage units are arranged decentrally. There are no energy storage units in the middle of the vehicle. The decentralized and low arrangement makes it possible for each axle arrangement to have its own energy storage unit. The energy storage unit should also be positioned horizontally as close as possible to the respective axle arrangement. The respective energy storage unit should be positioned at a distance in the vehicle's longitudinal direction of no more than 50 mm to 200 mm from the wheel center orto an axle line through the wheel centers. The distance refers to the edge of the energy storage unit closest to the axle line. Installing the energy storage unit in the step, horizontally next to the axle assemblies, enables simplified assembly and also faster repairs due to the excellent accessibility both from above via the passenger compartment and from underneath the vehicle.

[0017] The at least one energy storage device is preferably arranged between the low-floor area and the axle assemblies, i.e., toward the center of the vehicle and not toward the ends of the vehicle. This protects the energy storage devices from impact, particularly by the supporting structure of the axle assemblies.

[0018] The term "energy storage device" refers in particular to batteries that can be charged at specific intervals. Lithium iron phosphate (LEP) batteries are used, for example. The invention is not restricted to a specific energy storage device design. The energy storage device can therefore also be a combination of a fuel tank, in particular a gas tank, e.g., for hydrogen or natural gas, a fuel cell as an energy converter, and a battery. The key requirement is that the energy storage device provides the necessary electrical drive energy, even if this energy must first be generated by conversion within the vehicle itself. The invention is not restricted to a specific battery type and includes fuel cell systems.

[0019] If the energy storage device comprises a gas tank, it is preferred if this at least one gas tank is arranged horizontally next to the rear axle arrangement under the step and the battery is arranged horizontally next to the front axle arrangement under the step. The energy storage devices are still arranged decentrally, i.e. in the horizontal vicinity of the front and rear axle arrangements. In a preferred direction of travel of the people mover, the gas tank should be arranged near the rear axle arrangement for safety reasons, protected from the event of a crash. It can be arranged under the step in the same way as a battery. Depending on the size of the gas tank, several smaller tanks can also be arranged horizontally next to one another, i.e. parallel or one after the other lengthwise below the step.

[0020] Under certain conditions, such as in winter or when longer ranges are desired, it may be advisable to carry an additional energy storage unit installed above the step and below a row of seats. This is by no means the primary energy storage unit, but rather an upgrade option to adapt the people mover to local geographical and / or climatic conditions. If such an additional energy storage unit is required, it can be installed below a row of seats above the step to save space. The additional energy storage unit does not replace the energy storage units in the steps.

[0021] The energy storage units have a housing which has a width measured in the transverse direction of the vehicle and a length measured in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. According to the invention, the energy storage unit should take up as little space as possible in the direction of the low-floor area. Therefore, energy storage units are preferably used whose width is greater than the length in order to maximize the low-floor area, e.g. at least twice the length. These are preferably very wide energy storage units which can even extend from one long side to the other of the people mover in the area of ​​the cabin structure, provided the step extends up to the front of the wheel housings. In particular, the energy storage units fully utilize the installation space between the wheel housings in the area below the step. In this case, the battery storage units are no wider than the clear width between the wheel housings.To maximize the available space, several smaller energy storage units can also be used, for example, to enable a T-shaped arrangement of energy storage units below the step. The energy storage unit(s) then extends between the wheel housings and partially in front of them.

[0022] The aim of the invention to provide the largest possible low-floor area and for this reason to use decentralized energy storage devices does not exclude the possibility that the energy storage devices of the front axle arrangement and the rear axle arrangement are electrically connected to one another in order to jointly provide the energy for all drive units.

[0023] According to the invention, the drive units should also be extremely space-saving. A drive unit comprises a motor, a transmission, and / or an axle differential. The drive unit should therefore be arranged either very close to the wheels or even be designed as a wheel hub motor, i.e., located in the wheel hubs of the wheels. The term "close to the wheels" means that the drive unit is integrated into the respective axle arrangements and occupies a position that actually allows the axle arrangement to be positioned below the low step. For this purpose, the drive unit is preferably located between the opposite wheel centers in the width direction. The most space-saving solution is to use drive units in the wheel hubs of the wheels.

[0024] The energy storage units can be connected to each other via electrical conductors, which run, in particular, in the floor beneath the low-floor area. Corresponding conductor channels can be arranged here to transfer not only the energy between the front and rear energy storage units, but also, in particular, control signals for controlling the respective axle arrangements and other components of the people mover.

[0025] Electric vehicles require effective thermal management. For this purpose, the people mover has a thermal module on the roof that is in thermal contact with at least one energy storage unit and the passenger compartment. The thermal module heats, ventilates, or cools the passenger compartment. The same applies, in particular, to the temperature control of the energy storage unit and the drive unit.

[0026] The arrangement of the thermal module on the roof does not restrict the volume of the passenger compartment.

[0027] Thanks to its steerable multi-link axle, the people mover according to the invention is capable of performing the same maneuvers both forward and backward. This makes it possible to operate the people mover in the same way in both directions without having to turn it. For this application, the people mover can be equipped with appropriate front and rear lighting, which are switched on depending on the direction of travel.

[0028] It is particularly advantageous if the self-supporting cabin structure is mirror-symmetrical with respect to the central transverse plane of the people mover. This enables a particularly high level of reusability of identical parts both in the front and rear areas and not just in the area of ​​the cost-intensive axle arrangements. According to the invention, identical energy storage units are preferably used between the wheels. The same applies to the steering and braking system, which can be provided as a modular package for such people movers. The fully integrated drive units also allow for very easy scalability of the people mover. With regard to a self-supporting cabin structure, this can mean that the central area of ​​the people mover and thus the low-floor area is enlarged, while all other components of the people mover remain the same. For example, in an initial design it can have a length of approx.5 m and in a second design a length of approx. 6 m. With the width of the vehicle of approx. 2 m this becomes 2 m. 2 in the low-floor area, which are available for passenger transport. This allows approximately five to seven more people to be transported without requiring significant structural changes to the people mover.

[0029] The people mover according to the invention, with its very large low-floor area, is ideally suited for boarding by several people simultaneously, as only a single, very low step must be overcome. In addition, at least one extendable ramp can be provided in the low-floor area to provide a rolling surface, allowing unrestricted access for people with disabilities.

[0030] The low-floor area is particularly free of seats. Bicycles and scooters can be carried. This area is intended for the transport of people while standing. Slightly shorter people can stand on the accessible step. There are also seats there for seated people. The seats above the steps can be two rows of seats arranged lengthwise along the vehicle. Typically, three seats can be arranged above a wheel house, so that nine people can sit in the step area. Smaller people can stand in the area between the rows of seats. The low-floor area in the middle of the people mover should ideally be at least 2 m high so that adults can stand without restrictions.

[0031] The people mover is, in particular, a self-driving or optionally self-driving vehicle. Self-driving or autonomous vehicles drive without the influence of a human driver. An optional driver's seat can remain empty. Even such a self-driving vehicle may have controls for steering, acceleration, and braking. These controls can be deactivated when no driver is required. In this sense, the people mover is optionally self-driving. This means that self-driving features can be used and can optionally be monitored by a driver. The driver has the option to intervene.

[0032] The people mover is, in particular, an autonomous vehicle that uses various sensors to perceive its surroundings and, based on the information obtained, determines its position and that of other road users. In cooperation with navigation software, it navigates to the destination and avoids collisions.

[0033] The people mover according to the invention is also suitable for individual public transport. Typical ranges with current battery technology are preferably in the range of 50 to 200 km at speeds below 100 km / h. The wheelbase can be approximately 2.5 to 5.5 m for vehicle lengths between 5 and 6 m. Due to the modular arrangement of the energy storage unit and the axles, the people mover is cost-effective to manufacture and is also easily scalable by modifying the self-supporting cabin structure in the central area. The decentralized energy storage units enable maximum dimensioning of the low-floor area with improved maintenance and repair options.

[0034] The invention is explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in schematic drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a people mover in a perspective view; Fig. 2 a self-supporting cabin structure of the people mover of the Fig. 1 in a side view; Fig. 3 the cabin structure of the people mover of the Fig. 1 in a perspective view; Fig. 4 the spatial concept of the people mover in a perspective view; Fig. 5 in a view from above a first position of an energy storage device; Fig. 6 shows a second arrangement of energy storage devices in a view from above; Fig. 7 in a view from above a further arrangement of energy storage devices and Fig. 8 to 11 each show a top view of different seating concepts for passenger transport.

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a people mover 1 for passenger transport. The Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 show its self-supporting cabin structure 2, which should have as many identical parts as possible. Fig. 2 shows the central transverse plane E of the people mover 1. With regard to this central transverse plane E, the people mover 1 is configured identically with respect to its cabin structure 2 and with respect to a front axle arrangement 3 and a rear axle arrangement 4. The Fig. Figure 1 illustrates that identical axle arrangements 3 and 4 are installed with the corresponding wheels 5. The people mover 1 is manufactured using a modular design. The axle arrangements 3 and 4 are electrically driven. The drive units 6 are wheel hub motors in the wheels 5.

[0036] The People Mover 1 is characterized in particular by a very large low-floor area 7, which is intended for the standing transport of people. The low-floor area 7 is located in the center of the vehicle. The low-floor area 7 has a maximum height H1 of 270 mm above the roadway. The low-floor area 7 ends in the longitudinal direction of the People Mover 1 at a step 8, 9. The step 8, 9 extends horizontally across the respective axle arrangement 3, 4. The step 8, 9 extends adjacent to the low-floor area 7 across the entire width of the low-floor area 7 and also extends between wheel housings 10, 11, 12, 13 ( Fig. 4). Steps 8 and 9 have a maximum step height H2 of 250 mm compared to the low-floor area 7. This makes steps 8 and 9 easily accessible.

[0037] The area above the wheel housings 10, 11, 12, 13 can be used as a seating area. In a self-propelled people mover 1, opposing rows of seats can be arranged above the wheel housings 10, 11, 12, 13. Such a people mover 1 is not bound to a physical track, but can follow a route in the sense of a virtual track. Optionally, the people mover 1 can be driven by a driver. This is demonstrated by the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 1, in which a driver's seat 14 is arranged above one of the wheel arches.

[0038] The People Mover 1 draws the energy required for its operation from energy storage units 15–21, located below stages 8 and 9. Therefore, energy storage units 15–21 are not located in the area of ​​the wheel arches and, in principle, not above the respective axle arrangements 3 and 4.

[0039] The Fig. 5 - 7 illustrate the arrangement of different energy storage devices 15 - 21.

[0040] Fig. Figure 5 shows two electrical energy storage units 15, 16 arranged below the steps 8, 9. They are therefore located adjacent to the low-floor area 7 and, from the perspective of the low-floor area 7, in front of the respective axle arrangement 3, 4, i.e., they are each positioned toward the center of the people mover 1.

[0041] This arrangement of the energy storage units 15, 16 allows essentially unhindered access to the respective axle arrangements 3, 4 from above and considerably simplifies assembly and maintenance without reducing the available transport space within the passenger cabin.

[0042] The embodiment of the Fig. Figure 6 shows that two different energy storage units 17, 18, and 20 are used. In the image plane on the right, next to the rear axle assembly 4 toward the low-floor area 7, there is a wider first energy storage unit 17 in the form of a gas tank, which extends across the entire width of the people mover 1, within the boundaries of the cabin structure 2.

[0043] In addition, another, less wide energy storage unit 18 in the form of another gas tank is also located next to the axle arrangement 3. It is limited by the energy storage unit 17, which is wider in the transverse direction of the vehicle, and the axle arrangement 3.

[0044] The gas, in particular hydrogen, from the energy storage units 17, 18 designed as gas tanks is fed to an energy storage unit 24 designed as a fuel cell, which is located directly next to the second axle arrangement 3. Adjacent to the fuel cell is another energy storage unit 19 in the form of an accumulator for storing the electrical energy generated in this way. It is also arranged below the steps 8, 9 and, like the wider of the two energy storage units 17, 18 (gas tank), borders the low-floor area 7. Here, too, the entire available width of the people mover 1 is utilized within the limits of the cabin structure and the necessary safety distances from adjacent components. In a manner not shown in detail, gas is conducted from the energy storage units 17, 18 at one end of the people mover 1 to the fuel cell 24 at the other end of the people mover 1 via a duct below the low-floor area 7.

[0045] The embodiment of the Fig. 7 differs from that of the Fig. 6 by slightly differently configured energy storage units for transporting gas. Instead of a single, very wide tank in the form of the energy storage unit 17 ( Fig. 6), two shorter energy storage units 20, 21 are arranged one behind the other. This allows the number of identical parts in the form of gas tanks to be increased. The energy storage units 20, 21, which are arranged one behind the other in the transverse direction of the vehicle, can have the same dimensions as the smaller energy storage unit 18 for gas according to the Fig. 6.

[0046] Another difference compared to the embodiment of the Fig. 6, an additional energy storage unit 22, 23 is provided, each located above the axle arrangements 3, 4 and thus above the accessible steps 8, 9. The additional energy storage unit 22, 23 is only required if the range of the people mover 1 is to be increased. The additional energy storage units 22, 23 reduce the space available for passenger transport, but can ensure operation over longer distances or even at lower temperatures. Due to the modular design, the additional energy storage units 22, 23 can be optionally installed or removed again when not needed.

[0047] The people mover 1 according to the invention has a thermal module 26 on its roof 25, which is in thermal exchange with the energy storage devices, in particular for storing electrical energy, and also serves to control the temperature and ventilation of the passenger compartment.

[0048] The Fig. Figures 8 to 11 each show a top view of various seating concepts for passenger transport. Fig. Figure 8 shows that four seats 29 are arranged on each of the steps 8 and 9, which face the low-floor area 7. There are no seats in the low-floor area 7. A wheelchair 27 and six standing persons 28 are shown here as examples. Several wheelchairs, walking aids, strollers, or even bicycles can also be carried in the low-floor area. Fig. 9 provides for a longitudinally extending row of four seats 29 in the low-floor area 7. Otherwise, the arrangement of the seats 29 and persons 28 corresponds to that of the Fig. 8.

[0049] The embodiment of the Fig. 10 shows in contrast to the Fig. 9, that above the steps 8, 9 there are two rows of seats each with three seats 29 arranged opposite each other. This means that a total of 4 more people 28 can be transported on the steps 8, 9. The low-floor area 7 corresponds to that of the Fig. 9.

[0050] The embodiment of the Fig. 11 shows, in contrast to the Fig. 10, that in the low-floor area 7 two additional standing persons 28 can be transported if the Fig. Wheelchair 27 shown in 10 is omitted with otherwise identical seating. Reference symbol: 1 People Mover 2 Cabin structure 3 axle arrangement 4 axle arrangement 5 wheel 6 Drive unit 7 Low-floor area 8th level 9th level 10 Wheelhouse 11 Wheelhouse 12 wheel house 13 Wheelhouse 14 Driver's seat 15 Energy storage (battery) 16 Energy storage (battery) 17 Energy storage (gas tank) 18 Energy storage (gas tank) 19 Energy storage (battery) 20 energy storage (gas tank) 21 Energy storage (gas tank) 22 Additional energy storage (gas tank) 23 Additional energy storage (gas tank) 24 energy storage (fuel cell) 25 roof 26 thermal module 27 wheelchairs 28 people 29 seats B width of 19 E Central transverse plane of 1 H1 height of 7 H2 step height of 8, 9 L length of 19

Claims

[1] Rail-free, electrically powered people mover (1) having the following features: 1.

1. A self-supporting cabin structure (2) with a low-floor area (7) between an electric-motorized front axle arrangement (3) and an electric-motorized rear axle arrangement (4) with wheels (5) and with at least one energy storage device (15 - 21); 1.

2. The axle arrangements (3, 4) are identically configured steerable multi-link axles with drive units (6) arranged either close to the wheels or in the wheel hubs of the wheels (5); characterized by following features: 1.

3. In the area of ​​each axle arrangement (3, 4) between wheel houses (10, 11, 12, 13) of the cabin structure (2), a walkable step (8, 9) adjoins the low-floor area (7); 1.

4. The axle arrangements (3, 4) and the at least one energy storage device (15 - 21) are located horizontally next to each other under the step (8, 9); 1.

5. The step (8,9) has a step height (H2) of up to 250 mm. [2] People Mover (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that each axle arrangement (3, 4) is assigned its own energy storage device (15 - 21). [3] People Mover (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the at least one energy storage device (15 - 21) is arranged below the step (8, 9) and between the low-floor area (7) and the axle arrangements (3, 4). [4] People Mover (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that at least one gas tank is arranged under the step (8, 9) as an energy store (17, 18, 20, 21). [5] People Mover (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized bythat the at least one energy storage device (17, 18, 20, 21) in the form of a gas tank is arranged horizontally adjacent to the rear axle arrangement (4) under the step (8, 9) and that a battery is arranged as a further energy storage device (19) horizontally adjacent to the front axle arrangement (3) under the step (8, 9). [6] People Mover (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by in that the at least one energy store (15 - 21) has a housing which has a width (B) measured in the transverse direction of the vehicle and a length (L) measured in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, wherein the width (B) is greater than the length (L) in order to maximize the low-floor area (7). [7] People Mover (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that at least one additional energy store (22, 23) is arranged above the step (8, 9) and below a row of seats. [8] People Mover (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat an energy storage device (15) adjacent to the rear axle arrangement (4) and an energy storage device (16) adjacent to the front axle arrangement (3) are electrically connected to one another in order to jointly provide the energy for all drive units (6). [9] People Mover (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that a thermal module (26) is arranged on a roof (25) of the people mover (1), which is in thermal contact with the at least one energy store (15, 16) and / or a drive unit (6) and a passenger compartment. [10] People Mover (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the self-supporting cabin structure (2) is mirror-symmetrical with respect to a central transverse plane (E) of the people mover (1). [11] People Mover (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized bythat at least one extendable ramp is arranged in the low-floor area (7) to provide a rolling surface to the low-floor area (7). [12] People Mover (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by that seats (29) for seated passenger transport and optionally seats (29) in the low-floor area (7) are arranged on the accessible step (8, 9). [13] People Mover (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by that it is self-propelled or optionally self-propelled. [14] People Mover (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by that the low-floor area (7) has a height (H1) of not more than 270 mm. [15] People Mover (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized bythat the energy storage device (15 - 21, 24) has a maximum distance of 50 to 200 mm from an axle line extending between wheel centers of the wheels (5) of an axle arrangement (3, 4), wherein the distance is measured in the vehicle's longitudinal direction to an edge of the energy storage device (15-21, 24) closest to the axle line.

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