Maintenance table for transporting a vehicle battery pack along a floor surface

Abstract

A maintenance table (20) for transporting a motor vehicle battery pack along a floor surface, the maintenance table (20) comprising: at least four frame elements (22A-D) extending longitudinally in a substantially horizontal configuration and arranged end to end around the perimeter; at least four hinges (24) which are individually arranged between and attached to adjacent frame elements (22A-D) to allow pivoting between adjacent frame elements (22A-D); a plurality of wheels (26) which are attached to frame elements (22A-D) and arranged to rotate along the floor surface; a support bed (28A) attached to at least one of the frame elements (22A-D) and configured to support the battery pack; and at least one hinge lock (30), wherein the hinge lock (30) is arranged between adjacent frame elements (22A-D) and is configured to be rigidly attached to both adjacent frame elements (22A-D) in a locked configuration to prevent pivoting of the adjacent frame elements (22A-D), and is configured to be decoupled from at least one of the adjacent frame elements (22A-D) in an unlocked configuration to allow pivoting of the adjacent frame elements (22A-D); wherein the frame elements (22A-D) are arranged in a maintenance configuration with a first width (W1) when the hinge lock (30) is arranged on it in the locked configuration for transporting the battery pack, and wherein the frame elements (22A-D) are arranged in a storage configuration with a second width (W2) which is less than the first width (W1) when the hinge lock (30) is arranged in the unlocked configuration.

Description

[0001] The present description refers to a maintenance table, in particular a maintenance table for transporting a motor vehicle battery pack along a floor surface.

[0002] In recent years, the use of electric motors to power vehicles has increased exponentially. These electric motors are powered by battery packs, which consist of numerous battery cells, resulting in a considerable weight. In many cases, the battery pack weighs more than 1,000 pounds, making its removal from the vehicle difficult and dangerous for service technicians.

[0003] Current practices for removing the battery pack involve using a trolley onto which the battery pack is placed after being disconnected from the vehicle. However, this still requires a degree of manipulation of the trolley or battery by the service technician to ensure the battery does not fall out of the vehicle. Furthermore, trolleys large enough to support the battery pack typically occupy a significant amount of space in a service department or workshop. Storing the trolley when not in use takes up space that could be used for another vehicle being serviced, thus reducing the operational capacity of the service department or workshop.

[0004] DE 20 2013 005 742 U1 describes a collapsible sales and transport container with a base frame consisting of crossbars or longitudinal connectors, having four corner support feet and engaging at least one base section, on which respective transverse and / or longitudinal side walls are pivotably held by means of respective edge-side vertical struts, such that at least two of the opposite walls can be pivoted about a vertical axis defined by the vertical strut and, in a folding position achieved thereby, several of the containers can be brought into a space-saving non-use position, characterized in that the base frame has a stationary support strut as a longitudinal connector between two pairs of vertical struts cooperating in the area of ​​a side wall and these two support struts of opposite side walls are connected by at least one diagonal connecting strut.wherein this Z-shaped support structure of the base frame has at least one support joint in the area of ​​the connecting strut.

[0005] WO 2014 / 170836A1 describes a compact trailer with a connecting element that can be attached to the frame of a bicycle or motorcycle, and a carriage with a loading platform and an edge with at least two opposing side walls to which wheels are connected for moving the trailer on the ground, allowing them to rotate about respective axes that run transversely to the forward direction of the trailer. Each of the two side walls has a recessed area that at least partially accommodates the respective wheel. Each recess has a depth that is at least equal to the axial space required by the respective wheel it accommodates, so that the wheels do not protrude beyond the outline of the carriage when viewed from above.

[0006] While the current trolleys fulfill their purpose, the purpose of the invention is to provide a new maintenance table.

[0007] The object of the invention is achieved by means of a maintenance table for transporting a vehicle battery pack along a floor surface, comprising at least four frame elements extending longitudinally in a substantially horizontal configuration and arranged end to end around the perimeter. The maintenance table further comprises at least four hinges, individually arranged between and attached to adjacent frame elements to allow pivoting between adjacent frame elements, and a plurality of wheels attached to the frame elements and arranged to rotate along the floor surface. The maintenance table further comprises a support bed attached to at least one of the frame elements and configured to support the battery pack.The maintenance table further comprises at least one hinge lock, wherein the hinge lock is arranged between adjacent frame elements and configured to be rigidly attached to both adjacent frame elements in a locked configuration to prevent pivoting of the adjacent frame elements, and configured to be decoupled from at least one of the adjacent frame elements in an unlocked configuration to allow pivoting of the adjacent frame elements. The frame elements are arranged in a maintenance configuration with a first width when the hinge lock is in the locked configuration to facilitate the transport of the battery pack. The frame elements are arranged in a storage configuration with a second width that is less than the first width when the hinge lock is in the unlocked configuration.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the at least four frame elements comprise a pair of end frame elements that are parallel to each other and a pair of side frame elements that are parallel to each other. The end frame elements and the side frame elements are arranged as a parallelogram, and the pair of side frame elements defines the first width and the second width.

[0009] According to another embodiment, the end frame elements are orthogonal to the side frame elements in the maintenance configuration and the end frame elements are non-orthogonal to the side frame elements in the storage configuration.

[0010] According to a further embodiment, the at least one hinge lock comprises a plate that is attached to one of the adjacent frame elements and extends towards the other of the adjacent frame elements. Both the hinge lock and the other of the adjacent frame elements comprise a mating surface that is arranged to align itself in the maintenance configuration to attach the plate to the other of the adjacent frame elements.

[0011] According to another embodiment, each of the mating surfaces defines a hole, the holes being axially aligned in the maintenance configuration. The maintenance table further comprises a pin that extends through the holes in the maintenance configuration and engages in the mating surfaces to secure the plate to the other of the adjacent frame elements.

[0012] According to another embodiment, the at least one hinge lock is further defined as several hinge locks that are individually arranged on each of the hinges.

[0013] According to another embodiment, the support bed extends between two of the frame elements and is attached to them.

[0014] According to another embodiment, the support bed is pivotably attached to the frame elements in order to allow the frame elements to pivot at the hinges.

[0015] According to a further embodiment, each of the two frame elements defines a plurality of openings spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the frame elements, and the support bed further comprises a first rod arranged to be selectively positioned in the openings of one of the two frame elements, and a second rod arranged to be selectively positioned in the openings of the other of the two frame elements in order to selectively adjust the position of the support bed along the two frame elements.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the support bed further comprises a rail extending between and attached to the two frame elements, a tray arranged above the rail, and an actuator coupled to both the rail and the tray to position the tray at a height above the rail.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the actuator is defined as a first actuator, and the maintenance table further comprises a second actuator spaced apart from the first actuator along the rail. The first and second actuators are individually vertically adjustable to set an angle of the tray relative to the rail.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the actuator is defined as a spindle lifting mechanism, wherein the rotation of the spindle lifting mechanism serves to adjust the height of the tray above the rail.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, the support bed is further defined as a first support bed, and the maintenance table further comprises a second support bed that extends between and is attached to the two frame elements. The first support bed and the second support bed are arranged to move independently along the two frame elements in order to accommodate different shapes and sizes of the battery pack.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the plurality of wheels includes at least one steering wheel which is arranged so that it can be attached to the frame elements and is rotatable about a steering axis in order to rotate the maintenance table on the floor surface.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the maintenance table also includes a steering wheel lock connected to the steering wheel to hold the steering wheel in a fixed rotational position around the steering axis.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the steering wheel lock comprises a plate attached to the steering wheel, defining a plurality of notches spaced apart around the steering axis, and a pin slidably mounted on one of the frame elements and arranged to slide into one of the notches when the steering wheel is in a rotational position about the steering wheel axis that aligns the pin with the notch. Each plurality of notches is associated with a different rotational position of the steering wheel.

[0023] According to a further embodiment, the maintenance table also comprises a plurality of brakes, each individually connected to the plurality of wheels in a ready-to-use manner. The brakes are arranged to be selectively actuated and to engage the wheels in order to prevent rotation along the floor surface.

[0024] According to another embodiment, the plurality of wheels and the plurality of brakes are defined as at least four wheels and at least four brakes respectively, wherein the wheels and brakes are arranged individually adjacent to the hinges to allow the frame elements to pivot between the maintenance configuration and the storage configuration.

[0025] According to a further embodiment, the maintenance table also includes a brake lever with a handle and a linkage extending along one of the frame elements towards the two hinges attached to the frame element. The linkage is connected to the brakes of the wheels adjacent to the two hinges, the brake lever and linkage being arranged such that they simultaneously actuate the brakes and engage the wheels.

[0026] Further areas of application will become apparent from this description. It should be understood that the description and specific examples serve only as illustrations.

[0027] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only. Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of a maintenance table with four frame elements, two support beds and four wheels, arranged in a maintenance configuration. Fig. Figure 2 is another perspective view of the maintenance table of Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 3 is a top view of the maintenance table of Fig. 1, which shows the support beds, which are spaced apart from each other and arranged adjacent to the lateral frame elements of the four frame elements. Fig. Figure 4 is a top view of the maintenance table of Fig. 1, which spaces the support beds away from each other and places them closer together than in Fig. 3 represents. Fig. Figure 5 is a top view of the maintenance table of Fig. Figure 1 shows how the frame elements are pivoted into a storage configuration. Fig. Figure 6 is a perspective view of part of the maintenance table of Fig. 1, which shows a wheel configured as a steering wheel and a steering wheel lock. Fig. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for operating the maintenance table to remove a battery pack from a motor vehicle.

[0028] The following description is merely exemplary.

[0029] With regard to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is a maintenance table 20 for transporting a battery pack (not shown) of a motor vehicle (not shown) along a ground surface, generally denoted by 20. More specifically, the maintenance table 20 is configured for transporting the battery pack of an electric vehicle. Most modern electric vehicles have one or more electric motors that drive the wheels 26. The electric motor(s) is / are powered by one or more battery packs. To provide the electric motor(s) with sufficient power, the battery pack comprises numerous battery cells, giving the battery pack a considerable weight. In particular, the battery pack can weigh several hundred pounds. In some examples, the battery pack weighs over 1,000 pounds. To lower the vehicle's center of gravity and thereby improve the vehicle's stability, the battery pack is typically mounted low on the vehicle.More precisely, the battery pack is typically mounted on the vehicle's chassis below the passenger and cargo compartments. Access to the battery pack is possible from below. Removing the battery pack can be accomplished by disconnecting it from the chassis and then lowering it away, or by lifting the chassis away from the battery pack. The maintenance table 20 is configured to support the battery pack when it is being removed from the vehicle.

[0030] In one example, the service table 20 is positioned under the vehicle and beneath the battery pack for battery pack removal. If the vehicle is not high enough to position the service table 20 under the battery pack, it can be raised to create clearance (e.g., using a lift, jacks, etc.). Once the service table 20 is positioned under the battery pack, the battery pack is brought into contact with the service table 20 by lowering the vehicle toward the service table 20, moving the service table 20 upward toward the vehicle (described in more detail below), or a combination of both. The battery pack is then disconnected from the chassis. The chassis is then raised until it is positioned above the battery pack, providing sufficient clearance to move the service table 20 and the battery pack from under the vehicle.The opposite procedure applies for installing the battery pack in the vehicle. More precisely, with the vehicle raised, the maintenance table 20 and the battery pack are slid underneath. The vehicle is then lowered until the battery pack is inside the chassis and can be secured to it. The vehicle is raised again to extend the maintenance table 20, or the maintenance table 20 is moved downwards away from the vehicle (which is described in more detail below). The maintenance table 20 is moved away from the underside of the vehicle, and the vehicle is placed on the ground.

[0031] The maintenance table 20 comprises at least four frame elements 22A-D, which extend longitudinally in a substantially horizontal configuration and are arranged end-to-end around the perimeter. The maintenance table 20 further comprises at least four hinges 24, which are individually arranged between and attached to adjacent frame elements 22A-D to facilitate pivoting between adjacent frame elements 22A-D, as well as a plurality of wheels 26, which are attached to the frame elements 22A-D and arranged to rotate along the floor surface. The maintenance table 20 further comprises a support bed 28, which is attached to at least one of the frame elements 22A-D and configured to support the battery pack.The maintenance table 20 further comprises at least one hinge lock 30, wherein the hinge lock 30 is arranged between adjacent frame elements 22A-D and is configured such that, in a locked configuration, it is rigidly attached to both adjacent frame elements 22A-D to prevent pivoting of the adjacent frame elements 22A-D, and is configured such that, in an unlocked configuration, it is decoupled from at least one of the adjacent frame elements 22A-D to allow pivoting of the adjacent frame elements 22A-D. The frame elements 22A-D are arranged in a maintenance configuration with a first width W1 when the hinge lock 30 is in the locked configuration for transporting the battery pack on it, as shown in the [reference]. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shown. The frame elements 22A-D are arranged in a bearing configuration with a second width W2 that is less than the first width W1 when the hinge lock 30 is arranged in the unlocked configuration, as shown in Fig. 5 shown.

[0032] Converting the Maintenance Table 20 between the maintenance configuration and the storage configuration is advantageous in vehicle service departments where space within the building must be optimized to service the maximum number of vehicles. Specifically, if the Maintenance Table 20 were permanently in the maintenance configuration, it would occupy a considerable area within the vehicle service department—approximately the size of a small car. Furthermore, if the Maintenance Table 20 remained in the maintenance configuration, it would be stored in a vehicle bay that should actually be used for servicing a vehicle, thus reducing the maximum capacity of the vehicle service department.This problem is exacerbated when the vehicle service department requires multiple service tables (20) to service the battery packs of several vehicles that may be in the vehicle service department for repair at any given time.

[0033] In the example shown in the figures, the at least four frame elements 22A-D comprise a pair of end frame elements 22A, 22B, which are substantially parallel to each other, and a pair of side frame elements 22C, 22D, which are substantially parallel to each other. The end and side frame elements 22A-D are arranged as a parallelogram, and the pair of end frame elements 22A, 22B defines the first and second widths W1, W2. The end frame elements 22A, 22B are orthogonal to the side frame elements 22C, 22D in the maintenance configuration, and the end frame elements 22A, 22B are non-orthogonal to the side frame elements 22C, 22D in the storage configuration. However, the end frame elements 22A, 22B and the side frame elements 22C, 22D can be arranged in any other shape or configuration suitable for supporting the battery pack.

[0034] As in the Fig. As shown in Figures 3-5, the at least one hinge lock 30 can comprise a plate 32 that is attached to one of the adjacent frame elements 22A-D and extends toward the other of the adjacent frame elements 22A-D. Both the hinge lock 30 and the other of the adjacent frame elements 22A-D can have a mating surface 34 arranged to align itself in the maintenance configuration to secure the plate 32 to the other of the adjacent frame elements 22A-D. Each of the mating surfaces 34 can define a hole 36, as shown in Figure 3-5. Fig. Figure 5 shows the holes 36 being axially aligned in the maintenance configuration. The maintenance table 20 further comprises a pin 38 which, in the maintenance configuration, extends through the holes 36 and engages the mating surfaces 34 to secure the plate 32 to the other of the adjacent frame elements 22A-D. In the example shown in the figures, the pin 38 is configured as a detent pin, positioned such that it cannot be pulled out of the holes 36 unless a user applies a threshold force to the detent pin. In this way, the detent pin can be easily removed by the user to switch the maintenance table 20 between the maintenance and storage configurations, while preventing unintentional switching between configurations without requiring the user to remove the detent pin. However, any suitable fastener can be used as the pin 38, e.g.,a dowel or a bolt.

[0035] In the example shown in the figures and described above, the frame elements 22A-D are arranged as a parallelogram. The arrangement of the hinge lock 30 on one of the hinges 24, and the arrangement of the hinge lock 30 so that it is rigidly attached to both adjacent frame elements 22A-D in a locked configuration, prevents the adjacent frame elements 22A-D from pivoting at the hinge 24 as well as at each of the other three hinges 24. In other words, the frame elements 22A-D arranged as a parallelogram form a four-bar linkage system. If pivoting between two adjacent links of a four-bar linkage system is prevented, then pivoting between the other links is also inhibited. Accordingly, a single hinge lock 30 can be used to rigidly fix all frame elements 22A-D in the locked configuration and prevent pivoting between them.The at least one hinge lock 30 can, however, also be defined as several hinge locks 30, each individually arranged on each of the hinges 24. The one in the . Fig. The maintenance table 20 shown in Figures 3 to 5, for example, includes four hinge locks 30, each individually arranged on one of the four hinges 24. The multiple hinge locks 30 distribute the torque applied to the frame elements 22A-D. The greater the number of hinge locks 30, the greater the distribution. Accordingly, reducing the torque at each of the hinge locks 30 allows a greater overall torque to be applied to the frame elements 22A-D, thus reducing the possibility of the hinge locks 30 failing and the frame elements 22A-D accidentally pivoting into the bearing configuration. Accidental pivoting into the bearing configuration poses a safety risk when the battery pack is supported by the maintenance table 20.Although the example shown in the figures has hinge locks 30 on each of the hinges 24, any number of hinge locks 30 can be used.

[0036] The support bed 28 can extend between and be attached to two of the frame elements 22A-D. In the Fig. In the example shown in Figures 1-5, the support bed 28 extends between the pair of end frame elements 22A, 22B and is attached to them. However, the support bed 28 can also extend between the pair of side frame elements 22C, 22D or, in examples not shown in the figures, between other suitable frame elements and be mounted to them.

[0037] The support bed 28 can be pivotally attached to the frame elements 22A-D to allow the frame elements 22A-D to pivot at the hinges 24. If the support bed 28 were rigidly attached to the frame elements 22A-D in the example shown in the figures, the frame elements 22A-D would not be able to move relative to each other, which would prevent pivoting.

[0038] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, each of the two frame elements 22A-D can define a plurality of openings 40, 42 spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the frame elements 22A-D, and the support bed 28 further comprises a first rod 44, which is arranged to be optionally positioned in the openings 40 of one of the two frame elements 22A-D, and a second rod 46, which is arranged to be optionally positioned in the openings 42 of the other of the two frame elements 22A-D, in order to selectively adjust the position of the support bed 28 along the two frame elements 22A-D. The plurality of openings 40, 42 provides a plurality of positions in which the support bed 28 can be arranged.An operator can adjust the position of the support bed 28 along the two frame elements 22A-D by removing the first and second rods 44, 46 from the openings 40, 42, sliding the support bed 28 along the two frame elements 22A-D to a desired position, with the first and second rods 44, 46 aligned with the openings 40, 42, and then positioning the first and second rods 44, 46 within the openings 40, 42 to hold the support bed 28 in the desired position. In the example shown in the figures, the openings 40, 42 are defined by the pair of end frame elements 22A, 22B, and the support bed 28 is adjustable along the pair of end frame elements 22A, 22B to selectively position the support bed 28 between the pair of side frame elements 22C, 22D. The support bed 28 can be aligned with the openings 40, 42, which position the support bed 28 parallel to the side frame elements 22C, 22D.The support bed 28 can also be aligned with openings 40, 42, which position the support bed 28 obliquely relative to the two lateral frame elements 22C, 22D. By positioning the support bed 28 in one of the positions defined by the openings 40, 42, the support bed 28 can be configured to support various battery packs of different sizes, shapes, and configurations.

[0039] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. In the example shown in Figure 2, the support bed 28 further comprises a rail 48 extending between and attached to the two frame elements 22A-D, a tray 50 positioned above the rail 48, and an actuator 52 coupled to both the rail 48 and the tray 50 to position the tray 50 at a height H above the rail 48. The tray 50 is configured to engage with and support the battery pack. The rail 48 supports the tray 50 via the actuator 52. The actuator 52 is configured to extend and retract. When the actuator 52 extends, the tray 50 is raised, while when it retracts, the tray 50 is lowered. More precisely, the actuator 52 can be extended when the maintenance table 20 is positioned under the battery pack to bring the tray 50 into contact with the battery pack and to support the battery pack when the battery pack is separated from the chassis.The actuator 52 can further be configured as a screw jack, wherein the rotation of the screw jack serves to adjust the height H of the tray 50 above the rail 48. However, the actuator 52 can be configured in any suitable way to adjust the height H of the tray 50. Furthermore, the actuator 52 can be defined as a first actuator 52A, and the maintenance table 20 can further comprise a second actuator 52B spaced apart from the first actuator 52A along the rail 48. The second actuator 52B can be similar to the first actuator 52A. Therefore, the above description of the first actuator 52A can also apply to the second actuator 52B. The first and second actuators 52A, 52B are individually vertically adjustable to set the angle of the tray 50 relative to the rail 48.The first and second actuators 52A, 52B configure the tray 50 so that it rests evenly against the battery pack, even if the battery pack is not parallel to the floor surface.

[0040] As mentioned above, the support bed 28 can be pivotally attached to the frame elements 22A-D. More precisely, the rail 48 can comprise a pair of plates 54, 56, which are slidably arranged on the two frame elements 22A-D. The first rod 44 is located on one of the two plates 54 and is arranged such that it can be selectively positioned in the openings 40, 42 of one of the two frame elements 22A-D. The second rod 46 is arranged on the other of the pair of plates 56 and can be selectively positioned in the openings 40, 42 of the other of the two frame elements 22A-D. The rail can further comprise an elongated element 58 that extends between the two pairs of plates 54, 56 and is pivotally connected to them, so that it extends between the two frame elements 22A-D.The first and second actuators 52A, 52B are attached to the elongated element 58 and support the tray 50 arranged above the elongated element 58.

[0041] As in the Fig. As shown in Figures 1-5, the support bed 28 is further defined as the first support bed 28A, and the maintenance table 20 further comprises a second support bed 28B, which extends between and is attached to the two frame elements 22A-D. The second support bed 28B can be similar to the first support bed 28A. Therefore, the above description of the first support bed 28A can also be applied to the second support bed 28B. The first and second support beds 28A, 28B are arranged to be able to move independently along the two frame elements 22A-D in order to accommodate different shapes and sizes of the battery pack. More specifically, the first and second support beds 28A, 28B can be positioned to engage with the battery pack near the opposite side walls in order to increase the area supported by the maintenance table 20 and to enhance the stability of the battery pack arranged on the maintenance table 20.However, the maintenance table 20 can include any number of support beds 28A, 28B.

[0042] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the maintenance table 20 can further comprise a plurality of overload bars 60 extending downwards from the frame elements 22A-D to contact the ground surface when an excessive load is applied to the support bed 28A, 28B. More precisely, the plurality of overload bars 60 extend towards the ground but are spaced apart from it. The deflection of the frame elements 22A-D and / or the wheels 26 due to an excessive load causes the overload bars 60 to engage with the ground surface and bear the load. The overload bars 60 prevent catastrophic failure of the maintenance table 20 due to excessive load, thus protecting both the battery pack and the user's safety.In the example shown in the figures, the overload bars 60 are less than one inch from the ground; however, the overload bars 60 can be arranged at any distance to engage the ground in case of excessive load.

[0043] The variety of wheels 26 includes four wheels 26, as in the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows that the wheels 26 are arranged individually next to the hinges 24 to allow the frame elements 22A-D to pivot between the maintenance configuration and the storage configuration. The plurality of wheels 26 can include at least one steering wheel 62, which is arranged to be attached to the frame elements 22A-D and to be rotatable about a steering axis X (see Figure 2). Fig. 6) to rotate the maintenance table 20 on the floor surface. In particular, the control axis X extends substantially vertically, so that the steering wheel 62 can rotate and steer the maintenance table 20. In the example shown in the figures, all wheels 26 are arranged as steering wheels 62. However, the plurality of wheels 26 can include any number of steering wheels 62.

[0044] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the maintenance table 20 can further comprise a steering wheel lock 64 coupled to the steering wheel 62 to hold the steering wheel 62 in a fixed rotational position about the steering axis X. In addition, the maintenance table 20 can comprise multiple steering wheel locks 64, each individually coupled to and arranged with the steering wheels 62 to hold the respective steering wheel 62 individually in the fixed rotational position about the steering axis X. Holding the steering wheels 62 in the fixed rotational position prevents steering of the maintenance table 20 and can facilitate folding the maintenance table 20 between the maintenance configuration and the storage configuration.

[0045] More precisely, the steering wheel locks 64 can hold the steering wheels 62 in a fixed rotational position, thereby aligning all wheels 26 to rotate about parallel wheel axes. The wheel axes can run parallel to the two end frame elements 22A, 22B. Therefore, the wheels 26 allow the pair of end frame elements 22A, 22B to rotate along a plane parallel to the ground surface. The hinges 24 between the end frame elements 22A, 22B and the side frame elements 22C, 22D allow the end and side frame elements 22A-D to rotate relative to each other, causing the end frame elements 22A, 22B to rotate together on the wheels 26. Therefore, holding the steering wheels 62 in a fixed rotational position allows the maintenance table 20 to be folded between the maintenance configuration and the storage configuration.

[0046] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the steering wheel lock 64 can comprise a plate 66 attached to the steering wheel 62, which can define a plurality of notches 68 spaced apart around the steering axis X. The steering wheel lock 64 can further comprise a pin 70 slidably attached to one of the frame elements 22A-D and arranged to slide into one of the notches 68 when the steering wheel 62 is in a rotational position about the steering axis X that aligns the pin 70 with the notch. Each of the notches 68 is associated with a different rotational position of the steering wheel 62. At least one of the rotational positions can correspond to the fixed rotational position in which all wheels 26 are aligned and rotating about the parallel wheel axes. However, the rotational positions can correspond to any suitable configuration. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the pin 70 can comprise a housing 72 and a plunger 74, which is slidably arranged within the plunger 74. The plunger 74 can be biased towards the plate 66. The pin 70 can comprise a pull ring 76, which is attached to the plunger 74 and designed to be grasped by a user. The user can pull the plunger 74 away from the plate 66 against the bias. The housing 72 can define a pair of opposing short channels 78 and a pair of opposing long channels 80, which are arranged at an angle of 90 degrees to the short channels 78. The short channels 78 are configured to hold the pull ring 76 within them and to keep the plunger 74 away from the plate 66 to prevent the steering wheel 62 from locking. The long channels 80 are configured to hold the pull ring 76 in them and to allow the plunger 74 to engage with the plate 66 to block the steering wheel 62.

[0047] The maintenance table 20 can further comprise a plurality of brakes 82, each of which is individually functionally connected to the plurality of wheels 26. The brakes 82 are arranged so that they are selectively actuated and engage with the wheels 26 to prevent rotation along the floor surface. In the Fig. 1 and Fig. In the example shown, the plurality of wheels 26 and the plurality of brakes 82 are defined as at least four wheels 26 and at least four brakes 82 respectively, wherein the wheels 26 and the brakes 82 are arranged individually next to the hinges 24 to allow the pivoting of the frame elements 22A-D between the maintenance configuration and the storage configuration.

[0048] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. In the example shown, the brakes 82 of two of the wheels 26 are designed as foot-operated brakes 82, which can be actuated by a user with their foot to activate the brake 82. As regards the other two wheels 26, the maintenance table 20 further comprises a brake lever 84 with a handle 86 and a linkage 88 extending along one of the frame elements 22A towards the two hinges 24 attached to the frame element 22A. The linkage 88 is coupled to the brakes 82 of the wheels 26 adjacent to the two hinges 24, with the brake lever 84 and the linkage 88 being arranged such that they simultaneously actuate the brakes 82 and engage the wheels 26. Actuation of the brake lever 84 enables the simultaneous application of both brakes 82.When the two brakes 82 are applied, the two corresponding wheels 26 and the end frame element 22A extending between them are prevented from moving relative to the floor surface. The other two wheels 26 (which are not braked) roll across the floor surface and facilitate the pivoting of the lateral frame elements 22C, 22D and the opposite end frame element 22B about the hinges 24 between the maintenance position and the storage configuration.

[0049] A method 200 for operating the maintenance table for removing the battery pack from the motor vehicle is also described herein and is set out in Fig.Figure 7 illustrates the procedure. The procedure includes positioning the maintenance table 20 under the vehicle and under the battery pack, as shown in Box 202. When the maintenance table 20 is located under the battery pack, the procedure further includes extending the actuator 52 to bring the tray 50 into contact with the battery pack, as shown in Box 204, and disconnecting the battery from the chassis, as shown in Box 206. The procedure further includes raising the chassis until it is located above the battery pack, as shown in Box 208, and removing the maintenance table 20 and the battery pack from the underside of the vehicle, as shown in Box 210.

[0050] Accordingly, the maintenance table 20 offers several advantages. The maintenance table 20 facilitates the safe removal of the heavy battery pack from the vehicle thanks to the adjustable support beds 28A and 28B, which grip the battery pack and prevent it from falling when it is detached from the chassis. The hinges 24 between the frame elements 22A-D facilitate switching the maintenance table 20 between the service and storage configurations. In the storage configuration, the width W2 of the maintenance table 20 is reduced, thereby decreasing the area it occupies in the service area and increasing the number of vehicles that can be serviced there.

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