Modular electric vehicle

Abstract

Electric vehicle comprehensive: a front section (1) and a rear section (2), characterized in that the electric vehicle 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or any number of middle sections (4, 5, 6, 7) has a middle section (4, 5, 6, 7) having a power module, wherein an accumulator (8) or a battery for supplying energy to the electric vehicle is arranged in the middle section (4, 5, 6, 7) and wherein the accumulator is arranged in the power module, wherein the power module is part of the floor structure of the vehicle and forms part of the crash structure.

Description

AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric vehicle or a hydrogen-powered vehicle. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Electric vehicles powered by onboard batteries are known in the prior art. Document US 2020 / 0009965 A1 describes vehicle platforms for autonomous driving. US 2019 / 0197927 A1 discloses a vehicle with a cuboid shape and large displays arranged on its sides. Document DE 1020134235 A1 describes the construction of a vehicle from modules. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Vehicle manufacturing is a costly and labor-intensive undertaking. Furthermore, production can only begin once a customer has placed an order. More consistent and therefore less expensive manufacturing would be possible if it were feasible to produce at least some essential vehicle components "for stock."

[0004] One task, therefore, is to provide a vehicle whose essential parts can be manufactured in advance and which can nevertheless be customized to meet specific customer requirements upon order.

[0005] The invention provides an electric vehicle or a hydrogen-powered vehicle comprising: a front section and a rear section, wherein the electric vehicle has 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or any number of middle sections, wherein a middle section has a power module, wherein an accumulator or battery for supplying energy to the electric vehicle is arranged in the middle section, and wherein the accumulator is arranged in the power module, the power module being part of the vehicle's floor structure and forming part of the crash structure.

[0006] According to the invention, the electric vehicle is constructed from modules that are continuously reused in the vehicle's production. This allows the modules to be manufactured in advance, enabling rapid production of a specific vehicle after it has been ordered. Furthermore, this ensures consistent production capacity utilization.

[0007] According to the invention, an electric vehicle is provided, wherein a central section comprises a window and / or a door and / or a power module. The power module includes the energy storage device. According to the invention, the power module forms part of the floor structure of the electric vehicle. The power module is thus also part of the crash structure. Due to the compact design of the power module, it is able to absorb a large amount of kinetic energy in the event of a crash and thus largely protect the occupant area. The power module can store various energy carriers, in particular electrical energy or hydrogen.

[0008] According to the present invention, an electric vehicle is provided, wherein an accumulator or a battery for supplying energy to the electric vehicle is arranged in the central area and wherein the accumulator is arranged in the power module.

[0009] Exemplary embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0010] A control module controls all or parts of the electrical and / or electronic systems of the electric vehicle.

[0011] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an electric vehicle is provided, wherein the electric vehicle has a storage box on the roof, wherein the storage box acts as a roof and / or wherein the storage box is arranged on one or more central areas.

[0012] The storage box can provide a roof structure for one or more middle sections of the electric vehicle.

[0013] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, an electric vehicle is provided, wherein the front section is identical in an electric vehicle as a taxi, minibus, ambulance, pickup, van and truck.

[0014] In a further embodiment according to the invention, an electric vehicle is provided, wherein the rear section of the electric vehicle is designed as a taxi with a passenger transport compartment, a minibus with a large passenger transport compartment, an ambulance with a stretcher, a pickup truck with a loading platform, a truck with a large loading platform or as a van with a luggage compartment.

[0015] In a further embodiment according to the invention, an electric vehicle is provided, wherein the electric vehicle is convertible, wherein one or more middle sections can be removed or installed and / or wherein the rear section is interchangeable as a taxi, minibus, ambulance, pickup, van or truck and / or wherein the front section remains unchanged.

[0016] Advantageously, the electric vehicle according to the invention can be retrofitted by removing or adding one or more middle sections. Alternatively, the rear section can be replaced. The front section of the electric vehicles is always identical.

[0017] In a further embodiment according to the invention, a vehicle is provided wherein the power module is part of the vehicle's floor structure and / or represents part of the crash structure.

[0018] The advantageous placement of the power module in the vehicle's floor area creates an excellent crash structure thanks to its compact design, providing good protection for the occupants. The compact design of the power module, including the batteries or accumulators within it, allows it to absorb a significant amount of the vehicle's kinetic energy during a crash, thus diverting a large portion of that energy and preventing it from deforming the occupants.

[0019] In a further embodiment according to the invention, a vehicle is provided, wherein the visible parts of the vehicle, in particular the windows, the doors, the front mask, the fender, the side parts or the rear, are prefabricated and arranged on the vehicle in modules.

[0020] One aspect of the invention is the modular construction of an electric vehicle, allowing for vehicle lengths of any desired size. This also makes it possible to subsequently adjust the vehicle length to accommodate luggage or passengers. In particular, all vehicles according to the invention have identical front and rear sections. The embodiments of the invention are electric vehicles that, unlike combustion engine vehicles, do not require a powertrain in their central section. Instead, batteries are arranged in this central section.Advantageously, longer vehicles allow for more batteries to be arranged in the longer central area, which is also necessary in a long vehicle because it is inherently heavier than a short vehicle and it can also be assumed that the larger storage space will be used to accommodate transported goods or people.

[0021] The special design using screw construction makes it possible to disassemble the vehicles after use and to reuse individual parts or components as part of a circular economy or to recycle them separately.

[0022] Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a modular electric vehicle that can be quickly assembled and subsequently modified. For this purpose, a module is provided that can be used as a central section for the electric vehicle. Advantageously, the central section of the electric vehicle does not contain any essential elements that cannot be easily portioned. In particular, accumulators or batteries can be arranged in the lower section of the central area to provide power. Advantageously, more accumulators are required when the vehicle according to the invention is longer, i.e., has many central sections. This is not a problem, however, as the numerous central sections can be equipped with accumulators.According to the invention, a modular vehicle body construction system based on a parts-sharing strategy is provided, which allows different vehicle bodies to be built using identical vehicle parts or vehicle parts with the same interface geometry. The variety of variants is made possible solely by the different side panel modules. The vehicles thus differ in shape and length. This enables the efficient construction of different vehicle types.

[0023] According to the invention, a modular construction system for the manufacture of an electric vehicle is proposed, wherein, in particular, the bodywork is constructed using modules. Furthermore, according to the invention, the visible parts of the vehicle are prefabricated, so that only the selection is possible, but no customer-specific adaptation of the front grille, fenders, side panels, or rear.

[0024] The electric vehicle according to the invention avoids high conversion costs for a production line, and long conversion times are eliminated. Although the vehicle according to the invention can be manufactured in small series, it is not necessary for employees to possess extensive technical expertise. Even without a continuous flow of orders, the modular design of the vehicle according to the invention enables continuous production.

[0025] The individual features can of course also be combined with each other, which can sometimes result in advantageous effects that go beyond the sum of the individual effects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Further details and advantages of the invention will become clear with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. These show Fig. 1 an electric vehicle according to the invention with two middle sections, Fig. 2. The same electric vehicle in a perspective view, Fig. 3. The same vehicle in a rear view, Fig. 4 the same vehicle in a front view, Fig. 5 the same vehicle in a top view, Fig. 6 an electric vehicle according to the invention with a middle section in 3 variations, Fig. 7 an electric vehicle according to the invention with two middle sections in 3 variations, Fig. 8 an electric vehicle according to the invention with two middle sections in 3 variations in a perspective view, Fig. 9 an electric vehicle according to the invention with three middle sections in 3 variations, Fig. 10 an electric vehicle according to the invention with four middle sections in 3 variations, Fig. 11 an electric vehicle according to the invention with two middle sections in 3 variations, Fig. 12 an electric vehicle according to the invention with two middle sections in 3 variations in a perspective view, Fig. 13 an electric vehicle according to the invention with three middle sections in 3 variations, Fig. 14 an electric vehicle according to the invention with a middle section in 3 variations, Fig. 15 an electric vehicle according to the invention with two middle sections in 3 variations and Fig. 16 an electric vehicle according to the invention with three middle sections in 3 variations. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EXECUTIONS

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 shows a modular electric vehicle comprising two central units 4 and 5. According to the invention, the electric vehicle has a front section 1 and a rear section 2. The central sections 4 and 5 can be arranged in any number within the electric vehicle, allowing for the production of any desired vehicle length.

[0028] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a vehicle according to the invention with a front section 1 and a rear section 2, wherein two middle sections 4 and 5 are arranged between the front section 1 and the rear section 2. In principle, any number of middle sections could be arranged, since the vehicle is an electric vehicle and therefore no rigid drive train needs to be accommodated in the middle area.

[0029] Fig. Figure 3 shows the rear section 2, which is identical, designed in this way or similarly in all embodiments according to the invention.

[0030] Fig. Figure 4 shows the front section 1, which is identical, designed in this way or similarly in all embodiments according to the invention.

[0031] Fig. Figure 5 shows a top view of an embodiment of the invention. The top view shows that the vehicle according to the invention essentially consists of three different modules: the front section 1, the rear section 2, and middle sections 4 and 5. A storage box can be arranged as a roof on the middle sections 4 and 5, which serves for the transport of bulky, elongated, or flat objects. The front and rear sections 1 and 2 of the vehicle according to the invention each have characteristic features and functional elements. The middle sections 4 and 5 are essentially identical. According to the invention, the vehicle could be manufactured with one, two, three, or any number of middle sections. The batteries, in particular, can be housed in the middle sections 4 and 5 as storage devices for the electrical energy supply.

[0032] Fig. Figure 6 shows three embodiments, each with only a central section 4. The rear section 2 can be varied by individual superstructures, thus offering customers a wide range of possible vehicle equipment options.

[0033] Fig. Figure 7 shows three embodiments with two middle sections 4 and 5.

[0034] Fig. Figure 8 shows the structure of an electric vehicle according to the invention with two middle sections 4, 5, wherein the batteries 8 are arranged in the middle sections 4, 5 as floor elements.

[0035] Fig. Figure 9 shows an electric vehicle according to the invention with three middle sections 4, 5 and 6.

[0036] Fig. Figure 10 shows an electric vehicle according to the invention with four middle sections 4, 5, 6 and 7. In this Fig. Figure 10 depicts a relatively large vehicle with four middle sections: 4, 5, 6, and 7. The storage capacity can alternatively range from 3,500 liters to 10,000 liters.

[0037] Fig. Figure 11 shows an electric vehicle according to the invention with two middle sections 4 and 5. The storage space can alternatively range from 1800 liters to 5000 liters.

[0038] Fig. Figure 12 shows the vehicle according to the invention in a perspective view with two middle sections 4 and 5.

[0039] Fig. Figure 13 shows a vehicle according to the invention with three central sections 4, 5, and 6 in three different variations. A first variation is a passenger transport vehicle, possibly designed as a bus, which, for example, comprises nine seats in a taxi version and 12 to 15 seats in a bus version. A second version is designed as a pickup truck and can be used particularly by tradespeople. A third version has a large, covered cargo area with three seats and a storage capacity of 1,800 to 2,400 liters. In another embodiment, the inventive vehicle is a tarpaulin-covered vehicle with a capacity of 5,000 to over 10,000 liters. The storage capacity can alternatively range from 2,400 to 7,000 liters.

[0040] Fig. Figure 14 shows a design with a middle section, where the rear area can be designed in three variations.

[0041] Fig. Figure 15 shows an embodiment with two middle areas 4 and 5, wherein a rear area is formed which can optionally be designed as a storage space for luggage, for transporting persons or as a loading area in the manner of a pickup truck.

[0042] Fig. Figure 16 shows an embodiment of the electric vehicle according to the invention with three central areas 4, 5 and 6.

[0043] According to the invention, the electric vehicle has a modular design, enabling at least partial production for stock. Additionally, this allows a specific vehicle to be subsequently modified, for example, to accommodate higher transport volumes. The vehicle according to the invention comprises several modules that can be varied to produce a minibus with up to 22 seats, an ambulance, a logistics vehicle, a family car, etc.

[0044] It should be noted that the term "include" does not exclude further elements or procedural steps, just as the terms "a" and "an" do not exclude multiple elements and steps.

[0045] The reference symbols used serve only to increase clarity and should in no way be considered restrictive, the scope of protection of the invention being defined by the claims. LIST OF REFERENCE MARKS 1 front section of an electric vehicle 2 rear section of an electric vehicle 3 storage boxes 4 First middle section of the electric vehicle 5 Second middle section of the electric vehicle 6 Third middle section of the electric vehicle 7 Fourth middle section of the electric vehicle 8 Accumulator / Battery / Accumulators / Batteries

Claims

[1] Electric vehicle encompassing: a front section (1) and a rear section (2), characterized by , that the electric vehicle 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or any number of middle sections (4, 5, 6, 7) has a middle section (4, 5, 6, 7) having a power module, wherein an accumulator (8) or a battery for powering the electric vehicle is arranged in the middle section (4, 5, 6, 7) and wherein the accumulator is arranged in the power module, wherein the power module is part of the floor structure of the vehicle and forms part of the crash structure. [2] Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the electric vehicle has a storage box (3) on the roof, wherein the storage box (3) acts as a roof and / or wherein the storage box (3) is arranged on one or more central areas (4, 5, 6, 7). [3] Vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the front section (1) is identical in an electric vehicle as a taxi, minibus, ambulance, pickup, van and truck. [4] Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear section (2) of the electric vehicle is designed as a taxi with a passenger transport compartment, a minibus with a large passenger transport compartment, an ambulance with a stretcher, a pickup truck with a loading platform, a truck with a large loading platform or as a van with a luggage compartment. [5] Vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the electric vehicle is convertible, wherein one or more middle sections (4, 5, 6, 7) are removable or installable and / or wherein the rear section (2) is interchangeable as a taxi, minibus, ambulance, pickup, van or truck and / or wherein the front section (1) remains unchanged. [6] Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the visible parts of the vehicle, in particular the windows, the doors, the front mask, the fenders, the side parts or the rear, are prefabricated and arranged on the vehicle in modules.

Images