Battery swapping system, motor vehicle with the battery swapping system, and method for installing and / or removing a battery in or from the battery swapping system

Abstract

Battery swapping system with: a frame (5), wherein the frame (5) defines a battery receiving space (15) on the outside, wherein the battery exchange system (1) has a swivel-adjustable roller arrangement (7) with a first running roller (23), and wherein the roller arrangement (7) is designed and / or suitable to allow a motor vehicle battery to be displaced relative to the frame (5) in a raised position of the roller arrangement (7) by rolling on the first roller (23), preferably with minimal effort, characterized by that the battery replacement system (1) has a locking unit (9) for securing the battery in the battery receiving compartment (15), and that the locking unit (9) has a bearing block (41), a first locking hook (45) and / or a second locking hook (47), and that the locking unit (9) has an actuating shaft (55), preferably manually operable, for transferring the locking unit (9) from a locked state to an unlocked state and vice versa, which is rotatably mounted on the bearing block (41), and that a locking hook cam disc (59) and / or a rail cam disc (61) is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the actuating shaft (55).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a battery exchange system according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to the preamble of claim 6, and according to claim 8 a motor vehicle with the battery exchange system, and according to claim 9 a method for inserting and / or removing a battery in or from the battery exchange system.

[0002] The traction battery of an electric vehicle has a limited electrical capacity. Once the traction battery is discharged, it must be recharged. However, the electric vehicle cannot be used during charging, which limits its usability. To extend the operating time of the electric vehicle, smaller electric vehicles, such as electric scooters, feature a battery swapping system. This system allows a discharged traction battery to be replaced with a fully charged one. First, a battery lock on the swapping system is unlocked. Then, the discharged traction battery is removed from a battery compartment enclosed by the frame of the swapping system. This is done manually, especially in smaller electric vehicles, due to the low weight of the traction battery.The fully charged traction battery is then manually inserted into the battery compartment and the battery lock is re-engaged. However, this battery exchange system is not suitable for traction batteries with a comparatively high weight, such as those found in cars or tractors. Manual removal and insertion of the traction battery is then impossible due to its weight. The battery exchange system therefore has the disadvantage that its application is limited to traction batteries with a comparatively low weight.

[0003] Battery swapping systems are also known, where the battery is bolted into the vehicle from underneath. However, this has the disadvantage that the battery must be lowered from underneath the vehicle for replacement, requiring a clean workshop environment. Therefore, battery replacement is not possible everywhere. Furthermore, the mounting points are subject to considerable stress, as they must bear the weight and the loads that occur during operation. The mounting points must therefore be designed with correspondingly high safety factors.

[0004] WO 2023 / 001621 A1 discloses a vehicle with battery elements. US 2014 / 0003895 A1 discloses a motor vehicle with a battery exchange system and a Teflon-coated U-profile guide. KR 102456232 B1 discloses a generic battery exchange system. DE 102005008061 A1 discloses a material handling vehicle with a tiltable battery support surface. WO 03 / 022725 A1 discloses a lifting and transfer device for heavy objects. DE 19654685 A1 discloses an electrically powered forklift truck with a tiltable battery support. DE 102009020081 A1 discloses a material handling vehicle, in particular a counterbalance forklift truck. From DE 10 2005 022 094 A1 a forklift truck with a laterally extendable battery block is known.

[0005] One object of the invention is to provide a battery exchange system that has broader application possibilities compared to known battery exchange systems.

[0006] This problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0007] The invention proposes a battery exchange system for a battery, preferably a traction battery, of a motor vehicle, comprising a frame, the frame of which defines a battery receiving space on the outside. According to the invention, the battery exchange system has a roller arrangement, preferably pivotally adjustable from a lowered position to a raised position and vice versa, with a first roller. The roller arrangement is designed and / or suitable for allowing the battery of the motor vehicle, preferably inserted into the battery receiving space, to be moved relative to the frame in a raised position of the roller arrangement by rolling it on the first roller, preferably with minimal effort, preferably translationally or exclusively translationally. The roller arrangement in the raised position enables effortless movement of the battery into or out of the battery receiving space.This means the battery exchange system can also be used for batteries with a comparatively high weight, thus advantageously increasing its application possibilities compared to known battery exchange systems. Thanks to the swivel-adjustable roller arrangement, the battery exchange system advantageously combines the benefits of rigid three-point mounting when the rollers are lowered with convenient handling of the battery when the rollers are raised.

[0008] For example, the roller assembly may include a rail with a front end and / or a rear end. The rail may be formed, for instance, by a U-profile, a closed profile, or a double-T beam. The U-profile has the particular advantage of being more cost-effective to manufacture compared to, for example, a solid profile.

[0009] Preferably, the rail, in a lowered position of the roller assembly, rests with its front end on a locking unit, preferably a bearing block, of the battery exchange system, preferably loosely, and / or preferably, the rail is pivotably mounted on the frame with its rear end about a pivot axis. The U-shaped rail allows for a particularly lightweight roller assembly. The pivot adjustability allows the roller assembly to be moved from the lowered to the raised position with less effort compared to lifting the entire assembly.

[0010] For example, the locking unit may be designed and / or suitable to fix the battery in a fixed position in the installed state and / or in the battery receiving space, preferably by means of the locking unit in the locked state.

[0011] According to the invention, the battery exchange system includes a locking unit for securely fixing the battery in the battery compartment, and the locking unit comprises a bearing block, a first locking hook, and / or a second locking hook. Additionally, the first locking hook and / or the second locking hook can be fixed against rotation, preferably by means of keys, on a common locking hook shaft, which is rotatably mounted on the bearing block. It is particularly advantageous that the first locking hook and the second locking hook are coupled to each other via the locking hook shaft of the locking unit. The two locking hooks ensure a particularly reliable and secure attachment of the battery to the battery exchange system.Due to the coupling of the locking hooks' movements via the locking hook shaft, rotating just one of the locking hooks is sufficient to simultaneously rotate both locking hooks from their locked to their unlocked positions. A further advantage is that the locking unit can be locked and unlocked without additional tools such as screws. This eliminates torque fluctuations, which are otherwise common with screw connections. Furthermore, this design allows for numerous battery replacement cycles, and the battery replacement system can be operated with few tools or even without tools.

[0012] For example, the locking unit, preferably the bearing block, may be mounted on a cross member of the frame, preferably in the area of ​​a battery insertion opening associated with the frame. Since the frame is robustly constructed and the bearing block is firmly connected to the frame via the cross member, forces occurring during operation can be advantageously transferred into the frame.

[0013] It is particularly preferred that the frame is U-shaped and / or formed from a metal sheet, preferably partially from a bent metal sheet. It is particularly preferred that the cross member extends parallel to a transverse axis of the battery exchange system and / or connects two parallel legs or side walls of the frame. Manufacturing the frame from a metal sheet, preferably a bent metal sheet, offers a way to produce a particularly lightweight frame. It is also preferred that the legs or side walls of the frame are connected to each other by means of a rear wall of the frame. It is particularly preferred that the rear wall extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and parallel to both the vertical and transverse axes of the battery exchange system.The frame serves in particular to protect and / or shield the battery from mechanical stresses, such as in a crash situation.

[0014] For example, the locking hooks may be designed and / or suitable to engage, preferably positively, with locking hook recesses, preferably one each, which are bounded externally by a battery housing, when the battery is installed and / or when the locking unit is locked. This positive engagement ensures that the battery is held securely in the battery housing without play by means of the locking hooks.

[0015] According to the invention, the locking unit comprises an actuating shaft, preferably manually operable or manually rotatable, for transitioning the locking unit from a locked state to an unlocked state and vice versa, which is rotatably mounted on the bearing block, and in which a locking hook cam disc and / or a rail cam disc, preferably each, are arranged non-rotatably on the actuating shaft. By rotating the actuating shaft, a battery located in its installed state and in the battery compartment can therefore be released manually with minimal effort and without external power.

[0016] For example, the actuating shaft may extend parallel to a longitudinal axis of the battery exchange system and / or perpendicular to the locking hook shaft. This arrangement of the actuating shaft makes it particularly accessible from the front of the vehicle when the battery exchange system is installed. Furthermore, this arrangement allows for separate actuation of the battery exchange system from outside the vehicle and from the front, thus significantly reducing the risk of injury, especially crushing, for an operator of the battery exchange system.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the locking unit may be designed and / or suitable such that, by rotating the actuating shaft, preferably in a first direction of rotation, a cam contour of the locking hook cam disk actuates an actuating lever of the first locking hook or the second locking hook in such a way that the locking hooks are rotated or turned from a locking position to an unlocking position. Simply by rotating the actuating shaft, the locking hooks can be moved from their locking position to their unlocking position. The locking unit is thus advantageously particularly easy to operate.

[0018] Preferably, the locking hooks may be in their locking position when the locking unit is in a locking state, and / or the locking hooks may be in their unlocking position when the locking unit is in an unlocking state.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the locking unit may be designed and / or suitable such that, by rotating the actuating shaft, preferably in a first direction of rotation, the roller assembly, preferably a rail of the roller assembly, is lifted from the bearing block by contact with a cam contour of the rail cam disc. If the battery is installed in the battery receiving space, the battery, together with the roller assembly, is lifted from the bearing block, preferably a rail support block of the bearing block, in the positive vertical axis direction of a vertical axis of the battery exchange system. Resting on the roller(s), the battery can then be moved in and out of the battery receiving space in a force-efficient manner.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the locking hook cam disk, preferably a cam contour of the locking hook cam disk, and the rail cam disk, preferably a cam contour of the rail cam disk, are arranged on the actuating shaft rotated and / or spaced apart from each other by a predefined angle, and the angle is dimensioned such that when the actuating shaft is rotated, preferably in the first direction of rotation, the rail is only lifted from the bearing block after the locking hooks have already been at least partially or completely rotated out of their locking position and / or are disengaged from the locking hook recesses. This arrangement of the locking hook cam disk and the rail cam disk results in a particularly smooth movement sequence between the unlocking of the locking hooks and the lifting of the roller assembly.Furthermore, it is ensured that the battery is only lifted from the support block after the locking hooks have been disengaged from the locking hook recesses.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery exchange system may have a first centering pin and / or a second centering pin for holding and / or supporting the battery. It is preferably provided that the first centering pin and / or the second centering pin is attached to the frame and projects into the battery receiving space, or preferably that the first centering pin and / or the second centering pin is arranged on the battery, preferably on the battery housing. The battery is thus additionally secured to the frame by means of a positive fit.

[0022] For example, the battery exchange system may be designed and / or suitable such that the first centering pin and / or the second centering pin, when the battery is installed, engage positively in, preferably precisely, a centering pin recess defined by a battery housing or by the frame. The battery can thus be held without play in the battery compartment, particularly in conjunction with the positive engagement of the locking hooks.

[0023] For example, the first and / or second centering pins may extend parallel to the rail of the roller assembly or to the longitudinal axis of the battery exchange system, and / or the centering pins may be arranged on the side of the frame opposite the locking unit. This arrangement of the centering pins relative to the frame and / or the roller assembly allows them to be threaded into centering pin recesses, which are bounded externally by the battery housing, without creating interference contours. If both centering pins are provided, this results in a particularly torsionally rigid attachment of the battery to the frame. Furthermore, the two centering pins facilitate the automatic connection of an electrical battery connector to an electrical vehicle connector.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the battery exchange system may be designed and / or suitable for mounting the battery on the frame via a preferably rigid three-point mounting when the battery is installed and the rollers are lowered. Preferably, the battery may rest, preferably exclusively, on a bearing block of the locking unit and on the centering pin(s) when installed and with the rollers lowered. By means of the three-point mounting, the battery is statically fixed to the frame, and even in the event of frame torsion, e.g., due to operational loads during vehicle use, the battery maintains firm contact with the frame. Furthermore, no torsional loads are introduced into the battery, and crash forces are transferred directly into the vehicle frame.

[0025] For example, the three-point support can be provided by the bearing block, preferably a battery support block of the bearing block, the first centering mandrel and the second centering mandrel.

[0026] For example, the battery changing system may be provided with a safety switch, preferably an electrical one, and the safety switch may be designed and / or suitable to prevent rotation of the actuating shaft when the safety switch is closed. Preferably, a locking pawl arranged on the locking hook cam disc may be held in the safety switch when it is closed. The safety switch prevents the battery from being removed from the battery compartment unless certain conditions are met to prevent any danger to the operator of the battery changing system.

[0027] Preferably, it can be provided that rotation of the actuating shaft is only possible if the safety switch is in an open state.

[0028] It is particularly preferred that the safety switch is designed and / or suitable for being switched from the closed to the open state by disconnecting a high-voltage electrical connection between the battery and the vehicle, preferably by turning an ignition key to a changeover position of an ignition lock, and / or by unlocking the safety switch, preferably in the event of a battery system defect, using an additional key. This ensures that the battery can only be removed from the battery compartment if the high-voltage connection is disconnected. This advantageously prevents an operator of the battery replacement system from accidentally coming into contact with live parts.

[0029] For example, the battery swapping system can be installed in a stationary manner, such as in a wind turbine or in conjunction with a photovoltaic system.

[0030] The invention further proposes a battery exchange system with a frame, wherein the frame externally defines a battery receiving space, wherein the battery exchange system has a pivotally adjustable roller arrangement with a first guide roller, and wherein the roller arrangement is designed and / or suitable for allowing a motor vehicle battery to be displaced relative to the frame in a raised position of the roller arrangement by rolling it on the first guide roller, preferably with minimal effort. The invention further provides that the battery exchange system has a first centering pin and / or a second centering pin for holding and / or supporting the battery, and that the battery exchange system is designed and / or suitable for supporting the battery on the frame via a, preferably rigid, three-point mounting when the battery is installed and the roller arrangement is lowered.

[0031] The invention further proposes a motor vehicle with a battery exchange system as described above. Preferably, the motor vehicle may have a battery, preferably a traction battery.

[0032] The invention also proposes a method for inserting and / or removing a battery into or from the battery exchange system described above.

[0033] For example, it can be provided that the longitudinal axis, the transverse axis and the vertical axis each extend at right angles to each other.

[0034] The following are descriptions of embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0035] They show: Fig. 1. A battery replacement system in a perspective view; Fig. 2 in a perspective view a locking unit of the battery exchange system in a locked state; Fig. 3 in a perspective view the locking unit in an unlocked state; Fig. 4. A traction battery in a perspective view; Fig. 5 in another perspective view a section of the traction battery; Fig. 6 in a perspective view a tractor with the battery exchange system and the traction battery in the installed state; Fig. 7 in a perspective view a section of the battery exchange system with the traction battery in a locked installed state; Fig. 8 in a perspective view the section of the tractor with the traction battery in the installed state, with the locking unit already partially unlocked; Fig. Figure 9 shows the traction battery in an unlocked installed state in a perspective sectional view, and Fig. Figure 10 shows the traction battery in its installed state in a perspective view, with a purely schematic representation of the three-point mounting of the traction battery.

[0036] In the Fig. Figure 1 shows a battery exchange system 1. The battery exchange system 1 is part of a system, represented here only by example in the Fig. The battery exchange system 1 is designed and suitable for replacing a discharged battery, represented here only by example by a traction battery 3 of the tractor T, as shown in the diagram. Fig. 6, can be easily and energy-efficiently replaced by another fully charged traction battery (not shown).

[0037] The battery exchange system 1 comprises a frame 5, a roller assembly 7, a locking unit 9, a first centering pin 11, and a second centering pin 13. The frame 5 is, for illustrative purposes only, formed by a substantially U-shaped bent sheet metal part. The frame 5 at least partially defines the outer boundaries of a battery receiving space 15. Furthermore, the frame 5 incorporates a battery insertion opening 17, which faces a positive longitudinal axis direction of a longitudinal axis L of the battery exchange system 1 and is thus located on the front of the frame 5. The positive longitudinal axis direction corresponds to the direction of the arrow of the longitudinal axis L in the Fig. 1. The battery insertion opening 17 leads into the battery receiving chamber 15 and is at least partially limited radially outwards by the frame 5.

[0038] The frame 5 has a cross member 19 by means of which two legs of the frame 5, running parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal axis L, are connected to one another. The locking unit 9 is attached to the cross member 19, specifically to an upper surface of the cross member 19 that faces the positive vertical axis direction of the vertical axis H of the battery exchange system 1. The positive vertical axis direction corresponds to the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis H in the Fig. 1.

[0039] The first centering pin 11 and the second centering pin 13 are each attached to a base section of the frame 5 such that the centering pins 11 and 13 project into the battery receiving space 15. The centering pins 11 and 13 extend parallel to the longitudinal axis L and parallel to the two legs of the frame 5, which are connected to each other via the cross member 19. The centering pins 11 and 13 absorb forces introduced by the traction battery 3 in the negative longitudinal direction of the longitudinal axis L, parallel to the transverse axis Q, and parallel to the vertical axis H.

[0040] The roller assembly 7 is pivotally mounted on the frame 5 and has a U-shaped rail 21, shown here only as an example. The rail 21 is arranged in the battery exchange system 1 such that it is open in the direction of the positive vertical axis H. Furthermore, the rail 21 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis L and parallel to the legs of the frame 5, which are connected to each other by means of the cross member 19. With respect to the frame 5, the roller assembly 7 has a first roller 23 at its front, which is rotatably mounted on an axle associated with the first roller 23. The axle associated with the first roller 23 is attached to legs of the U-shaped rail 21 that run parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The first roller 23 is arranged between the legs of the U-shaped rail 21 that run parallel to the longitudinal axis L.

[0041] In addition to the first roller 23, the roller assembly 7 has a second roller 25 and a third roller 27. The rollers 25 and 27 are rotatably mounted on a common axis associated with them. This common axis is attached to the legs of the U-shaped rail 21, which run parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The rollers 25 and 27 are arranged on the outside of the rail 21 such that they are located on opposite sides of the rail 21.

[0042] The axis associated with the first roller 23 and the axis associated with rollers 25 and 27 run parallel to and spaced apart from each other parallel to the longitudinal axis L. Rollers 25 and 27 are located behind roller 23 when viewed in the negative direction of the longitudinal axis L. Rollers 23, 25, and 27 each project partially beyond the rail 21 and / or beyond the legs of the rail 21 that run parallel to the longitudinal axis L in the positive direction of the vertical axis H. The rail 21 is positioned centrally between the legs of the frame 5 that run parallel to the longitudinal axis L.

[0043] The roller assembly 7 has a rail pivot axis 29, which is arranged at a rear rail end of the rail 21 that points in the negative longitudinal axis direction of the longitudinal axis L. The rail 21 is rotatably mounted about the rail pivot axis 29. The rail pivot axis 29 extends parallel to the axis associated with the first roller 23 and the axis associated with rollers 25 and 27. The rail pivot axis 29 is attached to a rail bearing unit, which is indirectly connected to the frame 5.

[0044] The locking unit 9 has a bearing block 41, as is used, for example, in the Fig. Figure 2 shows the bearing block 41 being mounted on the crossbeam 19. The bearing block 41 has a rail support block 43 with a cover surface facing the positive vertical axis direction of the vertical axis H. A front rail end of the rail 21, facing the positive longitudinal axis direction of the longitudinal axis L, rests loosely on the cover surface of the rail support block 43.

[0045] The locking unit 9 comprises a first, preferably plate-shaped, locking hook 45 and a second, preferably plate-shaped, locking hook 47. The first locking hook 45 and the second locking hook 47 are fixed against rotation on a locking hook shaft 52. The locking hook shaft 52 is rotatably mounted on the bearing block 41 and extends parallel to a transverse axis Q of the battery exchange system 1 (see Fig. 1) The positive transverse axis direction corresponds to the arrow direction of the transverse axis Q in the Fig. 1. The first locking hook 45 and the second locking hook 47 are arranged on opposite sides of the rail support block 43, so that the rail support block 43 is positioned between the locking hooks 45 and 47 and rests against each of the locking hooks 45 and 47.

[0046] As is the case, for example, in the Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the first locking hook 45 and the second locking hook 47 are connected to each other via a locking rod 48. The locking rod 48 extends parallel to the transverse axis Q. The locking hook shaft 52, on which the two locking hooks 45 and 47 are fixed against rotation, provides complete coupling of movement between the first locking hook 45 and the second locking hook 47.

[0047] The locking unit 9 has a battery support block 51, shown here only as an example, which is essentially cuboid in shape and connects to the rail support block 43 essentially in the positive direction of the vertical axis H. The battery support block 51 has a top surface facing the positive direction of the vertical axis H, on which the traction battery 3 rests in its installed state as it is inserted into the battery receiving space 15. The battery support block 51 and the rail support block 43 can, for example, be made of a single piece of material and joined together in one piece, or be made of multiple parts and, for example, welded together.

[0048] The battery support block 51 defines a first hook groove 49, associated with the first locking hook 45, and a second hook groove 50, associated with the second locking hook 47, on the outside. The first locking hook 45 extends partially into the first hook groove 49. The second locking hook 47 extends partially into the second hook groove 50. The locking hooks 45 and 47 are partially guided by the battery support block 51 in the hook grooves 49 and 50. Forces or force components acting parallel to the transverse axis Q therefore do not have to be absorbed solely by the locking hooks 45 and 47, but are partially transferred into the mechanically stable battery support block 51.

[0049] The second locking hook 47 is supported on the battery support block 51 by a spring 53, which here is merely an example formed by a coiled helical spring. The spring 53 is mounted on the locking hook shaft 52 on the side of the second locking hook 47 that faces the battery support block 51. The spring 53 is clamped firmly to the second locking hook 47 and merely rests against the battery support block 51. The spring force of the spring 53 acts clockwise, viewed in the negative transverse direction of the transverse axis Q. This spring force biases the second locking hook 47 clockwise, also viewed in the negative transverse direction of the transverse axis Q. This means that the second locking hook 47, and via the locking rod 48 also the first locking hook 45, are biased by the spring force in the direction of their locking position.

[0050] The locking unit 9 has an actuating shaft 55 which is rotatably mounted on the bearing block 41, specifically on the rail support block 43. The actuating shaft 55 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis L. A locking cam disk 57, a locking hook cam disk 59, and a rail cam disk 61 are each fixedly mounted on the actuating shaft 55. The cam disks 57, 59, and 61 are attached to the actuating shaft 55 such that the rail support block 43 is positioned between the locking cam disk 57 and the locking hook cam disk 59, and that the locking hook cam disk 59 is positioned between the rail support block 43 and the rail cam disk 61. The locking cam disc 57 and the locking hook cam disc 59 each rest directly against the rail support block 43. The rail cam disc 61 rests against the locking hook cam disc 59.The locking cam disc 57 is arranged on the side of the rail support block 43 facing the positive longitudinal axis direction of the longitudinal axis L. The locking hook cam disc 59 and the rail cam disc 61 are arranged on the side of the rail support block 43 that corresponds to the rail 21.

[0051] The locking unit 9 has a safety switch 71. The safety switch 71 is, shown here only as an example, mounted in the negative transverse direction of the transverse axis Q next to the bearing block 41 on the cross member 19. The safety switch 71 is designed to activate a cam disc 59 arranged on the locking hook cam and in the Fig. The locking pawl 73 shown in the diagram is to be inserted into the safety switch 71 and secured within it. When the locking pawl 73 is secured, the locking hook cam 59 cannot be rotated. Only after unlocking the safety switch 71 by turning the ignition key to the changeover position of the ignition lock, and thus disconnecting the high-voltage connection between the traction battery 3 and the tractor T, can the locking pawl 73 be removed from the safety switch 71. This allows the actuating shaft 55, together with the locking hook cam 59, to be rotated for the removal of the traction battery 3.

[0052] Should there be a defect on the tractor, it is possible to unlock the safety switch temporarily using an additional key, which is inserted into the safety switch and with which the safety switch is moved to the open position.

[0053] As is the case, for example, in the Fig. 4 and Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the traction battery 3 has a substantially cuboid battery housing 75. As shown in the Fig. As shown in Figure 4, a first locking hook recess 77 and a second locking hook recess 79 are assigned to the battery housing 75 on the front side of the traction battery 3, which, in the installed state, faces the positive longitudinal axis direction of the longitudinal axis L. The first locking hook recess 77 and the second locking hook recess 79 are each bounded externally by the battery housing 75.

[0054] The first locking hook recess 77 is associated with the first locking hook 45, so that the first locking hook 45 can be brought into positive engagement with the first locking hook recess 77 when the traction battery 3 is installed. The second locking hook recess 79 is associated with the second locking hook 47, so that the second locking hook 47 can be brought into positive engagement with the second locking hook recess 79 when the traction battery 3 is installed. The locking hooks 45 and 47 thus absorb forces that are introduced into the locking hooks 45 and 47 in the positive longitudinal axis direction of the longitudinal axis L, parallel to the transverse axis Q and parallel to the vertical axis H.

[0055] As this is shown in the Fig. As shown in Figure 5, a first centering pin recess 81 and a second centering pin recess 83 are assigned to the battery housing 75 on the rear side of the traction battery 3, which, in the installed state of the traction battery 3, faces the negative longitudinal axis direction of the longitudinal axis L. The first centering pin recess 81 and the second centering pin recess 83 are bounded externally by the battery housing 75. An electrical battery connector 85 is also assigned to the rear side of the traction battery 3, which is electrically connected to battery cells of the traction battery 3. The traction battery 3 can be electrically connected to an electrical vehicle connector (not shown) of the tractor T via the battery connector 85. An electrical connection between the traction battery 5 and a drive unit of the tractor T can be established via the battery connector 85 and the vehicle connector.

[0056] The following describes in detail the operation of the locking unit 9 using a procedure for removing the traction battery 3 from the battery exchange system 1. For example, in the Fig. Figure 7 shows the traction battery 3 in its installed state within the battery exchange system 1, with the locking unit 9 also shown in its locked position. In this installed state, the traction battery 3 is fully electrically connected to the tractor T. Furthermore, the traction battery 3 is securely supported on the battery exchange system 1 by a three-point mounting, preferably a self-supporting one. The three-point mounting is shown in the Fig. Figure 10 illustrates the three-point bearing arrangement with a purely schematic triangle. Two bearing points of the three-point bearing are provided by the centering pins 11 and 13. A third bearing point is provided by the battery support block 51. Alternatively, it is also possible that only the first centering pin 11, which is then located centrally on the frame or battery housing with respect to the transverse axis Q, together with the locking hooks 45 and 47, forms the three-point bearing arrangement. For this purpose, the locking hooks 45 and 47 can be spaced significantly further apart in the transverse axis direction than, for example, in the diagram. Fig. 11 is shown.

[0057] In the installed state, the first centering mandrel 11, preferably with an intermediate layer of, for example, an elastic plastic bushing, preferably a silent bushing, for vibration damping and tolerance compensation, is in positive engagement with the first centering mandrel recess 81. This is, for example, in the Fig. Figure 9 shows that in the installed state, the second centering mandrel 13, preferably with an interposition of, for example, an elastic plastic bushing, preferably a silent bushing, for vibration damping and tolerance compensation, is in positive engagement with the second centering mandrel recess 83. The battery housing 75 also rests on the battery support block 51. Furthermore, the locking hooks 45 and 47 are in a locking position corresponding to the locking state of the locking unit 9. In the locked position, the first locking hook 45 engages positively with the first locking hook recess 77, and the second locking hook 47 engages positively with the second locking hook recess 79. By means of the locking hooks 45 and 47 in their locked position, the traction battery 3 is held on the centering pins 11 and 13 and on the battery support block 51.As is the case, for example, in the . Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the roller assembly 7 is in a lowered position when the locking unit 9 is locked. In the lowered position, the rail 21 rests on the rail support block 43, and the rollers 23, 25, and 27 are not in contact with the battery housing 75 and are spaced away from the battery housing 75 in the negative vertical axis direction of the vertical axis H.

[0058] The locking cam disc 57 has a locking cam disc contour on its circumferential side. The locking cam disc contour corresponds to the outer circumference of the locking rod 48. In the locked state of the locking unit 9, the locking cam disc contour partially engages the locking rod 48, such that the locking hooks 45 and 47 are held in their locked position indirectly via the locking rod 48. In the locked state of the locking unit 9, the locking hook cam disc 59 is out of contact with the locking hooks 45 and 47, and the rail cam disc 61 is out of contact with the rail 21.

[0059] To remove the traction battery 3 from the battery exchange system 1, the high-voltage connection between the tractor T and the traction battery 3 is first switched off by turning an ignition key in the tractor's ignition lock to an exchange position. This moves the safety switch to an open position, so that the locking pawl 73 is no longer held in the safety switch 71.

[0060] The actuating shaft 55 is then rotated, specifically, for illustrative purposes only, in a counterclockwise direction when viewed along the negative longitudinal axis L. This rotation of the actuating shaft 55 disengages the locking cam profile from the locking rod 48, so that the locking hooks 45 and 47 are no longer held in their locking position by the locking cam. Furthermore, rotating the actuating shaft 55 pivots the locking pawl 73 out of the safety switch 71.

[0061] With further rotation of the actuating shaft 55, a cam contour of the locking hook cam disk 59 comes into contact with an actuating lever 87 of the second locking hook 47. Further rotation causes the cam contour to slide off the actuating lever 87, thereby moving the second locking hook 47, together with the first locking hook 45, from their locked position towards an unlocked position. In doing so, the locking hooks 45 and 47 are rotated about their locking hook axis, in a counterclockwise direction along the negative transverse axis Q. In the unlocked position, the locking hooks 45 and 47 do not protrude beyond the top surface of the battery mounting block 51 in the positive vertical axis direction H.In addition to the cam contour, the locking hook cam disc has a stop contour 89 which, when the unlocking position of the locking hooks 45 and 47 is reached, prevents further rotation of the actuating shaft 55 in a counterclockwise direction, with a view in the negative transverse axis direction of the transverse axis Q.

[0062] By further rotating the actuating shaft 55 while the locking hooks 45 and 47 are moved into their unlocked position, a cam contour of the rail cam disc 61 simultaneously comes into contact with the rail 61 and then pushes it away from the rail support block 43 in the positive vertical axis direction of the vertical axis H. In doing so, the roller assembly 7 is pivoted about the rail pivot axis 29, whereby the roller assembly 7 moves from the lowered position to a position in which Fig.The roller assembly 7 is transferred to the raised position shown in Figure 3. By raising the roller assembly 7, the rollers 23, 25, and 27 first come into contact with an underside of the battery housing 75, and the traction battery 3 is then immediately raised slightly in the positive direction of the vertical axis H. The traction battery 3 thus no longer rests on the battery support block 51, but on the rollers 23, 25, and 27, so that the traction battery 3 can be removed from the battery exchange system 1, specifically the battery compartment 15, with minimal effort.

[0063] The traction battery 3 is then pulled out of the battery receiving compartment 15 through the battery insertion opening 17 by rolling it on the rollers 23, 25, and 27 in the positive longitudinal axis direction of the longitudinal axis L. During this process, the centering pins 11 and 13 disengage from the centering pin recesses 81 and 83, and the battery connector 85 is disconnected from the vehicle connector. After the traction battery 3 has been removed from the battery receiving compartment 15, it is taken out and ready for charging.

[0064] To enable tractor T to continue driving immediately, another fully charged traction battery is then inserted into battery compartment 15. The installation of the additional fully charged traction battery is carried out in the reverse order of the removal of traction battery 3.

[0065] It should also be noted that, in this or another embodiment of the battery exchange system 1, the rail 21 can also be raised by directly rotating the locking hook shaft 52 via a hexagonal head provided on the locking hook shaft 52. Actuation of the locking hooks 45 and 47 via the locking hook cam disc 59 is then unnecessary. Reference symbol list 1 Battery exchange system 3 traction batteries 5 frames 7 Role arrangement 9 Locking unit 11 first centering mandrel 13 second centering mandrel 15 Battery storage compartment 17 Battery insertion opening 19 Crossbeam 21 rail 23 first roller 25 second roller 27 third roller 29 Rail swivel axle 41 Bearing block 43 rail support block 45 first locking hooks 47 second locking hooks 48 Locking rod 49 first hook groove 50 second hook groove 51 Battery support block 52 Locking hook shaft 53 spring 55 Actuating shaft 57 Locking cam disc 59 Locking hook cam disc 61 Rail Curve Disc 71 safety switches 73 Locking pawl 75 Battery cases 77 first locking hook recess 79 second locking hook recess 81 first centering mandrel recess 83 second centering mandrel recess 85 Battery connector interface 87 Actuating levers 89 Stop contour H vertical axis L Longitudinal axis Q transverse axis T tractor

Claims

Battery exchange system comprising: a frame (5), wherein the frame (5) defines a battery receiving space (15) externally, wherein the battery exchange system (1) has a pivotally adjustable roller arrangement (7) with a first roller (23), and wherein the roller arrangement (7) is designed and / or suitable for allowing a motor vehicle battery to be displaced relative to the frame (5) in a raised position of the roller arrangement (7) by rolling on the first roller (23), preferably with minimal effort, characterized in that the battery exchange system (1) has a locking unit (9) for securing the battery in the battery receiving space (15), and that the locking unit (9) has a bearing block (41), a first locking hook (45) and / or a second locking hook (47), and that the locking unit (9) has a, preferably manually actuated,The actuating shaft (55) is for transferring the locking unit (9) from a locked state to an unlocked state and vice versa, and is rotatably mounted on the bearing block (41), and a locking hook cam disk (59) and / or a rail cam disk (61) is arranged non-rotatably on the actuating shaft (55). Battery exchange system according to claim 1, characterized in that the first locking hook (45) and / or the second locking hook (47) are fixedly mounted on a common locking hook shaft (52) which is rotatably mounted on the bearing block (41), wherein it may preferably be provided that the first locking hook (45) and the second locking hook (47) are coupled to each other via the locking hook shaft (52) of the locking unit (9). Battery exchange system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking unit (9) is designed and / or suitable for such that, by rotating the actuating shaft (55), preferably in a first direction of rotation, a cam contour of the locking hook cam disk (59) actuates an actuating lever (87) of the first locking hook (45) or of the second locking hook (47) in such a way that the locking hooks (45; 47) are twisted or rotated from a locking position to an unlocking position. Battery exchange system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking unit (9) is designed and / or suitable for lifting the roller assembly (7), preferably a rail (21) of the roller assembly (7), from the bearing block (41) by rotating the actuating shaft (55), preferably in a first direction of rotation, by contact with a cam contour of the rail cam disc (61). Battery exchange system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking hook cam disk (59), preferably a cam contour of the locking hook cam disk (59), and the rail cam disk (61), preferably a cam contour of the rail cam disk (61), are arranged rotated and / or spaced apart from each other by a predefined angle on the actuating shaft (55), and that the angle is dimensioned such that when the actuating shaft (55) is rotated, preferably in the first direction of rotation, the rail (21) is only lifted from the bearing block (41) after the locking hooks (45; 47) have been at least partially or completely rotated out of their locking position. Battery exchange system comprising: a frame (5), wherein the frame (5) defines a battery receiving space (15) externally, wherein the battery exchange system (1) has a pivotally adjustable roller assembly (7) with a first roller (23), and wherein the roller assembly (7) is designed and / or suitable for allowing a motor vehicle battery to be displaced relative to the frame (5) in a raised position of the roller assembly (7) by rolling on the first roller (23), preferably with minimal effort, characterized in that the battery exchange system (1) has a first centering pin (11) and / or a second centering pin (13) for holding and / or supporting the battery, and that the battery exchange system (1) is designed and / or suitable for supporting the battery on the frame (5) via a, preferably rigid, three-point mounting when the battery is installed and the roller assembly (7) is lowered. is. Battery exchange system according to claim 6, characterized in that the battery, in the installed state of the battery and with the roller arrangement (7) lowered, preferably exclusively, rests on a bearing block (41) of the locking unit (9) and on the centering pin(s) (11; 13). Motor vehicle with a battery exchange system (1) according to one of the preceding claims. Method for installing and / or removing a battery into or from a battery exchange system (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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