Module unit for electric vehicles

Abstract

Module unit for electric vehicles driven by at least one electric motor, the electrical energy of which is obtained from an electrical storage device (battery) and by converting an additionally carried fuel, characterized in that the module unit (2) is box-shaped and comprises at least two chambers inside, wherein battery modules (5) are arranged in one of the chambers (10) and an internal combustion engine / generator unit (7, 8) and / or a fuel tank (8) are arranged in the other chambers, the individual chambers of the module unit (2) are designed to be fluid- and / or gas-tight from one another and completely enclose the fuel tank (6) together with the battery modules (5) and the internal combustion engine / generator unit (7, 8).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular unit for electric vehicles driven by at least one electric motor, the electrical energy of which is obtained from an electrical storage device (battery) and by converting an additionally carried fuel, and to a vehicle equipped therewith. For the purposes of this invention, "vehicles" are understood to mean all vehicles powered by an electric motor, such as passenger cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, trains, ships, and other comparable vehicles.

[0002] The development of on-road vehicles with purely electric drive or hybrid drive systems combining electric motors and combustion engines is currently receiving considerable attention worldwide. This is due to efforts to reduce pollutant emissions from current road traffic, and in particular CO2 emissions. The primary goal is to be able to drive completely emission-free with electric drive within cities.

[0003] High-voltage storage systems and fuel supply systems are used, for example, in electrified and hybrid vehicles. In addition to the battery cells and the fuel tank, a high-voltage storage system and a fuel supply system comprise numerous other components. By installing all the components of the high-voltage storage system and the fuel supply system in space relevant to the vehicle user (e.g., passenger compartment, trunk), this space is reduced. All these components have their own housings and are mounted separately to the vehicle.

[0004] DE 10 2018 130 506 A1 relates to a battery unit for a hybrid vehicle, comprising a battery housing with a front side wall facing the front of the hybrid vehicle and a rear side wall facing the rear of the hybrid vehicle, and at least one battery module arranged in the battery housing. The invention further relates to a hybrid vehicle with such a battery unit. The battery unit is characterized in that at least one fuel tank, in which the fuel for the combustion engine drive of the hybrid vehicle is stored, is arranged in the battery housing. The battery modules and the fuel tank are thus arranged in one and the same housing, the battery housing.

[0005] DE 10 2018 211 222 A1 relates to an assembly for a motor vehicle. The assembly comprises at least one operating fluid container for storing liquid operating fluid under ambient conditions and at least one energy storage device for storing electrical energy, wherein the energy storage device has at least one storage housing, wherein at least one fluid line connected or fluid-connectable to the operating fluid container is at least partially contained in the storage housing.

[0006] DE 10 2018 211 225 A1 relates to an assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one operating fluid container for storing liquid operating fluid under ambient conditions and at least one energy storage device for storing electrical energy, comprising a cooling device with at least one cooling element for jointly cooling the operating fluid container and the energy storage device.

[0007] DE 10 2020 003 433 B3 discloses a body support structure for a vehicle, comprising two side sills spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Each side sill has a cavity bounded outwards in the transverse direction by an outer wall, inwards in the transverse direction by an inner wall, upwards in the vertical direction by an upper chord, and downwards in the vertical direction by a lower chord of the respective side sill. At least one reinforcing element, separate from the respective side sill, is arranged in this cavity. The body support structure includes a floor arranged between the side sills and connected to them, and an energy storage device arranged under the floor for storing electrical energy and / or fuel to power the vehicle.

[0008] However, the range of a battery-powered electric vehicle and the high energy consumption of the electric vehicle itself are generally less than that of a conventional vehicle with an internal combustion engine with equivalent performance, which is why the electric vehicle requires frequent battery charging.

[0009] The problem with all purely electric vehicles at present is their limited range, due to the restricted capacity of the batteries as an energy source and, in particular, their considerable weight. Battery-electric vehicles are very heavy because of the high mass of the battery. The desire for a long range necessitates even larger and heavier batteries. Even with the use of high-performance batteries, achieving a range of several hundred kilometers is complex and costly. Therefore, using a battery-powered electric vehicle is not very user-friendly, especially for long journeys, as multiple stops at charging stations may be required.

[0010] Another type of vehicle with a combined drive system is the so-called full hybrid vehicle. Hybrid vehicles configured to have an external power supply for delivering electrical power to an electrical device or similar equipment outside the vehicle are known. Some of these hybrid vehicles can supply not only electrical power stored in a battery installed in the vehicle, but also electrical power generated by a power generator using the kinetic energy of a motor.

[0011] The invention is based on the objective of providing a modular unit for an electric vehicle driven by at least one electric motor, the electrical energy of which is obtained from an electrical storage device (battery) and by converting an additionally carried fuel, and a vehicle equipped with this unit, featuring a particularly space-saving arrangement of the battery unit for the electric drive of the vehicle together with the internal combustion engine drive of a generator. Furthermore, charging processes at external charging stations are to be reduced to a minimum.

[0012] The problem is solved according to the invention by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0013] The invention provides a modular unit for electric vehicles driven by at least one electric motor, the electrical energy of which is derived from an electrical storage device (battery) and by converting an additionally carried fuel. The modular unit is box-shaped and comprises at least two internal chambers, with battery modules arranged in one of the chambers and an internal combustion engine / generator unit and / or a fuel tank in the other chambers. The individual chambers of the modular unit are fluid- and / or gas-tight from one another and completely enclose the fuel tank together with the battery modules and the internal combustion engine / generator unit.

[0014] If the module unit is designed to be media-tight against gases and liquids, the ingress of atmospheric moisture can also be prevented. This prevents the formation of condensation and thus the risk of corrosion and short circuits within the battery module chamber.

[0015] Furthermore, the module unit can preferably be configured such that, in addition to the battery modules, the internal combustion engine drive for the generator, and the generator itself, which together form an internal combustion engine / generator unit, it also includes a fuel tank, wherein the fuel tank, along with the battery modules, the internal combustion engine drive of the generator, and the generator, is completely enclosed. The battery modules and the fuel tank are preferably arranged one behind the other within the module unit.

[0016] The vehicle's electric drive can be configured as front-wheel or rear-wheel drive, with one electric motor per axle, or with one electric motor per axle. A drive system using electric wheel motors is also possible. In any case, the required electrical energy is supplied by the module unit.

[0017] The internal combustion engine of the combustion engine / generator unit can be designed as a spark-ignition reciprocating engine, a rotary engine, or a gas turbine. A preferred design is a low-profile, two-cylinder boxer engine operating on a two-stroke or four-stroke cycle.

[0018] When using gas turbines to generate electricity in electric vehicles with longer ranges, the disadvantage of static efficiency is less significant because the gas turbine can operate at or near its maximum power output, driving a generator that produces electricity either for the electric motors or for the batteries, depending on the vehicle's speed and battery charge level. The batteries act as a buffer (energy storage) by supplying the required amount of energy to the electric motors, thus rendering the gas turbine's throttle response irrelevant.

[0019] Furthermore, no large gearbox or variable-speed gearbox is required. Because the generator runs relatively fast, a smaller and lighter generator can be used than would otherwise be possible. The improved power-to-weight ratio of the gas turbine and its fixed-speed gearbox allows for a much lighter drive unit. This, in turn, allows for heavier batteries, enabling a greater range in all-electric mode.

[0020] The module unit can be located under the floor of the electric vehicle between the longitudinal beams of the underbody structure, or in the underbody area of ​​the electric vehicle between the front and rear axles. It is also possible to position the module unit in the front or rear of the electric vehicle.

[0021] The optimal efficiency of batteries lies within a certain temperature range. At very low temperatures, the internal resistance of a battery generally increases. This often leads to a corresponding reduction in the range of an electric vehicle. For this reason, batteries in electric vehicles are often subjected to temperature control before the vehicle is started.

[0022] The module unit includes a temperature control device for cooling or, if required, heating the battery modules. Temperature sensors are assigned to the battery modules and are connected to a control module for the temperature control device. Furthermore, a thermal storage device, in particular a heat and / or cold storage device, can be arranged in one of the chambers of the module unit and can be activated as needed to control the temperature of the battery module.

[0023] The temperature control unit can contain cooling plates arranged within at least one chamber. It is also possible to incorporate cooling channels in the base and / or side walls. In the cooling plates, cooling channels, or channels, either a coolant such as cooling water (air-to-water or water-to-water cooler) or a refrigerant that evaporates due to the heat (evaporator) absorbs the heat from the battery cells and dissipates it via a radiator to the environment or another consumer, such as an air conditioner.

[0024] This allows for a particularly space-saving arrangement of a battery unit for the electric drive together with the combustion engine drive of a generator for producing electrical energy and, if necessary, a fuel tank. Furthermore, the fuel tank and battery unit no longer need to be mounted separately on the chassis of the hybrid vehicle; instead, the fuel tank, battery unit, and combustion engine drive of the generator can be arranged as a single unit on the chassis. This significantly reduces the effort required to integrate the module unit into or onto the chassis. As a result, safety measures can be considerably reduced, since the fuel tank is protected by the typically very robust module unit.

[0025] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the attached figures. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the arrangement of a module unit in an electric vehicle. Fig. Figure 2 shows the module unit according to the invention.

[0026] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the arrangement of a module unit 2 in an electric vehicle 1, whose drive power is provided exclusively by electric motors. The wheels 3 of the front and rear axles are each driven by an electric motor 4, which draw their electrical energy from the module unit 2. In this example, the module unit 2 is arranged between the front and rear axles in the underbody area of ​​the electric vehicle 1.

[0027] The Fig.Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a module unit 2 for installation in an electric vehicle 1. The module unit 2 is box-shaped and consists of a box body 12 and a box cover (not shown in detail). The box body 12 and the box cover have receptacles for sealing elements in the circumferential edge regions and in the upper edge regions of the partitions 13. The box body and box cover can be screwed or clamped together.

[0028] Within the box body 12, the module unit 2 comprises a chamber 9 for the battery modules 5, a chamber 10 for the fuel tank 6, and a chamber 11 for the internal combustion engine / generator unit 7, 8. For the sake of simplicity, the exhaust routing of the internal combustion engines 7, coolant connections, and cable connections are not shown in detail.

[0029] The internal combustion engine / generator unit 7,8 essentially consists of an internal combustion engine 7, preferably a flat-built two-cylinder boxer engine, with a generator flanged to one side of the crankshaft and a supercharger, preferably a compressor, flanged to the opposite side of the crankshaft.

[0030] The generator 8 exchanges electrical energy with the battery modules 5 via electrical connecting cables using power electronics, or the electrical energy is directed to the electric motors 4. A control unit regulates the operating state of the generator 8, the battery modules 5, and the combustion engine 7. When the electric vehicle 1 is operating, the generator 8 is used as an electromechanical energy converter to extract mechanical energy from the combustion engine 7 and transfer it as electrical energy to the battery modules 5 or directly to the electric motors 4.

[0031] In start-up mode, the combustion engine 7 operates as an air pump until the catalysts in the exhaust system reach their target operating temperature, during which time the electric vehicle 1 is powered solely by the electrical power drawn from the battery modules 5. During this period, the combustion engine 7 operates in coasting mode, meaning it is driven by the generator 8 without combustion and only compresses the intake air. This brings the combustion engine 7 and the exhaust system, including the catalysts, up to their target operating temperature. Only after reaching this temperature does the combustion engine 7 operate in combustion mode.

[0032] During a cold start of the combustion engine 7, the pollutant emissions are particularly high until the operating temperature is reached. By preheating the combustion engine 7, the catalytic converters, and the entire exhaust system to the target operating temperature before combustion, the exhaust gas becomes significantly cleaner immediately upon commencement of combustion, pollutant emissions are substantially reduced, and the costs for the exhaust system are considerably lower.

[0033] This provides an electric vehicle that meets current and future environmental protection and consumption requirements in a cost-effective manner. Reference numeral list 1 electric vehicle 2 module units 3 wheels 4 electric motor 5 battery modules 6 Fuel tank 7 Internal combustion engine 8 Generator 9 chambers for battery modules 10 chambers for fuel tank 11 Chamber for internal combustion engine / generator unit 12 box bodies 13 Partition wall QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2018 130 506 A1

[0004] DE 10 2018 211 222 A1

[0005] DE 10 2018 211 225 A1

[0006] DE 10 2020 003 433 B3

[0007]

Claims

[1] Module unit for electric vehicles which are driven by at least one electric motor whose electrical energy is obtained from an electrical storage device (battery) and by converting an additional fuel carried on board, characterized by , that the module unit (2) is box-shaped and comprises at least two chambers inside, wherein battery modules (5) are arranged in one of the chambers (10) and an internal combustion engine / generator unit (7,8) and / or a fuel tank (8) are arranged in the other chambers, the individual chambers of the module unit (2) are fluid- and / or gas-tight from one another and completely enclose the fuel tank (6) together with the battery modules (5) and the internal combustion engine / generator unit (7,8). [2] Module unit for electric vehicles according to claim 1, characterized by, that the internal combustion engine (7) is designed as a spark-ignited reciprocating piston internal combustion engine or as a rotary piston internal combustion engine. [3] Module unit for electric vehicles according to claim 1, characterized by , that the internal combustion engine (7) is designed as a gas turbine. [4] Module unit for electric vehicles according to claim 1, characterized by , that the module unit (2) is arranged below floor between the longitudinal support structures of the underbody structure of the electric vehicle (1). [5] Module unit for electric vehicles according to claim 1, characterized by , that the module unit (2) is arranged in the underbody area of ​​the electric vehicle (1) between the front and rear axles. [6] Module unit for electric vehicles according to claim 1, characterized by , that the module unit (2) is arranged in the front area of ​​the electric vehicle (1). [7] Module unit for electric vehicles according to claim 1, characterized by, that the module unit (2) is arranged in the rear area of ​​the electric vehicle (1). [8] Module unit for electric vehicles according to claim 1, characterized by , that the module unit (2) is assigned a temperature control device for cooling or, if necessary, also for heating the battery modules (5). [9] Module unit for electric vehicles according to claim 1, characterized by , that in one of the chambers of the module unit (2) a thermal storage device, in particular a heat and / or cold storage device, is arranged which can be switched on as required to regulate the temperature of the battery module (5). [10] Module unit for electric vehicles according to claim 1, characterized by , that the battery modules (5) are assigned temperature sensors which are coupled to a control module for the temperature control device.

Images