SWAP BODY, ESPECIALLY OF THE WAB TYPE, AND TRANSPORT CONTAINERS FOR ELECTRICALLY POWERED TOWING VEHICLES WITH AN ASSIGNED BATTERY COMPARTMENT

Description

[0001] From CN 105691479 a semi-trailer with electrically driven axles is known, in which a first battery is mounted on the rear of the cab of the drive vehicle, a second battery on the underside of the cab and a third battery on the floor of the semi-trailer.

[0002] This battery arrangement has the disadvantage that the aforementioned battery mounting areas are very limited in terms of the space available at these locations. Thus, the maximum total battery capacity also depends on the limited space available, resulting in a very limited transport range of the vehicle. Installing and replacing batteries at these locations is also complicated and cumbersome.

[0003] Connecting the battery cable to the power cable of the towing vehicle is also cumbersome and involves a great deal of effort.

[0004] Furthermore, there are no options for optimizing the batteries' operating condition depending on the prevailing outside temperatures. No appropriate protection is provided against fires or mechanical impacts in the event of an accident. Furthermore, there is no joint monitoring of the batteries to detect a dangerous operating condition or the failure of one or more batteries.

[0005] The object of the invention is therefore to propose a battery arrangement in a swap body or container for electrically powered and hybrid-powered semi-trailer vehicles and motor vehicles, in which the above-mentioned disadvantages are avoided.

[0006] US 2018 / 191005 A1 discloses a transport container which includes the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0007] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

[0008] With a chamber of the type described, the above objective is achieved in an advantageous and inventive manner.

[0009] The battery cable, which is the main power cable of the batteries placed in the chamber, preferably has a plug socket at its door-side end, which is plugged into the plug side of the connector arranged in the door, while from the outside the power cable of the towing vehicle is connected to the socket of the connector by means of a plug.

[0010] This makes it easy to connect the towing vehicle to the batteries in the chamber using an external plug.

[0011] The battery cable is routed through one of the chamber walls if necessary, but is always sealed in the door or wall.

[0012] The transport range of the electrically powered towing vehicle is significantly increased due to a correspondingly large compartment for the batteries.

[0013] Depending on the type of battery, the door at the front of the chamber is divided into several doors. This allows individual access to subsections of the chamber, which is a great advantage during maintenance work.

[0014] According to claim 2, a further advantageous embodiment of the object according to the invention consists in that the door or doors is or are provided with a frame seal which seals off the chamber, but at least one of the doors is additionally equipped with valves for pressure equalization.

[0015] This has the advantage that no dust or moisture particles can penetrate the chamber from the outside. During journeys with large elevation changes, the pressure in the chamber is continuously adjusted to the ambient pressure.

[0016] A further advantageous embodiment of the subject matter according to the invention consists, according to claim 3, in that the batteries are stored in shelves on support rails (10) that can be moved back and forth.

[0017] This allows easy access to the individual batteries for maintenance or replacement purposes.

[0018] According to claim 4, each shelf support has a stop to prevent unintentional full extension. This also prevents unintentional sliding forward when the vehicle is tilted forward.

[0019] According to claim 5, locking bolts are provided to lock the support rails to the shelf supports in the transport position. These bolts, when the chamber door is closed, simultaneously pass through central holes in the retaining plates for the locking bolts, the support rails, and the shelf supports, and alternatively, engage in a recess in the battery housings. This prevents the batteries from shifting during transport due to vibrations or significant deceleration.

[0020] According to claim 6, the locking bolts are automatically moved into the locking position via angle levers when the door is closed. This automatically locks the shelf supports to the support rails and, alternatively, to the batteries when the door is closed. This improves safety during unusual vehicle movements.

[0021] According to claim 7, the forward and backward movement of the support rails is achieved by drive motors mounted on consoles beneath a shelf compartment. These drive motors act on the support rails either collectively or individually via friction or tooth engagement. The motors are equipped with torque sensors, which deactivate their drive in the forward or rearward end positions. As needed, the motors are restarted with the current reversed. This significantly simplifies the handling of battery storage and retrieval. The power for these motors is drawn from a buffer battery located in the chamber.

[0022] According to claim 8, it is advantageous that the batteries are connected to the battery cable via plug connections in the shelves. Thus, the batteries are connected to the main power cable simply by inserting them into the shelf compartments.

[0023] According to claim 9, it is advantageous that a battery charge control indicator is arranged on the outside of the chamber, which is connected to the connector via a charge control cable. This allows the operating status of the batteries to be easily checked.

[0024] According to claim 10, it is advantageous that heating elements connected to a buffer battery are arranged in the chamber. At very low outside temperatures, this ensures that a favorable operating temperature for the batteries is maintained in the chamber.

[0025] According to claim 11, cooling elements with an external cooler are also provided in the chamber so that the interior is also cooled alternatively under appropriate climatic conditions.

[0026] According to claim 12, a temperature indicator is advantageously arranged on the outside of the chamber, indicating the operating temperature in the chamber. This immediately indicates any deviation of the operating temperature from the normal range.

[0027] According to the features of claim 13, the chamber door is advantageously designed as an ISO-standard accident and fire door. This is particularly advantageous in the event of accidents or fires inside or outside the chamber.

[0028] According to claim 14, the chamber has a fire-protection film on the inside. This is particularly important for the safety of the container's cargo in the event of cable fires, for example.

[0029] Claim 15 emphasizes that a heat protection film or heat protection plates are provided in the chamber, by means of which the temperature in the chamber is kept at the operating temperature level for a longer period of time, particularly during long periods of downtime at low outside temperatures.

[0030] Furthermore, according to claim 16, an electromagnetic charge shield is provided in the chamber, through which no electrical or magnetic interference pulses are emitted or received from either the inside or the outside. This prevents possible interference with persons and devices inside or outside the vehicle.

[0031] According to claim 17, an extinguishing system with a collecting tray is provided in the chamber so that in the event of a fire, fire fighting can be carried out immediately and the extinguishing agents used are immediately collected in a suitably dimensioned tray for disposal.

[0032] In particular, according to the features of claim 18, it proves advantageous that a photovoltaic system arranged externally on the swap body is connected to the batteries via battery charging cables. This enables a separate power supply or charging current for the batteries.

[0033] For the maintenance of the batteries, it proves to be advantageous according to the features of claim 19 that a GPS or radio transmission module with an external antenna is provided for transmitting the battery charge level, the battery operating temperature and the geographical position to a maintenance station.

[0034] Description of the invention based on the drawings, it shows: Figure 1A Front view of the swap body structure according to the invention Figure 1B Side view of the swap body structure according to the invention Note: Due to the identical transferability of the claimed features, the container highlighted in claim 1 is not shown graphically Figure 2A : Oblique view of the swap body structure according to the invention Figure 2B : Front view of an arrangement of several doors Figure 3A : Front view of the chamber door Figure 3B : Side view of the chamber door Figure 4A : Front view of the chamber Figure 4B: Stop stop in suppressed position Figure 4C : Stop stop for the support rails in stop position Figure 5A : Side view of the locking bolt in transport position Figure 5B : Front view of the locking bolt in transport position Figure 6 : The chamber in side view, especially with heating element and extinguishing system Figure 7 : The chamber in side view, especially with cooling element Figure 8A : Front view of the solar modules and the GPS module on the swap body Figure 8B : Side view of the solar modules on the swap body and the GPS module

[0035] In Figure 1A a swap body structure 1 with support feet 1' is shown schematically in front view, wherein the chamber 5 according to the invention is arranged in the front part 2 of the swap body structure 1.

[0036] In Figure 1BThe swap body structure 1 is shown in a side view, with the chamber 5 being formed by the arrangement of the partition wall 3 in the front container area 2. One or more doors 4 for opening and closing the chamber 5 are arranged on the front side.

[0037] Figure 2A illustrates the swap body structure 1 in an oblique view. In the front container area 2 of the swap body structure 1, the chamber 5 formed by the partition wall 3 is visible, with the front side being formed entirely by a single door 4. The hinges 4" of the door 4 are indicated schematically.

[0038] Figure 2B shows an alternative arrangement of multiple doors 4 in the front. This allows separate access to individual chamber areas. Separate stop frames are then provided for each door 4.

[0039] Figure 3Ashows the door 4 in full-surface design in front view from the outside, with the frame seal 4' indicated by dashed lines on the inside.

[0040] Near the lower door frame, the connector 7, the charge control indicator 13 for the batteries 6 and the temperature indicator 18 for the chamber 5 are shown schematically.

[0041] Figure 3B shows the full-surface door 4 in side view, which is penetrated by a pressure relief valve 41 and a vacuum valve 42 for pressure regulation in the chamber 5. On the inside of the door 4, the frame seal 4' and the door hinges 4" are sketched. The stop frame 5' for the door 4 is also visible in this figure.

[0042] Figure 4Ashows the front view of chamber 5 and the arrangement of the batteries 6 in the shelves 9. The shelf supports 91 project inward from shelf uprights 9'. These shelf supports 91 are enclosed in a U-shape from the inside by movable rails 10, which can be moved back and forth manually or by motors 11 via friction or tooth engagement to insert and remove the batteries 6. The drive motors 11 are fixedly mounted on a bracket 11' and are supplied with power by a buffer battery 15 arranged in the chamber 5.

[0043] Figure 4B shows an opening 91' arranged in the front area of ​​the shelf support 91, as well as a stop stop 94, which is beveled upwards in the insertion direction. This stop stop 94 is pressed upwards against the underside of the shelf rail 10 by a spring 93. The spring 93 is located in a spring container 92. This spring container 92 is arranged in the front area below the opening 91' of the shelf support 91.

[0044] Figure 4C shows the shelf rail 10 in the extended position, in which the opening 10' located in its rear area has been aligned with the opening 91' located in the shelf support 91. In this position, the stop stop 94 is pressed into the opening 10' in the shelf rail 10. This blocks it in the extended position. When the shelf rail 10 is pushed into the transport position, the stop stop 94 is pressed downward by the shelf rail 10 and thus becomes ineffective.

[0045] Fig. 5Ashows a side view of the locking of the support rails 10 with the shelf supports 91 by means of the locking bolt 102. This is pushed from bottom to top with the angle lever 104 via the intermediate lever 103 through the openings 101, which are aligned in the transport position, in the holding plate 107 for the locking bolt 102, in the shelf rail 10 and in the shelf support 91. The locking bolt 102 is then lifted further into a recess 6' in the battery housing, if provided.

[0046] The illustrated embodiment shows that the angle lever 104 is rotatably mounted in the shelf support 9' via an axle 105. When the door 4 is opened, the angle lever 104 is moved into the release position by the leaf spring 106. A stop 108 arranged on the inside of the shelf support 9' limits the rotation of the angle lever 104. The angle lever 104 is connected to the intermediate lever 103 via the axle pin 105', and the intermediate lever 103 is connected to the locking bolt 102. The leaf spring 106 is articulated to the shelf support 9' by means of leaf spring holders 109.

[0047] Fig. 5B shows only the locking bolt 102 and angle lever 104 in a front view. Its release position is indicated by dotted lines.

[0048] Figure 6 shows the chamber 5 and the door 4 in side view, wherein the connector 7 is arranged in the door 4, which consists of a plug 7' in the chamber 5 and a socket 7" outside the chamber 5.

[0049] In the operating position, the socket 8' of the battery cable 8 is connected to the inside plug 7', whereas the outside socket 7" of the plug connector 7 is connected to the plug of the power cable coming from the towing vehicle. Above the plug connector 7, on the outside of the door 4, a charge control indicator 13 is arranged. This is connected to the battery cable 8 by a charge control cable 12 to indicate the battery charge status.

[0050] Furthermore, a pressure and temperature indicator 18 for the internal pressure and temperature of the chamber 5 is provided on the outside of the door 4.

[0051] In a separate chamber area 51 of chamber 5, the extinguishing system 22 with the riser pipe 22' and the collecting tray 23 are shown, which collects the extinguishing substances introduced in the event of a fire.

[0052] In Figure 7shows an electric heating element 14 with a buffer battery 15, which is also arranged in this chamber area 51.

[0053] Fig. 8A : shows the swap body structure 1 in front view, on which solar modules 25 of a photovoltaic system are arranged on the outside and an internally mounted GPS or radio module 26, which is connected to an antenna leading to the outside.

[0054] Figure 8B shows the swap body 1 in side view with the solar modules 25 mounted on the swap body 1 as well as the GPS or radio module arranged inside

Claims

1. Swap body structure or transport container for electrically or hybrid-powered towing vehicles and motor vehicles with an associated battery compartment, wherein a chamber (5) for batteries (6) is formed in the front area (2) of the swap body structure (1) or the transport container by means of a partition wall (3) and wherein the swap body structure (1) or the transport container has a full-surface door (4) or several partial-surface doors (4) at the front, characterized in that the compartment (5) has a plug connector (7) which consists of a plug (7') on the inside and a socket (7") on the outside.

2. Swap body structure or transport container according to claim 1, characterized in that the full-surface door (4) has a frame seal (4') and that a pressure relief valve (41) and a vacuum valve (42) are arranged on the full-surface door (4) or on one of the partial-surface doors (4).

3. Swap body structure or transport container according to claim 1, characterized in that the batteries (6) are provided and are mounted in compartments (9) on forward and backward movable guide rails (10), which are laterally U-shaped and surround compartment carriers (91) arranged on compartment posts (9').

4. Swap body structure or transport container according to claim 3, characterized in that that the support beams (91) have an opening (91') in their front area on the upper side and the transport rails (10) have an opening (10') in their rear area on the upper side, and that stop stops (94) are provided at an angle in the insertion direction of the batteries (6), which are loaded against the movement path of the guide rails (10) by means of springs (93).

5. Swap body structure or transport container according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that when the door (4) is closed over the entire surface or when the doors (4) are closed over part of the surface, the support rails (10) are locked to the shelf supports (91) by locking bolts (102), which are guided through openings (101) in retaining plates (107) for the locking bolts (102) in the shelf supports (91) and support rails (10) and preferably protrude into receptacles (6') of the batteries (6).

6. Swap body structure or transport container according to claim 5, characterized in that the locking bolts (102) are connected to the angle levers (104) via angle levers (104), which are rotatably mounted on axles (105) in the rack (9) and connected to the angle levers (104) by means of intermediate levers (103), wherein leaf springs (106) move the outer sides (104') of the angle levers (104) into the release position.

7. Swap body structure or transport container according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the support rails (10) are designed to be moved forward and backward by means of drive motors (11) equipped with torque sensors and with tooth or friction engagement, wherein the drive motors are fixed on consoles (11').

8. Swap body structure or transport container according to claim 3, characterized in that the batteries (6) are provided and connected to the battery cables (8) in the shelves (9) via plug connections (16).

9. Swap body structure or transport container, according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a load control indicator (13) for the batteries (6) is arranged on the outside of the chamber (5) and is connected to the plug connector (7) by means of a load control cable (12).

10. Swap body structure or transport container according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that heating elements (14) are arranged in the chamber (5) and are connected to the test battery (15).

11. Swap body structure or transport container according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that cooling elements (28) with an external cooler (30) are provided in the chamber (5), which are connected via the coolant lines (29, 31).

12. Swap body structure or transport container according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a temperature display (18) for the internal temperature of the chamber (5) is arranged on the outside of the chamber (5).

13. Swap body structure or transport container according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the full-surface door (4) or the partial-surface doors (4) are designed as accident and fire protection doors.

14. Swap body structure or transport container according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the chamber (5) has a fire protection coating (19) on the inside.

15. Swap body structure or transport container according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a heat insulation film or heat insulation panels (20) are arranged in the chamber (5).

16. Swap body structure or transport container according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the chamber (5) has an electromagnetic charge shield (21).

17. Swap body structure or transport container according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that a discharge system (22) with a drip tray (23) is arranged in the chamber (5).

18. Swap body structure or transport container according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that solar modules (25) of a photovoltaic system arranged on the outside of the swap body structure (1) are connected to the batteries (6) via charging cables (24).

19. Swap body structure or transport container according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that a GPS or radio transmission module (26) is provided for transmitting the battery charge status, the battery operating temperature and the geographical coordinates of the respective vehicle location.