Transport system and method for operating a transport system

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport system comprising a vehicle (11), which has a primary drive device (21) for driving the vehicle (11) and a primary energy store (31) for supplying power to the primary drive device (21) of the vehicle (11), and at least one transport auxiliary means (41) for receiving transported goods, wherein the transport auxiliary means (41) has a secondary energy store (32) for supplying power to the transport auxiliary means (41), and the vehicle (11) has a coupling device for coupling the vehicle (11) to the transport auxiliary means (41), and the coupling device can be used to establish a connection of the vehicle (11) to the transport auxiliary means (41) in such a way that energy can be transferred from the secondary energy store (32) to the primary energy store (31). The vehicle (11) has a measuring device for measuring an amount of energy that is transferred from the secondary energy store (32) to the primary energy store (31). The invention also relates to a method for operating a transport system according to the invention.

Description

[0001] Transport system and method for operating a transport system

[0002] Description:

[0003] The invention relates to a transport system comprising a vehicle having a primary drive device for driving the vehicle and a primary energy storage device for supplying the primary drive device of the vehicle, and at least one transport aid for receiving transported goods. The invention also relates to a method for operating a transport system according to the invention.

[0004] Autonomous transport vehicles can be used in production plants, supermarkets, industrial halls, logistics centers, and hospitals. These autonomous transport vehicles are used, for example, to transport objects, particularly transport equipment with goods, within the respective facility. The transport equipment serves to pick up the goods to be transported.

[0005] Conventional motorized vehicles, such as trucks, passenger cars, and cargo bikes with electric motors, also known as e-bikes, are also used to transport goods. Such conventional motor vehicles are primarily used in urban environments, for example, for transporting packages, fresh meals, or beverages. Conventional motor vehicles, as defined by this invention, are not autonomous but are controlled by a driver.

[0006] Autonomously driving vehicles, like conventional motorized vehicles, typically comprise a drive system to propel the vehicle and an electrical energy storage device to supply the drive system with electrical energy. When the electrical energy storage device is empty, it must be recharged. Operation of the autonomous vehicle is generally not possible while the electrical energy storage device is charging. It is therefore recommended to keep the time required to recharge the vehicle's electrical energy storage device as short as possible.

[0007] DE 102013 014 305 A1 discloses a vehicle trailer for a towing vehicle with electric drive system components integrated into the vehicle trailer, which can be coupled to an electric drive system of the towing vehicle.

[0008] Drive system components include, among other things, two electrical energy storage units.

[0009] From DE 102015 205 811 A1 a range extender vehicle is known which has an energy storage device and means for transmitting energy to a main vehicle for supplying a main vehicle.

[0010] DE 102019 203 527 A1 discloses a device for inductive energy transmission between a traction battery and an electric motor of a truck-trailer combination. The device comprises a trailer coupling with a coupling bolt and a first transformer winding.

[0011] From US 2016 / 303986 A1 a device for the reciprocal supply of electrical energy between an electric vehicle and another vehicle is known.

[0012] The invention is based on the object of developing a transport system and a method for operating a transport system according to the invention.

[0013] The object is achieved by a transport system having the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the subclaims. The object is also achieved by a method for operating a transport system having the features specified in claim 15.

[0014] A transport system according to the invention comprises a vehicle having a primary drive device for driving the vehicle and a primary energy storage device for supplying the primary drive device of the vehicle, and at least one transport aid for receiving transported goods. The transport aid has a secondary energy storage device for supplying the transport aid. The vehicle has a coupling device for coupling the vehicle to the transport aid. The coupling device can be used to establish a connection between the vehicle and the transport aid such that energy can be transferred from the secondary energy storage device of the transport aid to the primary energy storage device of the vehicle. The vehicle has a measuring device for measuring an amount of energy transferred from the secondary energy storage device to the primary energy storage device.The secondary energy storage device can therefore be used to supply the connected vehicle with energy. The secondary energy storage device provides energy specifically for the direct propulsion of the vehicle. The vehicle can be operated continuously because a charged secondary energy storage device is always available for transport journeys, from which even additional energy can be transferred. Charging the primary energy storage device at a stationary charging station is therefore not necessary, or at least required less frequently. Vehicle downtime during charging can thus be reduced. It is also conceivable that the secondary energy storage device could provide energy beyond that required to directly propel the vehicle. This means that the vehicle's primary energy storage device can be charged.The amount of energy transferred from the secondary energy storage device to the primary energy storage device thus represents an incentive or payment for the vehicle transporting the transportation aid from one location to another. A financial payment or calculation of transportation costs is therefore unnecessary.

[0015] The transport aid comprises modules such as a heating device, a cooling device, a display device, or a communication device. The secondary energy storage device is specifically designed to supply these modules. The potential charging time for the secondary energy storage device of the transport aid is comparatively long, as the downtimes of the transport aid are often significantly longer than the transport times. This has the advantage that the secondary energy storage device can be charged gently with a low charging current. This requires less charging power, and therefore a smaller and less expensive charger is sufficient.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the vehicle is designed as an autonomously driving transport vehicle, i.e., a driverless vehicle. The vehicle is, for example, a road vehicle with wheels or tracks, a rail vehicle, an aircraft, or a watercraft.

[0017] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the vehicle is designed as a conventional motor vehicle. In this case, the vehicle is not autonomous but is controlled by a driver. The vehicle is, for example, a road vehicle with wheels or tracks, a rail vehicle, an aircraft, or a watercraft. In particular, the vehicle is a truck, a passenger car, or a cargo bike with an electric motor, also known as an e-bike. According to an advantageous development of the invention, the transport aid has a selection unit for the prior selection, i.e., before the connection of the vehicle to the transport aid is established, of the amount of energy to be transferred from the secondary energy storage device to the primary energy storage device.Thus, the incentive or payment for transporting the transport aid can be determined before the vehicle is connected to the transport aid.

[0018] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the transport aid has a parameterization unit which is configured to calculate an amount of energy to be transmitted from entered parameters and to display the calculated amount of energy. The parameterization unit comprises, for example, an input module, in particular a keypad, for entering the required parameters. The parameterization unit comprises, for example, an output module, in particular a display, for outputting the calculated amount of energy. The parameterization unit comprises, for example, a touchscreen which performs the functions of the input module and the output module. Alternatively or additionally, the parameterization unit comprises a wireless communication device for communicating with a higher-level host computer. The communication device enables communication using known wireless transmission methods, for example WLAN or Bluetooth.The required parameters are transmitted from the master computer to the parameterization unit via the communication device. The calculated energy quantity is transmitted from the parameterization unit to the master computer via the communication device. Required parameters include, for example, a delivery location and a delivery time.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the primary energy storage device is designed as a double-layer capacitor, and the secondary energy storage device is designed as a rechargeable battery, in particular as a lithium-ion battery. Double-layer capacitors, also referred to as supercapacitors or ultracapacitors, have a lower energy density than lithium-ion batteries, but a significantly higher power density. The double-layer capacitor serves in particular to accelerate the transport system. When a constant speed is reached and only a low power is required to continue driving the transport system, the double-layer capacitor is charged with energy from the lithium-ion battery. According to an advantageous development of the invention, the transport aid has a secondary drive device for driving the transport aid.The secondary energy storage unit is designed to supply the secondary drive system of the transport aid. This enables the transport aid to cover short distances independently, for example.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the coupling device can be used to establish a mechanical connection between the vehicle and the transport aid such that the vehicle can also be driven by the secondary drive device of the transport aid. Thus, the transport system is driven by the secondary drive device of the transport aid, the primary drive device of the vehicle is not used, and the primary energy storage device is conserved. The vehicle is responsible for the navigation, in particular the steering, of the transport system.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the primary drive device of the vehicle is configured to convert kinetic energy into electrical energy and transfer it to the primary energy storage device. If the transport system is driven by the secondary drive device of the transport aid, the primary drive device of the vehicle is operated as a generator, i.e., braking, during travel. The secondary drive device of the transport aid thus generates this braking energy in addition to the kinetic energy. Energy from the secondary energy storage device is thus first converted into kinetic energy and then converted back into electrical energy and transferred to the primary energy storage device.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the coupling device comprises means for the wired transmission of energy from the secondary energy storage device of the transport aid to the primary energy storage device of the vehicle. The energy is transmitted, for example, conductively via a plug connection.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the coupling device comprises means for the contactless transmission of energy from the secondary energy storage device of the transport aid to the primary energy storage device of the vehicle. The transmission of energy occurs, for example, inductively or capacitively. Thus, no exposed, live connection elements are required on the vehicle or the transport aid. According to an advantageous development of the invention, the vehicle has a communication module for data transmission using light beams in which data to be transmitted is encoded, and the transport aid has a communication module for data transmission using light beams in which data to be transmitted is encoded.The communication modules are arranged in such a way that data transmission between the communication modules is possible when a connection between the vehicle and the transport aid is established via the coupling device. Thus, data, for example, concerning the charge level of the secondary energy storage device or the vehicle's energy requirements, can be transmitted between the vehicle and the transport aid. Communication via radio waves, such as Wi-Fi, is therefore not necessary.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the communication modules has a transmitter for emitting a light beam and a receiver for receiving a light beam. The communication modules are arranged such that a light beam emitted by the transmitter of the vehicle's communication module, in which data to be transmitted is encoded, is received by the receiver of the communication module of the transport aid, and such that a light beam emitted by the transmitter of the communication module of the transport aid, in which data to be transmitted is encoded, is received by the receiver of the communication module of the vehicle. Thus, duplex communication between the communication modules using light beams is possible.

[0025] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the transport aid has a visual display unit that displays information about the secondary energy storage device, and the vehicle has a camera that is arranged such that information displayed by the display unit can be captured by the camera. For example, the display unit shows a charge level of the secondary energy storage device in the form of a bar chart. This information can then be visually captured by a user and additionally captured by the vehicle's camera.

[0026] According to a method according to the invention for operating a transport system according to the invention, a connection between the vehicle and the transport aid is established using the coupling device. Energy is transferred, directly or indirectly, from the secondary energy storage device of the transport aid to the primary energy storage device of the vehicle. The amount of energy transferred from the secondary energy storage device to the primary energy storage device is measured by the vehicle's measuring device.

[0027] The secondary energy storage device is thus used to supply the connected vehicle with energy. The secondary energy storage device provides energy, in particular, for the direct propulsion of the vehicle. It is also conceivable that the secondary energy storage device could provide energy beyond that required to directly propel the vehicle. This recharges the vehicle's primary energy storage device. The amount of energy transferred from the secondary energy storage device to the primary energy storage device thus represents an incentive or payment for the vehicle transporting the means of transport from one location to another. A financial payment or calculation of transport costs is therefore unnecessary.

[0028] The invention is not limited to the combination of features in the claims. Further possible combinations of claims and / or individual claim features and / or features of the description and / or the figures will become apparent to those skilled in the art, particularly from the problem and / or the problem posed by comparison with the prior art.

[0029] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. The drawings only represent the subject matter of the invention schematically. They show:

[0030] Figure 1: a schematic representation of a transport system according to a first embodiment,

[0031] Figure 2: a schematic representation of a transport system according to a second embodiment,

[0032] Figure 3: a schematic representation of a transport system according to a third embodiment and

[0033] Figure 4: a schematic representation of a transport system according to a fourth embodiment.

[0034] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a transport system according to a first embodiment. The transport system comprises a vehicle 11, which is designed as an autonomously driving transport vehicle. The vehicle 11 has a primary drive device 21 for driving the vehicle 11. The primary drive device 21 comprises, in particular, an electric motor and drive wheels. The drive wheels can be driven by the electric motor.

[0035] The vehicle 11 has a primary energy storage device 31 for supplying the primary drive device 21 and other components of the vehicle 11. The primary energy storage device 31 is designed, for example, as a lithium-ion battery or as a double-layer capacitor, supercapacitor, or ultracapacitor.

[0036] The vehicle 11 further comprises a control unit for controlling the drive device and sensors, for example laser scanners, for environmental detection and for safety tasks. The vehicle 11 also comprises devices for positioning and navigation. The vehicle 11 also comprises a wireless communication device for communication with a higher-level control computer. The communication device enables communication using known wireless transmission methods, for example WLAN or Bluetooth. The transport system in the present case comprises two transport aids 41 for receiving transported goods. The transport aids 41 in the present case are containers, such as crates or boxes, in which the transported goods are located. The transport aids 41 in the present case are parked on a transport surface of the vehicle 11. The vehicle 11 thus carries the said transport aids 41 with the transported goods located therein.

[0037] The transport aids 41 each have a secondary energy storage device 32 for supplying the transport aid 41. The secondary energy storage devices 32 are designed, for example, as a lithium-ion battery or as a double-layer capacitor, supercapacitor, or ultracapacitor. The transport aids 41 each comprise modules, such as a heating device, a cooling device, a communication device, an authorization device, or a display device. In particular, said modules can be supplied by the secondary energy storage device 32.

[0038] The vehicle 11 has a coupling device for coupling the vehicle 11 to the transport aid 41. The coupling device can be used to establish a connection between the vehicle 11 and the transport aid 41 such that energy can be transferred from the secondary energy storage devices 32 of the transport aid 41 to the primary energy storage device 31 of the vehicle 11.

[0039] The coupling device comprises, for example, means for the wired transmission of energy from the secondary energy storage devices 32 of the transport aids 41 to the primary energy storage device 31 of the vehicle 11. The means for the wired transmission of energy comprise, for example, plug connectors. The plug connectors each comprise a positive pole and a negative pole for transmitting energy in the form of a direct current.

[0040] Alternatively or additionally, the coupling device comprises, for example, means for the contactless transmission of energy from the secondary energy storage devices 32 of the transport aid 41 to the primary energy storage device 31 of the vehicle 11. The means for the contactless transmission of energy comprise, for example, coils. The transport aids 41 also have coils. A contactless transmission of energy is enabled by an inductive coupling of the coils of the vehicle to the coils of the transport aids 41. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a transport system according to a second embodiment. The transport system comprises a vehicle 11, which is designed as a conventional motor vehicle. The vehicle 11 has a primary drive device 21 for driving the vehicle 11. The primary drive device 21 comprises, in particular, an electric motor and drive wheels.The drive wheels are driven by the electric motor. Vehicle 11 is controlled by a driver (not shown here).

[0041] The vehicle 11 has a primary energy storage device 31 for supplying the primary drive device 21 and other components of the vehicle 11. The primary energy storage device 31 is designed, for example, as a lithium-ion battery or as a double-layer capacitor, supercapacitor, or ultracapacitor.

[0042] The transport system in this case comprises a transport aid 41 for receiving transported goods. The transport aid 41 is a frame with several support surfaces arranged one above the other. The support surfaces serve to receive transport containers 42, such as crates or boxes, in which the transported goods are located. The transport aid 41 is parked on a transport surface of the vehicle 11. The vehicle 11 thus carries the said transport aid 41 with the transport containers 42 located thereon and the transported goods contained therein.

[0043] The transport aid 41 has a secondary energy storage device 32 for supplying the transport aid 41. The secondary energy storage device 32 is designed, for example, as a lithium-ion battery or as a double-layer capacitor, supercapacitor, or ultracapacitor. The transport aid 41 comprises modules such as a heating device, a cooling device, a communication device, an authorization device, or a display device. In particular, said modules can be supplied by the secondary energy storage device 32.

[0044] The vehicle 11 has a coupling device for coupling the vehicle 11 to the transport aid 41. The coupling device can be used to establish a connection between the vehicle 11 and the transport aid 41 such that energy can be transferred from the secondary energy storage device 32 of the transport aid 41 to the primary energy storage device 31 of the vehicle 11. The coupling device comprises, for example, means for the wired transmission of energy from the secondary energy storage device 32 of the transport aid 41 to the primary energy storage device 31 of the vehicle 11. The means for the wired transmission of energy comprise, for example, plug connectors. The plug connectors each comprise a positive pole and a negative pole for transferring energy in the form of a direct current.

[0045] Alternatively or additionally, the coupling device comprises, for example, means for contactless transmission of energy from the secondary energy storage device 32 of the transport aid 41 to the primary energy storage device 31 of the vehicle 11. The means for contactless transmission of energy comprise, for example, coils. The transport aid 41 also has a coil. Contactless transmission of energy is enabled by an inductive coupling of the coils of the vehicle to the coil of the transport aid 41.

[0046] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a transport system according to a third embodiment. The transport system comprises a vehicle 11, which is designed as an autonomously driving transport vehicle. The vehicle 11 has a primary drive device 21 for driving the vehicle 11. The primary drive device 21 comprises, in particular, an electric motor and drive wheels. The drive wheels can be driven by the electric motor.

[0047] The vehicle 11 has a primary energy storage device 31 for supplying the primary drive device 21 and other components of the vehicle 11. The primary energy storage device 31 is designed, for example, as a lithium-ion battery or as a double-layer capacitor, supercapacitor, or ultracapacitor.

[0048] The vehicle 11 further comprises a control unit for controlling the drive device and sensors, for example, laser scanners, for environmental detection and for safety tasks. The vehicle 11 also comprises devices for positioning and navigation. The vehicle 11 also comprises a wireless communication device for communicating with a higher-level control computer. The communication device enables communication using known wireless transmission methods, for example, WLAN or Bluetooth. The transport system in this case comprises two transport aids 41 for receiving transported goods. The transport aids 41 in this case are mobile transport boxes, each of which has a secondary drive device 22 for driving the respective transport aid 41.The transport aids 41 each comprise modules such as a heating device, a cooling device, a communication device, an authorization device or a display device.

[0049] The transport aids 41 each have a secondary energy storage device 32 for supplying the respective transport aid 41. The secondary energy storage devices 32 are designed, for example, as a lithium-ion battery or as a double-layer capacitor, supercapacitor, or ultracapacitor. The secondary energy storage devices 32 serve in particular to supply the secondary drive devices 22 of the transport aids 41. The aforementioned modules can also be supplied by the secondary energy storage device 32.

[0050] The vehicle 11 has a coupling device for coupling the vehicle 11 to the transport aid 41. The coupling device can be used to establish a connection between the vehicle 11 and the transport aid 41 such that energy can be transferred from the secondary energy storage devices 32 of the transport aid 41 to the primary energy storage device 31 of the vehicle 11.

[0051] The coupling device comprises, for example, a connecting rod, by means of which a mechanical connection between the vehicle 11 and one of the transport aids 41 can be established. In the present case, a further connecting rod is provided, by means of which a mechanical connection between one transport aid 41 and the other transport aid 41 can be established. The vehicle 11 can thus be driven by the secondary drive devices 22 of the transport aids 41. The vehicle 11 is responsible for the navigation, in particular the steering, of the transport system.

[0052] The primary drive device 21 of the vehicle 11 is configured to convert kinetic energy into electrical energy and transfer it to the primary energy storage device 31. The primary drive device 21 can thus be operated like a generator. When the transport system is driven by the secondary drive devices 22 of the transport aids 41, the primary drive device 21 of the vehicle 11 is operated as a generator, i.e., braking. The secondary drive devices 22 of the transport aids 41 thus generate this braking energy in addition to the kinetic energy. Energy from the secondary energy storage devices 32 is first converted into kinetic energy and then converted back into electrical energy and transferred to the primary energy storage device 31 of the vehicle 11.

[0053] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a transport system according to a fourth embodiment. The transport system comprises a vehicle 11, which is designed as a conventional motor vehicle. The vehicle 11 has a primary drive device 21 for driving the vehicle 11. The primary drive device 21 comprises, in particular, an electric motor and drive wheels. The drive wheels are driven by the electric motor. The vehicle 11 is controlled by a driver (not shown here).

[0054] The vehicle 11 has a primary energy storage device 31 for supplying the primary drive device 21 and other components of the vehicle 11. The primary energy storage device 31 is designed, for example, as a lithium-ion battery or as a double-layer capacitor, supercapacitor, or ultracapacitor.

[0055] The transport system in this case comprises a transport aid 41 for receiving transported goods. The transport aid 41 is a mobile frame with several support surfaces arranged one above the other. The support surfaces serve to receive transport containers 42, such as crates or boxes, in which the transported goods are located. The transport aid 41 has a secondary drive device 22 for driving the transport aid 41. The transport aid 41 comprises modules such as a heating device, a cooling device, a communication device, an authorization device, or a display device.

[0056] The transport aid 41 has a secondary energy storage device 32 for supplying the transport aid 41. The secondary energy storage device 32 is designed, for example, as a lithium-ion battery or as a double-layer capacitor, supercapacitor, or ultracapacitor. The secondary energy storage device 32 serves in particular to supply the secondary drive device 22 of the transport aid 41. The aforementioned modules can also be supplied by the secondary energy storage device 32.

[0057] The vehicle 11 has a coupling device for coupling the vehicle 11 with the

[0058] Transport aid 41. With the coupling device, a connection of the vehicle 11 to the transport aid 41 can be established such that energy can be transferred from the secondary energy storage device 32 of the transport aid 41 to the primary energy storage device 31 of the vehicle 11.

[0059] The coupling device comprises, for example, a connecting rod, by means of which a mechanical connection between the vehicle 11 and the transport aid 41 can be established. The vehicle 11 can thus be driven by the secondary drive device 22 of the transport aid 41. The vehicle 11 is responsible for the navigation, in particular the steering, of the transport system.

[0060] The primary drive device 21 of the vehicle 11 is configured to convert kinetic energy into electrical energy and transfer it to the primary energy storage device 31. The primary drive device 21 can thus be operated like a generator. When the transport system is driven by the secondary drive device 22 of the transport aid 41, the primary drive device 21 of the vehicle 11 is operated as a generator, i.e., braking. The secondary drive device 22 of the transport aid 41 thus generates this braking energy in addition to the kinetic energy. Energy from the secondary energy storage device 32 is first converted into kinetic energy and then converted back into electrical energy and transferred to the primary energy storage device 31 of the vehicle 11.

[0061] In another embodiment, not explicitly shown here, the transport system serves, for example, to transport fresh meals, in particular pizza. The transport aid 41, a warming box, is initially connected to an electrical power supply in a pizzeria. This charges the secondary energy storage device 32 of the transport aid 41. In addition, the transport aid 41 is preheated or even heated to such an extent that a baking or cooking process can still take place or be completed.

[0062] The vehicle 11 is designed as a conventional motor vehicle. The transport aid 41 is loaded with the goods to be transported, in this case pizza. The transport aid 41 is then stowed on the vehicle 11, for example in a trunk. The coupling device establishes a connection between the vehicle 11 and the transport aid 41. The secondary energy storage device 32 of the transport aid 41 is connected to the primary energy storage device 31 of the vehicle 11. Energy can thus be transferred from the secondary energy storage device 32 of the transport aid 41 to the primary energy storage device 31 of the vehicle 11. The vehicle 11 can thus be supplied with additional energy. This allows the delivery person to carry out their delivery tasks with their vehicle 11 without having to stop for charging the primary energy storage device 31.

[0063] List of reference symbols

[0064] 11 Vehicle 21 primary drive device

[0065] 22 secondary drive device

[0066] 31 primary energy storage

[0067] 32 secondary energy storage

[0068] 41 Transport aids 42 Transport containers

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Transport system comprising a vehicle (11) which has a primary drive unit (21) for propelling the vehicle (11) and a primary energy storage device (31) to supply the primary drive device (21) of the vehicle (11), and at least one transport aid (41) for receiving transported goods, characterized in that the transport aid (41) has a secondary energy storage device (32) for supplying the transport aid (41), and that the vehicle (11) has a coupling device for coupling the vehicle (11) with the transport aid (41), and that the coupling device provides a connection between the vehicle (11) and the transport aid (41) can be produced in such a way that Energy can be transferred from the secondary energy storage device (32) of the transport aid (41) to the primary energy storage device (31) of the vehicle (11), and the vehicle (11) has a measuring device for measuring the amount of energy transferred from the secondary energy storage device (32) to the primary energy storage device (31).

2. Transport system according to claim 1, characterized in that the vehicle (11) is designed as an autonomously driving transport vehicle.

3. Transport system according to claim 1, characterized in that the vehicle (11) is designed as a conventional motor vehicle.

4. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport aid (41) has a selection unit for prior selection of the amount of energy to be transferred from the secondary energy storage (32) to the primary energy storage (31).

5. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport aid (41) has a parameterization unit which is configured to calculate a quantity of energy to be transferred from input parameters and to display the calculated quantity of energy.

6. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the primary energy storage device (31) is designed as a double-layer capacitor, and that the secondary energy storage device (32) is designed as a rechargeable battery.

7. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport aid (41) has a secondary drive device (22) for driving the transport aid (41), and that the secondary energy storage device (32) is provided for supplying the secondary drive device (22) of the transport aid (41).

8. Transport system according to claim 7, characterized in that the coupling device provides a mechanical connection between the vehicle (11) and the transport aid (41) such that the vehicle (11) can also be driven by the secondary drive device (22) of the transport aid (41).

9. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the primary drive device (21) of the vehicle (11) is configured to convert kinetic energy into electrical energy and transfer it to the primary energy storage device (31).

10. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling device comprises means for the wired transmission of energy from the secondary energy storage device (32) of the transport aid (41) to the primary energy storage device (31) of the vehicle (11).

11. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling device comprises means for contactless transfer of energy from the secondary energy storage device (32) of the transport aid (41) to the primary energy storage device (31) of the vehicle (11).

12. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle (11) has a communication module for data transmission by means of light beams in which data to be transmitted are encoded, and that the transport aid (41) has a communication module for data transmission by means of light beams in which data to be transmitted are encoded, and that the communication modules are arranged such that data transmission between the communication modules is enabled when a connection of the vehicle (11) to the transport aid (41) is established by means of the coupling device.

13. Transport system according to claim 12, characterized in that each of the communication modules has a transmitter for emitting a light beam and a receiver for receiving a light beam, and that the communication modules are arranged such that a light beam emitted by the transmitter of the communication module of the vehicle (11), in which data to be transmitted are encoded, is received by the receiver of the communication module of the transport aid (41), and that a light beam emitted by the transmitter of the communication module of the transport aid (41), in which data to be transmitted are encoded, is received by the receiver of the communication module of the vehicle (11).

14. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport aid (41) has an optical display unit which displays information about the secondary energy storage device (32), and that the vehicle (11) has a camera which is arranged such that information displayed by the display unit can be captured by the camera.

15. Method for operating a transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a connection between the vehicle (11) and the transport aid (41) is established by means of the coupling device; that Energy is transferred from the secondary energy storage device (32) of the transport aid (41) to the primary energy storage device (31) of the vehicle (11); and that a quantity of energy transferred from the secondary energy storage device (32) to the primary energy storage device (31) is measured by the measuring device of the vehicle (11).

Images