Swap body for a utility vehicle, and utility vehicle
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2024701661
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-01-27
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-23
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-03
AI Technical Summary
Commercial vehicles face challenges with short electrical range and frequent charging stops, leading to increased downtime and reduced efficiency in transporting goods.
The swap body for a commercial vehicle integrates an electrical energy storage system under the loading area, allowing for on-the-go charging and easy replacement of battery cells, enabling continuous operation without intermediate charging stops and reducing downtime.
This solution enhances the operational efficiency of commercial vehicles by minimizing downtime, increasing cargo capacity, and providing a flexible design, while allowing for sustainable power supply and reduced development costs.
Smart Images
Figure EP2024051462_02082024_PF_FP
Abstract
Description
[0001] Swap body for a commercial vehicle and commercial vehicle
[0002] The invention relates to a swap body for a commercial vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a commercial vehicle.
[0003] WO 2021 / 097 504 A2 discloses a swap body structure for electrically or hybrid-powered towing vehicles and motor vehicles with an associated battery compartment, wherein a compartment for batteries is formed inside the front area of the swap body structure or a transport container by a partition wall.
[0004] Furthermore, DE 102017 003 113 A1 discloses a vehicle with at least one loading area. Furthermore, DE 10 2016 203 813 A1 discloses a photovoltaic module.
[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a swap body for a commercial vehicle so that the commercial vehicle can be operated particularly advantageously.
[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a swap body for a commercial vehicle having the features of patent claim 1 and by a commercial vehicle having the features of patent claim 7. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the remaining claims.
[0007] A first aspect of the invention relates to a swap body for a commercial vehicle. The commercial vehicle is designed, for example, as a truck. For example, the commercial vehicle is designed as a tractor, in particular as a semitrailer tractor, or the commercial vehicle comprises the tractor. For example, the commercial vehicle is designed as a semitrailer combination, which, for example, comprises the semitrailer tractor and a semitrailer. For example, the commercial vehicle is designed as a truck combination, particularly referred to as a combination, which comprises the truck or the tractor and a trailer, in particular coupled to the truck.
[0008] The swap body can be referred to in particular as a swap container, swap body bridge, or swap body bridge. In particular, the swap body can be understood as a load carrier, particularly an interchangeable one, for the commercial vehicle. Preferably, the swap body can be driven under by a carrier vehicle, which is designed, for example, as the truck, particularly as the tractor unit or trailer.
[0009] The swap body has at least one receiving space designed for arranging transported goods. In other words, the transported goods can be arranged or stowed in the receiving space. The transported goods can be referred to in particular as cargo or load.
[0010] The receiving space is delimited, in particular in the longitudinal direction of the swap body and / or in the transverse direction of the swap body and / or in the vertical direction of the swap body, at least partially, in particular completely, by at least one outer wall of the swap body, in particular at least indirectly or directly. In other words, the receiving space is at least partially formed by the outer wall or at least partially covered by the outer wall. Thus, the receiving space is located, in particular completely, within the outer wall.
[0011] The outer wall has at least one outer side facing the surroundings of the swap body, in particular directly. In other words, the outer side is designed as an outer side of the swap body that at least partially, in particular completely, delimits the swap body toward the outside. For example, the outer wall has at least one inner side, in particular facing away from the outer side, which delimits the receiving space, in particular in the longitudinal direction and / or in the transverse direction and / or in the vertical direction of the swap body, at least partially, in particular completely.
[0012] The longitudinal direction of the swap body can in particular mean a
[0013] The term "longitudinal direction" refers to the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The term "transverse direction" refers to the vehicle's longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle. The term "vertical direction" refers to the vehicle's transverse direction. The term "vertical direction" refers to the vehicle's transverse direction. The term "vertical direction" refers to the vehicle's vertical ...
[0014] The swap body has at least one loading surface that delimits the receiving space downwards in the vertical direction of the swap body, in particular at least indirectly or directly. The transported goods arranged or to be arranged in the receiving space can be or are supported on the loading surface, in particular at least indirectly or directly, preferably downwards in the vertical direction of the swap body. In other words, the transported goods arranged or to be arranged in the receiving space are arranged, in particular directly, on the loading surface. The loading surface is thus designed for arranging or supporting the transported goods.
[0015] The swap body has at least one electrical energy storage device. The electrical energy storage device is designed, for example, as a battery or an accumulator. For example, the electrical energy storage device has at least one, in particular electrical, storage cell for storing electrical energy. The storage cell is designed, for example, as a battery cell.
[0016] The swap body has at least one, in particular electrical, connection point, via which at least one electrical machine of the commercial vehicle can be or is supplied with electrical energy, in particular purely electrical, for electrically driving the commercial vehicle, in particular with electrical energy stored in the electrical energy store or chemically bound in the electrical energy store, by means of the electrical energy store, in particular in a coupled state. In other words, the electrical machine can be supplied with the energy stored in the electrical energy store via the connection point in order to drive the commercial vehicle, in particular by means of the electrical machine. The connection point can be understood in particular as a, in particular electrical, connection of the electrical energy store to a, in particular electric, drive of the commercial vehicle, in particular the tractor.
[0017] The coupled state can be understood in particular as a state in which the swap body is arranged, in particular held, in particular directly, on a support area, in particular a support surface, of the commercial vehicle. The receiving area is preferably designed for arranging or receiving the swap body. The coupled state can be understood in particular as a bridged state. Thus, in the coupled state, the swap body is connected, for example, in particular mechanically, to the tractor or the trailer.
[0018] The commercial vehicle preferably has the electric machine. The commercial vehicle can be driven by means of the electric machine. Thus, for example, at least one torque for driving the commercial vehicle can be provided by means of the electric machine. The electric machine can therefore be referred to in particular as an electric traction machine. The electrical energy storage device is preferably designed as an electrical traction storage device, in particular as a traction battery. The commercial vehicle is preferably designed as an electrically driven commercial vehicle, which can be referred to, for example, as an e-truck. Because the swap body has the electrical energy storage device, the swap body can be referred to in particular as an e-swap bridge or e-bridge. The fact that the swap body has the electrical energy storage device can be understood in particular to mean that the electrical energy storage device is integrated into the swap body.Thus, the electrical energy storage unit is transferred from the truck, especially the tractor unit, to the swap body. In particular, the swap body is designed as a battery carrier.
[0019] In order to be able to operate the commercial vehicle particularly advantageously, in particular to be able to keep the downtime of the commercial vehicle particularly short and / or to be able to transport a particularly large amount of cargo, the invention provides that the electrical energy storage device is arranged in the vertical direction of the swap body, in particular directly beneath the loading area. In other words, the electrical energy storage device is arranged in a floor region of the swap body in the vertical direction of the swap body beneath the loading area. In other words again, the electrical energy storage device is arranged or integrated in a loading floor of the swap body. The electrical energy storage device is thus designed in particular as an electrical energy storage device integrated in the loading floor.
[0020] The invention is based in particular on the following findings and considerations: while the commercial vehicle, in particular the tractor, is on the move with its load, the swap body can be located at a ramp, for example when loading the goods to be transported, and in particular can be connected to the power grid. This means that the electrical energy storage device of the swap body can be charged, in particular without the commercial vehicle, while the commercial vehicle is moving, i.e., for example, while it is traveling with another swap body that is different from the swap body. The electrical energy storage device is therefore already charged, for example, when the commercial vehicle returns. This makes it possible to reduce the downtime of the commercial vehicle because the commercial vehicle, in particular the electrical energy storage device, does not have to recharge electricity, for example, when the commercial vehicle has arrived back at the shipping yard.This can, for example, make it possible to achieve particularly short changeover times, in particular until the commercial vehicle can be back on the road with a fully charged electrical energy storage device. The swap body according to the invention can therefore enable the commercial vehicle to continue driving immediately without an intermediate electrical charging stop. For example, the commercial vehicle, in particular the tractor, remains available to a haulage company while the swap body is in a workshop, for example for maintenance and / or cell replacement. This can, for example, make it possible to particularly increase customer satisfaction. In particular, the swap body according to the invention can solve a technical problem for the commercial vehicle, in particular for a swap body commercial vehicle, relating to, for example, an insufficient electric range and frequent charging stops of the commercial vehicle.
[0021] Because the electrical energy storage device is arranged under the loading area in the swap body, the electrical energy storage device, for example individual storage cells of the electrical energy storage device, can be replaced with particularly little effort or with particular ease, as a result of which the commercial vehicle can remain ready for use for a particularly long time, in particular while the swap body is being worked on and the commercial vehicle does not have to be in the workshop. This means that the downtime of the commercial vehicle can be kept particularly short. Furthermore, the installation space of the swap body can be designed particularly advantageously if the electrical energy storage device is arranged under the loading area. In particular, this makes it possible to increase the size of the receiving space, as a result of which the swap body or the receiving space can accommodate a particularly large amount of transported goods.In particular, by arranging the electrical energy storage unit under the loading area in the vertical direction of the swap body, the driver efficiency of the commercial vehicle can be significantly increased and, at the same time, the design options for the swap body can be kept almost infinitely variable. This allows development and / or manufacturing costs of the swap body to be kept particularly low.
[0022] Because the swap body has the electrical energy storage unit, free space can be created in the chassis of the commercial vehicle, for example for additional units, in order to be able to serve a particularly wide variety of applications with the commercial vehicle. In principle, it is conceivable for a commercial vehicle manufacturer to develop and / or sell its own load carrier pool in the form of swap bodies and / or swap bodies and / or refrigerated bodies and / or loading platforms, for example independently and / or through partner companies. By purchasing the swap body from customers, revenue and / or customer loyalty can be generated or ensured. For example, customer loyalty can be particularly increased through visits to the workshop and / or maintenance topics and / or inspections, particularly in the future. This makes it possible, for example, to expand a business area.
[0023] By means of the electrical energy storage unit, a power supply to the commercial vehicle, in particular to the vehicle's electrical system, can be provided, and in particular guaranteed, via the swap body, particularly during normal operation of the commercial vehicle. In the bridged state, the electrical energy storage unit can be charged via a charging socket on the commercial vehicle, for example, during driving breaks and using any charging infrastructure available at the location.
[0024] A second aspect of the invention relates to a commercial vehicle having a swap body according to the first aspect of the invention. Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the first aspect of the invention are to be regarded as advantages and advantageous embodiments of the second aspect of the invention, and vice versa.
[0025] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawing(s). The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective specified combination, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0026] Showing:
[0027] Fig. 1 A particularly schematic representation of a commercial vehicle according to the invention, which has a swap body according to the invention; and
[0028] Fig. 2 A schematic partial sectional view of an interchangeable body according to the invention.
[0029] Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a commercial vehicle 10, which is preferably designed as a truck. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the commercial vehicle 10 has a tractor 12. The commercial vehicle 10 has a swap body 14, which is arranged, for example, on a receiving area 16, in particular a receiving surface, of the tractor 12, which is provided in particular for the swap body 14. Fig. 2 shows the swap body 14 in a schematic partial sectional view. This is in particular a partial lateral sectional view.
[0030] The swap body 14 has a receiving space 18 designed for arranging transported goods, which can in particular be referred to as a loading space. The receiving space 18 is at least partially, in particular completely, delimited or formed, in particular directly, by at least one outer wall 20 of the swap body 14. The outer wall 20 has an outer side 22, which faces an environment 24 of the swap body 14, in particular of the commercial vehicle 10. In particular, the outer wall 20 has an inner side 26, which faces the receiving space 18.
[0031] The swap body 14 has a loading area 28, which defines the receiving space 18 downwards, in particular directly, in the vertical direction 30 of the swap body 14 or the commercial vehicle 10. The goods being transported arranged or to be arranged in the receiving space 18 can be or are supported on the loading area 28, in particular downwards in the vertical direction 30.
[0032] The swap body 14 has at least one electrical energy storage device 32. For example, the swap body 14 has a plurality of electrical energy storage devices 32, i.e., a plurality of electrical energy storage devices 32. The electrical energy storage device 32 is designed, for example, as a battery or accumulator.
[0033] The commercial vehicle 10, in particular the tractor 12, has at least one electric machine 34, by means of which the commercial vehicle 10, in particular the tractor 12, can be driven. The swap body 14 has at least one, in particular electrical, connection point 35, via which the electric machine 34 can be or is supplied with electrical energy for electrically driving the commercial vehicle 10, in particular the tractor 12, by means of the, in particular respective, electrical energy storage device 32. In other words, the swap body 14 has an energy storage arrangement, in particular a battery arrangement, of an electric drive of the commercial vehicle 10 or for the commercial vehicle 10, in particular for the tractor 12.
[0034] In order to be able to operate the commercial vehicle particularly advantageously, in particular in order to be able to design a construction space of the swap body 14 particularly advantageously and / or to be able to carry out maintenance of the swap body 14 with particularly little effort, it is provided that the, in particular respective, electrical energy storage device 32 is arranged in the vertical direction 30 of the swap body 14, in particular in the vertical direction of the commercial vehicle 10, under the loading area 28.
[0035] Preferably, the receiving space 18, in particular the loading area 28, extends in the longitudinal direction 36 of the swap body 14 at least predominantly over an overall length 38 of the swap body 14. This means that a length of the receiving space 18, in particular the loading area 28, corresponds at least predominantly to the overall length 38. The length 40 or the overall length 38 extends in the longitudinal direction 36. Preferably, the longitudinal direction 36 corresponds to a longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle 10. Alternatively or additionally, it is provided, for example, that the receiving space 18, in particular the loading area 28, extends in the transverse direction of the swap body 14 at least predominantly over an overall width of the swap body 14. This means that a width of the receiving space 18, in particular the loading area 28, corresponds at least predominantly to the overall width of the swap body 14. The width or the overall width extends in the transverse direction of the swap body 14.Preferably, the transverse direction of the swap body 14 corresponds to a transverse direction of the commercial vehicle 10.
[0036] In a further embodiment, it is provided that the, in particular, respective, electrical energy storage device 32 is integrated into a frame 42 of the swap body 14, which partially delimits or defines the receiving space 18. In other words, the, in particular, respective, electrical energy storage device 32 is arranged in the frame 42 or within the frame 42. The frame 42 can be understood, in particular, as a frame construction or a supporting structure of the swap body 14.
[0037] Alternatively or additionally, it is provided, for example, that the swap body 14 has at least one first floor element 44 and at least one second floor element 46 arranged above the first floor element 44 in the vertical direction 30 of the swap body, by which the loading area 28 is formed, in particular at least partially or completely. It is preferably provided that the, in particular respective, electrical energy storage device 32 is arranged between the floor elements 44, 46. In other words, the, in particular respective, electrical energy storage device 32 is arranged or integrated in an intermediate floor of the swap body 14.
[0038] Because the, in particular respective, electrical energy storage device 32 is integrated in the frame 42 and / or is arranged between the floor elements 44, 46, the interchangeable body 14, in particular the electrical energy storage device 32, can be maintained and / or repaired with particularly little effort.
[0039] In particular, individual storage cells of the, in particular respective, electrical energy storage device 32 can be replaced particularly easily and the commercial vehicle 10 can remain ready for use while the swap body is being processed, in particular repaired and / or maintained, and the commercial vehicle 10 does not have to be in a workshop.
[0040] The first floor element 44 can be understood in particular as a floor of the swap body 14, in particular one that delimits the swap body 14 downwards in the vertical direction 30, towards the outside. Thus, the first floor element 44 has, for example, an outer side facing the environment 24. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the swap body 14 has at least one electronic computing device 48 designed or provided for controlling and / or regulating the, in particular respective, electrical energy storage device 32. The electronic computing device 48 can be understood in particular as control electronics. The electronic computing device 48 is preferably integrated in the frame 42 and / or arranged between the floor elements 44, 46. In other words, the electronic computing device 48 is integrated in the frame construction and / or in the intermediate floor of the swap body 14.This allows the electronic computing device 48, for example, to be accommodated in the swap body 14 in a particularly space-efficient manner. The control electronics can be referred to in particular as an electronic control system.
[0041] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the swap body 14 has a plurality of support elements 50, which in particular protrude from the first floor element 44 or are arranged on the first floor element 44 and are designed, for example, as feet of the swap body 14. The respective support element 50 is preferably pivotable about a respective pivot axis, in particular between at least two positions, relative to the outer wall 20 or to the first floor element 44. For example, in a state decoupled from the tractor 12 or the commercial vehicle 10, the swap body 14 can be supported or is supported on a surface, in particular directly, via the respective support element 50. The decoupled state can be understood, in particular, as a state in which the swap body dismantling device 14 is not arranged on the commercial vehicle 10 or the tractor 12, in particular not on the receiving area 16.The decoupled state can in particular be referred to as the unbridged state.
[0042] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 2, it is provided that the swap body 14 has at least one photovoltaic module 54, arranged in particular on a roof 52 of the swap body 14. For example, the swap body 14 has a plurality of photovoltaic modules 54, arranged in particular on the roof 52. By means of the respective photovoltaic module 54, the respective electrical energy storage device 32 and / or an on-board electrical system of the commercial vehicle 10, in particular of the tractor 12, can be supplied with the electrical energy stored in the respective electrical energy storage device 32. In other words, the swap body 14 has, in particular on the roof 52, the at least one photovoltaic module 54, via which the on-board electrical system and / or the respective electrical energy storage device 32 is supplied, in particular with electrical energy.As a result, the electrical energy storage device 32 or the vehicle electrical system can be supplied with electrical energy in a particularly advantageous, particularly sustainable and / or particularly cost-effective manner. For example, the photovoltaic module 54 has at least one solar cell.
[0043] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the interchangeable body 14 is provided with at least one cooling unit designed or provided for cooling the receiving space 18, which cooling unit can be supplied or is supplied with electrical energy, in particular for cooling the receiving space 18, by means of the respective electrical energy storage device 32. The cooling unit 56 can be understood in particular as a cooling device. In other words, the receiving space 18 can be cooled by means of the cooling unit 56. For example, the cooling unit 56 is arranged on the outer wall 20, in particular on the outer side 22.
[0044] For example, by supplying the refrigeration unit 56, particularly for refrigerated freight forwarders, a cold chain can be maintained in the event of a failure or malfunction of the commercial vehicle 10, particularly via the respective electrical energy storage unit 32 integrated in the swap body 14, especially until a replacement vehicle arrives. Particularly when e-mobility has reached its peak, it is conceivable in principle that refrigerated vans, for example, could travel, which could be completely self-sufficient, in particular, because they provide their own power supply. For example, various battery variants are possible, such as 27374 batteries, to enable different distances, for example.
[0045] In particular, the respective electrical energy storage device 32 can be charged without the tractor unit 12, so that, for example, functions such as cooling operation, particularly referred to as frigo block operation, can also be possible, particularly without the tractor unit 12. In particular, refrigerated storage, for example, can also be carried out, for example occasionally, in the commercial vehicle 10, particularly before the tour. For example, the commercial vehicle 10, in particular the tractor unit 12, has at least one further electrical energy storage device that is different from the electrical energy storage device 32. The further electrical energy storage device is, for example, smaller in dimension than the respective electrical energy storage device 32. Therefore, the further electrical energy storage device can be referred to, in particular, as a small battery pack.For example, the additional energy storage device has a smaller, in particular electrical, power or capacity than the respective electrical energy storage device 32. The additional electrical energy storage device, which can be referred to in particular as an additional battery unit, is preferably provided for driving the commercial vehicle 10, in particular the tractor unit 12, on short distances and / or for supplying electrical power to the vehicle electrical system during rerouting operations. Thus, the additional energy storage device is sufficient, for example, for short distances and / or for rerouting operations.In other words, a smaller battery pack remains in the commercial vehicle 10, in particular the tractor 12, which is sufficient for transfer work and, for example, short distances of, for example, 50 kilometers, whereby a so-called “last mile” of the commercial vehicle 10 is possible without the swap body 14, which is particularly referred to as a container.
[0046] For example, it is provided that the commercial vehicle 10 has a trailer, in particular coupled to the tractor 12, which carries the swap body 14.
[0047] For example, the commercial vehicle 10, in particular the tractor 12, has an electrical connection, particularly referred to as a charging socket, via which the electrical energy storage device 32 and / or the additional electrical energy storage device can be charged. In other words, the charging socket is mounted on the commercial vehicle 10, in particular on the tractor 12, so that the commercial vehicle 10, in particular the tractor 12, can dock, preferably anywhere, to an infrastructure, particularly referred to as a charging infrastructure if one exists, and draw power or recharge.
[0048] For example, the commercial vehicle 10, in particular the tractor 12, has a drive device designed separately from the electric machine, which is preferably designed as a range extender, in particular one with particularly small dimensions. Thus, by relocating the respective electrical energy storage device 32 to the swap body 14 in the tractor 12 or in a chassis of the commercial vehicle 10, the range extender can be accommodated by gaining space. The drive device is designed, for example, as a gasoline, gas, or hydrogen power generator. For example, the electrical energy storage device 32 and / or the additional electrical energy storage device can be charged via the drive device, in particular in the open field, preferably in an emergency. However, the drive device is not intended for regular operation, for example.
[0049] List of reference symbols
[0050] 10 commercial vehicles
[0051] 12 tractor
[0052] 14 swap body
[0053] 16 Recording area
[0054] 18 Recording room
[0055] 20 outer wall
[0056] 22 Outside
[0057] 24 Surroundings
[0058] 26 Inside
[0059] 28 loading area
[0060] 30 vertical direction
[0061] 32 electrical energy storage
[0062] 34 electric machine
[0063] 35 Junction
[0064] 36 Longitudinal direction
[0065] 38 total length
[0066] 40 length
[0067] 42 frames
[0068] 44 first floor element
[0069] 46 second floor element
[0070] 48 electronic computing device
[0071] 50 supporting element
[0072] 52 roof
[0073] 54 photovoltaic modules
[0074] 56 Cooling unit
Claims
Patent claims 1. Swap body (14) for a commercial vehicle (10), comprising a receiving space (18) designed for arranging transported goods, which is at least partially delimited by at least one outer wall (20) having an outer side (22) facing an environment (24) of the swap body (14), comprising a loading surface (28) which delimits the receiving space (18) downwards in the vertical direction (30) of the swap body (14) and on which the transported goods arranged in the receiving space (18) can be supported, comprising at least one electrical energy store (32) and at least one connection point (35) via which an electrical machine (34) of the commercial vehicle (10) for electrically driving the commercial vehicle (10) can be supplied with electrical energy by means of the electrical energy store (32), characterized in that the electrical energy store (32) is arranged below the loading surface (28) in the vertical direction (30) of the swap body (14).
2. Interchangeable body (14) according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical energy storage device (32) is integrated in a frame (42) which partially delimits the receiving space (18).
3. Swap body (14) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the swap body (14) has at least one first floor element (44) and at least one second floor element (46) arranged above the first floor element (44) in the vertical direction (30) of the swap body (14), through which the Loading surface (28) is formed, wherein the electrical energy storage device (32) is arranged between the floor elements (44) and (46).
4. Swap body (14) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by an electronic computing device (48) designed to control and / or regulate the electrical energy storage device (32), which is integrated in the frame (42) and / or is arranged between the floor elements (44), (46).
5. Swap body (14) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the swap body (14) has at least one photovoltaic module (54) by means of which the electrical energy storage device (32) and / or an on-board electrical system of the commercial vehicle (10) can be supplied with electrical energy.
6. Swap body (14) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one cooling unit (56) designed to cool the receiving space (18), which can be supplied with electrical energy by means of the electrical energy store (32).
7. Commercial vehicle (10) with a swap body (14) according to one of the preceding claims.