Device for receiving a drive device of a commercial vehicle, said drive device having a plurality of energy modules

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for receiving a drive device of a commercial vehicle (10), said drive device having a plurality of energy modules (2, 3), wherein the energy modules (2, 3) of the drive device are arranged linearly one behind the other in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x-direction) in at least one energy module row (4, 5, 6). According to the invention, the energy modules (2, 3) arranged linearly one behind the other in an energy module row (4, 5, 6) are integrated in a common receiving cage (25) in order to form an energy packet (7). The receiving cage (25) with the energy packet (7) integrated herein can be fastened on a carrying element (12) of the chassis-carrying structure (11) of the commercial vehicle (10).

Description

[0001] Device for accommodating a drive device of a commercial vehicle having several energy modules

[0002] The invention relates to a device for accommodating a drive device of a commercial vehicle having a plurality of energy modules according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0003] In order to accommodate the energy modules of the drive device of a commercial vehicle in the commercial vehicle, in particular the battery modules of the traction battery of an electric motor-driven commercial vehicle, various concepts can already be found in the state of the art.

[0004] For example, DE 10 2016 113 759 A1 discloses a fastening arrangement for the battery system of an electric-powered commercial vehicle. In this arrangement, several battery modules arranged in individual battery cages, each combined to form a battery pack, are inserted from above between two longitudinal members of the commercial vehicle and held to a frame of the commercial vehicle via bearing elements.

[0005] DE 10 2013 020229 A1 describes a supporting frame for commercial vehicles with a mounting option for various components or attachments, such as tanks or battery housings. These components or attachments can be connected to a longitudinal frame member or cross frame member of the commercial vehicle using grid elements, perforated sheets, or the like.

[0006] DE 10 2020 128 582 A1 describes a battery mount for a traction battery comprising several battery modules for a commercial vehicle with a carrier frame consisting of two longitudinal members and several cross members. The battery modules of the traction battery are inserted between the two longitudinal members of the carrier frame and connected to the carrier frame by means of a three-point mounting.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of specifying a device for receiving a drive device of a commercial vehicle having a plurality of energy modules, in which a process-reliable assembly or receiving of the energy modules of the drive device with advantageous properties is realized in a simple manner.

[0008] This object is achieved according to the invention by a device having the features set out in claim 1.

[0009] Advantageous further developments of the device according to the invention are part of the further patent claims.

[0010] In the device according to the invention for receiving a drive device of a commercial vehicle having a plurality of energy modules, the energy modules of the drive device of the commercial vehicle are received and their crash-safe connection to the chassis support structure of the commercial vehicle via at least one receiving cage for the energy modules of an energy module row arranged linearly one behind the other, which are integrated in the common receiving cage to form an energy package.

[0011] The respective support cage with the energy package from the linearly arranged energy modules of an energy module row is attached to a support element of the chassis support structure of the commercial vehicle.

[0012] Preferably, the receiving cage for the energy package is formed from the energy modules of an energy module row arranged linearly one behind the other, from four support angles arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x-direction) and two thrust plates arranged in the vehicle transverse direction (y-direction), wherein each of the support angles encloses one edge of all the energy modules of an energy package arranged linearly one behind the other and the two thrust plates are arranged on the respective end face of an energy package.

[0013] These support brackets, which serve as frame components for the mounting cage of an energy pack, are designed, in particular, as bent sheet metal parts, for example, as deep-drawn parts. The mounting cages, which are stable and thus also have a positive effect on the crash behavior of the commercial vehicle, are assembled from as many components as possible during pre-assembly, allowing for simple, line-friendly final assembly using the pre-assembled energy packs and the mounting cages. In this case, battery modules or gas tanks are particularly intended as energy modules for the commercial vehicle's drive system. These are combined to form corresponding battery packs or gas tank packs and integrated into a common mounting cage for mounting on the chassis support structure of the commercial vehicle.

[0014] In particular, each energy pack is attached to the chassis support structure of the commercial vehicle by means of the support cage and its four longitudinally arranged support brackets, preferably inserted into and secured to support devices designed as support brackets. These support brackets, as support devices for attaching a support cage accommodating an energy pack, are preferably arranged on the upper side of at least one support element of the chassis support structure of the commercial vehicle, designed as a longitudinal member.

[0015] Each energy module row is assigned such a receiving cage with an energy package consisting of at least two energy modules arranged linearly one behind the other, which is inserted into the receiving devices on the chassis support structure in the respective energy module row.

[0016] These energy packages in the support cages, which are connected to the chassis support structure of the commercial vehicle during the manufacturing process of the commercial vehicle, can be removed from the chassis support structure of the commercial vehicle again if necessary after they have been inserted and connected to the chassis support structure of the commercial vehicle.

[0017] In a preferred development of the invention, for each energy module of an energy package integrated in a receiving cage, at least one such receiving device, preferably designed as a receiving console, is provided on the upper side of a support element, preferably designed as a longitudinal member, of the chassis support structure of the commercial vehicle.

[0018] Friction-reducing inserts are preferably attached to the support brackets of a receiving cage for an energy package, which prevent or at least reduce any friction that may occur on the receiving devices, preferably designed as receiving consoles, or other components of the chassis support structure when a receiving cage with the energy package is assembled.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the energy modules of an energy pack have two thrust plates extending in the transverse direction (y-direction) of the vehicle at their respective end faces, thus spaced apart from one another in the vehicle's longitudinal direction (x-direction). These thrust plates function as side struts and thus separate the individual energy modules of an energy pack arranged in a common receiving cage. These thrust plates can also be used to create underride protection for the commercial vehicle on the rows of energy modules located on the outside of the commercial vehicle.

[0020] These shear plates are preferably designed in a lattice-like manner, which on the one hand allows for stiffening and thus an improvement in the crash characteristics of the commercial vehicle, and on the other hand also allows for material savings and thus cost reduction for the commercial vehicle.

[0021] In the commercial vehicle, at least one row of energy modules is formed in the longitudinal direction (x-direction) of the commercial vehicle by integrating the energy modules into a common receiving cage and fastening it to the chassis support structure of the commercial vehicle, but several rows of energy modules oriented in the longitudinal direction (x-direction) of the vehicle and arranged next to one another in the transverse direction (y-direction) of the vehicle can also be provided.

[0022] In a preferred development of the invention, in the case of a plurality of energy module rows oriented in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x-direction) and arranged next to one another in the vehicle transverse direction (y-direction), the energy module rows formed next to one another are connected to one another via at least one connecting element, in particular to increase the stability and torsional rigidity of the device in the vehicle transverse direction (y-direction), but correspondingly also in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x-direction).

[0023] Furthermore, in a preferred development of the invention, in at least one energy module row, in particular in an inner energy module row not located on the outside of the commercial vehicle, a platform element arranged in the vehicle transverse direction (y-direction) and extending, for example, over the entire width of this energy module row can be used to accommodate and / or connect electronic components.This platform element as a cross brace serves on the one hand to connect a support cage or cages and thus the energy package or energy packages and electronic components such as inverters, control units or cooling elements, on the other hand it also improves the stability in the vehicle's transverse direction (y-direction) and prevents or reduces the occurrence of disruptive vibrations between the various energy module rows or the various support cages, and improves the crash behavior of the commercial vehicle in the event of a crash by absorbing transverse forces.

[0024] The platform element is designed, for example, as a profiled sheet metal part, but can also be designed as a cast component if higher structural rigidity is desired or required.

[0025] In the device according to the invention for receiving a drive device of a commercial vehicle having a plurality of energy modules, a simple and process-reliable assembly of the energy modules combined to form energy packages is advantageously possible in the assembly process of the commercial vehicle by means of the receiving cages.

[0026] In this case, a large number of identically designed and thus modular energy modules can be individually combined to form energy packages to provide a high energy content for the drive system of the commercial vehicle and pre-assembled as a compact unit in a common mounting cage.

[0027] On the assembly line, these modular energy packages can then be assembled easily and time-savingly by attaching the respective mounting cages to the chassis support structure of the commercial vehicle.

[0028] If necessary, individual energy packages can also be easily removed for service purposes or in the event of repairs.

[0029] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings. 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 combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. In the drawings:

[0030] Fig. 1 A schematic perspective view of the assembly process of several battery modules of a commercial vehicle.

[0031] Fig. 2 Alternative embodiments of a device for accommodating several energy modules of a commercial vehicle.

[0032] Fig. 3 A detailed view of a device for accommodating several energy modules of a commercial vehicle.

[0033] Fig. 4 A schematic representation of a device for accommodating several energy modules of a commercial vehicle in a further embodiment.

[0034] In Figure 1, the device 1 is provided for receiving, for example, eight battery modules 2 of the traction battery of the commercial vehicle 10.

[0035] Here, the eight battery modules 2 of the traction battery of the commercial vehicle 10 are arranged in three battery module rows 4, 5, 6 located next to one another in the vehicle's transverse direction (y-direction), with three battery modules 2 in each of the two battery module rows 4, 6 located on the outside of the commercial vehicle 10 being arranged one behind the other in the vehicle's longitudinal direction (x-direction) and two battery modules 2 being arranged one behind the other in the vehicle's longitudinal direction (x-direction) in the middle battery module row 5 located between these two battery module rows 4, 6 located on the outside of the commercial vehicle 10.

[0036] The battery modules 2 for a battery module row 4, 5, 6 are each assembled during pre-assembly to form a battery pack 7 intended for one of the battery module rows 4, 5, 6 and integrated in a common receiving cage 25, i.e. in the example shown in Figure 1, three battery packs 7 and thus also three receiving cages 25 are formed for the three battery module rows 4, 5, 6. For the two battery module rows 4, 6 located on the outside of the commercial vehicle 10, three battery modules 2 are assembled to form a battery pack 7 and integrated in a receiving cage 25, for the middle battery module row 5, two battery modules 2 are assembled to form a battery pack 7 and integrated in a receiving cage 25.Through this modular formation of the battery modules 2 into battery packs 7 during pre-assembly and through the formation of the receiving cages 25, a rapid assembly and load-free joining of the battery modules 2 is then possible on the actual assembly line 24 symbolically shown in Figure 1 during the assembly process by means of the receiving cages 25 provided for the battery packs 7.

[0037] The assembly process for the traction battery of the commercial vehicle 10 with the three battery packs 7, shown schematically in Figure 1, is designed on the assembly line 24 in such a way that firstly the receiving cage 25 for the battery pack 7 with the two battery modules 2 for the middle battery module row 5 is lowered vertically from top to bottom in the vehicle's vertical direction (z-direction) using a lifting harness and inserted into the chassis support structure 11 of the commercial vehicle 10, and then the two receiving cages 25 for the battery packs 7 with the three battery modules 2 for the two battery module rows 4, 6 located on the outside of the commercial vehicle 10 are connected to the chassis support structure 11 of the commercial vehicle 10.

[0038] After inserting the receiving cages 25 for the battery packs 7 and connecting them to the chassis support structure 11 of the commercial vehicle 10, the mounted receiving cages 25 for the battery packs 7 can be braced in the vehicle transverse direction (y-direction), in particular via a screw connection between the receiving cages 25 of the battery packs 7 or between the battery modules 2 of the battery packs 7.

[0039] If necessary, particularly for service purposes or in the event of repairs, subsequent removal of individual battery packs 7 is possible after loosening the respective fastenings in the vehicle's vertical direction (z-direction). Depending on the type of commercial vehicle 10 and the available installation space, this vertical removal and simple disassembly of the battery packs 7 can be carried out either upwards in the vehicle's vertical direction (z-direction) (for example, in the case of a tractor unit as commercial vehicle 10) or downwards in the vehicle's vertical direction (z-direction) (for example, in the case of a flatbed vehicle with fixed superstructures as commercial vehicle 10).

[0040] Figure 2 shows several alternative embodiments for forming energy packages 7 for the drive device of differently designed commercial vehicles 10.

[0041] In an energy package 7, any number of energy modules 2, 3 can be combined in an energy module row 4, 5, 6 and connected to the chassis support structure 11 of the commercial vehicle 10 via a respective receiving cage 25.

[0042] Any type of commercial vehicle 10 can be considered as commercial vehicles 10, for example tractor units with semi-trailers or flatbed vehicles with fixed bodies.

[0043] In the left-hand illustration of Figure 2, a total of six battery modules 2 are provided as energy modules for the drive device of the commercial vehicle 10, which is designed, for example, as a tractor unit. These six battery modules 2 are distributed among three battery packs 7 as energy packs such that each of the battery packs 7 has two battery modules 2. Each of the battery packs 7 with the two battery modules 2 is connected in a battery module row 4, 5, 6 via a respective receiving cage 25 to the chassis support structure 11 of the commercial vehicle 10. This device 1 forms an installation space reserve 19, for example for accommodating electric auxiliary drives and / or mechanical auxiliary drives of the commercial vehicle 10.

[0044] In the middle illustration of Figure 2, a total of six battery modules 2 are also provided as energy modules for the drive device of the commercial vehicle 10, which is designed, for example, as a semitrailer tractor. These six battery modules 2 are distributed among three battery packs 7 as energy packs such that each of the battery packs 7 has two battery modules 2. Each of the battery packs 7 with the two battery modules 2 is connected in a battery module row 4, 5, 6 via a respective receiving cage 25 to the chassis support structure 11 of the commercial vehicle 10, wherein the individual battery packs 7 or their receiving cages 25 are arranged offset from one another in the vehicle's longitudinal direction (x-direction). This device 1 forms an installation space reserve 20, for example for accommodating crane support legs for the commercial vehicle 10.

[0045] In the right-hand illustration of Figure 2, a total of six energy modules 2, 3 are provided for the drive device of the commercial vehicle 10, which is designed, for example, as a semitrailer tractor. These six energy modules 2, 3 are divided into three energy packages 7 such that each of the energy packages 7 has two energy modules 2. Each of the energy packages 7 with the two energy modules 2, 3 is connected to the chassis support structure 11 of the commercial vehicle 10 in an energy module row 4, 5, 6 via a respective receiving cage 25. For example, in the two outer energy module rows 4, 6 on the outside of the commercial vehicle 10, two hydrogen-fillable gas tanks 3 are provided as energy modules 3 of an energy package 7 in a receiving cage 25; in the middle energy module row 5, two battery modules 2 are provided as energy modules 2 of the energy package 7 in a receiving cage 25.

[0046] In Figure 3, the device 1 for receiving energy modules 2, 3 or energy packages 7 is shown without the energy modules or without the energy packages for the purpose of illustration.

[0047] To create the receiving cages 25 for the energy packs 7, the "inner side" is first formed from the two inner support brackets 8 arranged at the top and bottom by riveting them together with the two combined U / L profile beams 21. Inserts 9 made of aluminum and / or plastic, for example, are tacked onto the upper side 13 of these inner sides to prevent the energy modules 2, 3 to be attached from rubbing against the rivet heads.

[0048] A thrust plate 15 is provided on each of the two end faces of an energy module 2, 3. Thus, such thrust plates 15 are also present on the two end faces 26 of a receiving cage 25. The thrust plates 15 are preferably designed like a lattice, i.e. they have a specific lattice structure. The "inner wall" formed on the "inner side" is pushed onto the energy modules 2, 3 or onto the internal support brackets 8 and these are screwed together at the screw points 22. In the vertical direction of the vehicle (z-direction), no installation space is therefore required that exceeds the material thickness of the components. The two support brackets 8 are then placed on the outside and these are screwed to the energy modules 2, 3.

[0049] The two identical thrust plates 15 of an energy module 2, 3 are thus connected to each other in the vehicle's longitudinal direction (x-direction) via the support brackets 8 at all four corners. This not only supports the thrust plates 15 and thus the energy packages 7 in the vehicle's transverse direction (y-direction), but also increases the shear stiffness in the vehicle's longitudinal direction (x-direction).

[0050] Overall, a receiving cage 25 for receiving the energy modules 2, 3 of an energy package 7 is formed from the four support angles 8 in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x-direction) and from the two thrust plates 15 on the end faces 26, which additionally has further thrust plates between the individual energy modules 2, 3 of the energy package 7.

[0051] The shear plates 15 in the two outer battery module rows 4, 6 located on the outside of the commercial vehicle 10 are designed such that crash elements for the commercial vehicle 10 and / or the side paneling of the commercial vehicle 10 can be connected to their outer sides. The two-part cross member 16, 17 with two brackets and a bridge provides a transverse connection of the shear plates 15 in the various battery module rows 4, 5, 6, thus further stabilizing the device 1 in the transverse direction of the vehicle (y-direction).

[0052] The support cages 25, which are mounted on the chassis support structure 11 of the commercial vehicle 10 on the support brackets 14 mounted there, with the energy packages 7 integrated therein, are screwed to the two-part cross member 16, 17 at the screw points 22 in the vehicle vertical direction (z-direction) and at the screw points 23 in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x-direction).

[0053] As can be seen from Figure 4, in the middle energy module row 5 in the installation space at the end of the battery pack 7 to be inserted, for example, a platform element 18 is provided for connecting the two outer energy module rows 4, 6.

[0054] This platform element 18 can be designed to accommodate and / or connect electronic components or other parts or components of the commercial vehicle 10.

[0055] In particular, the platform element 18 is designed as a hat-shaped profile, which is connected in a flexible manner to the two support cages 25 for the energy packs 7 in the two outer energy module rows 4, 6. This provides transverse support for the device 1, which prevents overloading of the support brackets 14 while allowing for distortion of the chassis support structure 11.

[0056] List of reference symbols

[0057] 1 device

[0058] 2 battery modules

[0059] 3 gas tanks

[0060] 4 energy module row left

[0061] 5 Energy module row middle

[0062] 6 Energy module row right

[0063] 7 Energy package consisting of several energy modules

[0064] 8 support brackets

[0065] 9 deposits

[0066] 10 commercial vehicles

[0067] 11 Chassis support structure

[0068] 12 support element / longitudinal member

[0069] 13 Top side of support element

[0070] 14 Mounting device / mounting console

[0071] 15 thrust plates

[0072] 16 Connecting element

[0073] 17 Connecting element

[0074] 18 Platform element

[0075] 19 Installation space for ePTO / mPTO

[0076] 20 Installation space for crane support feet

[0077] 21 profile beams

[0078] 22 Z-screw connection on the cross member

[0079] 23 X-screw connection on the cross member

[0080] 24 assembly line

[0081] 25 Recording cage

[0082] 26 Front side x-direction Vehicle longitudinal direction y-direction Vehicle transverse direction z-direction Vehicle vertical direction

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (1) for receiving a drive device of a commercial vehicle (10) having a plurality of energy modules (2, 3), wherein the energy modules (2, 3) of the drive device are arranged linearly one behind the other in at least one energy module row (4, 5, 6) in the vehicle's longitudinal direction (x-direction), characterized in that the energy modules (2, 3) of an energy module row (4, 5, 6) arranged linearly one behind the other are integrated in a common receiving cage (25) to form an energy package (7), and in that the receiving cage (25) with the integrated energy package (7) can be fastened to a carrier element (12) of the chassis support structure (11) of the commercial vehicle (10).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the common receiving cage (25) of an energy package (7) has four support angles (8) arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x-direction) and two thrust plates (15) arranged in the vehicle transverse direction (y-direction), wherein each of the support angles (8) encloses an edge of all energy modules (2, 3) of an energy package (7) arranged linearly one behind the other, and wherein the two thrust plates (15) are each arranged on an end face (26) of an energy package (7).

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the energy modules (2, 3) of an energy package (7) each have two thrust plates (15) arranged spaced from one another in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x-direction) and extending in the vehicle transverse direction (y-direction).

4. Device (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the thrust plates (15) are designed in a lattice-like manner.

5. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that receiving devices (14) are arranged on at least one support element (12) of the chassis support structure (11) of the commercial vehicle (10), to which a receiving cage (25) with an integrated energy package (7) can be fastened.

6. Device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that for each energy module (2, 3) of an energy package (7) at least one receiving device (14) is arranged on a support element (12) of the chassis support structure (11) of the commercial vehicle (10).

7. Device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that a receiving cage (25) with an integrated energy package (7) can be fastened to the receiving devices (14) by means of the support angles (8).

8. Device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that friction-reducing inserts (9) are attached to the support angles (8) of a receiving cage (25).

9. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the at least one support element (12) of the chassis support structure (11) of the commercial vehicle (10) is designed as a longitudinal member on which receiving brackets are arranged as receiving devices (14).

10. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that that the energy packages (7) are arranged in several rows of energy modules (4, 5, 6) oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (x-direction) and arranged next to one another in the transverse direction of the vehicle (y-direction).

11. Device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the rows of energy modules (4, 5, 6) arranged next to one another in the transverse direction of the vehicle (y-direction) are connected to one another via at least one connecting element (16, 17).

12. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that in at least one energy module row (5) a platform element (18) arranged in the vehicle transverse direction (y-direction) is designed to accommodate and / or connect electronic components.

13. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the energy modules (2, 3) of the drive device of the commercial vehicle (10) are designed as battery modules (2) of the traction battery of the commercial vehicle (10) and / or as fillable gas tanks (3) of the commercial vehicle (10).

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