Handling machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a handling machine (1) comprising: - a chassis (2); - a lifting arm (20); - a front axle (3) and a rear axle (4); - a cabin (6) which is positioned between the front axle (3) and the rear axle (4) and on a first side of the lifting arm (20); - at least one electric motor; - a first and a second electrical energy storage unit which are connected to the at least one electric motor and fixed to the chassis (2) on either side of the lifting arm (20), the first electrical energy storage unit (40A) being positioned behind the cabin (6) on the first side of the lifting arm (20) and the second electrical energy storage unit (40B) being arranged on a second side of the lifting arm (20), opposite the first side, at least partially opposite the first electrical energy storage unit in a transverse direction orthogonal to the median longitudinal plane. Figure for the abridged version: 2

Description

Title of the invention: Handling machine technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a handling machine comprising an electric motor and at least one electrical energy storage unit. Technological background

[0002] A handling machine comprising a chassis, a lifting arm which is pivotally mounted on the chassis, a front axle and a rear axle which are fixed to the chassis, and a cabin which is fixed to the chassis and is positioned between the front axle and the rear axle, is known from document CN104500113.

[0003] The handling machine also includes an electric motor which is coupled to one of the axles, a battery support which is located behind the chassis of the machine, and a battery which is plugged into the battery support.

[0004] Such a battery arrangement impairs the compactness of the handling machine, particularly in the case of small handling machines. Summary of the invention

[0005] One idea underlying the invention is to reduce the impact of batteries on the compactness of the handling machine, without degrading the lateral balance of the machine.

[0006] Another idea underlying the invention is to choose an easily accessible location for the batteries while limiting the risk of shocks to them.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the invention provides a handling machine comprising: - a chassis; - a lifting arm which is pivotally mounted on the chassis in a median longitudinal plane; - a front axle and a rear axle which are fixed to the chassis; - a cab intended to accommodate a driver which is fixed to the chassis and is positioned between the front axle and the rear axle and on one side of the lifting arm; - at least one electric motor; and - a first and a second electrical energy storage unit which are connected to at least one electric motor and fixed to the chassis on either side of the lifting arm, the first electrical energy storage unit being positioned behind the cab on the first side of the lifting arm and the second electrical energy storage unit being arranged on a second side of the lifting arm, opposite the first side, at least partially opposite the first electrical energy storage unit in a transverse direction orthogonal to the median longitudinal plane.

[0008] Thanks to these features, the placement of the first and second electrical energy storage units makes it possible, on the one hand, to reduce the impact of the batteries on the compactness of the handling machine, and on the other hand, to maintain the lateral balance of the machine. Furthermore, their position at the rear of the vehicle, without protruding, makes the batteries accessible while protecting them from numerous impacts during machine operation.

[0009] According to embodiments, such a machine may include one or more of the following characteristics.

[0010] According to one embodiment, at least one electric motor is coupled to at least one of the front and rear axles.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the first and second electrical energy storage units have a substantially balanced mass distribution with respect to the median longitudinal plane.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the mass distribution is 50 to 60% on the side of the first electrical energy storage unit and 40 to 50% on the side of the second electrical energy storage unit.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the mass distribution is 60% on the side of the first electrical energy storage unit and 40% on the side of the second electrical energy storage unit.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the mass distribution is 50% on the side of the first electrical energy storage unit and 50% on the side of the second electrical energy storage unit.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the mass distribution is 40% on the side of the first electrical energy storage unit and 60% on the side of the second electrical energy storage unit.

[0016] Thanks to such a distribution, the battery cells have a relatively neutral, or even a favorable, effect on the lateral balance of the machine. Furthermore, an overall acceptable lateral balance of the machine can be achieved by a balanced arrangement of the other machine components. This balanced arrangement can also be achieved in various ways.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the first and second electrical energy storage units each comprise several electrolytic cells, the first or second electrical energy storage unit comprising a battery management system configured to monitor and manage the electrolytic cells of the first and second electrical energy storage units.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the battery management system is included in the first electrical energy storage unit, the number of electrolytic cells in the second electrical energy storage unit being greater than the number of electrolytic cells in the first electrical energy storage unit.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the battery management system is included in the second electrical energy storage unit, the number of electrolytic cells in the first electrical energy storage unit being greater than the number of electrolytic cells in the second electrical energy storage unit.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the first electrical energy storage unit comprises several electrolytic cells, and the second electrical energy storage unit comprises a battery management system configured to monitor and manage the electrolytic cells of the first electrical energy storage unit.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the second electrical energy storage unit comprises several electrolytic cells, and the first electrical energy storage unit comprises a battery management system configured to monitor and manage the electrolytic cells of the second electrical energy storage unit.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the first and second electrical energy storage units each include at least one temperature sensor and at least one charge state measurement device.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the first electrical energy storage unit is located in a longitudinal direction, parallel to the median longitudinal plane, between the cabin and a rear end of the chassis.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the first electrical energy storage unit is located in the transverse direction between the lifting arm and a lateral edge of the chassis.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the handling machine comprises a box configured to receive a plurality of equipment, the box being positioned between the front axle and the rear axle and on the second side of the lifting arm,

[0026] According to one embodiment, the second electrical energy storage unit is located in a longitudinal direction, parallel to the median longitudinal plane, between the casing and a rear end of the chassis.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the second electrical energy storage unit is located in the transverse direction between the lifting arm and a lateral edge of the chassis.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the electric motor is a propulsion electric motor configured to propel the handling machine, and the machine handling includes an electric drive motor configured to actuate the lifting arm, with the first and second electrical energy storage units connected to the electric drive and propulsion motors.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the handling machine comprises a box configured to receive a plurality of equipment, the box being positioned between the front axle and the rear axle and on the second side of the lifting arm, the electric propulsion motor being located between the front axle and the rear axle under the lifting arm, and the electric drive motor being located in the box.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the handling machine includes at least one transmission coupling said at least one electric motor to at least one of the front axle and the rear axle.

[0031] For its propulsion, the machine may have one or two drive axles. The drive axle may be a front axle or a rear axle.

[0032] For the drive of an axle, the machine can employ one or more electric motors coupled by a mechanical transmission chain to the axle, in other words an electromechanical drive.

[0033] The mechanical transmission chain may include one or more elements chosen from the group consisting of: a reduction gear train, a transmission shaft and a cardan joint.

[0034] Alternatively, for the drive of an axle, the machine can employ one or more electric motors coupled by a hydraulic transmission chain to the axle, in other words an electro-hydraulic drive.

[0035] The hydraulic transmission chain may include a hydraulic pump driven by the electric motor and at least one hydraulic motor driven by a hydraulic flow generated by the hydraulic pump. The hydraulic transmission chain may be a hydrostatic transmission chain, i.e., a closed-circuit system. The hydraulic pump and the electric motor may be shared with other hydraulic functions of the machine, such as a hydraulic actuation function for the lifting arm or other functions.

[0036] Where appropriate, for the drive of two axles, the machine may use two independent drives or a common drive. The two independent drives may be of different types, for example an electromechanical drive and an electrohydraulic drive, or of the same type, for example two electromechanical drives.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the first and second electrical energy storage units are connected to the electric propulsion motor via a first electric speed controller.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the first and second electrical energy storage units are connected to the electric drive motor via a second electric speed controller.

[0039] For the actuation of the lifting arm, the machine may include one or more electric actuators, namely an electric actuation for example by an electric cylinder, and / or one or more hydraulic actuators powered by one or more pumps driven by one or more electric motors, namely an electro-hydraulic actuation, for example by a hydraulic cylinder.

[0040] Several actuators of different kinds, for example at least one electric actuator and at least one hydraulic actuator, or of identical kinds, for example several hydraulic actuators, may be provided to actuate different movements or degrees of freedom of the lifting arm.

[0041] For example, the different movements can be chosen from the group consisting of: a pivoting movement, an extension-retraction movement and a tilting movement of a tool holder.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the at least one electric actuation motor comprises at least one electric actuator configured to actuate at least one movement of the lifting arm.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the machine further comprises a hydraulic pump coupled to the electric drive motor and at least one hydraulic actuator powered by the hydraulic pump to actuate at least one movement of the lifting arm.

[0044] In the case of electro-hydraulic actuation of one or more movements of the lifting arm and electro-hydraulic drive of one or more axles, independent hydraulic pumps may be used or a common hydraulic pump may be used. The independent hydraulic pumps may be driven by several respective electric motors.

[0045] In all cases, the first and second electrical energy storage units can be electrically connected to a single electric motor or to several electric motors to provide power to said electric motor(s) for the propulsion of the chassis and for the actuation of the lifting arm.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the handling machine is a telescopic handler or telescopic forklift, the lifting arm being a telescopic lifting arm. This type of machine is commonly called a "Telehandler" in English. Brief description of the figures

[0047] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent in the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the attached drawings.

[0048] Fig. 1 represents a top view of a handling machine according to one embodiment.

[0049] Fig. 2 represents a partial perspective view of a handling machine according to one embodiment.

[0050] Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of internal elements of a handling machine according to one embodiment, namely the axles, the side members and the first and second electrical energy storage units.

[0051] Fig. 4 represents a perspective view of internal elements of a handling machine according to one embodiment, namely in particular the axles, the electric motors and the first and second electrical energy storage units. Description of the implementation methods

[0052] Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of a handling machine 1, hereinafter referred to as "the machine 1" for convenience. The machine 1 is shown here in the form of a telescopic forklift.

[0053] In the figures, arrow AA indicates a longitudinal direction of the machine In diagram 1, arrow BB indicates a transverse direction of machine 1, and arrow CC indicates a vertical direction of machine 1. The longitudinal direction AA is a front-to-back direction of machine 1. The transverse direction BB is a left-to-right direction of machine 1 and is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction AA. The vertical direction CC is perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction AA and the transverse direction BB.

[0054] The machine 1 comprises a chassis 2 and a lifting arm 20.

[0055] The chassis 2 comprises two longitudinal members 10-1 and 10-2, which are more clearly visible in particularly on [Fig.3]. The longerons 10-1, 10-2 are generally flat metal pieces, parallel to each other and extending parallel to the longitudinal direction AA, in a plane parallel to a median longitudinal plane.

[0056] The chassis 2 is mobile and movable on the ground surface (not shown in the drawings), by means of a front axle 3 carrying two wheels 3A, one on the left and the other on the right, and a rear axle 4 carrying two wheels 4A, one on the left and the other on the right. The front axle 3 and the rear axle 4 are spaced along the longitudinal direction AA.

[0057] As is most clearly seen in particular in [Fig. 1], the lifting arm 20 extends, like the longerons 10-1, 10-2, parallel to the longitudinal direction AA. The lifting arm 20 is articulated to the two longerons 10-1, 10-2, between the two longerons 10-1, 10-2, so as to be movable by pivoting relative to the two 10-1, 10-2 longerons around a pivot axis. The pivot axis extends along the transverse direction BB.

[0058] The lifting arm 20 can be made in various ways, notably in the form of several telescopic sections as shown, or alternatively in the form of a fixed-length arm. One end of the lifting arm 20 opposite the pivot axis can carry a working tool or, as shown in [Fig. 1], a modular tool holder 21 capable of receiving working tools of various types, according to known techniques. A working tool is defined, for example, as a pair of forks, a bucket, a winch, a grapple, etc.

[0059] It can also be seen in [Fig. 1] and [Fig. 2] that the machine 1 comprises, on one side of the lifting arm 20, a cab 6 in which a machine 1 operator can sit, and, on the other side of the lifting arm 20, a box 5 that can accommodate various pieces of equipment for the machine 1. The cab 6 projects from the side member 10-1 in a direction opposite to the side member 10-2, and the box 5 projects from the side member 10-2 in a direction opposite to the side member 10-1. More specifically, the box 5 is positioned along the side member 10-2, external to this side member 10-2 in the transverse direction BB. Although the drawings and the description that follows present the cab 6 projecting from the longeron 10-1 located to the left of the machine 1 and the box 5 projecting from the longeron 10-2 located to the right of the machine 1, it is understood that the reverse arrangement is also possible, that is to say that the arrangement of the longerons 10-1, 10-2 can be reversed.

[0060] As shown, the cabin 6 and the box 5 are arranged between the front axle 3 and the rear axle 4 along the longitudinal direction AA.

[0061] With further reference to Figures 1 and 2, the machine 1 comprises a first electrical energy storage unit 40A and a second electrical energy storage unit 40B fixed to the chassis 2 on either side of the lifting arm 20 in the transverse direction BB. The first electrical energy storage unit 40A is positioned behind the cab 6 on the first side of the lifting arm 20, and the second electrical energy storage unit 40B is arranged on the second side of the lifting arm 20, opposite the first electrical energy storage unit 40A in the transverse direction BB.

[0062] The first and second electrical energy storage units 40A-40B are located directly above the rear axle 4.

[0063] The first electrical energy storage unit 40A is fixed to the spar 10-1, and the second electrical energy storage unit 40B is fixed to the spar 10-2, as seen in [Fig.3].

[0064] As shown in [Fig. 2], the first electrical energy storage unit 40A is located in the longitudinal direction AA between cabin 6 and a rear end 11 of chassis 2. The first 40A electrical energy storage unit is also located in the transverse direction BB between the lifting arm 20 and a lateral edge of chassis 2, here the left lateral edge.

[0065] The second electrical energy storage unit 40B is located in the longitudinal direction AA between the box 5 and the rear end 11 of the chassis 2. The second electrical energy storage unit 40B is also located in the transverse direction BB between the lifting arm 20 and a lateral edge of the chassis 2, here the right lateral edge.

[0066] Usually in this type of handling machine 1, a counterweight is placed at the rear of the machine 1. The advantageous position of the first and second electrical energy storage units 40A-40B at the rear of the machine 1 makes it possible to limit the mass required for such a counterweight, or even to completely remove such a counterweight.

[0067] The first and second electrical energy storage units 40A-40B are intended to supply electricity to at least one electric motor of the machine 1 as will be described below.

[0068] In one embodiment, each electrical energy storage unit 40A-40B comprises a housing containing several electrolytic cells that generate the voltage across the terminals of the electrical energy storage unit 40A-40B. The electrical energy storage unit 40A-40B is, for example, of the lithium-ion type or another type. The first electrical energy storage unit 40A includes a battery management system (BMS) which, in a manner known per se, monitors and manages the charging and discharging of the electrolytic cells. In this example, this battery management system monitors and manages the charging and discharging of the electrolytic cells of the first and second electrical energy storage units 40A-40B.In order to maintain a substantially balanced mass distribution between the electrical energy storage units 40A-40B, the number of electrolytic cells in the second electrical energy storage unit 40B is greater than the number of electrolytic cells in the first electrical energy storage unit 40A.

[0069] In another embodiment, it is the second electrical energy storage unit 40A that includes the common battery management system. In yet another embodiment, each electrical energy storage unit 40A-40B includes its own battery management system.

[0070] In Figures 3 and 4, the first and second electrical energy storage units 40A-40B are shown with different shapes. These shapes are examples of embodiments, and other shapes could be considered.

[0071] With reference to [Fig. 4], machine 1 comprises a power distribution box 50 which is connected to the electrical energy storage units 40A-40B and which is configured to supply or not supply power to the electrical components of machine 1. Such power distribution boxes are known as such and are not described in detail here.

[0072] The power distribution box 50 is connected, in particular, to an electric speed controller 51, which is itself electrically connected to a drive electric motor 60 for propelling the machine 1, and to an electric speed controller 52, which is itself electrically connected to an actuation electric motor 70 for actuation of the lifting arm 20. The electric speed controllers 51 and 52 are here of the three-phase inverter type, i.e., receiving a direct current voltage as input and providing a three-phase alternating current voltage as output. Other electrical configurations are, however, possible.

[0073] As shown in [Fig.4], the electric propulsion motor 60 is located in the longitudinal direction AA between the front axle 3 and the rear axle 4, and in the vertical direction CC under the lifting arm 20. The electric drive motor 70 is received in the box 5.

[0074] Not shown in [Fig.4], the power distribution box 50 can also be electrically connected to other electrical equipment of the machine 1, in particular a cabin heating module 6, and / or a cabin air conditioning module 6, and / or one or more DC-DC converters for supplying power to other electrical equipment of the machine, for example a signal light, a horn, etc.

[0075] The power distribution box 50 is in the example shown in [Fig.4] received in the box 5.

[0076] As mentioned above, the electric propulsion motor 60 provides propulsion for the machine 1. As seen in [Fig. 4], an output shaft (not shown) of the electric propulsion motor 60 drives two shafts 62 and 63 via a reduction gear 61. Shaft 63 drives the rear axle 4 and thus the wheels 4A, and shaft 62 drives the front axle 3 and thus the wheels 3A. The reduction gear 61 can have one or more reduction ratios. It should be noted that shafts 62 and 63 extend along the longitudinal direction AA of the machine 1 and therefore parallel to the side members 10-1, 10-2. However, many other types of power transmission to the front axle 3 and the rear axle 4 are possible. In particular, there can be one electric motor for the front axle 3 and another electric motor for the rear axle 4.It is also possible to provide that the electric motor 60 drives a hydraulic pump which in turn drives a hydraulic motor for the front axle 3 and another hydraulic motor for the rear axle 4.

[0077] The electric drive motor 70, for its part, actuates the lifting arm 20. According to one example, the electric motor 70 drives a hydraulic pump, which supplies hydraulic actuators, for example hydraulic cylinders, to actuate the movements of the lifting arm 20. These movements include, for example, the raising and lowering movements performed by a lifting cylinder located below the lifting arm 20, the extension and retraction movements performed by a telescoping cylinder located within the lifting arm 20, and the movements of the tool holder. Such hydraulic actuation of the lifting arm 20 is well known and is therefore not described in detail here.

[0078] As shown in [Fig.4], the power distribution box 50 can include one or more chargers 53 for recharging the first and second electrical energy storage units 40A-40B.

[0079] Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is clearly evident that it is by no means limited to them and that it includes all technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

[0080] The use of the verb "comprise", "comprendre" or "include" and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps than those stated in a claim.

[0081] In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses shall not be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

Demands

1. Handling machine (1) comprising: - a chassis (2); - a lifting arm (20) which is pivotally mounted on the chassis (2) in a median longitudinal plane; - a front axle (3) and a rear axle (4) which are fixed to the chassis (2); - a cab (6) for accommodating an operator which is fixed to the chassis (2) and is positioned between the front axle (3) and the rear axle (4) and on one first side of the lifting arm (20); - at least one electric motor (60, 70);and - a first and a second electrical energy storage unit (40A, 40B) which are connected to at least one electric motor (60, 70) and fixed to the chassis (2) on either side of the lifting arm (20), the first electrical energy storage unit (40A) being positioned behind the cabin (6) on the first side of the lifting arm (20) and the second electrical energy storage unit (40B) being arranged on a second side of the lifting arm (20), opposite the first side, at least partially opposite the first electrical energy storage unit in a transverse direction (BB) orthogonal to the median longitudinal plane.;

2. Handling machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrical energy storage units (40A, 40B) have a substantially balanced mass distribution with respect to the median longitudinal plane.

3. Handling machine (1) according to claim 2, wherein the mass distribution is 50 to 60% on the side of the first electrical energy storage unit (40A) and 40 to 50% on the side of the second electrical energy storage unit (40B).

4. Handling machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second electrical energy storage units (40A, 40B) each comprise several electrolytic cells, the first electrical energy storage unit (40A) or the second electrical energy storage unit (40B) comprising a battery management system configured to monitor and manage the electrolytic cells of the first and second electrical energy storage units (40A, 40B).

5. Handling machine (1) according to claim 4, wherein the battery management system is included in the first electrical energy storage unit (40A), the number of electrolytic cells in the second electrical energy storage unit (40B) being greater than the number of electrolytic cells in the first electrical energy storage unit (40A).

6. Handling machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first electrical energy storage unit (40A) comprises several electrolytic cells, and the second electrical energy storage unit (40B) comprises a battery management system configured to monitor and manage the electrolytic cells of the first electrical energy storage unit (40A).

7. Handling machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first and second electrical energy storage units (40A, 40B) each comprise at least one temperature sensor and at least one charge state measuring device.

8. Handling machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first electrical energy storage unit (40A) is located in a longitudinal direction (AA), parallel to the median longitudinal plane, between the cabin (6) and a rear end (11) of the chassis (2) and is located in the transverse direction (BB) between the lifting arm (20) and a lateral edge of the chassis (2).

9. Handling machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the handling machine (1) comprises a box (5) configured to receive a plurality of equipment, the box (5) being positioned between the front axle (3) and the rear axle (4) and on the second side of the lifting arm (20), the second electrical energy storage unit (40B) being located in a longitudinal direction (AA), parallel to the median longitudinal plane, between the box (5) and a rear end (11) of the chassis (2) and being located in the transverse direction (BB) between the lifting arm (20) and a lateral edge of the chassis (2).

10. Handling machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the electric motor is a propulsion electric motor (60) configured to propel the handling machine (1), and the handling machine (1) includes an actuating electric motor (70) configured to actuate the lifting arm (20), the first and second electrical energy storage units (40A, 40B) being connected to the electric drive (70) and propulsion (60) motors.

11. Handling machine (1) according to claim 10, wherein the handling machine (1) comprises a box (5) configured to receive a plurality of equipment, the box (5) being positioned between the front axle (3) and the rear axle (4) and on the second side of the lifting arm (20), the electric propulsion motor (60) being located between the front axle (3) and the rear axle (4) under the lifting arm (20), and the electric drive motor (70) being located in the box (5).

12. Handling machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein at least one electric motor (60, 70) is coupled to at least one of the front (3) and rear (4) axles.

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