Work vehicle including side battery housing

Abstract

To provide an electric work vehicle or tractor that is able to provide an increased space for storing batteries and improved efficiency of use of a battery storage space.SOLUTION: A work vehicle includes a main body, at least one front wheel supported by the main body, at least one rear wheel supported by the main body, a first housing to house one or more first battery modules, a second housing to house one or more second battery modules, and a first side housing to house one or more third battery modules. The first housing at least partially overlaps the second housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the layout of an electric power supply system for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional electric work vehicles or tractors are equipped with battery storage to supply power to the electric work vehicle or tractor, for example to drive an electric motor. However, conventional electric work vehicles and tractors have a limited capacity for storing batteries due to the limited space provided in the main housing. For example, conventional electric work vehicles and tractors generally cannot provide a battery storage space between the right front wheel and the left front wheel due to the small turning angle of the front wheels. In addition, conventional electric work vehicles and tractors usually do not have separate battery housings (battery storage cases) that can be placed apart from each other to increase the power storage capacity.

[0003] US Patent No. 11,407,298 discloses a removable battery unit for an electric vehicle. In particular, the single housing described in US Patent No. 11,407,298 contains a total of 24 batteries, configured as two series battery sets of 12 batteries wired in parallel. However, US Patent No. 11,407,298 does not disclose separate battery housings for additional battery groups or sets, nor does it disclose any specific process or control operation for charging and / or discharging the batteries in a given group. US Patent No. 11,407,298 also discloses a row of batteries that are partially vertically offset, which creates gaps in the single housing and reduces the efficiency of the space used to store the batteries. Furthermore, the electric vehicle described in US Patent No. 11,407,298 is provided with a track system for travel. For example, if the track system of US Patent No. 11,407,298 were replaced with wheels, the turning ability of the wheels would be substantially limited by the space required for the removable battery unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Pat. No. 11,407,298 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an electric work vehicle or tractor that can expand the space for storing batteries and improve the utilization efficiency of the battery storage space. Also, the space for storing batteries can be expanded without adversely affecting the power operation of the electric work vehicle or tractor, for example, without affecting the turning angle of the wheels of the electric work vehicle or tractor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The work vehicle includes a main body, at least one front wheel supported by the main body, at least one rear wheel supported by the main body, a first housing that houses one or more first battery modules, and a second housing that houses one or more second battery modules, the first housing at least partially overlapping the second housing.

[0007] The one or more first battery modules and the one or more second battery modules may be the same type of battery modules.The first housing may be disposed forward of the at least one rear wheel, and the second housing may be disposed forward of the at least one rear wheel.The main body may have an openable and / or removable cover to access the first housing and the second housing.

[0008] The first housing may have one or more first openings configured to receive the one or more first battery modules, and the second housing may have one or more second openings configured to receive the one or more second battery modules.

[0009] A work vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a main body, at least one front wheel supported by the main body, at least one rear wheel supported by the main body, a first housing that houses one or more first battery modules, a second housing that houses one or more second battery modules, and a first side housing that houses one or more third battery modules, wherein the first housing at least partially overlaps the second housing.

[0010] The one or more first battery modules and the one or more second battery modules may be the same type of battery modules.The first housing may be disposed forward of the at least one rear wheel, and the second housing may be disposed forward of the at least one rear wheel.The main body may have an openable and / or removable cover to access the first housing and the second housing.

[0011] The first housing may have one or more first openings configured to receive the one or more first battery modules. The second housing may have one or more second openings configured to receive the one or more second battery modules. The one or more first openings and the one or more second openings may face in a width direction of the work vehicle. The one or more first openings may provide access to a first sub-housing that individually receives each of the one or more first battery modules, and the one or more second openings may provide access to a second sub-housing that individually receives each of the one or more second battery modules.

[0012] The one or more third battery modules housed in the first side housing may be connected in series with the one or more second battery modules.

[0013] The work vehicle may include a second side housing that houses one or more third battery modules. The one or more third battery modules housed in the second side housing may be connected in series with the one or more third battery modules housed in the first side housing, and may be connected in series with the one or more second battery modules. A first portion of the one or more first battery modules housed in the first housing may constitute a first battery module group connected in series. The first battery module group may be connected in parallel with the one or more second battery modules and the one or more third battery modules connected in series.

[0014] A second portion of the one or more first battery modules accommodated in the first housing may constitute a second battery module group connected in series, the one or more second battery modules may constitute a third battery module group, and the one or more third battery modules may constitute a fourth battery module group and a fifth battery module group. The third battery module group, the fourth battery module group, and the fifth battery module group connected in series may be connected in parallel with each of the first battery module group and the second battery module group.

[0015] The above and other features, components, steps, configurations, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the vehicle shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a top view of the vehicle shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the vehicle shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 after the main housing and cabin have been removed for clarity. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 after the main housing and cabin have been removed for clarity. [Figure 10A] FIG. 2 is a side view of a portion of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 after the main housing, cabin and rear wheels have been removed for clarity. [Figure 10B] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a front view of a portion of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 after the main housing, cabin and rear wheels have been removed for clarity. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a front view of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 with the front wheels turning. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a front view of a portion of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 with the front wheels turned and after removing the cabin, rear wheels and side housings for clarity. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a top view of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 with the front wheels turning. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 with the front wheels turning. [Figure 16] 2 is a top view of a battery housing of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery housing of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 after the battery module has been removed for clarity. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a front view of a vehicle according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a top view of the vehicle shown in FIG. [Figure 20]FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the vehicle shown in FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 19 is a front view of a portion of the vehicle shown in FIG. 18 after certain components have been removed for clarity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Figures 1 to 7 show a vehicle 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is an isometric view of the vehicle 10 as viewed from a first end (front end), and Figure 2 is an isometric view of the vehicle 10 as viewed from a second end (rear end). Figure 3 is a front view of the vehicle 10, and Figures 4 and 5 are side views of the vehicle 10. Figures 6 and 7 are top and bottom views of the vehicle 10, respectively.

[0018] 1 to 7, the vehicle 10 includes a main housing 20, and at least a portion of the power supply system of the vehicle 10 is provided within the main housing 20. The main housing 20 includes a cover that protects power supply components provided within the main housing 20, and may include removable housing parts, latch-type housing parts, and / or hinge-type housing parts to allow access to the interior of the main housing 20 (access to the interior for operation or processing).

[0019] As further shown in Figs. 1 to 7, the vehicle 10 has a left front wheel 41L, a right front wheel 41R, a left rear wheel 42L, and a right rear wheel 42R. However, the vehicle according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is not particularly limited to four wheels, and may have any suitable number of wheels. For example, the vehicle according to the preferred embodiment may have only three wheels by removing one of the four wheels described above, or may include a fifth wheel (e.g., an additional wheel aligned with one pair of the four wheels described above, a wheel provided at the front or rear of the vehicle, etc.), a pair of central wheels, and thus a total of six wheels. According to other preferred embodiments of the present invention, the vehicle may have one or more tracks (crawlers) or treads instead of one or more wheels.

[0020] The vehicle 10 may also have one or more side housings 30, which may house further components of the power supply system of the vehicle 10. The one or more side housings 30 may be separate from the main housing 20. As shown in Figs. 1-7, the vehicle 10 may include a first (left) side housing 30L and a second (right) side housing 30R. The first side housing 30L may be at least partially disposed between the left front wheel 41L and the left rear wheel 42L, and the second side housing 30R may be at least partially disposed between the right front wheel 41R and the right rear wheel 42R. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the vehicle 10 may include an air circulation system including a first (left) side duct 35L that forms an air flow path between the first side housing 30L and the main housing 20. Similarly, the vehicle 10 may include a second (right) side duct 35R that forms an air flow path between the second side housing 30R and the main housing 20. The air flow path formed by the first side duct 35L and the second side duct 35R can be used to cool components of the power supply system of the vehicle 10 housed in the first side housing 30L or the second side housing 30R.

[0021] The power supply system of the vehicle 10 can supply power to the electric motor 45 shown in FIG. 7. The power can be supplied to the electric motor 45 via, for example, an inverter. The electric motor 45 is disposed between the first side housing 30L and the second side housing 30R in the width direction (left-right direction) of the vehicle 10, and disposed forward of the first side housing 30L and the second side housing 30R in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10. In particular, the electric motor 45 is disposed forward of a straight line connecting the frontmost face of the first side housing 30L and the frontmost face of the second side housing 30R. The vehicle 10 can be equipped with a transmission 46 that drives each of the left front wheel 41L, the right front wheel 41R, the left rear wheel 42L, and the right rear wheel 42R in a four-wheel drive system. However, the electric motor 45 and the transmission 46 can also be implemented in a two-wheel drive system. As shown in FIG. 7, the transmission 46 can be mounted between the first side housing 30L and the second side housing 30R in the width direction / (left and right) lateral direction of the vehicle 10.

[0022] The vehicle 10 may include a cabin 50 or the like including a roof 51 supported on a frame 52. The cabin 50 or the like may include various components such as a seat for a driver of the vehicle 10 and vehicle controls such as a steering wheel. Optionally, the roof 51 may include a radiator, a capacitor module 53 and / or solar panels 54.

[0023] 8, 9, 10A and 11 show the vehicle 10 after the main housing 20, the cabin 50, and other covers and components have been removed for clarity. More specifically, 8 and 9 show a perspective view of a portion of the vehicle 10 after the main housing 20 and the cabin 50 have been removed for clarity. FIG. 10A shows a side view of a portion of the vehicle 10 after the main housing 20, the rear wheels 42L, 42R, and the cabin 50 have been removed for clarity. FIG. 11 shows a front view of a portion of the vehicle 10 after the main housing 20, the rear wheels 42L, 42R, and the cabin 50 have been removed for clarity. FIG. 10B shows a cross-sectional side view of the vehicle 10.

[0024] 8, 9, 10A, and 10B, the vehicle power supply system includes a first battery housing 60 and a second battery housing 70. The first battery housing 60 and the second battery housing 70 can be disposed away from the first side housing 30L and the second side housing 30R.

[0025] The first battery housing 60 can include a plurality of battery modules 61, and the second battery housing 70 can include a plurality of battery modules 71. As shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10A, the first battery housing 60 has a plurality of openings 64R, 64L for a plurality of sub-housings, and each sub-housing individually houses each of the plurality of battery modules 61, and the second battery housing 70 has a plurality of openings 74 for a plurality of sub-housings, and each sub-housing individually houses a plurality of battery modules 71. The plurality of openings 64L, 64R of the first battery housing 60 and the plurality of openings 74 of the second battery housing 70 face the width / side (left / right) direction of the vehicle 10. Therefore, some or all of the plurality of battery modules 61 and the plurality of battery modules 71 can be attached from the width / side (left / right) direction of the vehicle 10. Furthermore, the multiple openings 64L, 64R of the first battery housing 60 and the multiple openings 74 of the second battery housing 70 can be arranged to face the terminal ends TE of some or all of the multiple battery modules 61 and the multiple battery modules 71, an example of which is shown in Figure 16.

[0026] 8, 9, and 10A, the multiple openings 64R, 64L can be provided on both the left and right sides of the first battery housing 60 in the width direction / side (left and right) direction of the vehicle 10. Also, each of the multiple openings 74 can be provided on the left side of the second battery housing 70 in the width direction / side (left and right) direction of the vehicle 10. However, the arrangement of the multiple openings 64R, 64L, 74 is not limited, and each of the first battery housing 60 and the second battery housing 70 can have openings only on the right side, only on the left side, or on both the left and right sides in the width direction / side (left and right) direction of the vehicle 10.

[0027] The plurality of battery modules 61 may be arranged in a compact manner by arranging them in rows and columns in both the vertical direction of the vehicle and the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in an aligned or substantially aligned manner, thereby allowing the plurality of battery modules 61 to be stored compactly and reducing the space required for the first battery housing 60. Similarly, the plurality of battery modules 71 may be arranged in a compact manner by arranging them in rows and columns in both the vertical direction of the vehicle and the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in an aligned or substantially aligned manner, thereby allowing the plurality of battery modules 71 to be stored compactly and reducing the space required for the second battery housing 70. By not forming void space in one or both of the first battery housing 60 and the second battery housing 70, the space required to store the plurality of battery modules 61 and the plurality of battery modules 71 may be further reduced and the utilization efficiency of the battery storage space may be increased or maximized.

[0028] As shown in Figures 8, 9, 10A and 11, a power converter 82 can be attached to the bottom surface of the second battery housing 70. The power converter 82 can be a DC-DC converter, an AC-DC converter, or a combination DC-DC converter and an AC-DC converter. The power converter 82 can be liquid or air cooled. The power converter 82 can include or be electrically connected to an inverter to provide power to the electric motor 45.

[0029] The front axle 43F of the vehicle 10 may be disposed below the second battery housing 70 and connect the left front wheel 41L and the right front wheel 41R, although alternatively, the front axle 43F may extend at least partially through the second battery housing 70.

[0030] The first battery housing 60 and the second battery housing 70 may be arranged in a "T" shape, as shown in Figure 11. That is, the first battery housing 60 may have a width greater than the width of the second battery housing 70 in the width / side (left-right) direction of the vehicle, and the first battery housing 60 may extend beyond the second battery housing 70 in the width / side (left-right) direction of the vehicle. The configuration in which the first battery housing 60 overhangs / extends beyond the second battery housing 70 in the width direction of the vehicle may provide space for the front wheels of the vehicle to operate and turn, as described below.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 11, the outer edge A1 of the main housing 20, i.e., the first battery housing 60, can be disposed inside the inner edge B1 of each of the front wheels 41R, 41L in the width direction of the vehicle. In addition, the lower end A2 of the main housing 20, i.e., the first battery housing 60, can be separated by a predetermined distance from the upper end B2 of each of the front wheels 41R, 41L. However, the straight line connecting the upper end B2 of each of the front wheels 41R, 41L may pass through the center of the second battery housing 70. In other words, in the vertical direction of the vehicle 10, the straight line connecting the upper end B2 of the front wheels 41R, 41L may be (may be) located between the upper surface of the second battery housing 70 and the lower surface of the second battery housing 70 in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0032] Alternatively, the outer edge A1 of the main housing 20, i.e., the first battery housing 60, may be aligned or substantially aligned with the inner edges B1 of the respective front wheels 41R, 41L, and the outer edge A1 of the main housing 20, i.e., the first battery housing 60, may be (may be) located outside the inner edges B1 of the respective front wheels 41R, 41L.

[0033] 12 to 15 are front, top and bottom views of the vehicle 10 with the front wheels 41R, 41L turning. For clarity, the first side housing 30L, the second side housing 30R, the rear wheels 42L, 42R and the cabin 50 are omitted from Fig. 13. Figs. 12 to 15 show an example in which the front wheels 41R, 41L turn about 45 degrees when the vehicle 10 turns left, and show the maximum turning range B3 of the front wheels 41R, 41L when turning.

[0034] As shown in Figs. 12 to 15, when the front wheels 41R, 41L turn, the maximum turning range B3 of each of the front wheels 41R, 41L (shown as the right front wheel 41R in Figs. 12 and 13) can be located inside the outer edge A1 of the main housing 20, i.e., the first battery housing 60, in the width direction of the vehicle. Also, the maximum turning range B3 of each of the front wheels 41R, 41L can be located outside the outer edge A3 of the second battery housing 70 in the width direction of the vehicle. That is, the main housing 20, i.e., the first battery housing 60, can overlap in the vertical direction with the movable range of the front wheels 41R, 41L in the width direction (left-right direction). Also, regardless of the degree of turning within the movable range of each of the front wheels 41R, 41L, the upper end B2 of the front wheels 41R, 41L can be separated by a predetermined distance from the lower end A2 of the main housing 20, i.e., the first battery housing 60. As a result, by having the first battery housing 60 protrude / extend in the vehicle width direction more than the second battery housing 70, space can be secured for the vehicle's front wheels to move and turn, as shown in Figures 8 to 15.

[0035] Alternatively, a modified structural arrangement of the front wheels 41R, 41L relative to the second battery housing 70 may align or substantially align the maximum turning range B3 of each of the front wheels 41R, 41L with the outer edge A3 of the second battery housing 70. Alternatively, the maximum turning range B3 of the front wheels 41R, 41L may be located inside the outer edge A3 of the second battery housing 70.

[0036] As shown in Figures 10A and 10B, the first battery housing 60 and the second battery housing 70 may be offset in a direction from the first end (front end) of the vehicle toward the second end (rear end) of the vehicle. In particular, the second battery housing 70 may extend closer to the first end (front end) of the vehicle 10 than the first battery housing 60. As an example, the second battery housing 70 may include at least one battery module 71A that does not overlap the first battery housing 60 in a vertical direction. As shown in Figures 8, 9, 10A, 10B, and 11, a power distribution unit (PDU) 80 may be provided in a space formed by offsetting the second battery housing 70 forward relative to the first battery housing 60 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10. The power distribution unit (PDU) 80 may be implemented as an electrical multiplexer for a high-voltage subsystem in the vehicle 10.

[0037] Furthermore, the first battery housing 60 can extend closer to the second end (rear end) of the vehicle than the second battery housing 70. As an example, the first battery housing 60 can include at least one battery module 61A that does not overlap the second battery housing 70 in the vertical direction. A portion of the first (left) side duct 35L and / or the second (right) side duct 35R can be provided in a space formed by offsetting the first battery housing 60 rearward relative to the second battery housing 70 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10, as shown in FIG. 10A. Alternatively or additionally, at least a portion of the electric motor 45 can be disposed in a space formed by offsetting the first battery housing 60 rearward relative to the second battery housing 70 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10, as shown in FIG. 10B. Additionally, FIG. 10A illustrates that space 45S can be created by offsetting the first battery housing 60 rearward relative to the second battery housing 70 in the fore-aft direction of the vehicle 10, and that the motor 45 and / or other vehicle components can be positioned within space 45S.

[0038] As described above, by offsetting the first battery housing 60 and the second battery housing 70, one or more stepped spaces can be formed within which a power distribution unit (PDU) 80, a portion of the first (left) side duct 35L and / or the second (right) side duct 35R, and at least a portion of the motor 45 can be provided.

[0039] One or both of the first side housing 30L and the second side housing 30R may be provided with a cooling compressor or the like to cool one or more of the first battery housing 60, the second battery housing 70, the first side housing 30L, the second side housing 30R, and the power distribution unit (PDU) 80 via the first side duct 35L and the second side duct 35R. One or both of the first side housing 30L and the second side housing 30R may also be provided with an evaporator coil and / or a blower fan, as shown diagrammatically by reference numeral 36 in FIG. 10A. A blower fan may also be provided in one or both of the first battery housing 60 and the second battery housing 70.

[0040] FIG. 16 is a top view of the first battery housing 60, and FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the first battery housing 60 and the second battery housing 70 with the respective battery modules 61, 71 removed for clarity. The housing of the PDU 80 has also been removed from FIG. 17. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the first battery housing 60 includes a first battery module bank 62 and a second battery module bank 63. Each of the first battery module bank 62 and the second battery module bank 63 may include a plurality of battery modules 61 arranged in rows and columns. For example, each of the first battery module bank 62 and the second battery module bank 63 may include three rows and eight columns of battery modules 61, such that a total of 24 battery modules 61 are arranged in the first battery module bank 62, and a total of 24 battery modules 71 are arranged in the second battery module bank 63.

[0041] The second battery housing 70 includes a third battery module bank 72. The third battery module bank 72 includes a plurality of battery modules 71 arranged in rows and columns. For example, the third battery module bank 72 includes two rows and seven columns of battery modules 71, and a total of 14 battery modules 71 can be arranged in the third battery module bank.

[0042] The first side housing 30L can accommodate a plurality of battery modules 31L, and the second side housing 30R can accommodate a plurality of battery modules 31R. The first side housing 30L can include a fourth battery module bank 32L in which a plurality of battery modules 31L are arranged in a matrix, and the second side housing 30R can include a fifth battery module bank 32R in which a plurality of battery modules 32R are arranged in a matrix. For example, the fourth battery module bank 32L has two battery modules 31L arranged in one row and three battery modules 31L arranged in one row, and the fifth battery module bank 32R has two battery modules 31R arranged in one row and three battery modules 31R arranged in one row. Thus, a total of five battery modules 31L are arranged in the fourth battery module bank 32L, and a total of five battery modules 32R are arranged in the fifth battery module bank 32R.

[0043] Each of the fourth battery module bank 32L and the fifth battery module bank 32R may be disposed in series with the third battery module bank 72 in the second battery housing 70.

[0044] Each battery module 31L, 31R, 61, 71 provided in the vehicle can be charged and discharged in groups. For example, one or two groups of battery modules can be discharged to provide power for operating the vehicle 10, while other groups of battery modules can be left idle or charged (e.g., using the solar panel 54). The first battery module bank 62 can constitute the first battery module group, the second battery module bank 63 can constitute the second battery module group, and the third battery module bank 72 can constitute the third battery module group. If a fourth battery module bank 32L and / or a fifth battery module bank 32R are provided, the fourth battery module bank 32L and the fifth battery module bank 32R can be included in the third battery module group. Thus, the first, second, and third battery module groups can each include a total of 24 battery modules. However, other battery module groups can also be provided and are included in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. For example, the first battery module group may include a greater number of battery modules than the third group, and the second battery module group may include a greater number of battery modules than the third group.

[0045] The battery modules 61 included in the first battery module bank 62 (first battery module group) can be connected in series with each other. Similarly, the battery modules 61 included in the second battery module bank 63 (second battery module group) can be connected in series with each other. The battery modules 71 included in the third battery module bank 72 (third battery module group), the battery module 31L included in the fourth battery module bank 32L (fourth battery module group), and the battery module 31R included in the fifth battery module bank 32R (fifth battery module group) can all be connected in series with each other together.

[0046] Furthermore, the battery module bank 62 (first battery module group) can be connected in parallel with the second battery module bank 63 (second battery module group). The battery module bank 62 (first battery module group) can also be connected in parallel with the series connection of the third battery module bank 72 (third battery module group), the fourth battery module bank 32L (fourth battery module group), and the fifth battery module bank 32R (fifth battery module group). Similarly, the battery module bank 63 (second battery module group) can also be connected in parallel with the series connection of the third battery module bank 72 (third battery module group), the fourth battery module bank 32L (fourth battery module group), and the fifth battery module bank 32R (fifth battery module group).

[0047] The battery modules 31L, 31R, 61, 71 are lithium titanium oxide (LTO) battery modules. Each of the battery modules 31L, 31R, 61, 71 can have the same or substantially the same voltage and energy capacity. The total voltage and total energy storage value can be the same or substantially the same for each of the first, second and third battery module groups. Furthermore, each of the first, second and third battery module groups can have a predetermined operating voltage range including a predetermined minimum voltage and a predetermined maximum voltage. The battery modules 31L, 31R, 61, 71 can be sealed in a corresponding housing (the first battery housing 60, the second battery housing 70, the first side housing 30L, or the second side housing 30R), and each of the battery modules 31L, 31R, 61, 71 can be removed and replaced in the event of a failure.

[0048] As another example, the battery modules 31L, 31R, 61, and 71 may be lithium ferrophosphate (LFP) battery modules or nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery modules. LFP or NMC battery modules may be available as smaller and / or lighter battery modules than LTO battery modules.

[0049] Each of the battery modules 31L, 31R, 61, 71 may be a replaceable battery module that can be individually installed and removed from the corresponding first battery housing 60, second battery housing 70, first side housing 30L, and second side housing 30R. Alternatively, the battery modules 31L, 31R, 61, 71 may be hermetically fixed within the corresponding housing (the first battery housing 60, the second battery housing 70, the first side housing 30L, or the second side housing 30R) to provide insulation between the battery modules and / or prevent corrosion of the battery terminals. As an example, the terminals of the battery modules 31L, 31R, 61, 71 may be positioned toward the inside of the vehicle 10.

[0050] As described above in one example, one or two battery module groups may discharge and provide power to the vehicle 10 to operate the vehicle 10 while other battery module groups are idle or are charging. Thus, for example, a battery module in an idle battery module group may be removed or replaced while the vehicle 10 is being powered by a non-idle battery module group.

[0051] Communication between the battery modules 31L, 31R, 61, 71 may be achieved using a battery management unit (BMU) or the like via a controller area network (CAN) bus. One or more battery management units (BMUs) may be provided within one or more of the first battery housing 60, the second battery housing 70, the first side housing 30L, and the second side housing 30R, and may be provided within the vehicle 10 or at other locations. Similarly, the vehicle 10 may be provided with a battery management system (BMS) that aggregates information from each battery module group. The battery management system (BMS) may be realized by a supervisory control unit (SCU) connectable to a power distribution unit (PDU) 80. The battery control system (BMS) controls charging and discharging of the batteries in the first, second and third battery module groups to suppress battery deterioration, and preferably maintains the state of charge of the batteries in the first, second and third battery module groups, for example, between about 20% and about 80%. The state of charge can be maintained at the cell (battery) level within each battery module, the battery module level, the battery module bank level, or the battery module group level.

[0052] 18 to 21 show a vehicle 110 according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the plan views of Fig. 19 and Fig. 20, the vehicle 110 includes a first (left) side housing 130L and a second (right) side housing 130R, and the first side housing 130L and the second side housing 130R of the vehicle 110 are disposed closer to the center line CL in the left-right direction of the vehicle 110 than the first side housing 30L and the second side housing 30R of the vehicle 10. For example, the outer edge portion C1 of the second side housing 130R can be disposed closer to the center line CL in the left-right direction of the vehicle 110 than the outer edge portion D1 of the right front wheel 41R and the outer edge portion E1 of the right rear wheel 42R. Similarly, the outer edge of the first side housing 130L can be disposed at a position closer to the center line CL of the vehicle 110 than the outer edge of the left front wheel 41L and the outer edge of the left rear wheel 42L in the left-right direction of the vehicle 110. Furthermore, a straight line extending from the outer edge C1 of the second side housing 130R intersects (passes through) one or both of the right front wheel 41R and the right rear wheel 42R in the width direction of the right front wheel 41R and the right rear wheel 42R. Similarly, a straight line extending from the outer edge of the first side housing 130L intersects (passes through) one or both of the left front wheel 41L and the left rear wheel 42L in the width direction of the left front wheel 41L and the left rear wheel 42L.

[0053] Alternatively, the outer edge C1 of the second side housing 130R may be disposed closer to the center line CL in the left-right direction of the vehicle 110 than only one of the outer edge D1 of the right front wheel 41R and the outer edge E1 of the right rear wheel 42R. Similarly, the outer edge of the first side housing 130L may be disposed closer to the center line CL in the left-right direction of the vehicle 110 than only one of the outer edge of the left front wheel 41L and the outer edge of the left rear wheel 42L. For example, when the size of the rear wheels 42R, 42L is increased to increase the traction force, the outer edge C1 of the second side housing 130R may be disposed between the outer edge D1 of the right front wheel 41R and the outer edge E1 of the right rear wheel 42R in the left-right direction, and the outer edge of the first side housing 130L may also be disposed between the outer edge of the left front wheel 41L and the outer edge of the left rear wheel 42L in the left-right direction.

[0054] As another alternative, the outer edges of the first side housing 130L and the second side housing 130R may be positioned to coincide or substantially coincide with any of the wheels 41R, 41L, 42R, 42L. The first side housing 130L and the second side housing 130R may also be individually adjusted relative to the centerline CL of the vehicle 110.

[0055] The other components of the vehicle 110 are the same as or similar to those of the vehicle 10 described above, and therefore repeated explanations will be omitted.

[0056] In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main housing 20 can be shortened to improve visibility of objects in front of the vehicle 10 or 110 to an operator in the cabin 50. Alternatively or additionally, the top surface of the upper housing 20 can be sloped downwardly in a direction from the rear to the front of the vehicle 10 or 110 to improve visibility of objects in front of the vehicle 10 or 110 to an operator in the cabin 50.

[0057] It should be understood that the above description is only illustrative of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can devise various alternatives and modifications without departing from the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 10 Vehicles 20 Main Housing 30L, 30R side housing 31L, 31R, 61, 71 Battery Module 35L, 35R side duct 41L, 41R front wheels 42L, 42R rear wheels 43F front axle 45 Electric Motor 46 Transmission 50 Cabin 51 Roof 52 Frames 60 First battery housing 64 Opening 70 Second Battery Housing 74 Opening 80 Power Distribution Units (PDUs) 82 Power Converter

Claims

1. The main body, At least one front wheel supported on the body; At least one rear wheel supported on the body; a first housing containing one or more first battery modules; a second housing containing one or more second battery modules; a first side housing that houses one or more third battery modules; A work vehicle wherein the first housing at least partially overlaps the second housing.

2. The work vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more first battery modules and the one or more second battery modules are battery modules of the same type.

3. the first housing is disposed forward of the at least one rear wheel, The work vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the second housing is disposed forward of the at least one rear wheel.

4. The work vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the body has an openable and / or removable cover to provide access to the first housing and the second housing.

5. the first housing has one or more first openings configured to receive the one or more first battery modules; The work vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the second housing has one or more second openings configured to receive the one or more second battery modules.

6. The work vehicle according to claim 5 , wherein the one or more first openings and the one or more second openings face in a width direction of the work vehicle.

7. the one or more first openings provide access to first sub-housings that individually receive each of the one or more first battery modules; 7. The work vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the one or more second openings provide access to second sub-housings that individually receive each of the one or more second battery modules.

8. The work vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more third battery modules housed in the first side housing are connected in series with the one or more second battery modules.

9. The work vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising a second side housing that houses one or more third battery modules.

10. 10. The work vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the one or more third battery modules housed in the second side housing are connected in series with the one or more third battery modules housed in the first side housing, and are connected in series with the one or more second battery modules.

11. at least a first portion of the one or more first battery modules accommodated in the first housing constitutes a first battery module group connected in series; The work vehicle according to claim 10 , wherein the first battery module group is connected in parallel to the one or more second battery modules and the one or more third battery modules connected in series.

12. a second portion of the one or more first battery modules constitutes a second battery module group; the one or more second battery modules constitute a third battery module group; the one or more third battery modules constitute a fourth battery module group and a fifth battery module group; The work vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the third battery module group, the fourth battery module group, and the fifth battery module group, which are connected in series, are connected in parallel with each of the first battery module group and the second battery module group.

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