Device for inserting and / or removing a power supply unit

Abstract

The present invention relates to the process of installing and / or removing a power supply unit in the installation space of a truck, particularly a dump truck. [Solution] The present disclosure provides a device for inserting a power supply unit into an installation space within a track and / or removing a power supply unit from the installation space, the device comprising a rail, which is inserted into the track and configured to be fixed to an anchor point of the track, the rail being configured to move the power supply unit along the rail on rollers for inserting the power supply unit into the track and / or removing the power supply unit from the track.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the installation and / or removal process of a power unit in an installation space within a truck, particularly a dump truck.

Background Art

[0002] Once the truck reaches its final configuration, the installation space for the power unit within the truck is usually surrounded by many elements of the truck, making it difficult to access after manufacturing. During the manufacturing of the truck, the power unit is usually installed within the truck frame while the elements of the truck surrounding the power unit are not yet attached. Therefore, removing the power unit is a cumbersome process.

[0003] In the case of an electric truck, the power unit includes battery cells with a shorter service life than the service life of the truck. Therefore, during the service life of the truck, the power unit needs to be removed at regular intervals and replaced with a new power unit. The same problem also occurs in internal combustion engine-driven trucks. Since the service life of the engine is also shorter than the service life of the truck as described above, the power unit needs to be replaced many times. Therefore, it is important to find a method to simplify and speed up the installation and removal of the power unit.

[0004] The concurrently filed US Provisional Applications 63 / 676,152 and 63 / 676,176, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, show a dump truck. In that dump truck, the power unit is arranged as a single unit between the side beams of the truck frame and can be installed and removed through an attachment opening provided on the front side of the truck.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention addresses the problem of supporting a power supply unit while it is being inserted into and / or removed from the installation space of a truck.

[0006] In the first phase, this disclosure is: A device for inserting a power supply unit into an installation space inside a truck and / or removing a power supply unit from the installation space, wherein the device is A rail, configured to be inserted into the track and fixed to the anchor points of the track, The rail is configured to move the power unit on rollers along the rail in order to insert the power unit into the track and / or remove the power unit from the track. rail, The present invention provides an apparatus that includes the following:

[0007] In the second aspect, the disclosure provides a power supply unit comprising at least one roller unit configured to enable the rolling movement of the power supply unit on at least one rail of the apparatus described in the first aspect.

[0008] In the third phase, this disclosure is: A truck equipped with a power supply unit installed in the installation space within the truck, The track further comprises an insertion space into which the rail of the apparatus described in the first aspect can be inserted, and the track further comprises an anchor point into which the rail can be connected to the anchor point. We will provide the truck.

[0009] In the fourth phase, this disclosure is: A method for inserting a power supply unit into an installation space in a truck using the device described in the first section, and / or removing a power supply unit from the installation space, wherein the method is: Inserting at least one rail of the device into the track and connecting the rail to the anchor point of the track, The power supply unit is supported on the rail, By moving the power supply unit along the rail on rollers, the power supply unit is inserted into the installation space of the track, and / or removed from the installation space. This provides a method that includes this.

[0010] The aspect of this disclosure simplifies the insertion of a power supply unit into an installation space within a truck and / or the removal of a power supply unit from said installation space.

[0011] Aspects of the present invention can be particularly applied to a dump truck having a frame and a dump body rotatably arranged on the frame.

[0012] The power unit can, in particular, supply electrical energy to at least one of the truck's traction motors.

[0013] Aspects of the present invention can be applied in particular to battery-electric dump trucks. The power supply unit may be a battery power supply unit in particular.

[0014] The dump trucks of this disclosure may be used particularly in mining sites, especially for open-pit mining operations.

[0015] The trucks of this disclosure may have a maximum load capacity of 50 metric tons or more, particularly 100 metric tons or more, particularly 200 metric tons or more, and particularly 300 metric tons or more.

[0016] The trucks of this disclosure may have an empty weight of 50 metric tons or more, particularly 100 metric tons or more, and particularly 200 metric tons or more.

[0017] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the following drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus for inserting and / or removing a power supply unit according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with an embodiment of the power supply unit of the present disclosure in the first step of an embodiment of the method of the present disclosure. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a conceptual side view of the apparatus and the power supply unit in the first step of the method. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a conceptual side view of the apparatus and the power supply unit in the second step of the method. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3C is a conceptual side view of the apparatus and the power supply unit in the third step of the method. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the power supply unit in the third step. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the power supply unit in the fourth step of the method. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing how the power supply unit is supported on the rails of the apparatus. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is two perspective views showing the anchor points of an embodiment of the track of the present disclosure and the connection between the anchor points of the track and the anchor points of the apparatus. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the support legs of the apparatus. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the track of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the frame of the track. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the frame of the track and the power supply unit installed thereon. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a side view showing the rails of the apparatus inserted between the frame and the power supply unit. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a front view showing the rails of the apparatus inserted between the frame and the power supply unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the device 100 for inserting the power supply unit 200 into the installation space within a truck and / or removing the power supply unit 200 from the installation space, and Figures 2-5 show an embodiment of a method for using the device for inserting the power supply unit 200 into the installation space within a truck and / or removing the power supply unit 200 from the installation space. Further details are shown in Figures 6-8.

[0020] In the most common scenario, the device 100 for inserting a power supply unit into and / or removing a power supply unit from an installation space within a track comprises rails 110, 120 configured to be inserted into the track and fixed to the track's anchor points 300, the rails 110, 120 configured to move the power supply unit along the rails 110, 120 on rollers 225 for inserting and / or removing the power supply unit 300 from the track. By connecting the rails to the track's anchor points 300, the rails are at least partially supported by the track.

[0021] In one embodiment, the device comprises at least one roller unit 130 positioned on a rail 110, the roller unit 130 housing a support element 210 of a power supply unit 200 and configured to rotate and move along the rail 110.

[0022] In one embodiment, the device further comprises an actuator 140 coupled to the roller unit 130 for moving the roller unit 130 along the rail 110.

[0023] In particular, the actuator 140 is a prime mover that drives the lead screw 135 which extends along the rail 110, and the roller unit 130 is coupled to the lead screw 135 by a lead nut located on the roller unit 130.

[0024] In this embodiment, the lead screw 135 extends below the rail 110, and both ends of the lead screw 135 are rotatably held by bearing blocks attached to the bottom surface of the rail 110. The end of the lead screw shown on the left in Figure 1 passes through the bearing block and is coupled to the shaft of the prime mover 140 by a coupling.

[0025] As can be seen from Figures 1 and 6, in this embodiment, the roller unit is guided along the rail 110, and the rollers of the roller unit 130 are located at the top of the roller unit as it rotates along the upper part 111 of the rail 110. In this embodiment, the roller unit 130 has two rollers. Furthermore, the lead nut, which is coupled to the lead screw 135, is located at the bottom of the roller unit 130, and the top and bottom are connected by a connecting portion. In this embodiment, the connecting portion is located on the inside of the rail, i.e., on the side of the rail facing the power supply unit 200.

[0026] In this embodiment, the device is equipped with a portable energy source 150 for driving the prime mover 140, thereby enabling the device to operate autonomously on-site without an external energy source.

[0027] In this embodiment, the prime mover 140 is a hydraulic motor. The portable energy source 150 is a hydraulic power pack unit equipped with a compressor driven by the motor. This prime mover may be an internal combustion engine, in which case the portable energy source 150 is equipped with a tank, or the prime mover may be an electric motor, in which case the portable energy source 150 is equipped with a battery unit. In an alternative embodiment, the prime mover 140 is an electric motor and the portable energy source 150 is a battery unit.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the rail 110 is configured to guide the rollers, and the power unit is moved along the rail on the rollers. In this embodiment, the rail 110 has grooves on its upper surface for guiding the rollers.

[0029] As described above, the rollers may be located in the roller unit 130 of the device. Alternatively or additionally, the rollers 225 may be located in the power supply unit 200.

[0030] In particular, as can be seen from Figure 6, the power supply unit includes a roller unit 220 on which a roller 225 is rotatably supported. In this embodiment, the roller 225 is guided on the upper surface 111 of the rail 110. In this embodiment, the roller unit 220 includes a mounting plate attached to the side wall of the power supply unit 200 by two rows of screws, and a bearing plate attached to the mounting plate extends vertically and has a bearing for the roller 225 on its lower side.

[0031] As further shown in Figure 6, the power supply unit further comprises a support element 210 supported on a roller unit 130 positioned on the rail 110. In particular, the support element 210 is supported on the upper part of the roller unit 130.

[0032] In one embodiment, the roller unit 130 is provided with a catch groove 131 extending perpendicularly to the extension of the rail 110, and the catch plate of the support element 210 is located in the catch groove 131. In this embodiment, the support element 210 includes a mounting plate attached to the side wall of the power supply unit 200 by two rows of screws, and the catch plate is attached to the mounting plate. The catch plate extends vertically, and its lower end is housed in the catch groove 131.

[0033] In this embodiment, as can be seen in Figure 6, the power supply unit is provided with two support elements 210 and 220 for being supported at two spaced positions on the rail 110. In this embodiment, one of the support elements is supported on the roller unit 130 of the rail, and the other is supported on the roller unit 220 of the power supply unit.

[0034] In this embodiment, rail 110 is a first rail, and the device further comprises a second rail 120. In this embodiment, the first rail 110 and the second rail 120 extend in parallel and are connected by a spreader beam 190 of the device, and / or can be detachably connected (see Figure 1). By detachably connecting the spreader beam 190 to rails 110 and 120, the storage space required for the device when it is not in use is reduced.

[0035] In this embodiment, as can be seen from Figure 1, the roller unit 130 is provided only on the first rail 110. The power supply unit 200 is supported by roller units located on the second rail. In particular, two roller units having the same configuration as roller unit 220 may be provided on the power supply unit and may be supported on the second rail 120 in the same way that roller unit 220 is supported on the first rail 110. In particular, grooves for guiding the rollers of each roller unit may be provided on the upper side of the second rail.

[0036] In the embodiment, the first rail 110 and the second rail 120 each have a stopper 122 that restricts the movement of their respective roller units, specifically power supply units, at least in the direction of the free end of the rail. In the embodiment, the stopper 122 is a notch located on the upper surface of the rail, which defines an end for each groove that guides the roller.

[0037] In one embodiment, the first rail 110 and the second rail 120 are identical, but the second rail does not have a roller unit 130 or any components that drive the roller unit 130.

[0038] In an alternative configuration, both rails may be equipped with roller units driven by actuators. Furthermore, in an alternative configuration, all roller units may be part of the device, and the power supply unit is supported on the roller units, as described for roller unit 130. For example, at least two roller units may be provided on each rail, and the roller units are connected by a connecting rail on which the power supply unit is supported.

[0039] In one embodiment, as can be seen particularly in Figures 12 and 13, when mounted on a track, the rail 110 extends on both sides of the power unit 200, and the power unit 200 is supported on the rail 110 by support elements 210, 220 attached to the sides of the power unit. In an alternative embodiment, the rail may extend below or above the power unit. In a further alternative embodiment, only a single rail may be used. In this case, the rail may extend above the power unit, and the power unit may be suspended from the rail.

[0040] As is best seen in Figure 7, each of the rails 110 and 120 is provided with an anchor point 115 which is connected to the anchor point 300 of the track.

[0041] In one embodiment, the anchor points 115 and 125 of the rails 110 and 120 are located at the rear of the rails, particularly at the free rear ends of each rail 110 and 120.

[0042] In particular, anchor points 115 and 125 are provided by jaws located on the free end sides of rails 110 and 120. An anchor point 300 on the track is provided by a pin, and the jaws are inserted into the pin 300 to connect rails 110 and 120 to the track. The pin has a mushroom shape and is equipped with a head that secures the pin to the jaws in the axial direction of the pin.

[0043] Furthermore, a locking pin 310 is provided to close the jaws 115 and 125 and secure the pin 300 to the jaws, especially when the rail is in an inclined direction, as described below.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper inner ends of the jaws 115 and 125 extend downward toward the extension of the rail toward the open end of the jaw. This ensures that when the rail is positioned to extend horizontally, the upper inner end of the jaw 115 extends downward toward the open end of the jaw, thereby securing the pin 300 to the jaws 115 and 125 and preventing the rail from slipping off the pin when supporting the power supply unit. The downward angle may be between 2° and 20°, particularly between 4° and 12°.

[0045] In one embodiment, the lower inner end of the jaw is parallel to the upper inner ends of the jaws 115 and 125, and the upper and lower inner ends are connected by a circular housing on which the pin 300 is placed.

[0046] As will be explained in more detail below, the track's anchor point 300 is located on the track's frame.

[0047] As can be seen in Figures 3A-3C and Figure 7, the anchor points 300 on the track and the anchor points 115 and 125 on the device enable pivoting motion around a horizontal axis between the device and the track. This allows the rail to perform pivoting motion while it is already supported on the track by the anchor points.

[0048] As shown in Figure 1, the device includes at least one lifting point 180 for lifting the device, the lifting point 180 enabling connection to a lifting device. In embodiments, each rail is provided with a lifting point 180. The lifting point is provided by a shackle 180 attached to the rail. In embodiments, in particular, the lifting point 180 is connected to the hook of a crane for lifting the device by using a crossbeam that connects the lifting point 180 and hangs on the hook. The lifting point 180, specifically the shackle, may be detachably attached to the device.

[0049] In one embodiment, the lifting point 180 is located at the front of the rail opposite the free end having anchor points 115, 125. In particular, the lifting point 180 is located on the rail so that the power unit can move along the rail away from the track without interfering with the lifting point 180 when the rail is attached to the track.

[0050] In the embodiment, the lifting point is positioned on the device such that when the device is freely supported at the lifting point, the rail extends at an angle other than zero with respect to the horizontal. In particular, the rail may extend at an angle of less than ±20° and / or greater than ±1° with respect to the horizontal. In particular, the angle may be less than ±10° and / or greater than ±3° with respect to the horizontal. In the embodiment, the angle is 5°.

[0051] In particular, the lifting point 180 is positioned on the device such that when the device is freely supported at the lifting point 180, the rails 110 and 120 extend at a certain angle with respect to the horizontal direction, such that the free rear end of the rail that can be inserted into the track is positioned higher than the front end of the rail.

[0052] In one embodiment, the device includes at least one counterweight 170 for maintaining the rails 110, 120 in a predetermined position horizontally when freely supported at a lifting point 180. In the embodiment, the counterweight 170 is positioned at the front end of the rails 110, 120. In the embodiment, the counterweight is provided by a plate extending downward from the rails 110, 120. The counterweight is provided with a stand plate 165 on which the counterweight 160 is placed when the counterweight is lowered to the ground. The stand plate 165 is positioned at an angle to the rails 110, 120 such that the plate is flush with the ground when the device is placed on the ground with the front free end of the rails and the stand plate in contact with the ground.

[0053] The track is configured such that the rails 110 and 120 can be inserted into the insertion space of the track while the device is freely supported on the lifting point 180. This means that the crane only needs to support the device and insert the rails into the track.

[0054] The device may also be provided with anchor points for a tagline at the front and rear ends of the rail, such as on the counterweight and on the free rear end. The tagline may be used to guide the device while it is freely supported at the lifting point and while it is being inserted into or removed from the track.

[0055] As will be described in more detail below, in the embodiment the device is configured such that the power supply unit 200 is supported and lifted on the rails 110, 120 by inserting the rails 110, 120 into the track, connecting them to the anchor points 300 of the track, and further lifting the device by a pivoting motion around the anchor points 300 so that the rails extend horizontally.

[0056] As particularly shown in Figures 1, 4 and 8, in the embodiment, the device comprises at least one support element positioned on the device to support the front of at least one rail on the track while the rail extends horizontally. The device is stably mounted on the track by connecting the rails 110, 120 to anchor points 300 located at the rear of the track and supporting the front of the rail on the track by the support element. The track supports the device while the power unit is rotated and advanced into or out of the track on the rail, eliminating the need for further support of the device at this stage.

[0057] In this embodiment, the support element 160 is a support leg 160 that is rotatably mounted to the device around a pivot axis 165. Thereafter, the support element can be folded so as not to interfere with the track while the front end of the rail is lifted by the rotational movement of the rail, and so as to open the support leg 160 in a support position that rests on the elements of the track, particularly the elements of the track frame, when the rail is lifted.

[0058] As shown in Figures 1 and 8, the support elements 160 are provided on the front side of each rail and are attached in particular to connecting elements provided below rails 110 and 120.

[0059] Each support element 160 includes a stand plate 161 and, in this embodiment, a handle 162 for rotating the support element.

[0060] As shown in Figure 8, the support legs can be fixed to their folded parking position and / or their support position by a fixing mechanism 162 such as a fixing pin that can be inserted into each fixing hole.

[0061] As already stated above, in a more general context, the present disclosure provides a power supply unit 200 comprising at least one roller unit 220 configured to allow the power supply unit to roll along at least one rail 110, 120 of the apparatus.

[0062] In particular, the roller unit comprises at least one roller that is rotatably mounted on the roller unit and configured to rotate and move along the rails 110, 120.

[0063] Further details of the power supply unit 200 and how it is supported on the rails have already been described above.

[0064] The power supply unit may be a battery power supply unit in particular for driving the traction motor of the truck. It may also include a battery unit in particular. Further details of the power supply unit are described below.

[0065] In another general context, the present disclosure further comprises a truck having a power supply unit 200 installed in an installation space within the truck, the truck further comprising insertion spaces for inserting rails 110, 120 of the device, and the truck further comprising anchor points 300 for connecting the rails to anchor points.

[0066] The configuration of anchor point 300 has already been described above. In particular, the anchor point may be a pin.

[0067] In one embodiment, as described in more detail below, the track comprises a frame 10, and anchor points 300 are located on the frame 10. Furthermore, the frame 10 may comprise counter support elements 18, on which support elements 160 of the device are supported.

[0068] In further aspects of this disclosure, the truck comprises the power supply unit and / or device described above. In particular, the power supply unit may be mounted on the truck. The device may be provided as equipment for the truck.

[0069] In a further aspect, the present disclosure includes a set comprising the power supply unit and apparatus described above.

[0070] In a further context, the present disclosure provides a method for inserting a power supply unit 200 into an installation space in a truck using the above-described device 100, and / or removing the power supply unit 200 from the installation space, the method being: - Insert at least one rail 110, 120 of the device into the track and connect it to the anchor point 300 of the track, • The power supply unit 200 is supported on rails 110 and 120, - By moving the power supply unit 200 along the rails 110, 120 on rollers, the power supply unit 200 is inserted into the installation space of the track, and / or removed from the installation space. This includes methods that include [specific methods].

[0071] In one embodiment, at least one rail 110,120 is inserted into the track in an inclined position where the rear end of the rail 110,120 is positioned higher than the front end of the rail, and the method includes the step of connecting the rail to an anchor point 300 of the track in the inclined position, and then generating a pivoting motion around the anchor point 300 by lifting the front end of the rail 110,120 until the rail 110,120 extends horizontally.

[0072] In particular, in the method of removing the power unit from its installation space within the truck, the power unit may be supported on rails 110, 120 and lifted by the rails by lifting the front of rails 110, 120. Specifically, the power unit may be lifted from the truck's power unit mount by lifting the front of rails.

[0073] The rail can be inserted into the track in an inclined position beneath the support element of the power unit, in which case the support element is supported by the rail when the rail rotates upward to a horizontal position.

[0074] When the rails are in a horizontal position, the power unit may roll off the track along the rails.

[0075] In a method of inserting a power supply unit into an installation space within a track, the power supply unit may be advanced by rotating along the rail into the installation space while the rail extends horizontally, and the method further includes the step of lowering the power supply unit onto a power supply unit mount by lowering the front of the rail.

[0076] In one embodiment, the method further includes the step of supporting the front portions of rails 110, 120 on the track frame elements 18 before moving the power supply unit along the rails.

[0077] In one embodiment, the step of supporting a power supply unit on a rail includes supporting the support elements of the power supply unit on a roller unit positioned on the rail, and the step of moving the power supply unit on the rail includes operating an actuator to drive the roller unit along the rail.

[0078] In one embodiment, after the step of supporting the power supply unit on the rail, the method includes the step of removing the power supply unit from the power supply unit mount on the track.

[0079] Details of the method are shown in Figures 2-5.

[0080] In a first step not shown in the drawings, the apparatus is positioned adjacent to the track. Specifically, the two rails 110 and 120 may be supported at the stand plate 175 and the rear ends of the rails 110 and 120 and placed on the ground, and may be connected to each other by attaching the spreader beam 190 to the rails. Furthermore, the lifting point 180 may be attached to the rails.

[0081] In the second step, the lifting point 180 is connected to a crane hook, thereby lifting the device, which then hangs freely at the lifting point. When the device hangs freely at the lifting point, as already described above, the device becomes flat due to the position of its center of gravity in the inclined position where the rear ends of the rails 110 and 120 are positioned higher than the front ends. For this purpose, when the rails extend horizontally, the center of gravity is located in front of the lifting point.

[0082] Next, although not yet shown, in the third step, by moving the crane, the rail is inserted into the insertion space of the track, while the device remains suspended freely at the lifting point 180. It can be guided by a tagline connected to the device in the appropriate position. By the inclined position, the rail can be inserted into the track under the support elements 210, 220 of the power unit 200.

[0083] The device is moved so that anchor points 115 and 125 on the rail are connected to anchor points 300 on the track. In particular, as described above, the jaws 115 and 125 are inserted onto the pin 300 and secured by inserting the locking pin 310.

[0084] Figures 2 and 3A show the apparatus in which the rails 110 and 120 have already been inserted into the insertion space within the track, and the anchor points 115 and 125 located at the rear ends of the rails 110 and 120 are connected to the anchor points 300 on the track.

[0085] By lifting the device suspended at the lifting point 180, and in particular by lifting the crane hook from which the device is suspended, the front end of the rail rises in a swivel motion as shown in Figures 3A-3C, while the rail anchor points 115,125 are connected to the track anchor point 300.

[0086] In Figure 3A, the device is already slightly elevated, and as a result, the support element behind the power supply unit is supported on the rail. In particular, the catch plate of the support element 210 will fit inside the catch groove 131 of the roller unit 130. For this purpose, the roller unit 130 must be positioned below the support element 210 so that the catch plate faces the catch groove. On the opposite side of the power supply unit, the rollers of the rear roller unit, which is attached to the power supply unit at the same position as the support element 210, will fit above the rail 120.

[0087] As will be described in more detail below, the power supply unit is supported by the track on front and rear power supply unit mounts 50 connected to the power supply unit mounting points 230 and 240.

[0088] For the further steps described below, the rear mounting point 240 and the front mounting point 230 are loosened, which still secures the power unit to the track while allowing some relative movement of the power unit relative to the track.

[0089] As shown in Figure 3B, by further lifting the device, the rear support element 210, which is supported on the rail, is lifted by the rotational movement of the rail, so that the rear end of the power unit is lifted by the rear mounting point 240, which is lifted from the rear power unit mount of the track. During this rotational movement, the power unit 200 is positioned so that the front mounting point 230 is on the front power unit mount of the track and the rear support element 210 is on the rail.

[0090] When the device is further lifted, the front support element 220 is evenly supported on the rail. This situation is shown in Figure 3B.

[0091] As shown in Figure 3C, by further lifting the device, the front end of the power supply unit is now evenly lifted, and the front mounting point 230 is lifted from the front power supply unit mount of the track until the rail extends horizontally.

[0092] In the final stage of the lever-assisted lifting motion, the power supply system is lifted by a specified distance sufficient to separate mounting points 230 and 240 from the front power supply unit mount, so that the rails extend horizontally and the mounting points 230 and 240 can be completely detached from each other. In one embodiment, the power supply unit is lifted by more than 1 cm and / or less than 20 cm, and in particular by more than 2 cm and less than 10 cm.

[0093] As can be seen in Figure 2, which shows the situation in Figure 3A in more detail, when the rail is inserted into the track, the support legs 160 fold forward in their parking positions to avoid collision with the frame.

[0094] Furthermore, as can be seen in Figure 4, which shows the situation in Figure 3C in more detail, when the rail is raised to a horizontal position, the support legs 160 fold backward to their support positions where they are supported on the frame elements. To allow the pivoting motion of the support legs 160, the front end of the rail may be raised above the horizontal position, the support legs 160 may be spread out, and then the front end may be lowered again so that the support legs are placed on the frame.

[0095] When the device is in a horizontal position and supported on the frame by support legs 160 and anchor points 115,125, and supporting the power supply unit, the mounting points 230,240 are completely detached from the power supply unit mount on the truck.

[0096] Furthermore, the portable energy source 150 is connected to the prime mover 140. In particular, the hydraulic power pack unit 150 is connected to the hydraulic motor 140 on the device 10 by a hydraulic line.

[0097] After the device is installed in the track and the power unit is lifted, the rolling motion can begin. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the actuator 140 is operated to drive the roller unit 130 along the rails in order to move the power unit 200 which is supported on the rails 110 and 120, thereby moving the power unit along the rails.

[0098] The power supply unit 200 can be moved along the rails to the position shown in Figure 5, where it can be connected to a crane, lifted off the rails, and removed from the truck.

[0099] It may be necessary to remove elements of the power pack, such as the front mounting point or corresponding bracket, by stopping it from rolling out in an intermediate position, in order to allow the power supply unit to pass through the mounting opening. Furthermore, reinforcing members may be attached to the power supply unit to improve stability.

[0100] To insert the new power supply unit into the truck, the above steps are performed in reverse order, starting from the situation shown in Figure 5 and returning to the situation shown in Figure 2.

[0101] In particular, as shown in Figure 5, with the device mounted on the track and supported on the track, the new power unit is lowered onto the rails of the device by a crane so that the rear support element 210 is placed on the roller unit 130 and the remaining support elements, such as the support element 220, are placed on the upper side of the rails together with their rollers.

[0102] By operating the actuator, the power unit is rotated and advanced into the truck until mounting points 230 and 240 can be loosely connected to the truck's power unit mount. The device is then lowered until the power unit is again supported on the truck's power unit mount. The support legs are preferably folded just before the front mounting point 230 is placed on the truck's power unit mount. When both the front and rear mounting points 230 and 240 are placed on the truck's power unit mount, they are secured to the truck's power unit mount.

[0103] Subsequently, the device's anchor points are separated from the truck's anchor points, and the device is removed from the truck.

[0104] In the event of power loss or any other type of malfunction, a fail-safe design, as described below as a possible option, allows a field technician to detach the roller unit 130 from the lead screw 135 and to pull out / slide in the battery pack by other means.

[0105] In particular, the lead nut 132 may be detachably connected to the roller unit 130. For example, it may be bolted to the bottom of the roller unit 130 by a bolt extending parallel to the lead screw 135. The hole in the lead nut 132 may be provided on a projection extending from the circumference of the lead nut 132. When the bolt is removed and the lead nut is rotated by a predetermined angle, the projection disengages from the counter element on the roller unit 130, allowing the roller unit to move freely.

[0106] Details of the truck and how the power unit is inserted into and integrated within the truck are described below with reference to Figures 9-13.

[0107] Note that the terms “rear” and “front” are used above in reference to the power unit and track elements, as in the case of the device. That is, the front-to-rear direction is defined as the direction from the front of the rail from which the rail is suspended at the lifting point to the free rear end of the rail inserted into the track. As will be explained below, these directions also correspond to the front and rear directions of the track when the power unit is inserted from the front of the track. If the power unit is not inserted from the front of the track, the directions used above may differ from the front and rear directions of the track.

[0108] In a typical context, an embodiment of the truck of this disclosure comprises a frame 10 and a power supply unit 200 that supplies electrical energy to at least one traction motor 4 of the truck. If the truck is a dump truck, it further comprises a dump body 20 that is rotatably mounted on the frame 10.

[0109] If the truck is a battery-electric truck, the power unit 200 includes a battery. If the truck is an internal combustion electric truck, the power unit includes an internal combustion engine that drives a generator. The power unit may also include a fuel cell that generates electrical energy from hydrogen and a hydrogen tank.

[0110] If the truck is a battery-electric truck, the power unit 200 may not have an internal combustion engine, and as a result, the dump truck becomes a fully electric dump truck. Furthermore, the battery of the dump truck may be the truck's sole power source. However, the dump truck may additionally be equipped with an electrical system and a trolley system for supplying electrical energy via the trolley system.

[0111] In one embodiment, the power supply unit 200 may include a battery unit that supplies power to the traction motor of the truck. The power supply unit may further include a power distribution cabinet and / or a temperature control unit.

[0112] As shown in Figure 9, the truck has a mounting opening at its front for inserting the power supply unit 200 into the installation space within the truck. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13, when the power supply unit is installed in the installation space, mounting openings are present on both sides of the power supply unit, thereby allowing the rails 110 and 120 of the device 100 to be inserted.

[0113] Furthermore, the frame 10 includes a front crossbeam 18, which in an embodiment is a bumper beam, and the device is supported on the front crossbeam by support legs 160. As seen in Figure 12, by folding the support legs forward, the support legs separate from the front crossbeam 18 when the rails are inserted. When the rails are connected to the frame, the lifting point of the device and the spreader beam remain in front of the power supply unit.

[0114] As shown in Figure 9, the track includes a stair element 80 that extends in front of the mounting opening. This stair element 80 is detachably connected to the track and must be removed from the track in order to remove the power unit and insert a new power unit.

[0115] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the frame 10 includes two side beams 11 that extend longitudinally along the battery-electric dump truck. In this embodiment, the side beams extend from the front to the rear of the dump truck, and the dump body is rotatably mounted on a pivot mount 12 located at the rear end of the side frame.

[0116] As can be seen from Figures 11 and 12, the power supply unit 30 is positioned between the side beams 11 of the frame. Furthermore, the aforementioned mounting points 230 and 240 are connected to a power supply unit mount 50 that supports the power supply unit on the frame.

[0117] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the track anchor points 300 are located inside the side beam 11 facing the power supply unit. Thus, at least the rear ends of the rails 110 and 120 are inserted between the power supply and the inside of the side beam.

[0118] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the frame 10 includes an upper bridge member that connects the two side beams 11 horizontally, the upper bridge member comprising side pillars 15 extending upward from the side beams 11 and an upper cross beam 16 connecting the side pillars. As shown in Figure 11, the power unit extends below the upper cross beam 16. As shown in Figure 13, the rails 110, 120 extend between the power unit and the side pillars 15.

[0119] Furthermore, at the same longitudinal position of the frame as the side pillar 15, the side beam is connected by a lower bridge member formed by the lower extension of the side pillar, which is connected by the lower crossbeam 17. Thus, the upper and lower bridge members together form a frame structure that extends vertically and horizontally through the battery-electric dump truck. The power unit extends through this frame structure.

[0120] In the above configuration, it is impossible to insert the power supply unit from above into the installation space extending below the upper crossbeam 16. The device of the present invention makes it possible to insert the power supply unit from the front by rotating the power supply unit on the rail below the upper crossbeam 16 and advancing it to its mounting position.

[0121] Further details of the embodiments of the battery-electric dump truck and frame shown in Figures 9 and 10 are described below. However, aspects of the present disclosure described below can also be realized using other embodiments of the battery-electric dump truck or frame.

[0122] In one embodiment, the frame or chassis 10 is a steel structure formed by welding steel elements together. Some of the steel elements may be cast elements, while others may be steel plates. The beams of the frame may have a box structure, a T-shaped structure, or an H-shaped structure in cross-section.

[0123] In this embodiment, the truck shown in Figure 1 comprises front wheels 2 and rear wheels 3, with at least the rear wheels being driven by a traction motor 4. The front wheels 2 are steered by a steering system.

[0124] At a height above the front wheels 2, the truck is equipped with a deck 5 that supports the driver's cab 8 and / or control panel 9. Further functional units may be mounted on the deck 5.

[0125] In manual mode, the truck is controlled by the driver from the driver's seat 8 using manual control elements such as a steering wheel, accelerator pedal and / or brake pedal to control the truck's propulsion and steering systems, thereby allowing control of the truck's speed and direction.

[0126] The truck may have an autonomous mode, in which the truck's controller autonomously controls the truck's propulsion and steering systems, thereby controlling the truck's speed and direction. For example, the controller may be configured to autonomously control the truck along a mission from a loading point to an unloading point, or vice versa. The controller may be further configured to autonomously control the truck to move to a charging station and to autonomously perform charging operations in cooperation with the charging station. In autonomous mode, the truck's controller can receive missions to be performed by the truck by communicating with a central mission controller.

[0127] The controller may comprise a microprocessor and a computer program stored in non-temporary memory, the computer program comprising code that, when executed on the microprocessor, provides the functions described above and below. The controller may be connected to an input device located in the driver's seat of the truck and may control the truck's actuators, such as a steering actuator and a traction motor 4, for controlling steering and propulsion.

[0128] A radiator unit 40 is installed on the front side of the truck. Furthermore, a staircase element 80 leads to deck 5 in front of the radiator unit 40.

[0129] The deck and driver's cab are mounted on the upper crossbeam 16 of the upper bridge member.

[0130] Furthermore, connection points 14 for the front wheel 2 to the suspension system are provided on the pillar 15. The rear wheel suspension system is mounted to connection points 13, 13' provided on the side beam 11.

[0131] In this embodiment, the side beam 11 is connected in the width direction by a first rear cross member 19 and a second rear cross member 19'.

[0132] In one embodiment, the side beam 11 has a substantially triangular shape when viewed from the side, extending between the front end, the first rear cross member 19, and the second rear cross member 19'. The longer side of the triangular shape is oriented upward, the first shorter side is oriented downward, and the second shorter side is oriented rearward. Thus, the longer side extends upward in the longitudinal direction.

[0133] In this embodiment, the first rear cross member 19 is located at the rear corner adjacent to the pivot mount 12 of the loading bed, and the second rear cross member 19' is located at the lower corner of a triangular shape and has a pin at its side end that supports the lower end of a dump hoist cylinder for housing the loading bed 20.

[0134] In this embodiment, the front end of the side beam 11 is connected by a front cross member 18.

[0135] As shown in Figure 9, the truck has a split radiator unit 40 comprising two rows of radiators 41 and 42 spaced apart from each other, and a mounting opening 45 for the power unit 30 is located between the rows of radiators 41 and 42. Thereafter, the power unit 30 can be installed on or removed from the truck without having to remove the radiator unit.

[0136] In this embodiment, the power supply unit can be inserted into the installation space between the side beams 11 of the frame 10, or removed from this installation space while the radiator unit is mounted on the frame, through a mounting opening provided between rows 41 and 42 of radiators.

[0137] In the embodiment, the radiator unit is positioned on the front side of the truck. In the embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, when the power supply unit 200 is mounted on the truck, the front side of the power supply unit 200 is exposed to the surroundings, so the front of the power supply unit forms part of the front of the truck. In the embodiment, the front side of the power supply unit 200 extends in front of or between the rows of radiators 41 and 42. In the embodiment, the front side of the power supply unit 200 closes the mounting opening 45.

[0138] In one embodiment, the front side of the power supply unit is formed by at least one casing element of the power supply unit.

[0139] The staircase element 80, extending in front of the power unit, provides access from the ground to deck 5 and extends diagonally across the front of the track.

[0140] As shown in Figure 10, the power unit mount is a cantilever mount 50 attached to the frame 10. In particular, in this embodiment, the cantilever mount 50 is attached to the inner side wall of the side beam 11 of the frame 10. The cantilever mount 50 is connected to a frame tube 52 that extends in the width direction of the frame, particularly the side beam 11 of the frame, and the cantilever mounts 50, 50' are formed integrally with the frame tube or are bolted to the frame tube 52. The frame tube improves the stability of the side beam 11 to which the cantilever mounts 50, 50' are attached. The frame tube is welded to the steel plate surrounding the side beam 11.

[0141] In the embodiment, the power supply unit 200 may include side brackets arranged in its width direction, the side brackets providing mounting points connected to the cantilever mount 50. In particular, the mounting points may be connected to the cantilever mount 50 by bolts and rubber bearings.

[0142] As shown in Figure 11, the power supply unit 200 comprises a front and a rear section, the rear section having a first upper surface extending below the height of the upper crossbeam 16, and the front section having a second upper surface extending in front of and / or above the upper crossbeam 16. In the embodiment, a step exists between the first and second upper surfaces, and the step extends vertically in front of the upper crossmember 16.

[0143] The truck and power unit may be configured in particular as shown in concurrently pending U.S. provisional applications 63 / 676,152 and 63 / 676,176, the details of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Claims

1. A device for inserting a power supply unit into an installation space inside a truck and / or removing a power supply unit from the installation space, wherein the device is A rail, configured to be inserted into the track and fixed to the anchor points of the track, The rail is configured to move the power unit along the rail with rollers in order to insert the power unit into the track and / or remove the power unit from the track. rail, A device that includes this.

2. At least one roller unit arranged on the rail, The roller unit houses the support element of the power supply unit and is configured to rotate and move along the rail. At least one roller unit, Equipped with, The apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The roller unit is further provided with an actuator coupled to the roller unit for moving the roller unit along the rail, The apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The rail is configured to guide the roller, The roller is located in the power supply unit and / or roller unit of the apparatus. The apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The rail includes a second anchor point which is connected to the first anchor point of the track. The first anchor point of the track and the second anchor point of the device enable the device to rotate around a horizontal axis between the track and the track. The apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The apparatus comprises at least one lifting point for lifting the apparatus, The aforementioned lifting point allows for connection to a lifting device. The apparatus according to claim 5.

7. When the device is freely supported at the lifting point, the lifting point is positioned on the device such that the rail extends at an angle of less than ±20° and / or greater than ±1° with respect to the horizontal direction. The apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The lifting point is positioned on the device such that, when the device is freely supported at the lifting point, the rail extends at a certain angle to the horizontal such that the free rear end of the rail, which can be inserted into the track, is positioned higher than the front end of the rail. The apparatus according to claim 7.

9. The device is configured such that the power supply unit is supported and lifted on the rail by inserting the rail into the track, connecting the rail to the anchor point on the track, and further lifting the device by a pivoting motion around the anchor point so that the rail extends horizontally. The apparatus according to claim 1.

10. With at least one rail extending horizontally, the device comprises at least one support element arranged for supporting the front portion of the rail on the track, The support element is a support leg rotatably attached to the device and / or a counterweight for maintaining the rail in a predetermined position in the horizontal direction when it is freely supported at the lifting point. The apparatus according to claim 1.

11. The aforementioned rail is the first rail, The device comprises at least a second rail, The first and second rails are connected by a spreader beam of the apparatus and / or are detachably connected. The apparatus according to claim 1.

12. A power supply unit comprising at least one roller unit configured to enable rolling movement of the power supply unit on at least one rail, as described in claim 1.

13. A truck equipped with a power supply unit installed in the installation space within the truck, The track further comprises an insertion space into which the rail of the apparatus described in claim 1 can be inserted, and the track further comprises an anchor point into which the rail can be connected to an anchor point. track.

14. Equipped with a frame, The aforementioned anchor point is located in the frame, The truck according to claim 13.

15. A power supply unit according to claim 12, and / or an apparatus according to claim 1, The truck according to claim 13.

16. A method for inserting a power supply unit into an installation space in a truck using the device described in claim 1, and / or removing a power supply unit from the installation space, wherein the method is: Insert at least one rail of the device into the track and connect the rail to the anchor point of the track, The power supply unit is supported on the rail, By moving the power supply unit along the rail on rollers, the power supply unit is inserted into the installation space of the track, and / or removed from the installation space. A method that includes this.

17. The at least one rail is inserted into the track at an inclined position where the rear end of the rail is positioned higher than the front end of the rail. The method includes, after the step of connecting the rail to the anchor point of the track, the step of generating a pivoting motion around the anchor point by lifting the front portion of the rail until the rail extends horizontally. The method according to claim 16.

18. A method according to claim 17 for removing the power supply unit from the installation space in the truck, The power supply unit is supported on the rail, and is lifted by the rail by lifting the front part of the rail. method.

19. A method according to claim 17 for inserting the power supply unit into the installation space within the truck, The power supply unit is moved forward by rotating along the rail into the installation space. The method further includes the step of lowering the power supply unit onto the power supply unit mount by lowering the front portion of the rail.

20. Before moving the power supply unit along the rail, the step includes supporting the front portion of the rail on the frame elements of the track, The method according to claim 17.

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