Device for charging an electrical energy store of a vehicle and / or for transmitting electrical power to a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for charging an electrical energy store of a vehicle and / or for transmitting electrical power to a vehicle, wherein the device has a transmission unit which is designed to charge the electrical energy store via a current collector of the vehicle and / or to transmit electrical power to the vehicle.

Description

[0001] Device for charging an electrical energy storage device of a vehicle and / or transferring electrical power to a vehicle

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for charging an electrical energy storage device of a vehicle and / or transmitting electrical power to a vehicle.

[0003] From DE 10 2019 126 557 A1 an overhead line system is known which is designed to supply electricity to an electric drive of a construction machine by a pantograph of the construction machine.

[0004] The overhead line system enables construction machinery with a hybrid drive system comprising a combustion engine-driven traction drive and an electric traction drive to be supplied with electrical power, thus avoiding the need to integrate a large-capacity electrical energy storage system to supply the vehicle and / or the electric traction drive with electrical power.

[0005] Vehicles with purely electric traction drives, such as trolleybuses or trams, are also known from the state of the art. Here, too, the electric traction drive can be powered by an overhead line system and a pantograph.

[0006] It is also conceivable that a vehicle with a purely electric drive system has an electrical energy storage device for supplying the vehicle and / or the electric drive system with electrical power, whereby the vehicle can be operated independently of an overhead power system in a ferry operation.

[0007] It is necessary to charge the electrical energy storage device with electrical energy after the electrical power has been released so that the electrical energy storage device can release electrical power again.

[0008] It is known from the prior art to charge a vehicle's electrical energy storage device statically, i.e., when the vehicle is stationary, or dynamically, i.e., while the vehicle is in motion. The electrical energy storage device remains installed in the vehicle. It is also known to replace an electrical energy storage device with a lower charge with one with a higher charge in order to quickly replenish the vehicle with sufficient electrical energy. This makes the charging process independent of the vehicle's operation and, thanks to the slow charging process enabled, to protect the electrical energy storage device.

[0009] Static charging can be carried out with alternating or direct current, via a plug and cable (where plugging and unplugging of the plug can be automated), via a power supply installed on a charging infrastructure, e.g. in the form of a pantograph, by induction and / or via charging surfaces installed on the floor.

[0010] Dynamic charging can be achieved via an overhead line and a pantograph, via a ground-mounted conductor rail, via a conductor rail on one side of the vehicle, and / or via an induction rod. Charging an electrical energy storage device is preferably carried out with high electrical power in order to charge the electrical energy storage device with a large amount of electrical energy in a short time.

[0011] However, high electrical power can also cause high thermal loads on the components involved in charging.

[0012] The contact between an overhead line and a pantograph can be roughly described as a line and / or point contact. The contact area between an overhead line and a pantograph is therefore very small, amounting to, for example, only a few square millimeters. Likewise, a pantograph should be designed to be as lightweight as possible, which means that the pantograph's electrical wires and / or cables should also be as lightweight and thus have a small cross-section as possible.

[0013] When high electrical power is transmitted via an overhead line through a pantograph, high thermal loads occur on the overhead line and the pantograph due, among other things, to the small contact area and the small cross-section of the electrical lines and / or cables, which can cause damage to the overhead line and the pantograph.

[0014] When the vehicle is in ferry operation, the pantograph can transfer high electrical power from the overhead line to the vehicle, as natural cooling occurs, for example, through movement of the vehicle which generates an air flow, and the contact between the pantograph and the overhead line does not occur at the same point on the overhead line for a long time, as the pantograph moves along the overhead line.

[0015] On the other hand, when high electrical power is transferred from the overhead line to the vehicle via the pantograph when the vehicle is stationary or when the vehicle is not operating in ferry mode, no air flow is generated for cooling and the transfer takes place constantly via a contact surface between the pantograph and the overhead line, which makes it difficult to transfer high electrical power when the vehicle is stationary.

[0016] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide a device with which it is possible to charge an electrical energy storage device of a vehicle and / or to transmit a high electrical power to a vehicle, in particular when the vehicle is stationary or when the vehicle is not being operated in a ferry operation, by means of a current collector.

[0017] This object is achieved by the method having the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0018] Accordingly, the invention provides that the device has a transmission unit which is designed to charge the electrical energy storage device via a current collector of the vehicle and / or to transmit electrical power to the vehicle.

[0019] The vehicle is preferably not in ferry operation and / or is stationary.

[0020] The pantograph is preferably designed to establish an electrical connection of the vehicle to an overhead line system for supplying electrical energy to the vehicle during ferry operation of the vehicle.

[0021] The electrical energy storage device is preferably a traction battery for supplying the vehicle's electric drive. It is conceivable that the transmission unit is located on or in an overhead line. The device can also be located away from or in an overhead line, for example, in a workshop. Charging can take place away from an overhead line.

[0022] It is preferably provided that the device and / or the transmission unit has a cooling unit which is designed to cool the transmission unit and / or the current collector at least in regions by means of a coolant, in particular comprising water and / or air.

[0023] It is preferably provided that the cooling unit has one or more coolant connections and / or cooling channels which are arranged on or in the transmission unit and are designed to conduct the coolant and / or a fan.

[0024] Preferably, a fan can be arranged on and / or in the transmission unit in order to achieve air cooling of the transmission unit.

[0025] Preferably, the device comprises a heat exchanger designed to cool the coolant.

[0026] The device and / or the transfer unit preferably have a surface cooled by a coolant, in particular comprising water, which can be brought into contact with a surface of the current collector. The heat generated during charging in the contact area between the two surfaces can be dissipated by the coolant. The coolant can be passed through a heat exchanger to be cooled and in turn passed to the cooled surface of the device and / or transfer unit.

[0027] Preferably, the transfer unit is electrically and / or thermally conductive, at least in some areas. The transfer unit may, for example, comprise copper or consist predominantly of it. The cooling channels are preferably at least partially drilled.

[0028] The heat exchanger is preferably connected to the cooling channel(s) by means of one or more connectors, one or more hoses, and / or channels. The heat exchanger can be a standard product. The heat exchanger is preferably regulated to maintain a temperature at or within the transfer unit and, in particular, is only operated when cooling of the transfer unit is required.

[0029] It is preferably provided that the device has one or more electrical lines, each with a plug and / or a cable lug, which are arranged or can be arranged on the transmission unit, in particular by means of the plug and / or cable lug.

[0030] It is preferably provided that the transmission unit has a fastening means, in particular an electrically insulated one, by means of which the transmission unit can be fastened to a structure, in particular the device.

[0031] The structure can be part of a workshop and / or a charging station.

[0032] Preferably, the device comprises a positioning unit and / or positioning means which are designed and arranged to position the vehicle and / or the pantograph at a predetermined position.

[0033] Preferably, the positioning unit and / or the positioning means comprise a limiting means for blocking or impeding the movement of the vehicle, in particular a gutter on the ground, a sighting device, a light unit, in particular a laser, with a target, a guide, in particular arranged on the transmission unit, in particular roof-like, which is designed to position the current collector or a part of the current collector, and / or a control for moving the transmission unit, the vehicle, and / or the current collector. The limiting means can be designed to position the vehicle in a longitudinal position.

[0034] The sighting device can be designed to position the vehicle in a lateral position.

[0035] The position preferably includes a longitudinal and lateral position relative to the transmission unit.

[0036] It is also conceivable that the vehicle can be positioned by a driver.

[0037] The transmission unit may also be referred to as a charging interface. The device may include a power source.

[0038] It is preferably provided that the device has an actuator, in particular an electric, hydraulic and / or pneumatic actuator, which is designed and arranged to move the transmission unit, in particular relative to the current collector, and / or a controller which is designed to move the transmission unit, the current collector and / or the vehicle, in particular during a charging process.

[0039] In particular, to prevent the transmission unit from welding to the current collector when transmitting very high electrical power, the transmission unit, the current collector and / or the vehicle can be moved, particularly during a charging process. This preferably prevents the current from always flowing over the same contact surface during transmission, thus reducing the thermal load during transmission. The transmission unit, the current collector and / or the vehicle preferably move by a few millimeters or centimeters, in particular by 1 to 10 mm or cm. It is preferably provided that the entire device or parts of it are arranged separately from the vehicle and / or that the entire device or parts are part of the vehicle and / or the current collector.

[0040] The device is preferably stationary.

[0041] It is preferably provided that the device has two transmission units and / or that the current collector has one or two current collector arms, each with a current collector head and / or that the current collector is designed in the form of a pantograph.

[0042] The invention also relates to a system comprising a device according to the invention and a vehicle, preferably a wheeled vehicle, in particular a construction machine, in particular for mining or mining operations, in particular a dump truck with an erectable trough, a truck or a trolleybus or a rail vehicle, in particular a tram or a train.

[0043] The vehicle is preferably a vehicle powered purely by an electric drive.

[0044] Preferably, the vehicle has at least one or no plug, in particular at least one or no high-performance charging plug, for charging the electrical energy storage device.

[0045] In other words, the device can provide or adapt an overhead line for transmitting high electrical power to a vehicle which is in particular not in ferry operation.

[0046] The vehicle may have a pantograph and one or no electrical energy storage device for supplying the vehicle's electric drive. The vehicle may preferably be a wheeled vehicle, a tracked vehicle, and / or a rail vehicle.

[0047] The invention also relates to the use of a device according to the invention for charging an electrical energy storage device of a vehicle and / or for carrying out a check of an electrical system of a vehicle.

[0048] In particular, the device can be used to perform a check or test of an electrical system of a vehicle without an electrical energy storage device for supplying an electric drive of the vehicle. Preferably, a test of a transmission of high electrical power to a vehicle can be performed via a current collector.

[0049] The invention also relates to a method for charging an electrical energy storage device of a vehicle, in particular with a device according to the invention, characterized in that the charging takes place via a transmission unit and via a current collector of the vehicle, which is designed to establish an electrical connection of the vehicle to an overhead line system for supplying energy to the vehicle during a ferry operation of the vehicle.

[0050] Preferably, the vehicle is supplied with a high electrical power by a current collector of the vehicle and / or by a charging system of the vehicle for charging an electrical energy storage device of the vehicle.

[0051] Charging is preferably automated or semi-automated.

[0052] Preferably, a driver can start the charging process from the vehicle. The same interface, preferably a pantograph, that is used to supply the vehicle with electrical power via an overhead line is preferably used for charging. Preferably, a high electrical power is transmitted during charging, preferably between 1 and 10, in particular between 1 and 2, megawatts.

[0053] Charging should preferably not take place while the vehicle is operating on a ferry. However, charging can also take place while the vehicle is operating on a ferry.

[0054] Preferably, the vehicle is positioned to ensure that contact between the pantograph and the transmission unit occurs at a designated location.

[0055] For the transmission of very high electrical power, further cooling of the transmission unit and / or the current collector and / or a relative movement between the transmission unit and the current collector takes place at least in certain areas.

[0056] Preferably, an electrical connection is established between a power source and an on-board charger of the vehicle for the vehicle's electrical energy storage device and / or an electrical energy storage device of the vehicle via the transmission unit and the current collector. Preferably, the vehicle has a battery management system that can regulate the current flowing through the transmission unit and the current collector, in particular to ensure proper charging of the electrical energy storage device.

[0057] Preferably, a sufficiently accurate or optimal positioning of the vehicle and / or the current collector relative to the transmission unit takes place at a position, in particular in order to ensure a sufficient or optimal current transmission between the transmission unit and the current collector.

[0058] The vehicle may be an autonomous vehicle, e.g., a self-driving vehicle, wherein a precise position of the vehicle and / or the pantograph relative to the transmission unit can be programmed into a vehicle controller. The invention preferably has, among other things, the following advantages:

[0059] - There is preferably no need to automate a charging infrastructure connector.

[0060] - Preferably, at least partially the same electrical lines or cables of the vehicle are used both for charging the electrical energy storage device and for supplying the vehicle with electrical power during ferry operation of the vehicle via the pantograph and an overhead line.

[0061] - The device preferably minimizes the risk of accidents. In particular, the transmission unit is inaccessible to persons without aids, as the transmission unit is preferably located at the same height as an overhead line.

[0062] - Preferably, the solution according to the invention is cost-effective, so that the solution according to the invention can be implemented at multiple locations. In particular, it is conceivable that, for example, for multiple charging stations, e.g., for charging in a depot or vehicle depot, the device has multiple transmission units and / or that multiple devices are present.

[0063] At this point, it should be noted that the terms "a" and "an" do not necessarily refer to exactly one of the elements, although this represents a possible embodiment, but can also refer to a plurality of the elements. Likewise, the use of the plural also includes the presence of the element in question in the singular, and conversely, the singular also encompasses several of the elements in question. Furthermore, all features of the invention described herein can be combined with one another as desired or claimed in isolation from one another. Further advantages, features, and effects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the figures, in which identical or similar components are designated by the same reference numerals. Herein:

[0064] Fig. 1: a perspective view of an embodiment of a transmission unit of a device according to the invention.

[0065] Fig. 2: a perspective view of a fan of an embodiment of a device according to the invention.

[0066] Fig. 3: a sectional view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention.

[0067] Fig. 4: a block diagram of an embodiment of a system according to the invention.

[0068] Fig. 5 to Fig. 7: perspective views of an embodiment of a system according to the invention.

[0069] Fig. 8: a side view of an embodiment of a system according to the invention.

[0070] Fig. 9: a block diagram of an embodiment of a method according to the invention.

[0071] Fig. 1 shows a transfer unit 10 with coolant connections 1 and 4, several, in particular four, electrical lines 2, several, in particular four, electrically insulated fastening means 3, a roof-like, plate-shaped guide 5, and a contact surface or contact rail 6 for electrically contacting a current collector of a vehicle. A cooling channel in the transfer unit 10 extends between the coolant connections 1 and 4. Cold coolant, e.g., cooling water, can be introduced into the first coolant connection 1, heated in the transfer unit 10, and discharged from the second coolant connection 4 out of the transfer unit 10.

[0072] The electrical lines 2 are connected to the transmission unit 10, for example, using cable lugs, and run as electrical cables to a power source. The number of electrical lines depends on the cross-section of the cables and the performance of the transmission unit 10.

[0073] The fastening means 3 are designed as insulators and / or serve for mounting on a structure of the device.

[0074] The guide 5 serves in particular to guide a current collector head of a current collector with current collector arms and is preferably not required when using the transmission unit 10 with a current collector in the form of a pantograph.

[0075] Fig. 2 shows a fan 8 arranged on the transmission unit 10 in such a way as to cool at least some of the transmission unit 10. The fan 8 is optional.

[0076] Fig. 3 shows the course of an internal cooling channel 7 through which coolant can flow through the transfer unit 10.

[0077] The thick double arrow in Fig. 3 indicates that the transmission unit 10 can optionally be moved back and forth by an actuator 9.

[0078] The system of Fig. 4 comprises a transmission unit 10, a power source 20, a positioning unit or positioning means 40, and a vehicle 100. The vehicle comprises a current collector 110, an electrical system 120, an electric traction drive 130, and an electrical energy storage device 140.

[0079] The system may optionally comprise a heat exchanger 30, a fan 8 and / or an actuator 9 for moving the transmission unit 10, as indicated by the dashed connecting lines in Fig. 4.

[0080] Fig. 5 shows a vehicle 100 in the form of a dump truck with a current collector 110 with two current collector arms, each of which has a current collector head arranged on it. Each current collector head is arranged on a transmission unit 10 and makes electrical contact with it.

[0081] In particular, for wheeled vehicles with a pantograph having two pantograph arms, two transmission units 10 are provided, one transmission unit 10 being used for the positive pole and the other transmission unit 10 for the negative pole of the pantograph. In rail vehicles, only one transmission unit 10 can be used for the positive pole on the pantograph, with the negative pole being provided by a rail.

[0082] Fig. 6 shows a vehicle 100 with a pantograph-shaped current collector 110. This type of current collector does not require a plate-shaped guide 5 on the transmission unit 10.

[0083] Fig. 7 shows a vehicle 100 with a current collector 110 having two current collector arms, each with a current collector head. Each current collector head is arranged on a transmission unit 10 and electrically contacts it.

[0084] Fig. 7 also shows a positioning unit or positioning means 40 with a sighting device. If the driver, from the cab of the vehicle 100, only sees a vertical bar of the sighting device in front of the vehicle 100, the vehicle 100 and / or the current collector 110 are positioned relative to the transmission units 10 such that electrical power can be transmitted from the transmission units 10 to the current collector 110.

[0085] In Fig. 8, a positioning unit or a positioning means 40 in the form of a groove on the floor is shown.

[0086] Fig. 9 shows the sequence of an exemplary method for charging an electrical energy storage device of a vehicle with the steps S1 to S9.

[0087] In step S1, it is determined that the electrical energy storage device is to be charged. In step S2, the vehicle travels to the stationary device for charging a vehicle's electrical energy storage device. In step S3, the vehicle and / or current collector are positioned relative to the device's transmission unit(s) such that electrical power can be transmitted from the transmission unit(s) to the current collector. In step S4, a connection sequence in which the current collector is moved towards the transmission unit is initiated, preferably by a driver of the vehicle. In step S5, electrical contact is made between the current collector and the transmission unit. In step S6, the current flowing via the transmission unit and the current collector is regulated by a battery management system.In step S7, a cooling unit is automatically activated to cool the transmission unit and / or the pantograph at least in part. In step S7, the flow of coolant through the cooling unit can be adjusted to achieve a defined temperature at the transmission unit and / or the pantograph. In step S8, after the electrical energy storage device has been fully or partially charged, preferably by the driver of the vehicle, a decoupling sequence in which the pantograph is detached from the transmission unit is triggered and the vehicle moves away from the device. In step S9, the cooling unit continues to cool the transmission unit until a defined temperature is reached. The transmission unit preferably has a contact surface section, in particular a very short one, which resembles an overhead line surface and is cooled to enable high power transmission.The transmission unit preferably has a heat dissipation function.

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Device for charging an electrical energy storage device of a vehicle and / or transmitting electrical power to a vehicle, characterized in that the device has a transmission unit which is designed to charge the electrical energy storage device via a current collector of the vehicle and / or to transmit electrical power to the vehicle.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device and / or the transmission unit has a cooling unit which is designed to cool the transmission unit and / or the current collector at least in regions by means of a coolant, in particular comprising water and / or air.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the cooling unit has one or more coolant connections and / or cooling channels which are arranged on or in the transmission unit and are designed to conduct the coolant and / or a fan.

4. Device according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the device comprises a heat exchanger which is designed to cool the coolant.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device has one or more electrical lines, each with a plug and / or a cable lug, which are arranged or can be arranged on the transmission unit, in particular by means of the plug and / or cable lug.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission unit has a fastening means, in particular an electrically insulated one, by means of which the transmission unit can be fastened to a structure, in particular the device.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises a positioning unit and / or positioning means which are designed and arranged to position the vehicle and / or the current collector at a predetermined position.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the positioning unit and / or the positioning means comprise a limiting means for blocking or hindering the movement of the vehicle, in particular a gutter on the ground, a sighting device, a light unit, in particular a laser, with a target, a guide, in particular arranged on the transmission unit, in particular roof-like, which is designed to to position the pantograph or part of the pantograph and / or have a control for moving the transmission unit, the vehicle and / or the pantograph.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device has an actuator, in particular an electric, hydraulic and / or pneumatic actuator, which is designed and arranged to move the transmission unit, in particular relative to the current collector, and / or a controller which is designed to move the transmission unit, the current collector and / or the vehicle, in particular during a charging process.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the whole or parts of the device are arranged separately from the vehicle and / or the whole or parts of the device are part of the vehicle and / or the pantograph.

11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device has two transmission units and / or that the current collector has one or two current collector arms, each with a current collector head and / or that the current collector is designed in the form of a pantograph.

12. System with a device according to one of the preceding claims and a vehicle, preferably a wheeled vehicle, in particular a construction machine, in particular for mining or mining operations, in particular a dump truck with an erectable trough, a truck or a trolleybus or a rail vehicle, in particular a tram or a train.

13. Use of a device according to one of claims 1 to 11 for charging an electrical energy storage device of a vehicle and / or for carrying out a check of an electrical system of a vehicle.

14. A method for charging an electrical energy storage device of a vehicle, in particular with a device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the charging takes place via a transmission unit and via a current collector of the vehicle, which is designed to establish an electrical connection of the vehicle to an overhead line system for supplying energy to the vehicle during a ferry operation of the vehicle.

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