Dump truck

Abstract

A battery device (26) mounted on a vehicle body frame (5) is configured to include: a multi-stage battery frame (27) having a first support frame body (28), a second support frame body (29), a third support frame body (30), and a fourth support frame body (31) stacked in the vertical direction; and a plurality of battery modules (35) detachably attached to the first support frame body (28), the second support frame body (29), the third support frame body (30), and the fourth support frame body (31), respectively.

Description

Dump truck

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dump truck that is suitable for use in transporting crushed stone excavated from, for example, an open-cut mining site, a mine, or the like.

[0002] Generally, in open-cut mining sites, mines, and the like, hydraulic excavators are used to excavate crushed material such as minerals, and large amounts of the excavated material are loaded onto dump trucks for transport to a designated unloading area. Dump trucks are configured to include a vehicle body to which front and rear wheels are attached, and a loading platform (vessel) attached so as to be rotatable up and down around the rear of the vehicle body as a fulcrum.

[0003] Dump trucks are equipped with electric motors as a power source for rotating the left and right drive wheels. In recent years, dump trucks have been proposed that are equipped with batteries instead of generators driven by engines, and that drive the electric motors with electricity charged in the batteries. For dump trucks that drive the electric motors with electricity from a battery, a configuration has been proposed in which multiple battery modules are mounted on the vehicle frame to increase the driving distance of the dump truck (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0004] EP 3480050 A1CN 111422054 A

[0005] However, in Patent Document 1, two battery cabinets are attached to the body frame side by side in the front-to-rear direction, and in Patent Document 2, at least two battery chambers are arranged on both sides of the body frame in the width direction. This increases the space required for attaching on-board equipment to the body frame that is occupied by the battery module. As a result, there is a problem in that the space available for attaching on-board equipment other than the battery module to the body frame is limited.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems of the conventional technology described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a dump truck in which a large number of battery modules can be compactly mounted on a vehicle frame.

[0007] The present invention relates to a dump truck comprising a body frame to which wheels are attached, an electric motor that drives the wheels, and a battery device that is mounted on the body frame and supplies power to the electric motor, wherein the battery device is configured to include a battery frame having a plurality of support frame bodies stacked in the vertical direction and attached to the body frame, and a plurality of battery modules that are individually attached to each of the plurality of support frame bodies, the body frame having a left frame and a right frame that extend in the longitudinal direction and face each other with a gap in the lateral direction, the battery frame being attached between the left frame and the right frame, the plurality of battery modules being detachably attached to each of the plurality of support frame bodies that constitute the battery frame, and openings being formed between the plurality of support frame bodies that allow the plurality of battery modules to be inserted and removed from the battery frame.

[0008] According to the present invention, by attaching battery modules to multiple support frames stacked vertically, a large number of battery modules can be compactly mounted on the vehicle body frame. In addition, the battery modules can be inserted and removed from the battery frame through openings formed between the support frames.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a left side view showing a dump truck to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a body frame alone. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing mounted equipment such as a battery mounted on the body frame. FIG. 4 is a front view of a dump truck with the current collector removed, as seen from the front. FIG. 5 is a left side view of a dump truck with the current collector and front wheels removed. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a battery device. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a battery frame. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a method of assembling the battery device. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing another method of assembling the battery device. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a battery module is inserted and removed from a battery frame in the left-right direction. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which a battery module is inserted and removed from a battery frame in the front-rear direction.

[0010] Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given of an embodiment of the present invention, taking a trolley-type dump truck as an example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiment, the traveling direction of the dump truck is defined as the front-rear direction, and the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction is defined as the left-right direction.

[0011] 1, a trolley-equipped dump truck 1 travels by supplying power from a trolley overhead line installed in a mine or the like to an electric motor for traveling via a current collector (trolley). The dump truck 1 includes a self-propelled vehicle body 2 having left and right front wheels 3 and left and right rear wheels 4, and a loading platform 19 (described below) mounted on the vehicle body 2 so as to be tiltable (raise and lower). Minerals mined by a hydraulic excavator or the like (not shown) are loaded onto the loading platform 19 and transported. The vehicle body 2 of the dump truck 1 includes a vehicle frame 5, a deck 22, a cab 23, etc. (described below).

[0012] The left and right front wheels 3 are rotatably mounted on the front side of the vehicle body 2 and constitute steering wheels. The front wheels 3 are supported by the vehicle body frame 5 via front-wheel-side suspensions, which dampen vibrations transmitted from the front wheels 3 to the vehicle body 2. The left and right rear wheels 4 are rotatably mounted on the rear side of the vehicle body 2 and are rotationally driven by a running device 24 equipped with an electric motor 25 (described later). The running device for the rear wheels 4 is attached to the vehicle body frame 5 via rear-wheel-side suspensions, which dampen vibrations transmitted from the rear wheels 4 to the vehicle body 2.

[0013] The body frame 5 is a strong support structure that forms the base of the body 2 and extends in the fore-and-aft direction. As shown in Figure 2, the body frame 5 includes a left frame 6, a right frame 7, a front frame 8, a rear frame 9, an upper plate 10, a lower plate 11, etc., which will be described later.

[0014] The left frame 6 is disposed on the left side of the body frame 5. The left frame 6 is configured to include left and right side panels 6A that face each other in the left-right direction, an upper panel 10 that closes the upper ends of the left and right side panels 6A, and a lower panel 11 that connects the lower ends of the left and right side panels 6A, and has a box structure with a rectangular cross section that extends in the front-to-rear direction. The right frame 7 is disposed on the right side of the body frame 5. The right frame 7 is configured to include left and right side panels 7A that face each other in the left-to-right direction, an upper panel 10 that closes the upper ends of the left and right side panels 7A, and a lower panel 11 that connects the lower ends of the left and right side panels 7A, and has a box structure with a rectangular cross section that extends in the front-to-rear direction.

[0015] The left frame 6 and the right frame 7 extend in the front-to-rear direction while facing each other with a gap left and right, and the gap between the left frame 6 and the right frame 7 in the front and rear directions is set larger than the gap at the rear of the body frame 5. A left rear end bracket 6B is provided at the rear end of the left frame 6, and a right rear end bracket 7B is provided at the rear end of the right frame 7, with the left rear end bracket 6B and the right rear end bracket 7B facing each other in the left and right directions.

[0016] The front frame 8 is disposed on the front side of the body frame 5. The front frame 8 has a box structure extending in the left-right direction, including front and rear side plates 8A, an upper plate 10, and a lower plate 11 that face each other in the front-rear direction, and connects the front end of the left frame 6 to the front end of the right frame 7. The rear frame 9 is disposed on the rear side of the body frame 5. The rear frame 9 has a box structure extending in the left-right direction, including front and rear side plates 9A, an upper plate 10, and a lower plate 11 that face each other in the front-rear direction, and connects the rear end of the left frame 6 to the rear end of the right frame 7.

[0017] The upper plate 10 is provided on the upper ends of the left frame 6, right frame 7, front frame 8, and rear frame 9. The upper plate 10 closes the upper ends of the left frame 6, right frame 7, front frame 8, and rear frame 9, and also connects the left frame 6 and the right frame 7. The upper plate 10 is provided with a front opening 10A and a rear opening 10B located between the left frame 6 and the right frame 7.

[0018] The lower plate 11 is provided at the lower ends of the left frame 6, right frame 7, front frame 8, and rear frame 9, facing the upper plate 10 in the vertical direction. The lower plate 11 closes the lower ends of the left frame 6, right frame 7, front frame 8, and rear frame 9, and connects the left frame 6 and the right frame 7. The lower plate 11 is provided with a front opening 11A and a rear opening 11B at positions corresponding to the front opening 10A and rear opening 10B of the upper plate 10.

[0019] The left support pillar 12 and the right support pillar 13 are located forward of the center of the body frame 5 in the longitudinal direction and face each other in the left-right direction. The left support pillar 12 and the right support pillar 13 each have a mountain-shaped hollow box structure. The left support pillar 12 protrudes upward from the upper plate 10 that constitutes the left frame 6, and the right support pillar 13 protrudes upward from the upper plate 10 that constitutes the right frame 7. A deck 22 and the like are attached to the upper ends of the left support pillar 12 and the right support pillar 13.

[0020] The left cylinder bracket 14 and the right cylinder bracket 15 are provided rearward from the midpoint in the fore-and-aft direction of the body frame 5 and face each other in the left-right direction. The left cylinder bracket 14 protrudes downward from the lower plate 11 that constitutes the left frame 6, and the right cylinder bracket 15 protrudes downward from the lower plate 11 that constitutes the right frame 7. A cylinder support shaft 16 extending in the left-right direction is inserted through the lower ends of the left cylinder bracket 14 and the right cylinder bracket 15. The lower ends of hoist cylinders 20, which will be described later, are attached to both left-and-right ends of the cylinder support shaft 16.

[0021] Left and right front brackets 17 are provided near the left front corner where the left frame 6 and the front frame 8 intersect, and near the right front corner where the right frame 7 and the front frame 8 intersect. These left and right front brackets 17 face each other in the left-right direction, sandwiching the front opening 10A of the upper plate 10 therebetween, and left and right front extension plates 28J of the battery frame 27, which will be described later, are attached to them. In addition, left and right rear brackets 18 are provided on the left frame 6 and the right frame 7, located rearward of the left and right front brackets 17. These left and right rear brackets 18 face each other in the left-right direction, sandwiching the front opening 10A of the upper plate 10 therebetween, and left and right rear extension plates 28N of the battery frame 27 are attached to them.

[0022] The loading platform (vessel) 19 is mounted on the body frame 5 so as to be tiltable (raise and lower). The loading platform 19 is formed as a large, bottomed container for carrying crushed material such as minerals mined by a hydraulic excavator or the like. The rear bottom of the loading platform 19 is tiltably connected to the left rear end bracket 6B of the left frame 6 and the right rear end bracket 7B of the right frame 7 via connecting pins 19A. A eaves portion 19B is integrally formed on the front side of the loading platform 19, extending horizontally forward from the top. The eaves portion 19B of the loading platform 19 extends to the front end of the deck 22, covering the cab 23 from above.

[0023] The hoist cylinders 20 are provided in pairs in the left-right direction between the body frame 5 and the loading platform 19 (only the left side is shown). The hoist cylinders 20 are, for example, hydraulic cylinders, and tilt the front side of the loading platform 19 up and down relative to the body frame 5. One end (lower end) of the hoist cylinders 20 is attached to the cylinder support shaft 16, and the other end (upper end) of the hoist cylinders 20 is attached to the underside of the loading platform 19. Therefore, by extending the hoist cylinders 20, the front side (eaves portion 19B side) of the loading platform 19 is lifted upward around the connecting pin 19A, allowing minerals and the like loaded on the loading platform 19 to be discharged rearward.

[0024] The building 21 is provided on the front end side of the body frame 5. The building 21 is formed in a frame shape surrounded by left and right side panels, a front panel (grill), etc., and a battery device 26 and the like are housed inside the building 21. The building 21, together with the left support column 12 and right support column 13 of the body frame 5, also serves to support the deck 22 and the like from below.

[0025] The deck 22 is located forward of the loading platform 19 and is provided above the building 21. The deck 22 is formed in the shape of a rectangular flat plate that is long in the left-right direction, and extends horizontally while being supported from below by the left support pillars 12 and right support pillars 13 of the body frame 5 and the building 21. A cab 23, a control cabinet 40 (described later), and the like are mounted on the deck 22, and the upper surface of the deck 22 forms a flat walkway surface for operators and the like to pass through.

[0026] The cab 23 is provided on the upper left side of the deck 22 and defines a cab for an operator. Inside the cab 23, a driver's seat, a steering wheel, a start switch, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, and control levers (none of which are shown) are provided.

[0027] A rear-wheel-side traveling device 24 is provided on the rear side of the body frame 5. The traveling device 24 is attached to the body frame 5 via a rear-wheel-side suspension device (not shown). The traveling device 24 is provided with left and right electric motors 25 for traveling, and the rotation of these left and right electric motors 25 is transmitted to the left and right rear wheels 4 via speed reducers (not shown).

[0028] Next, the battery device 26 mounted on the body frame 5 will be described.

[0029] The battery device 26 is located below the deck 22 and mounted on the front portion of the body frame 5. The battery device 26 stores power to be supplied to electrical devices mounted on the dump truck 1, such as the electric motor 25 for traveling. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the battery device 26 includes a battery frame 27 and a plurality of battery modules 35. The battery frame 27 has a plurality of support frames stacked in the vertical direction, allowing for multi-tier stacking. The plurality of battery modules 35 are individually attached to the support frames of the battery frame 27.

[0030] The battery frame 27 has a first support frame body 28 arranged at the bottom, a second support frame body 29 arranged above the first support frame body 28, a third support frame body 30 arranged above the second support frame body 29, and a fourth support frame body 31 at the top, arranged above the third support frame body 30. In this way, the battery frame 27 has four support frame body stages (the first support frame body 28, the second support frame body 29, the third support frame body 30, and the fourth support frame body 31) stacked in the vertical direction.

[0031] The first support frame 28 includes a rectangular frame body 28A extending in the front-to-rear direction, front legs 28B disposed at the front end of the frame body 28A, and rear legs 28C disposed at the rear end of the frame body 28A. The front legs 28B have left and right front vertical legs 28D fixed at their lower ends to the frame body 28A and extending vertically upward, and a front cross beam 28E extending in the left-right direction and connecting the upper ends of the left and right front vertical legs 28D. Flat mounting flanges 28F are provided at the upper ends of the left and right front vertical legs 28D. Two reinforcing members 28G extending diagonally downward from the front cross beam 28E are detachably attached between the left and right front vertical legs 28D and the front cross beam 28E on the front side of the battery frame 27 using fasteners 28H such as bolts.

[0032] Here, the left front vertical leg 28D constituting the front leg portion 28B constitutes the left end of the battery frame 27, and the right front vertical leg 28D constitutes the right end of the battery frame 27. Front extension plates 28J extending in the left-right direction are provided at the vertical middle portions of the left and right front vertical legs 28D, which are the left-right ends of the battery frame 27. As shown in FIG. 3 , these left and right front extension plates 28J are attached to left and right front brackets 17 provided on the body frame 5 via vibration-isolating mounts (not shown). In this manner, the front leg portion 28B is attached to the front brackets 17 of the body frame 5 via the left and right front extension plates 28J at positions further to the side than the left and right ends of the battery frame 27 (the left and right front vertical legs 28D). As a result, for example, the battery device 26 can be stably supported while ensuring a large left-right distance between the attachment portions of the front legs 28B of the battery frame 27 and the body frame 5 and reducing its height.

[0033] Meanwhile, the rear legs 28C have left and right rear vertical legs 28K whose lower ends are fixed to the frame body 28A and extend vertically upward, and a rear cross beam 28L that connects the left and right rear vertical legs 28K and extends in the left-right direction. A flat mounting flange 28M is provided at the upper end of each of the left and right rear vertical legs 28K. The left and right rear vertical legs 28K that make up the rear legs 28C form the rear end of the battery frame 27. Rear extension plates 28N that extend left and right from the rear vertical legs 28K are provided at the vertical intermediate portions of the left and right rear vertical legs 28K, which form the rear end of the battery frame 27. As shown in FIG. 3 , these left and right rear extension plates 28N are attached to left and right rear brackets 18 provided on the body frame 5 via vibration-isolating mounts (not shown). In this way, the rear legs 28C are attached to the rear brackets 18 of the body frame 5 at the rear end of the battery frame 27 via the left and right rear extension plates 28N. Therefore, a large gap can be secured between the mounting portion between the front leg portion 28B of the battery frame 27 and the body frame 5 and the mounting portion between the rear leg portion 28C of the battery frame 27 and the body frame 5, thereby enabling stable support of the battery device 26.

[0034] Furthermore, flat support brackets 28P that protrude forward from the rear vertical legs 28K are provided on the upper end sides of the left and right rear vertical legs 28K, and these left and right support brackets 28P support the rear end of the second support frame body 29. Furthermore, the frame main body 28A of the first support frame body 28 has a plurality of bolt holes (internal threaded holes) 28Q formed at intervals in the front-rear direction for attaching a plurality of battery modules 35.

[0035] Like the frame main body 28A of the first support frame 28, the second support frame 29 is formed in a rectangular frame shape extending in the front-rear direction. The front end of the second support frame 29 is provided with mounting plates 29A protruding in the left-right direction from both left and right ends. The rear end of the second support frame 29 is provided with a mounting plate (not shown) protruding rearward. This mounting plate is attached to support brackets 28P attached to the rear legs 28C of the first support frame 28 using connecting members such as bolts (not shown). The mounting plate 29A attached to the front end of the second support frame 29 is attached to a mounting plate (not shown) attached to the front legs 28B of the first support frame 28 using bolts 29B as connecting members. This allows the second support frame 29 to be attached to the first support frame 28 with a fixed spacing maintained. Similarly to the frame body 28A of the first support frame 28, the second support frame 29 has a plurality of bolt holes 29C formed at intervals in the front-rear direction for mounting the battery modules 35.

[0036] The third support frame 30 includes a rectangular frame body 30A extending in the front-to-rear direction, left and right front legs 30B disposed at the front end of the frame body 30A, and left and right rear legs 30C disposed at the rear end of the frame body 30A. The left and right front legs 30B are fixed at their upper ends to the frame body 30A and extend vertically downward. A flat lower mounting flange 30D is provided at the lower end of each of the left and right front legs 30B, and a flat upper mounting flange 30E is provided at the upper end of each of the left and right front legs 30B. The left and right rear legs 30C are fixed at their upper ends to the frame body 30A and extend vertically downward. A flat lower mounting flange 30F is provided at the lower end of each of the left and right rear legs 30C, and a flat upper mounting flange 30G is provided at the upper end of each of the left and right rear legs 30C.

[0037] The lower mounting flanges 30D provided on the left and right front legs 30B of the third support frame 30 are attached to left and right mounting flanges 28F provided on the front legs 28B of the first support frame 28 using a plurality of bolts 30H as connecting members. In addition, the lower mounting flanges 30F provided on the left and right rear legs 30C are attached to left and right mounting flanges 28M provided on the left and right rear vertical legs 28K of the first support frame 28 using a plurality of bolts 30H. In this way, the third support frame 30 is attached to the first support frame 28 while maintaining a fixed distance above the second support frame 29.

[0038] Furthermore, two reinforcing members 30J extending diagonally downward from the frame body 30A are detachably attached using fasteners 30K such as bolts between the front end of the frame body 30A, which forms the front side of the battery frame 27, and the left and right front legs 30B. Furthermore, similar to the frame body 28A of the first support frame 28, the frame body 30A of the third support frame 30 has a plurality of bolt holes 30L formed at intervals in the front-rear direction for attaching the battery modules 35.

[0039] The fourth support frame 31 includes a rectangular frame body 31A extending in the front-to-rear direction, left and right front legs 31B disposed at the front end of the frame body 31A, and left and right rear legs 31C disposed at the rear end of the frame body 31A. The left and right front legs 31B are fixed at their upper ends to the frame body 31A and extend vertically downward. A flat lower mounting flange 31D is provided at the lower end of each of the left and right front legs 31B, and a flat upper mounting flange 31E is provided at the upper end of each of the left and right front legs 31B. The left and right rear legs 31C are fixed at their upper ends to the frame body 31A and extend vertically downward. A flat lower mounting flange 31F is provided at the lower end of each of the left and right rear legs 31C, and a flat upper mounting flange 31G is provided at the upper end of each of the left and right rear legs 31C.

[0040] Lower mounting flanges 31D provided on the left and right front legs 31B of the fourth support frame 31 are attached to upper mounting flanges 30E provided on the left and right front legs 30B of the third support frame 30 using a plurality of bolts 31H as connecting members. Furthermore, lower mounting flanges 31F provided on the left and right rear legs 31C are attached to upper mounting flanges 30G provided on the left and right rear legs 30C of the third support frame 30 using a plurality of bolts 31H. In this way, the fourth support frame 31 is attached to the third support frame 30 with a fixed spacing maintained.

[0041] Furthermore, two reinforcing members 31J extending diagonally downward from the frame body 31A are detachably attached using fasteners 31K such as bolts between the front end of the frame body 31A, which forms the front side of the battery frame 27, and the left and right front legs 31B. Furthermore, similar to the frame body 28A of the first support frame 28, the frame body 31A of the fourth support frame 31 has a plurality of bolt holes 31L formed at intervals in the front-rear direction for attaching the battery modules 35.

[0042] As described above, the battery frame 27 includes a first support frame 28, a second support frame 29, a third support frame 30, and a fourth support frame 31 stacked vertically. The second support frame 29 is detachably stacked on the first support frame 28 using bolts 29B and the like, and the third support frame 30 is detachably stacked on the second support frame 29 using bolts 30H. The fourth support frame 31 is detachably stacked on the third support frame 30 using bolts 31H. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8 , for example, battery modules 35 can be attached to the first support frame 28, the second support frame 29, the third support frame 30, and the fourth support frame 31, respectively. In this state, the first support frame 28, the second support frame 29, the third support frame 30, and the fourth support frame 31 can be stacked in this order to efficiently assemble the entire battery device 26.

[0043] A first opening 32 is formed between the first support frame 28 and the second support frame 29. The first opening 32 has a left-right opening 32A for inserting and removing the battery module 35 in the left-right direction and a front-rear opening 32B for inserting and removing the battery module 35 in the front-rear direction. The front side of the front-rear opening 32B is closed by a reinforcing member 28G attached to the first support frame 28. A second opening 33 is formed between the second support frame 29 and the third support frame 30. The second opening 33 has a left-right opening 33A for inserting and removing the battery module 35 in the left-right direction and a front-rear opening 33B for inserting and removing the battery module 35 in the front-rear direction. The front side of the front-rear opening 33B is closed by a reinforcing member 30J attached to the third support frame 30. A third opening 34 is formed between the third support frame 30 and the fourth support frame 31. The third opening 34 has a left-right opening 34A for inserting and removing the battery module 35 in the left-right direction, and a front-rear opening 34B for inserting and removing the battery module 35 in the front-rear direction. The front side of the front-rear opening 34B is closed by a reinforcing member 31J attached to the fourth support frame 31.

[0044] The plurality of battery modules 35 are each detachably attached to the battery frame 27. For example, five battery modules 35 are detachably attached to each of the first support frame 28, the second support frame 29, the third support frame 30, and the fourth support frame 31. Each battery module 35 is made of rechargeable batteries such as lithium-ion batteries and is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped block extending in the left-right direction. These plurality of battery modules 35 supply power to electrical devices such as the electric motor 25 for traveling.

[0045] Brackets 35A are fixed to the lower ends of both the left and right sides of the battery modules 35, and bolts 35B are inserted into the brackets 35A. The five battery modules 35 are detachably attached to the first support frame 28 by threading the bolts 35B into, for example, bolt holes 28Q of the first support frame 28. Similarly, five battery modules 35 are detachably attached to each of the second support frame 29, the third support frame 30, and the fourth support frame 31 using the bolts 35B.

[0046] 8 , the battery device 26 is assembled by attaching five battery modules 35 to each of the first support frame 28, second support frame 29, third support frame 30, and fourth support frame 31 that constitute the battery frame 27. Then, the front overhang plate 28J and the rear overhang plate 28N of the first support frame 28 are attached to the front bracket 17 and the rear bracket 18 of the vehicle body frame 5 via vibration-isolating mounts (not shown), respectively. In this state, the second support frame 29 is attached to the first support frame 28, the third support frame 30 is attached to the second support frame 29, and the second support frame 29 is attached to the third support frame 30, thereby assembling the battery device 26.

[0047] As another method for assembling the battery device 26, first, the front overhang plate 28J and the rear overhang plate 28N of the first support frame 28 are attached to the front bracket 17 and the rear bracket 18 of the vehicle body frame 5 via vibration-isolating mounts (not shown), respectively. In this state, as shown in FIG. 9 , five battery modules 35 are attached to the first support frame 28, and then the second support frame 29 is attached to the first support frame 28, and the five battery modules 35 are attached to the second support frame 29. After the five battery modules 35 are attached to the second support frame 29, the third support frame 30 is attached to the second support frame 29. Then, after the five battery modules 35 are attached to the third support frame 30, the fourth support frame 31 is attached to the third support frame 30, and the five battery modules 35 are attached to the fourth support frame 31, thereby assembling the battery device 26.

[0048] In this manner, a large-capacity battery device 26 is assembled, in which five battery modules 35 are attached to each of the first support frame body 28, second support frame body 29, third support frame body 30, and fourth support frame body 31 that constitute the battery frame 27. The battery device 26 is mounted on the front side of the body frame 5, disposed between the left frame 6 and right frame 7 that constitute the body frame 5 (see FIG. 3 ). As a result, a total of 20 battery modules 35 can be compactly mounted on the body frame 5 while being aggregated in a single battery frame 27. Furthermore, by disposing the battery frame 27 between the left frame 6 and right frame 7 of the body frame 5, the battery device 26, which is a heavy object, can be mounted in the center of the body frame 5 in the lateral direction while minimizing its mounting position in the height direction. As a result, the stability of the dump truck 1 during travel can be improved.

[0049] Here, a first opening 32 is formed between the first support frame 28 and the second support frame 29 that constitute the battery frame 27, a second opening 33 is formed between the second support frame 29 and the third support frame 30, and a third opening 34 is formed between the third support frame 30 and the fourth support frame 31. The first opening 32, the second opening 33, and the third opening 34 each have left-right openings 32A, 33A, and 34A and front-rear openings 32B, 33B, and 34B. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 10 , by removing the bolts 35B of a battery module 35 attached to the second support frame 29, a single battery module 35 can be inserted or removed from the battery frame 27 in the left-right direction through the left-right opening 33A of the second opening 33. Similarly, the battery module 35 attached to the third support frame 30 can be taken in and out independently in the left-right direction through the third opening 34 (left-right opening 34A), and the battery module 35 attached to the fourth support frame 31 can be taken in and out independently in the left-right direction. Therefore, even if one of the multiple battery modules 35 fails, for example, the failed battery module 35 can be individually removed from the battery frame 27 and replaced with a new battery module 35.

[0050] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11 , for example, the reinforcing member 30J provided between the frame main body 30A and the left and right front legs 30B of the third support frame body 30 is removed to open the front-rear opening 33B of the second opening 33. This allows the battery module 35 attached to the second support frame body 29 to be individually inserted and removed from the battery frame 27 in the front-rear direction through the front-rear opening 33B. Here, the battery frame 27 is disposed between the left frame 6 and the right frame 7 of the vehicle body frame 5. Therefore, it is difficult to insert and remove the battery module 35 that faces the left support column 12 of the left frame 6 and the right support column 13 of the right frame 7 in the left-right direction from the battery frame 27 in the left-right direction. In this case, with the reinforcing member 30J removed, the multiple battery modules 35 attached to the second support frame body 29 are sequentially removed forward. This allows, for example, removal of a faulty battery module 35 and installation of a replacement battery module 35.

[0051] The reactor 36 is located below the deck 22 and mounted on the body frame 5. The reactor 36 is electrically connected between the battery device 26 and a converter 39 (described later), and includes an LC filter for removing high-frequency noise and a circuit breaker for protecting the battery device 26. The reactor 36 is adjacent to the rear side of the battery device 26, and is disposed between the left frame 6 and the right frame 7 and attached to the body frame 5.

[0052] The hydraulic pump drive motor 37 is located rearward of the reactor 36 and is mounted on the body frame 5. The hydraulic pump 38 is located rearward of the hydraulic pump drive motor 37 and is mounted on the body frame 5. The hydraulic pump drive motor 37 is an electric motor, and drives the hydraulic pump 38 with electric power from the battery device 26. As a result, hydraulic oil is supplied from the hydraulic pump 38 to hydraulic equipment such as the hoist cylinder 20.

[0053] The converter 39 is mounted on the body frame 5 and is located between the right front wheel 3 and rear wheel 4. The converter 39 is a DC / DC converter and converts the voltage of the DC power supplied from the battery device 26 to the electric motor 25 for traveling. The control cabinet 40 is mounted on the upper side of the deck 22, next to the right side of the cab 23. The control cabinet 40 is configured to include an inverter and the like that control the electric motor 25 for traveling.

[0054] The hydraulic oil tank 41 is attached to the left frame 6, which is the opposite side of the right frame 7 to which the converter 39 is attached, out of the left frame 6 and right frame 7 that make up the body frame 5. The hydraulic oil tank 41 is attached to the left frame 6 and is located between the left front wheel 3 and rear wheel 4, and stores hydraulic oil to be supplied to hydraulic equipment such as the hoist cylinder 20 mounted on the body frame 5.

[0055] The left radiator 42 and the right radiator 43 are located below the deck 22 and mounted on the front end side of the body frame 5. The left radiator 42 and the right radiator 43 are connected to a refrigerant passage (not shown) provided in the battery device 26 or the like, and exchange heat with the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant passage by a refrigerant pump 44.

[0056] 4 , the left-right distance A between the left radiator 42 and the right radiator 43 is set to be larger than the left-right length B of the battery device 26. Specifically, a left-right distance B1 is formed between the right end of the left radiator 42 and the left end of the battery device 26, and between the left end of the right radiator 43 and the right end of the battery device 26. Therefore, the battery modules 35 constituting the battery device 26 can be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction relative to the battery frame 27 without being obstructed by the left radiator 42 and the right radiator 43.

[0057] The current collector 45 is provided on a pantograph support 46 mounted on the front end of the body frame 5 (see FIG. 1). The current collector 45 collects electric power from a trolley overhead line (not shown) installed along the travel path of the dump truck 1 in a mine or the like, and supplies the power to the electric motor 25 for traveling, the battery device 26, etc. The current collector 45 has a pantograph 47 provided so as to be extendable and contractible between the pantograph support 46 and the trolley overhead line, and a current collector shoe 47A that comes into sliding contact with the trolley overhead line as the pantograph 47 extends.

[0058] The dump truck 1 according to this embodiment has the configuration described above, and the following describes the operation of transporting minerals mined in a mine using the dump truck 1.

[0059] The dump truck 1 loads minerals mined by a hydraulic excavator onto a loading platform 19 in a loading area, transports the minerals to a dumping area located away from the loading area, and dumps them. Generally, the loading area and the dumping area are flat roads, and the dumping area is set at a higher position than the loading area. Therefore, the travel path from the loading area to the dumping area is an uphill road. When traveling on an uphill road, for example, the dump truck 1 drives the traveling electric motor 25 with power from the trolley overhead line. When traveling on a road without a trolley overhead line, such as a flat road, the dump truck 1 drives the traveling electric motor 25 with power from the battery device 26.

[0060] First, the dump truck 1 loads minerals excavated by a hydraulic excavator (not shown) onto the loading platform 19 in a loading area. The loading area is usually located on a flat road that does not require a large amount of power. Therefore, the electric motor 25 for traveling is driven by power from the battery device 26, and the dump truck 1 travels on the flat road within the loading area.

[0061] When the dump truck 1 travels uphill from the loading area to the soil dumping area, the pantograph 47 of the current collector 45 provided at the front end of the body frame 5 is extended, and the current collector shoe 47A of the pantograph 47 is brought into sliding contact with the trolley wire installed on the uphill road. As a result, the electric motor 25 for traveling is driven by power from the trolley wire, and the dump truck 1 travels uphill toward the soil dumping area.

[0062] When the dump truck 1 traveling on an uphill road reaches the dumping area, which is a flat road, the dump truck 1 travels within the dumping area using power from the battery device 26. When the dump truck 1 reaches the dumping area, the hydraulic pump drive motor 37 drives the hydraulic pump 38, and the pressure oil discharged from the hydraulic pump 38 extends the hoist cylinder 20. This causes the loading platform 19 to tilt about the connecting pin 19A, allowing the minerals loaded on the loading platform 19 to be discharged into the dumping area.

[0063] After the minerals loaded on the loading platform 19 have been discharged into the dumping area, the dump truck 1 travels toward the loading area to load new minerals. Because the dumping area is located higher than the loading area, the travel route from the dumping area to the loading area is a downhill road. Because a large amount of power is not required on the downhill road, the electric motor 25 for travel is driven by power from the battery device 26, and the dump truck 1 travels downhill toward the loading area.

[0064] In this way, the dump truck 1 travels between the loading area and the dumping area while appropriately selecting the power from the trolley overhead line and the power from the battery device 26 depending on the road surface on which it is traveling. The dump truck 1 then repeats the operation of transporting the minerals loaded onto the loading platform 19 in the loading area to the dumping area and discharging them into the dumping area.

[0065] The battery device 26 according to this embodiment is configured by attaching five battery modules 35 to each of a first support frame 28, a second support frame 29, a third support frame 30, and a fourth support frame 31 that constitute a battery frame 27. This allows a large number of battery modules 35 to be mounted on the front side of the body frame 5 (between the left frame 6 and the right frame 7) in a state where they are aggregated into a single battery frame 27. This makes it possible to reduce the space occupied by the battery modules 35 in the body frame 5, and ensure a large space for attaching on-board devices other than the battery modules 35 (such as a reactor 36, a hydraulic pump drive motor 37, and a hydraulic pump 38) to the body frame 5.

[0066] In this case, the front legs 28B of the first support frame body 28 are attached to the front brackets 17 of the body frame 5 via left and right front overhang plates 28J at positions further to the side than the left and right ends (left and right front vertical legs 28D) of the battery frame 27. This allows a large left-right distance to be secured between the attachment portions of the front legs 28B of the battery frame 27 and the body frame 5. Furthermore, the rear legs 28C of the first support frame body 28 are attached to the rear brackets 18 of the body frame 5 via left and right rear overhang plates 28N on the rear end side of the battery frame 27. This allows a large distance to be secured between the attachment portions of the front legs 28B of the battery frame 27 and the body frame 5 and the attachment portions of the rear legs 28C of the battery frame 27 and the body frame 5. As a result, even if the body frame 5 vibrates in the left-right direction (rolling) or the front-to-back direction (pitching) while the dump truck 1 is traveling, the rigidity of the battery frame 27 against these vibrations can be increased, allowing the battery device 26 to be stably supported.

[0067] Furthermore, a first opening 32 is formed between the first support frame 28 and the second support frame 29 that constitute the battery frame 27, a second opening 33 is formed between the second support frame 29 and the third support frame 30, and a third opening 34 is formed between the third support frame 30 and the fourth support frame 31. The first opening 32, the second opening 33, and the third opening 34 each have left-right openings 32A, 33A, and 34A and front-rear openings 32B, 33B, and 34B. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10 , for example, by removing the bolts 35B of a battery module 35 attached to the second support frame 29, a single battery module 35 can be inserted or removed from the battery frame 27 in the left-right direction through the left-right opening 33A of the second opening 33. Similarly, the battery module 35 attached to the third support frame body 30 can be inserted and removed individually in the left-right direction through the left-right opening 34A of the third opening 34, and the battery module 35 attached to the fourth support frame body 31 can be inserted and removed individually in the left-right direction.

[0068] 11 , for example, by removing the reinforcing member 30J provided between the frame main body 30A and the left and right front legs 30B of the third support frame body 30, the battery module 35 attached to the second support frame body 29 can be independently inserted and removed in the front-rear direction relative to the battery frame 27 through the front-rear direction opening 33B of the second opening 33. Similarly, by removing the reinforcing member 28G from the first support frame body 28, the battery module 35 attached to the first support frame body 28 can be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction through the first opening 32 (front-rear direction opening 32B). Furthermore, by removing the reinforcing member 31J from the fourth support frame body 31, the battery module 35 attached to the fourth support frame body 31 can be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction through the third opening 34 (front-rear direction opening 34B).

[0069] In this way, the multiple battery modules 35 can be individually inserted into and removed from the battery frame 27 through the first opening 32, the second opening 33, the third opening 34, etc., provided in the battery frame 27. Therefore, even if one of the multiple battery modules 35 constituting the battery device 26 fails, it is possible to individually remove only the failed battery module 35 from the battery frame 27 and replace it with a new battery module 35 without disassembling the battery frame 27.

[0070] In this case, a left radiator 42 and a right radiator 43 are mounted on the front end of the body frame 5. The left radiator 42 and the right radiator 43 are connected to refrigerant passages (not shown) provided in the battery device 26 or the like and exchange heat with the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant passages. However, the left-right distance A between the left radiator 42 and the right radiator 43 is set to be larger than the left-right length dimension B of the battery device 26 (see FIG. 4). This allows the battery modules 35 that make up the battery device 26 to be inserted and removed from the battery frame 27 in the front-rear direction without being obstructed by the left radiator 42 and the right radiator 43.

[0071] Thus, the dump truck 1 according to the embodiment includes a body frame 5 to which the front wheels 3 and the rear wheels 4 are attached, an electric motor 25 that drives the rear wheels 4, and a battery device 26 that is mounted on the body frame 5 and supplies power to the electric motor 25. The battery device 26 includes a battery frame 27 that has a plurality of support frames (a first support frame 28, a second support frame 29, a third support frame 30, and a fourth support frame 31) stacked in the vertical direction and that is attached to the body frame 5, and a plurality of battery modules 35 that are individually attached to each of the plurality of support frames. The vehicle body frame 5 has a left frame 6 and a right frame 7 that extend in the front-rear direction while facing each other with a gap in the left-right direction, the battery frame 27 is attached between the left frame 6 and the right frame 7, and a plurality of battery modules 35 are detachably attached to the plurality of support frame bodies that make up the battery frame 27, and openings (a first opening 32, a second opening 33, a third opening 34) that allow the plurality of battery modules 35 to be inserted into and removed from the battery frame 27 are formed between the plurality of support frame bodies.

[0072] According to this configuration, the multiple battery modules 35 can be mounted on the body frame 5 in a state where they are aggregated in a single battery frame 27. Therefore, the space occupied by the battery modules 35 in the body frame 5 can be reduced, and a large space can be secured for mounting equipment other than the battery modules 35 on the body frame 5. Furthermore, the multiple battery modules 35 can be inserted into and removed from the battery frame 27 through the first opening 32, the second opening 33, the third opening 34, etc. Therefore, even if one of the multiple battery modules 35 fails, only the failed battery module 35 can be individually removed from the battery frame 27 and replaced with a new battery module 35 without disassembling the battery frame 27. Furthermore, since the battery device 26, which is a heavy object, can be mounted in the center of the body frame 5 in the lateral direction, the stability of the dump truck 1 during traveling can be improved.

[0073] In the embodiment, the first opening 32, the second opening 33, and the third opening 34 have left-right openings 32A, 33A, and 34A for inserting and removing the battery module 35 in the left-right direction, and front-rear openings 32B, 33B, and 34B for inserting and removing the battery module 35 in the front-rear direction. With this configuration, the battery module 35 can be inserted and removed through the left-right openings 32A, 33A, and 34A or the front-rear openings 32B, 33B, and 34B of the first opening 32, the second opening 33, and the third opening 34, depending on the mounting position of the battery module 35 relative to the battery frame 27.

[0074] In this embodiment, the plurality of support frame bodies (first support frame body 28, second support frame body 29, third support frame body 30, fourth support frame body 31) constituting the battery frame 27 are provided with front legs 28B, 30B, 31B and rear legs 28C, 30C, 31C that extend in the vertical direction and set the spacing between the plurality of support frame bodies, the front legs 28B are attached to the body frame 5 at positions further to the side than the left and right ends of the battery frame 27, and the rear legs 28C are attached to the body frame 5 on the rear end side of the battery frame 27. With this configuration, a large left-right spacing can be ensured between the attachment portions of the front legs 28B of the battery frame 27 and the body frame 5, and a large spacing can be ensured between the attachment portions of the front legs 28B of the battery frame 27 and the body frame 5 and the attachment portions of the rear legs 28C of the battery frame 27 and the body frame 5. As a result, even if the body frame 5 vibrates left and right or forward and backward when the dump truck 1 is traveling, the rigidity of the battery frame 27 against these vibrations is increased, and the battery device 26 can be stably supported.

[0075] In this embodiment, the plurality of support frames (first support frame 28, second support frame 29, third support frame 30, fourth support frame 31) that make up the battery frame 27 are stacked separably from one another using bolts 29B, 30H, 31H. With this configuration, for example, the entire battery device 26 can be efficiently assembled by stacking the first support frame 28, second support frame 29, third support frame 30, and fourth support frame 31 in a state where battery modules 35 are attached to the first support frame 28, second support frame 29, third support frame 30, and fourth support frame 31, respectively.

[0076] In this embodiment, reinforcing members (28G, 30J, 31J) that reinforce the multiple support frames (first support frame 28, third support frame 30, fourth support frame 31) are detachably attached using fasteners (28H, 30K, 31K) to the front side of the battery frame 27. With this configuration, the first support frame 28, the third support frame 30, and the fourth support frame 31 are reinforced with the reinforcing members 28G, 30J, 31J, thereby increasing the strength of the entire battery frame 27.

[0077] In the embodiment, a left radiator 42 and a right radiator 43 that exchange heat with the refrigerant supplied to the battery device 26 are provided at a distance in the left-right direction on the front end side of the body frame 5, and the distance in the left-right direction between the left radiator 42 and the right radiator 43 is set to be larger than the length of the battery frame 27 in the left-right direction. With this configuration, the battery module 35 can be inserted into or removed from the battery frame 27 in the front-rear direction through the first opening 32, the second opening 33, the third opening 34, etc. of the battery frame 27 without being obstructed by the left radiator 42 and the right radiator 43.

[0078] In the embodiment, the battery device 26 having the battery frame 27 is mounted on the trolley-type dump truck 1 equipped with the current collector 45. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to a dump truck that does not have the current collector 45, for example.

[0079] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the battery frame 27 is exemplified as having support frame bodies stacked in four levels, including a first support frame body 28, a second support frame body 29, a third support frame body 30, and a fourth support frame body 31. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured to use a battery frame having support frame bodies stacked in two levels, three levels, five levels, or more.

[0080] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Dump truck 2 Vehicle body 3 Front wheels 4 Rear wheels 5 Vehicle body frame 6 Left frame 7 Right frame 25 Electric motor 26 Battery device 27 Battery frame 28 First support frame 29 Second support frame 30 Third support frame 31 Fourth support frame 28B, 30B, 31B Front legs 28C, 30C, 31C Rear legs 28G, 30J, 31J Reinforcement members 28H, 30K, 31K Fasteners 29B, 30H, 31H Bolts (connecting members) 32 First opening 33 Second opening 34 Third opening 32A, 33A, 34A Left-right openings 32B, 33B, 34B Front-rear openings 42 Left radiator 43 Right radiator

Claims

1. A dump truck comprising: a body frame to which wheels are attached; an electric motor that drives the wheels; and a battery device that is mounted on the body frame and supplies power to the electric motor, wherein the battery device is configured to include a battery frame having a plurality of support frame bodies stacked in the vertical direction and attached to the body frame, and a plurality of battery modules that are individually attached to each of the plurality of support frame bodies, the body frame has a left frame and a right frame that extend in the front-rear direction and face each other with a gap in the left-right direction, the battery frame is attached between the left frame and the right frame, the plurality of battery modules are each detachably attached to the plurality of support frame bodies that constitute the battery frame, and an opening is formed between the plurality of support frame bodies to allow the plurality of battery modules to be inserted and removed from the battery frame.

2. The dump truck according to claim 1, wherein the opening has a left-right opening for inserting and removing the battery module in the left-right direction, and a front-rear opening for inserting and removing the battery module in the front-rear direction.

3. The dump truck described in claim 1, characterized in that the multiple support frame bodies that make up the battery frame are provided with front and rear legs that extend in the vertical direction and set the spacing between the multiple support frame bodies, the front legs are attached to the vehicle frame at a position further to the side than the left and right ends of the battery frame, and the rear legs are attached to the vehicle frame on the rear end side of the battery frame.

4. A dump truck as described in claim 1, characterized in that the multiple support frame bodies constituting the battery frame are stacked so as to be separable from one another using connecting members.

5. A dump truck as described in claim 1, characterized in that a reinforcing member for reinforcing the plurality of support frames is removably attached to the front side of the battery frame using fasteners.

6. The dump truck described in claim 1, characterized in that a left radiator and a right radiator for exchanging heat with the refrigerant supplied to the battery device are provided at a left-right distance apart on the front end side of the body frame, and the left-right distance between the left radiator and the right radiator is set larger than the left-right length dimension of the battery frame.

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