Construction Machine Charger Rack for Battery Compartment Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited space in the drive compartments of electric construction machines due to large batteries hinders easy access for repairs, servicing, and installation of high-power charging devices, especially in compact designs like zero-tail excavators, which restricts the alignment and routing of components.
Innovation Solution
A console with a drawer guide supports a frame that houses charging interface modules, allowing easy access and modular expansion, with components like charging interface modules, fuse modules, and power distributors, and includes a cooling system for waste heat management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a large battery is installed in the drive compartment, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but the available space for component access and installation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The charging device is segmented into a movable rack that can be pulled out from the drive compartment along drawer guides. This allows the charging interface modules to be accessed and serviced without removing the entire battery assembly, resolving the contradiction between maximizing battery space and maintaining component accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack is designed with movable drawer guides that allow it to be dynamically positioned between a retracted position (maximizing space utilization) and an extended position (improving accessibility for servicing). This dynamic configuration resolves the spatial conflict between battery size and component access.
2Power
If the charging power is increased, then the charging capability is improved, but the installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple charging interface modules are arranged in a nested configuration on the rack, allowing high-power charging components to be compactly integrated within the limited drive compartment space. The modular nested design enables high charging power without proportionally increasing the installation footprint.
3Ease of repair
If components are made accessible for repair, then the ease of servicing is improved, but the compact design is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The rack serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for charging interface modules, acts as a movable access platform for servicing, and functions as part of the grounding system. This multi-functionality achieves ease of repair without adding separate complex mechanisms, thereby avoiding increased design complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawer guide mechanism enables the rack to be easily pulled out and retracted by the operator without requiring additional tools or complex disassembly procedures. This self-service design improves servicing ease while maintaining design simplicity through intuitive, tool-free operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates easy replacement and retrofitting of components, improves accessibility, and allows for adjustable charging power while maintaining a compact design by using a modular frame system with integrated cooling.
Implementation Method 1
waste heat from the energy storage unit and the charging interface modules, which are equipped, for example, with cooling surfaces facing downwards toward the energy storage unit, to be transported out of the drive compartment by means of a shared fan device
Implementation Method 2
components arranged in the frame, such as charging interface modules in particular, can be screwed to the frame during assembly. Grounding cables, sliding contacts, or plug connections can also be provided for this purpose between the components and the frame
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electric construction machine (1) having an electric travel drive and/or electric work unit, having an electrical energy storage device (2) for supplying the construction machine (1) with electrical energy, and having a charging device (3) for charging the energy storage device (2). The charging device (3) is arranged above the electrical energy storage device (2) in a drive compartment (4) which can be closed with a cover (5). In order to create advantageous maintenance conditions, it is proposed that a console (6) be arranged in the drive compartment (4) above the electrical energy storage device (2), said console having a drawer guide (7) for a frame (8) of the charging device (3). The frame (8) may optionally have slide-in guides (9) for charging interface modules (10).