Lateral Lifting Vehicle Layout for Swappable Energy Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side loaders have inflexible drive concepts, limiting their versatility and adaptability to different applications.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle with a lateral lifting device featuring a laterally off-center connecting structure between two axle carriers, allowing for interchangeable energy supply modules such as batteries or internal combustion engines, and an energy supply module receptacle that accommodates different types of energy carriers, enabling easy replacement and automatic detection of module type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed drive concept is used in side loaders, then the vehicle structure can be simplified, but the versatility and adaptability to different applications are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into a modular energy supply module that can be independently removed and replaced. The energy supply module includes the energy carrier (battery or fuel tank), drive unit (electric motor or internal combustion engine), and associated components, allowing the vehicle to be configured for different applications by swapping modules rather than redesigning the entire vehicle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle is designed with a universal mounting structure and receptacle that can accommodate different types of energy supply modules. The off-center connecting structure and standardized receptacle design allow the same vehicle platform to universally accept various energy carriers (batteries of different chemistries, fuel tanks, hydrogen tanks) and drive units, enabling multi-functionality across different application scenarios.
2Loss of time
If an empty battery is replaced with a fully charged one, then vehicle downtime is minimized, but the complexity of the energy supply system increases
Solution Approach 1:
Energy carriers are pre-charged or pre-filled outside the vehicle before being installed in the energy supply module. This preliminary action allows the vehicle to simply swap complete energy supply modules rather than performing charging operations during downtime, dramatically reducing vehicle downtime while the standardized module design keeps the overall system complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy supply module is designed as a self-contained unit with integrated energy carrier, drive unit, and mounting structure. This self-service design allows the entire module to be removed and replaced as a single unit without requiring complex disassembly or reconfiguration, minimizing downtime while avoiding the complexity of managing separate components during the replacement process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different types of energy supply modules are accommodated in the same vehicle, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting structure is deliberately designed to be laterally off-center rather than symmetrically positioned. This asymmetric design creates a distinctive mounting geometry that simplifies the receptacle structure while providing unique positioning features that ensure proper alignment and identification of different energy supply module types, reducing configuration complexity despite accommodating multiple module varieties.
Solution Approach 2:
A control unit serves as an intermediary between the vehicle's control system and the diverse energy supply modules. The control unit automatically detects the type of energy supply module installed, retrieves appropriate configuration parameters, and adjusts vehicle operations accordingly. This intermediary layer enables adaptability to different module types without requiring complex hardwired configurations for each variant.
4Volume of moving object
If the energy supply module is positioned above the axle carriers and connecting structure, then space usage is optimized, but the module design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy supply module utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning itself above the axle carriers and connecting structure rather than extending horizontally. This dimensional change allows the module to occupy otherwise wasted vertical space in the vehicle undercarriage, optimizing overall space usage while the modular design keeps the module itself relatively simple by concentrating components in a compact vertical footprint.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle (1) having a lateral lifting device (2), comprising at least a first axle carrier (3) and a second axle carrier (4), wherein both axle carriers (3, 4) are coupled to each other by means of a laterally eccentricaly arranged connecting structure (5) and wherein the lifting device (2) is arranged in a free space (6) between both axle carriers (3, 4). Furthermore, an energy supply module (23) with an energy carrier (29) is designed for providing drive energy, wherein an energy supply module receptacle (24) is formed, which is used for receiving the energy supply module (23), wherein the energy supply module (23) is exchangeably arranged at the energy supply module receptacle (24). The energy supply module receptacle (24) is designed to receive different types of energy supply modules (23) with different energy carriers (29).