DE102010014095A1 - Vehicle module i.e. trailer module, for e.g. electric car, has energy storage for storing electrical power, and wheels arranged at wheel axle and driven by drive train, where vehicle module is coupled at vehicle front of motor car - Google Patents

Abstract

The module (12) i.e. trailer module (20), has an energy storage (14) for storing electrical power, and wheels arranged at a wheel axle. The vehicle module is coupled at a vehicle front (24) of a motor car (10). An electrical drive train (18) is supplied with energy by the energy storage. The wheels are driven by the electrical drive train. A coupling unit couples or uncouples the vehicle module at the vehicle front. A brake device brakes the wheels of the motor car, and a steering device steers the wheel axle.

Description

The invention relates to a vehicle module for a motor vehicle of the type specified in the preambles of claims 1 and 2. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle with a vehicle module.

It is desirable to provide modern electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles with an electric motor to reduce the amount of pollutants released by conventional internal combustion engines. However, such vehicles are currently only of limited use, since the batteries needed to power the electric motors of the vehicles consume a lot of space, have a large weight and can provide only energy for a specific, limited range of vehicles.

To increase the range of the vehicle, therefore, the comfort for a vehicle occupant must be partially reduced, for example, by eliminating energy-consuming heating or air conditioning of an interior of the vehicle.

It is therefore desirable to provide additional electrical energy for operating the electric motor outside the vehicle and optionally interchangeable.

For example, this describes the DE 41 21 386 A1 a hybrid vehicle with an energy trailer. On this an additional battery can be arranged, by means of which the hybrid vehicle can be supplied with additional electrical energy. As a result, the distance which the hybrid vehicle can travel purely electrically operated, extendable. However, such a trailer is very limited in its application.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a vehicle module for a motor vehicle of the type mentioned, which is further developed and variable usable.

This object is achieved by a vehicle module for a motor vehicle having the features of claim 1, by a vehicle module for a motor vehicle having the features of claim 2, and by a motor vehicle according to claim 10.

Advantageous embodiments with expedient and non-trivial developments of the invention are specified in the remaining claims.

In order to provide a vehicle module for a motor vehicle of the type mentioned in the preamble of patent claim 1, which is further developed and can be used more variably, it is provided according to a first aspect of the invention that the vehicle module can be coupled to the vehicle front of the motor vehicle. As a result, the vehicle module can be used more variably. By arranging on the vehicle front, for example, other design options for both the vehicle module, as well as for the motor vehicle, to which the vehicle module is coupled, conceivable. Special equipment requirements in the respective design can be better taken into account, whereby the perceived value of the vehicle module and the motor vehicle can be increased.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, the vehicle module has at least one electric drive train, which can be supplied with energy by means of the energy store, by means of which the motor vehicle can be driven. As a result, the vehicle module can also be used more variable. For example, it can be used by a motor vehicle which has only an internal combustion engine and no separate electric motor for driving the motor vehicle. In this case, both the battery, and the drive train of the vehicle module for driving the motor vehicle can be used in the purely electrical operation of the motor vehicle.

Advantageously, the vehicle module is designed as a trailer module. This can be particularly easily connected to the motor vehicle or decoupled from this. It is also suitable for coupling to numerous differently designed motor vehicles.

If the vehicle module has at least one wheel which can be driven by means of the electric drive train of the vehicle module, the motor vehicle can be driven in a particularly simple and energy-saving manner by the vehicle module.

It is advantageous that the vehicle module has at least two wheels arranged on a wheel axle. This allows a safe operation of the motor vehicle with the coupled vehicle module.

In a further embodiment, the vehicle module comprises a further wheel which can be brought into at least one support position, in which a motor vehicle load can be supported by the vehicle module in the state coupled to the motor vehicle. As a result, the drive train of the vehicle module can be used in a simple manner for driving the vehicle when the vehicle module is coupled to the motor vehicle. The Vehicle weight is partially absorbed by the wheels of the vehicle module.

In this case, the vehicle module for coupling or for uncoupling on the vehicle front or for coupling or for uncoupling may be formed on the vehicle rear. The user can therefore select the most suitable vehicle module according to his wishes.

In an alternative embodiment, the vehicle module comprises at least two wheel axles, each with two wheels arranged on the wheel axles, wherein the motor vehicle load of the motor vehicle can be supported by the vehicle module in the state coupled to the motor vehicle. As a result, for example, the entire motor vehicle rest on the vehicle module, which is used as a kind of "underbody vehicle module".

Advantageously, the vehicle module comprises at least one braking device for braking the at least one wheel and a steering device for steering the at least one wheel axle. As a result, the vehicle module in the coupled state is simply controlled by the driver of the motor vehicle.

The invention further relates to a motor vehicle with a vehicle module according to the invention.

The motor vehicle comprises at least one coupling means, which corresponds to the coupling means of the vehicle module, for mechanically connecting or disconnecting the vehicle module. Via the at least one coupling means, in addition to the mechanical coupling, an electrical coupling of the motor vehicle to the vehicle module is also made possible. The driver of the motor vehicle with the vehicle module can thereby control the braking device of the vehicle module and the steering device of the vehicle module in a simple manner, for example via the customary facilities of the motor vehicle such as accelerator pedal or brake pedal.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings. These show in:

1 a perspective view of a vehicle module for a motor vehicle, with at least one coupling means for Anbeziehungsweise for uncoupling the vehicle module to or from the motor vehicle, and with at least one energy storage for storing electrical energy, wherein the vehicle module has at least one means of the energy storage with energy supplied electric drive train , by means of which the motor vehicle is drivable, wherein the vehicle module is designed as a trailer module; and

2 a perspective view of another embodiment of a vehicle module for a motor vehicle, with at least one coupling means for coupling or uncoupling of the vehicle module to or from the motor vehicle, and with at least one energy storage for storing electrical energy, wherein the vehicle module at least one means of the energy storage with energy having supplyable electric drive train, by means of which the motor vehicle is driven, wherein the vehicle module comprises a wheel which can be brought into a support position, in which by the vehicle module in the coupled state to the motor vehicle, a motor vehicle load can be supported.

In 1 you recognize a motor vehicle 10 to which a vehicle module 12 by respective, mutually corresponding coupling means 22 of the motor vehicle 10 or the vehicle module 12 is coupled. The vehicle module 12 points as energy storage 14 a battery 16 on. Through this can be an electric drive train 18 of the vehicle module 12 which is in 1 is not shown in detail, with electrical energy for driving the motor vehicle 10 be supplied. The battery 16 can also in a conventional manner, for example, an electric motor of the motor vehicle 10 provide energy.

The vehicle module 12 is here as a trailer module 20 educated. Alternatively to the in 1 illustrated embodiment, in which the vehicle module 12 at the rear of the vehicle 26 of the motor vehicle 10 coupled, it can also be on the vehicle front 24 of the motor vehicle 10 be coupled.

In 2 is another embodiment of the motor vehicle 10 coupled vehicle module 12 shown. This includes two at one in 2 non-visible wheel axle arranged wheels 28 as well as another bike 30 , In the on the motor vehicle 10 coupled state of the vehicle module 12 is the wheel 30 under a subfloor 25 of the vehicle rear 26 of the motor vehicle 10 arranged. It is there as Abstützrad 32 trained and can - be adjusted in height - for example, by an electrically operated spindle. Respective rear wheels 34 of the motor vehicle 10 have in a support position of Abstützrads 32 no more ground contact, so that part of a motor vehicle load of the motor vehicle 10 in the support position of Abstützrads 32 through the vehicle module 12 worn.

By means of the battery 16 of the vehicle module 12 becomes the powertrain 18 of the vehicle module 12 energized, with the wheels 28 and / or the Abstützrad 32 through the drive train 18 are driven. This will both the battery 16 , as well as the powertrain 18 of the vehicle module 12 for driving the motor vehicle 12 used.

Through the coupling agent 22 is the vehicle module 12 with the motor vehicle 10 also electrically coupled. This allows a safe and comfortable operation of the motor vehicle 10 with the connected vehicle module 12 be guaranteed. All functions of the vehicle module 12 are from the motor vehicle 10 off controllable.

For example, by means of an in 2 unrecognizable accelerator pedal and an unrecognizable brake pedal of the motor vehicle 10 the powertrain 18 of the vehicle module 12 for driving the motor vehicle 10 or a suitably designed braking device 36 of the vehicle module 12 for braking the wheels 28 be easily controlled using the electrical coupling.

Also in 2 illustrated vehicle module 12 can alternatively at the vehicle front 24 to be ordered. For this purpose, for example, additionally in the vehicle module 12 a steering device be provided by means of which then the wheels 28 of the vehicle module 12 by means of a steering wheel of the motor vehicle 10 can be steered, since in this embodiment, both front wheels 40 of the motor vehicle 10 in the support position of the Abstützrades 32 have no ground contact.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that the vehicle module 12 in addition to the wheel axle with the two wheels 28 a further wheel axle with two other, arranged at this wheels comprises. The vehicle module 12 is then as a kind of "underbody vehicle module" below the subsoil 25 of the motor vehicle 10 arranged. Im at the motor vehicle 10 coupled state of the vehicle module 12 then lies the entire motor vehicle 10 on the vehicle module 12 on. This also includes the braking device 36 and the steering device for braking and steering of the motor vehicle 10 with the connected vehicle module 12 ,

For all illustrated and also further conceivable embodiments of the vehicle module 12 it is envisaged that this by the coupling agent 22 at any time from the motor vehicle 10 can be decoupled. The battery 16 may include different amounts of electrical energy, for example, depending on the desired route, which the motor vehicle 10 should be able to travel purely electrically operated. When the battery 16 is empty, can the power module 12 simply by another vehicle module 12 with charged battery 16 be replaced. The empty battery 16 of the decoupled vehicle module 12 can then be at rest - for example, on a charging device for the battery 16 , which via a plug device 38 the battery 16 can be coupled - be charged electrically.

Indicates the motor vehicle 10 an electric motor, so can further by means of the battery 16 of the vehicle module 12 in a known manner, the range of the motor vehicle 10 be increased by electrical energy to supply the electric motor of the motor vehicle 10 provided.

Also, a motor vehicle having only an internal combustion engine 10 can with the help of the coupled vehicle module 12 be operated purely electrically. This is advantageous if the operation of the internal combustion engine, for example, for environmental reasons in certain areas or at certain times is not desirable. Also, for example, in a malfunction of the internal combustion engine, it is by the vehicle module 12 possible, the motor vehicle 10 continue to drive electrically.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

motor vehicle

12

vehicle module

14

energy storage

16

battery

18

powertrain

20

trailer module

22

coupling agent

24

vehicle front

25

underbody

26

vehicle rear

28

wheel

30

wheel

32

support wheel

34

rear wheel

36

braking means

38

Plug means

40

front

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 4121386 A1 [0005]

Claims (10)

Vehicle module ( 12 ) for a motor vehicle ( 10 ), with at least one coupling agent ( 22 ) for connecting or disconnecting the vehicle module ( 12 ) to or from the motor vehicle ( 10 ), and with at least one energy store ( 14 ) for storing electrical energy, characterized in that the vehicle module ( 12 ) on the vehicle front ( 24 ) of the motor vehicle ( 10 ) can be coupled. Vehicle module ( 12 ) for a motor vehicle ( 10 ), with at least one coupling agent ( 22 ) for connecting or disconnecting the vehicle module ( 12 ) to or from the motor vehicle ( 10 ), and with at least one energy store ( 14 ) for storing electrical energy, characterized in that the vehicle module ( 12 ) at least one by means of the energy store ( 14 ) power-supplied electric drive train ( 18 ), by means of which the motor vehicle ( 10 ) is drivable. Vehicle module ( 12 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that the vehicle module ( 12 ) as a trailer module ( 20 ) is trained. Vehicle module ( 12 ) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the vehicle module ( 12 ) at least one wheel ( 28 ), which by means of the drive train ( 18 ) of the vehicle module is drivable. Vehicle module ( 12 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that the vehicle module ( 12 ) at least two wheels arranged on a wheel axle ( 28 ) having. Vehicle module ( 12 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that the vehicle module ( 12 ) another wheel ( 30 ), which can be brought into at least one support position, in which by the vehicle module ( 12 ) in which the motor vehicle ( 10 ) coupled state a motor vehicle load can be supported. Vehicle module ( 12 ) according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the vehicle module ( 12 ) for coupling or uncoupling at the vehicle front ( 24 ) or for coupling or decoupling at the rear of the vehicle ( 26 ) is trained. Vehicle module ( 12 ) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the vehicle module ( 12 ) at least two wheel axles, each with two arranged on the wheel axles wheels ( 28 ), wherein by the vehicle module ( 12 ) in which the motor vehicle ( 10 ) coupled state the motor vehicle load of the motor vehicle ( 10 ) is supportable. Vehicle module ( 12 ) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the vehicle module ( 12 ) at least one braking device ( 36 ) for braking the at least one wheel ( 28 ) and a steering device for steering the at least one wheel axle. Motor vehicle ( 10 ) with a vehicle module ( 12 ) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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