DE102012205414B3 - Electrically powered vehicle has removable traction battery that is arranged in underbody-sided constructed space, where transmission unit is provided for fixed interlocking of traction battery in underbody-sided constructed space - Google Patents

Abstract

The electrically powered vehicle has a removable traction battery that is arranged in an underbody-sided constructed space (1), where a transmission unit (2) is provided for fixed interlocking of the traction battery in the underbody-sided constructed space. The transmission unit has a tool interface, at which an actuating tool arranged outside the vehicle is engaged through a hole (5) arranged in the vehicle base to fix or to loose the traction battery. A seal is provided for underbody-side sealing of the hole and is made from silicone.

Description

The invention relates to an electrically driven vehicle having a removable traction battery arranged in a compartment-side installation space of the vehicle.

In the course of the scarcity of fossil fuels and increased pollutant pollution by an increasing individual traffic worldwide, the search for alternative drive concepts for internal combustion engines is gaining in importance. Electrically powered motor vehicles promise to significantly improve the ecological balance, especially if the primary energy used for their operation is of a regenerative nature.

However, a nationwide collection of electrically powered vehicles are still the high cost of the energy storage required battery and their limited storage capacity and their compared to a refueling long charging time. The currently available battery technology does not allow the energy density of fossil fuels, so the range of purely electrically driven vehicles can not meet the needs of many consumers.

However, one approach for upgrading electrically operated vehicles for long-distance traffic are battery replacement systems. Such is for example off US2009082957A1 known. After that vehicles are equipped with replaceable batteries, which can be exchanged in a nationwide network of battery changing stations for fully charged batteries, as soon as their state of charge requires it. For this purpose, charged in the battery changing station batteries are kept in stock. Compared to a charging process, the change process takes much less time. The removed from the vehicle empty battery is then reloaded in the battery replacement station and is available to another vehicle for further exchange.

In such a model, the driver does not purchase the expensive traction battery, which significantly reduces the initial investment for an electric vehicle. Rather, for example, the operator of the changing station or another service provider owner of the battery, which in turn can finance through appropriate user fees.

The operation of electric vehicles with replaceable batteries requires not only an appropriate infrastructure at battery changing stations, but also suitable structural elements in the vehicle, which allow rapid battery replacement and ensure secure fixation of the traction battery in the vehicle.

From the US20100071979A1 a battery replacement system is known in which the traction battery is mounted in a frame construction. On the vehicle there are four snap locks, which are actuated by also mounted on the vehicle electric motors and various transmission components. The snap levers each engage with a bolt attached to the battery to lift the battery from the vehicle underbody side into the vehicle and fix it there.

The US 2012/0040219 A1 describes a fastening system for a battery pack and a method for fixing them in a receptacle of an underbody space of a vehicle with a stationary lock that can be solved or fixed by means of a tool.

The WO 2012/035254 A1 shows a motor vehicle with a battery and a passage of a connection element of the battery to the power supply.

The publication Prechter + Renner: Cable connections + cable protection, issue 12/02, pages 58-60 shows various membrane feedthrough elements for the passage of cables, cables and pipes.

The DE 10 2007 021 341 A1 describes a closure element for permanent self-closing a hole in a lightweight panel.

In the filed by the applicant, not previously published German patent application, with the official file number 10 2012 202 163.9 a device for fixing removable batteries in electric vehicles is described which has an actuated from the vehicle underbody lever actuator. The lever actuator described here is purely passive nature. That is, the torque required to lift and fix the traction battery is introduced by an external actuator, which is in particular part of the battery replacement station, the bottom side in the lever actuator. For this purpose, the lever actuator must have a tool interface that is accessible from the bottom side of the battery changing station. Such an interface can naturally lead to contamination or moisture can penetrate the bottom side in the space provided for receiving the traction battery space.

The invention is therefore based on the object, a structurally simple and protected against environmental influences concept for electric to provide powered vehicles with replaceable traction battery.

This object is achieved by an electrically driven vehicle having the features according to claim 1. Such a vehicle comprises an exchangeable conventional traction battery arranged in an underbody space of the vehicle and a gear unit for stationary locking of the traction battery in the compartment-side installation space, the transmission unit having a tool interface to which an actuating tool arranged outside the vehicle engages through a hole arranged in the vehicle underbody can to loosen or fix the traction battery. According to the invention, this arrangement is designed such that the actuating tool can be guided through a hole arranged in the vehicle underbody and that a seal is provided for bottom sealing of the hole, wherein the seal has a sealing slot which can be pushed by the actuating tool and wherein the seal has an elasticity has, which causes a closing of the sealing slot after removal of the actuating tool.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

The vehicle according to the invention comprises at least one gear unit, preferably four, which is or are fixedly accommodated in the vehicle chassis. The gear unit serves to lock the traction battery in the installed state. By an external intervention of a battery changing station, the transmission unit can be operated. For this purpose, an actuating tool is necessary, which is not attached to the vehicle chassis. Rather, the operating tool is an element of the battery changing station. This has the advantage that such a possibly difficult and costly tool does not have to be carried in the vehicle and therefore does not increase the cost of the vehicle.

The tool interface of the transmission unit is accessible from the vehicle underbody side. It is thus for each gear unit, which is provided in the vehicle for fixing the traction battery, a hole in the vehicle underbody side. Through this hole, the operating tool penetrates into the compartment-side space of the vehicle to operate the gear unit. By transmitting torque from the operating tool to the gear unit, the traction battery can be released or fixed.

When driving, the hole must be sealed against external environmental influences such as splashing water, dirt or snow. For this purpose, a seal is provided on the bottom side, which can be penetrated by the actuating tool similar to a membrane and closes automatically after removal of the actuating tool. This functionality is achieved in that the seal has a sealing slot which can be pushed by the actuating element, wherein the seal has such an elasticity that it automatically returns to its initial state after the removal of the actuating tool.

Thus, the invention is based on the finding that the membrane principle known from honey or ketchup bottles can be adapted in an extremely advantageous manner for sealing said tool interface. In the case of honey or ketchup bottles, a self-closing silicone spout ensures that the medium stored in the bottles can flow out under overpressure, but at the same time, when the overpressure is removed, the contents are closed again automatically and without external influences. In the application of this sealing principle according to the invention in an electrically driven vehicle with replaceable traction battery, the insertion of the actuating tool for automatic opening of the seal, while the removal of the actuating tool causes the self-closing due to the elasticity of the seal.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the seal is made of silicone. As a result, the necessary elasticity for self-reclosing of the seal after removal of the actuating tool is ensured.

A simple tool interface is in an advantageous embodiment of the invention characterized in that it is designed as an internal or external hexagon profile.

An alternative and equally advantageous embodiment of the invention, however, is characterized in that the tool interface is designed as a Torx profile.

Furthermore, a development of the invention is advantageous in which the tool interface is designed as a triangular profile. Such, compared to the aforementioned profiles less common tool interface provides some protection against improper operation of the gear unit.

• – eine Spindel mit einem Spindelkopf umfasst, wobei der Spindelkopf die Werkzeugschnittstelle aufweist,
• – eine mit der Spindel formschlüssig verbundene, in Richtung der Spindelachse bewegliche und drehfest gelagerte Gewindemutter und
• – einen drehbar gelagerten Hebel, dessen Kraftarm mit der Gewindemutter unmittelbar verbunden ist derart, dass eine Bewegung der Gewindemutter in Richtung der Spindelachse eine Schwenkbewegung des Hebels in seinem Angelpunkt bewirkt,

aufweist und wobei die Traktionsbatterie ein Haltemittel aufweist, in das der Hebel während der Schwenkbewegung eingreifen kann, um die Traktionsbatterie im Fahrzeug zu fixieren.The fixation of the traction battery succeeds in a particularly simple, reliable and cost-effective manner in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, wherein the transmission unit

• A spindle with a spindle head, the spindle head having the tool interface,
• - One with the spindle positively connected, movable in the direction of the spindle axis and rotatably mounted threaded nut and
• A rotatably mounted lever whose power arm is directly connected to the threaded nut such that movement of the threaded nut in the direction of the spindle axis causes pivotal movement of the lever at its pivot,

and wherein the traction battery has a holding means, in which the lever can engage during the pivoting movement, to fix the traction battery in the vehicle.

The actuation of the spindle is done by an external drive, which is assigned to a battery changing station. This allows the vehicle or battery side built-in device for changing the battery can be made significantly cheaper. The external drive engages the spindle head to transmit its drive torque to the spindle and to set it in a rotational movement about the spindle axis. This rotational movement is converted in the mentioned advantageous embodiment of the invention in a translational movement of the rotatably mounted on the spindle nut. The direction of movement of the threaded nut depends on the direction of rotation of the spindle and is always oriented in the direction of the spindle axis. Immediately in contact with the nut is the pivoting lever. Immediately means in this context that between the threaded nut and the lever no further, extending in the direction of the lever arms force or torque transmitting, articulated connected to the lever and / or the threaded nut components are arranged.

The lever undergoes a rotational movement about its suspension point during the translational movement of the threaded nut - that is, its pivot point. In order to lift the battery into the vehicle, the load arm of the lever engages in the holding means and thus converts the pivoting movement of the lever into a translatory movement of the traction battery into the compartment-side installation space. Particularly simple, the holding means designed in an advantageous embodiment of the invention as a bolt. This can be grasped by the lever when lifting, lifted and braced. For this purpose, the lever preferably has a blade-like functional contour in the region of its load arm.

A particularly secure fixation of the traction battery in the compartment-side space of the vehicle succeeds in an advantageous embodiment of the invention in that the vehicle has four of said transmission units, each with one of said seals. Accordingly, the traction battery comprises arranged at corresponding locations to the gear units holding means, preferably in the form of bolts.

In the following the invention with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the figures will be described and explained in more detail.

Show it:

1 a battery tray and an underbody space of an electrically driven vehicle for receiving the battery trough,

2 the battery tray after 1 when installed,

3 a view of one side of the lower-level installation space,

4 a side view of the battery trough,

5 a side view of the built-in in the bottom space space battery tray,

6 an embodiment of a tool interface according to the invention and a seal in sectional view and plan view,

7 a sectional view of the tool interface and the seal after 6 in an actuated state

8th an embodiment of the transmission device according to the invention in a first lever position and

9 the embodiment according to 6 in a second lever position.

For identical or equivalent elements of the invention, identical reference numerals are used.

1 shows a battery tray 16 and an underbody space 1 an electrically powered vehicle for receiving the battery trough 16 , For the sake of simplicity, the representation of the vehicle is here on its lower-side space 1 reduced to accommodate the traction battery. At the bottom-side space 1 are on the long sides of each two gear units 2 for lifting and fixing the battery trough 16 shown. The gear units 2 include (see this 3 to 5 ) a spindle 8th , one with the spindle 8th positively connected and rotatably mounted threaded nut, and connected to the threaded nut, a pivotable lever 11 , The gear unit 2 is referred to as passive because it itself has no motor drive for their operation. Details about the here proposed Aktorik are in the 8th and 9 explained in more detail.

The gear units 2 are operated vertically from the underbody side with a suitable tool. In the battery tray 16 are holes 5 provided by which the tool can be inserted to a head of the spindle 8th in the compartment-side space 1 to grab and on this one generated by an electric motor torque on the spindle 8th transferred to. Tool and electric motor are arranged in a changing station, in which the vehicle enters for a battery change. Accordingly, these components do not need to be carried on board the vehicle, thereby saving costs and space.

By turning the spindle 8th With the spindle driven levers pull the battery 16 in the installation space 1 one, so that the in 2 shown state results.

3 shows a view on one side of the bottom-side space 1 , where no battery 16 is installed. Accordingly, they are located on the spindle 8th over the threaded nut attached lever 11 in a relaxed state. The installation space 1 also includes four shots 17 for on the battery 16 correspondingly arranged guide pins 20 (please refer 4 ) as well as a socket 19 , which are for inclusion of in 4 illustrated plug 18 are provided. Rifle 19 and plugs 18 cause the electrical connection between the battery and the vehicle. The electrical connection system contacts both the power cables and signal lines, which transmit state signals from the battery to an in-vehicle controller, thus enabling condition monitoring of the battery, for example.

4 shows a side view of the battery 16 , In addition to the elements already mentioned are on two opposite side surfaces in each case in the vicinity of the corners and just above the surface facing the ground in the form of bolts designed holding means 12 provided in which the levers 11 intervene to the battery 16 in the lower-level space 1 to pull and fix them there. Overall, the battery includes 16 thus four bolts distributed over the two opposite side surfaces, which interact with the levers mounted on the vehicle 11 are provided.

5 shows a side view of the in the bottom-side space 1 built-in battery 16 , The spindle 8th has the threaded nut attached to it and thus the force application point of the lever 11 each pulled down, leaving the battery 16 firmly in the compartment-side space 1 is braced against the bolt.

A detailed representation of an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown in the following figures.

6 shows an embodiment of a tool interface according to the invention 3 and a seal 6 in sectional view and supervision. The tool interface 3 is part of a spindle head of a transmission device, in connection with the 8th and 9 will be described in detail. It is located in the compartment-side space of an electric vehicle. Through a hole in the vehicle body 21 can be perpendicular to the bottom side of a tool to the tool interface 3 are set to operate the transmission device. In order to prevent dirt or moisture from penetrating through this hole into the compartment-side installation space of the vehicle during driving operation, a seal closes 6 made of silicone from the hole. The seal has a pot-like depression 22 on whose structural design substantiates an effective splash protection.

At the bottom side of said pot-like depression 22 shows the seal 6 two linear sealing slots 7 on, which are orthogonal to each other and intersect in the middle. If no tool to the tool interface 3 is guided close the sealing slots 7 due to the elasticity of the seal the vehicle underbody, so that neither dirt nor moisture can penetrate.

7 shows a sectional view of the tool interface 3 and the seal 6 to 6 in an actuated state. Vehicle underbody side is a tool 4 vertically through the pot-like depression 22 and the sealing slot 7 to the tool interface 3 been introduced. This hits the tool 4 automatically the sealing slot 7 on. Once the tool 4 vertically down from the pot-like depression 22 is led out, the sealing slot closes 7 access to the tool interface 3 again automatically.

As a material for the sealing plug, whose operation of honey or Ketchupflaschen is known, in addition to silicone, other elastomers in question.

8th shows an embodiment of the transmission unit according to the invention in a first lever position and 9 the embodiment according to 8th in a second lever position. The gear unit comprises a spindle 8th with a spindle head 9 , Which in a rotational movement about its axis of symmetry with a form-fitting connected and rotatably mounted threaded nut 10 moves in the vertical direction.

The rotary movement is initiated via the spindle head 8th , which forms the mechanical interface to an external actuator and is sealed by a round cord ring not shown here against moisture and dirt. The actuator preferably comprises an electric motor, the rotor shaft of which is in particular drivingly coupled to a tool via a reduction gear. The tool has one to the spindle head 9 opposite inner or outer contour, so that it generates a torque generated by the electric motor to the spindle 9 can transfer.

Extern is here as well as in the entire document in relation to the actuator interpreted in such a way that it is not part of the device and thus is not intended to be attached to the battery tray still on the vehicle body. For example, it is part of a change station and therefore does not have to be carried in the vehicle. In contrast to known designs with active alternating systems on the body or battery tray, this saves costs, weight and installation space on board the electric vehicle. At four anchoring points of the battery in the vehicle can be such. B. also four electric motors in the vehicle compared to solutions known from the prior art can be saved.

The threaded nut 10 is directly with the power arm 14 a lever 11 connected. There is no further articulated element in the direction of the lever extension. Due to this direct coupling not only space is saved. Rather, the structure shown is particularly reliable and robust due to its simplicity.

The lever 11 has load arm side on a blade-like contour with which he in a designed as a bolt holding means 12 can engage when the threaded nut 10 by appropriate rotation of the spindle 8th moves down and so a pivotal movement of the lever 11 clockwise around its pivot 13 triggers.

The pivoting movement of the lever 11 and the associated state changes within the device can be seen in the following figure. So shows 9 the embodiment according to 8th in a second lever position.

Clearly recognizable is that the spindle 8th during the pivotal movement of the lever 11 passing through the threaded nut downwards 10 is initiated, also a slight pivoting movement about the junction between the power arm 14 of the lever 11 with the threaded nut 10 experiences. The orientation of the spindle 8th while remaining substantially vertical, it deviates from an exact vertical by a few degrees, for example not more than 3 degrees, preferably less than 2 degrees.

In 9 is the lever 11 so far pivoted that he engages in the bolt and this against a stop 15 braced. Because threaded nut 10 and levers 11 are connected at a fixed pivot point and therefore the length of the power arm 7 can not change, the spindle pivots 8th from their vertical clockwise a little off. For this purpose, the spindle head 9 pivoted. It comprises a crowned running head support surface, which is mounted in a conically shaped counter surface such that enough pivoting space remains for the lever rotation.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Underbody space of the vehicle

2

gear unit

3

Tool interface

4

operating tool

5

hole

6

poetry

7

sealing slot

8th

spindle

9

spindle head

10

threaded nut

11

lever

12

holding means

13

crucial point

14

power arm

15

attack

16

battery tray

17

Recordings

18

plug

19

Rifle

20

guide pins

21

vehicle body

22

deepening

Claims (8)

Electrically powered vehicle with - one in a space-side space ( 1 ) arranged of the vehicle, removable traction battery, - a transmission unit ( 2 ) for the stationary locking of the traction battery in the compartment-side installation space, wherein the transmission unit ( 2 ) a tool interface ( 3 ), to which an outside the vehicle arranged operating tool ( 4 ) through an arranged in Fahzeigunterboden hole ( 5 ) to release or fix the traction battery and - a seal ( 6 ) for bottom-side sealing of the hole ( 5 ), wherein the seal has a sealing slot ( 7 ), which is pushed by the actuating tool and wherein the seal ( 6 ) has an elasticity, the closing of the sealing slot ( 7 ) after removing the actuating tool ( 4 ) causes. Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the seal ( 6 ) consists of silicone. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the tool interface ( 3 ) is designed as an internal or external hexagon profile. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the tool interface ( 3 ) is designed as Torxprofil. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the tool interface is formed as a triangular profile. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the gear unit ( 2 ) - a spindle ( 8th ) with a spindle head ( 9 ), wherein the spindle head ( 9 ) the tool interface ( 3 ), - one with the spindle ( 8th ) positively connected, movable in the direction of the spindle axis and rotatably mounted threaded nut ( 10 ) and - a rotatably mounted lever ( 11 ), whose power arm ( 14 ) with the threaded nut ( 10 ) is directly connected such that a movement of the threaded nut ( 10 ) in the direction of the spindle axis pivotal movement of the lever ( 11 ) around his pivot ( 13 ), and wherein the traction battery is a holding means ( 12 ), in which the lever ( 11 ) can engage during the pivoting movement to fix the traction battery in the vehicle. Vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the retaining means ( 12 ) is designed as a bolt. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle has four of said gear units ( 2 ) each with one of said seals ( 6 ) having.

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