DE102018116094A1 - Electric Vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

An electric vehicle comprising: an energy store (20); a frame element (1) having a frame segment (2, 3, 4, 5); wherein the frame segment (2, 3, 4, 5) comprises a receiving space (13) in which the energy store (20) can be locked and has a first lateral opening (18) through which the energy store (20) into the receiving space ( 13) can be used, and a second lateral opening (19) in the frame segment (2, 3, 4, 5), which lies opposite the first opening (18); wherein the energy store (20) has at least one convection surface (24, 24 ') which, in the locked state of the energy store (20), at least partially a surface of the frame segment (2, 3, 4, 5) in the region of the first opening (18) or the second opening (19).

Description

The invention relates to an electric vehicle, also known as a light electric vehicle (LEF), in particular an electric bicycle. The class of light electric vehicles also includes light electric mopeds, electric mopeds, pedelecs and e-bikes with throttle grips, so-called hybrid scooters. An LEF is driven at least partially by an electric motor. The electric motor is often used to assist the driver in pedaling, which switches off when a defined speed is reached.

LEFs with two or more wheels, in particular with a transport device or a passenger cabin, are offered on the market. In the future, LEFs should make a significant contribution to reducing traffic and local emissions of pollutants such as CO ₂ , nitrogen oxides or particulate matter in conurbations. In particular, LEFs should serve commuters from the outskirts of the city as an alternative form of individual transport on the way to work. Nowadays, LEFs are operated almost exclusively by batteries, although alternative drives based on the combustion of hydrogen, for example, will also be conceivable in the future. The production of the necessary battery cells, often lithium-ion cells, still requires the use of large amounts of primary energy today, although significant advances have been made in the efficiency of the production of battery cells in recent years. The long-lasting durability of the batteries over the entire service life of the LEFs is therefore an essential aspect for reducing the life cycle energy requirements of LEFs. Measures must therefore be taken to increase the cycle life of the battery.

Furthermore, batteries from LEFs are often directly exposed to environmental influences, such as splashing water or stone chips, or mechanical deformations occur in the event of falls, which means that the batteries must be replaced at an early stage.

From the EP 2 230 164 B1 an electric motor-driven bicycle is known which comprises a bicycle frame which has a tubular section with an interior for receiving at least one battery unit which is suitable as an energy source for the electric motor drive. On one side of the tube section, a side opening is formed which extends essentially in its direction of extension and through which the battery unit can be inserted into the interior. At one end of the interior, a pivot axis is arranged, to which the battery unit can be coupled and, after coupling, can be pivoted in the direction of the interior. A cover is hinged to the swivel axis and closes off the interior.

From the DE 20 2011 050 777 U1 a bicycle is known with a bicycle frame and an energy storage device that can be mounted on the frame. The bicycle frame forms a receiving compartment limited by at least two frame tubes or struts, into which the energy store can be inserted in contact with the at least two frame tubes or struts.

From the US 2011/0129715 A1 an electric bicycle is known, the frame of which has a down tube to which a rechargeable battery is attached. The battery includes a housing that has a plurality of cooling grooves on one side.

Proceeding from this, the invention is based on the object of proposing an electric vehicle which ensures a long service life of the energy store and enables protected storage of the energy store.

To solve the problem, an electric vehicle is proposed, comprising: an energy store; a frame member having a frame segment; wherein the frame segment comprises a receiving space in which the energy storage device can be locked, and a first lateral opening through which the energy storage device can be inserted into the receiving space and a second lateral opening that lies opposite the first opening; wherein the energy store has at least one convection surface, which at least partially forms a surface of the frame segment in the region of the first opening or the second opening when the energy store is locked.

The electric vehicle according to the invention has the advantage that the energy store, through the first and second lateral openings in the frame segment, can release its thermal energy, which arises, for example, through discharge processes during operation, to the environment over an enlarged area. Because at least one convection surface forms at least partially a surface of the frame segment, the air flow can sweep past the convection surface during operation of the electric vehicle and can transport away a larger amount of energy. At the same time, the energy store is used in a protected manner in the receiving space. In particular, dirt and spray water thrown up by the wheels cannot act directly on the energy store. In addition, the energy store is secured in the receiving space in such a way that no external force, for example in the event of a fall, can act on the energy store, which generates a high bending moment via a large lever arm in the holder of the energy store and thus destroy the energy store and / or the holder can.

Basically, energy stores are to be understood as all stores that enable the storage of chemical, thermal or mechanical energy, for example accumulators or containers for storing fuels. In one possible embodiment, the energy store can be an electric battery. In this case, the electrical energy can be fed directly from the electrical battery to an electric motor without further conversion. In a further possible embodiment, the energy store can be a hydrogen tank. In this case, the chemical energy of the hydrogen can be converted into electrical energy by oxidation in a fuel cell and then supplied to an electric motor.

The energy store has at least one convection surface. The convection surface is to be understood as the surfaces of the energy store that can be flowed against directly by the ambient air in the frame segment when the energy store is locked. In one possible embodiment, the at least one convection surface can have cooling fins. The convective surface is increased by the cooling fins and thus the heat dissipation is increased.

In one possible embodiment, the energy store can have a first convection surface, which in the locked state of the energy store at least partially forms a surface of the frame segment in the region of the first opening, and a second convection surface, which in the locked state of the energy store at least partially forms a surface of the frame segment in the region the second opening forms. The total convection surface of the energy store, which in this case is composed of the first and the second convection surface, can thus be increased and at the same time an efficient flow onto the convection surfaces can be realized.

The frame segment can be, for example, a head tube, top tube, seat tube or down tube of the frame element. The frame segments can be joined together or can be made in one piece with one another, so that the frame segments together form a fuselage. The frame segments mentioned can have a continuously closed cross section or can also be at least partially formed by regions with open cross sections.

In one possible embodiment, the frame segment can have one or more stiffening means, for example stiffening sections or stiffening ribs, in the area of the receiving space for the energy store. In particular, the receiving space can be bounded at the bottom by a lower stiffening section and / or at the top by an upper stiffening section. Preferably, in the area of the receiving space, the lower stiffening section can form a lower tube segment with a closed cross section with part of a jacket section of the frame segment and / or the upper stiffening section can form an upper tube segment with a closed cross section with part of the jacket section of the frame segment. Due to the closed cross-sections of the lower and the upper pipe segment, the area moment of inertia or the rigidity of the frame segment in the area of the receiving space can be increased, since a large part of the cross-sectional area of the frame segment is arranged at a large distance from the neutral fiber. The loss of rigidity due to the laterally extending receiving space can thus be at least partially compensated for.

In one possible embodiment, the frame element can be made at least partially from a fiber-reinforced plastic, in particular a carbon fiber or glass fiber reinforced plastic. As a result, the loss of rigidity due to the laterally penetrating receiving space can be further reduced or overcompensated for compared to steel or aluminum frame elements. The high weight-specific strength of the material can also increase the service life of the frame element. In addition, fiber-reinforced plastic has a high level of damping, which leads to increased vibration damping in the frame element and increases driving comfort.

In one possible embodiment, in a cross section of the frame segment, the receiving space can have a first height that is greater than 0.5 times the total height of the frame segment, in particular greater than 0.7 times the total height. In particular, the lower pipe segment can also have a second height and the upper pipe segment can have a third height, the ratio of the first height to the second height and / or the ratio of the first height to the third height being at least 3: 1, in particular at least 5: 1, in particular at least 7: 1. The receiving space can thus take up a large part of the cross-sectional area of the frame segment. The energy store can accordingly be made large and thus the range of the LEF can be increased.

For simple insertion and removal of the energy store in the receiving space, in one possible embodiment the energy store can comprise a housing with a connection arrangement through which the energy store can be inserted into the receiving space via a storage unit of the frame segment and can be stored in the storage unit is. The connection arrangement can in particular be designed as a swivel arrangement. The connection arrangement can have a bearing journal, which can be inserted into the storage unit of the frame segment for pivoting the energy store, and an interface for transferring the energy stored in the energy store to a consumer of the electric vehicle. In addition, a defined mounting for locking the energy store can thus be implemented on the side of the connection arrangement.

To fix the energy store in the receiving space, a possible embodiment can have a latching arrangement with which the energy store can be locked in the receiving area of the frame segment in the inserted state, a locking unit of the latching arrangement being firmly connected to the housing of the energy store and a holding unit of the latching arrangement being firmly connected to the frame segment can be, a reverse assignment is also possible. Thus, the energy store in the inserted state is stored in the receiving space on the one hand by the bearing unit of the frame segment and on the other hand by the holding unit of the latching arrangement. In a possible embodiment, the housing of the energy store used can also be arranged braced between the bearing unit and the latching arrangement in the locked state of the latching arrangement. The tensioning prevents the movement of the energy store in the direction of extension of the receiving space and eliminates rattling noises.

In one possible embodiment, the latching arrangement can be reversibly converted from an unlocked state into a locked state by means of an actuation arrangement. Preferably, by pulling an actuating lever in one actuating direction, the latching arrangement can be transferred from the actuating arrangement to the unlocked state. The actuating arrangement can be designed in such a way that the actuating lever can be moved away from the frame element in order to unlock the latching arrangement. The actuation direction can, in particular, proceed from a perpendicular to a plane which is defined by a longitudinal axis of the electric vehicle and the vertical, to the outside of the frame element in an angular range of + - 30 °, in particular in an angular range of + - 20 °, in particular are in an angular range of + - 15 °. This ensures that the actuation direction of the actuation arrangement is largely oriented in the removal direction of the energy store from the receiving space. This prevents jamming of the energy store when it is removed from the receiving space and the removal can be carried out ergonomically by the driver of the LEF. It can also be provided that the actuating lever is acted upon by a restoring element against the actuating direction with a force / or a moment, so that the actuating lever is moved back to an initial position after actuation, in which the latching arrangement is in the locked state.

In one possible embodiment, the latching arrangement can also be reversibly transferred from an unlocked state into a closed state by means of a lock arrangement, the lock arrangement being arranged on the frame segment. In this way, the energy store in the frame element can be protected against theft.

• 1 ein erfindungsgemäßes Elektro-Fahrzeug;
• 2 einen Ausschnitt des Rahmenelements des Elektro-Fahrzeugs aus 1 mit dem Energiespeicher in einem ausgeschwenkten Zustand in einer perspektivischen Ansicht von einer ersten Seite;
• 3 einen Ausschnitt des Unterohrs aus 1 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht von einer zweiten Seite; und
• 4 den Querschnitt durch das Unterrohr entlang der Schnittlinie IV-IV aus 1.

A preferred embodiment is explained below using the description of the figures. It shows

• 1 an electric vehicle according to the invention;
• 2 a section of the frame element of the electric vehicle 1 with the energy store in a pivoted-out state in a perspective view from a first side;
• 3 a section of the lower ear 1 in a perspective view from a second side; and
• 4 the cross section through the down tube along the section line IV-IV 1 ,

The 1 to 4 , which are described together below, show an electric vehicle according to the invention, also called a light electric vehicle (LEF). The LEF comprises a frame element 1 , a rear wheel 33 , a front wheel 33 ' , a front wheel fork 11 as well as seat and handlebar. The frame element 1 , which can also be generally referred to as a frame, in the present case has the frame segments of the top tube 2 , Seat tube 3 , Head tube 4 , Down tube 5 and rear swing arm 6 on. The frame segments can be designed as closed, tubular profiles or as open profiles. In particular, it is conceivable that a frame segment has partially a closed profile and partially an open profile.

The frame segments top tube 2 , Seat tube 3 , Head tube 4 and down tube 5 form a one-piece fuselage, which is made in particular from a carbon fiber reinforced plastic, without being limited thereto. The frame segments are also referred to as frame sections. The rear swing arm 6 is in the area of a lower connection section 16 of the down tube 5 via a swivel mechanism 8th pivoted on the fuselage. A spring damper unit 9 supports the swingarm 6 on the top tube 2 springy, so that the wheel contact forces of the rear wheel 33 in the frame element 1 be initiated. The rear swing arm 6 can also be made of a carbon fiber reinforced plastic. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the rear wheel swing arm 6 is made of a metallic material.

A motor-gear unit 12 is also with the lower connection section 16 of the down tube 5 screwed. The engine-gearbox unit 12 is in the present case for pedaling support from the driver to the crank 25 exerted force executed. It is also conceivable that the motor-gear unit 12 is controlled by the driver using a throttle grip. That of the driver and / or the engine-gearbox unit 12 applied power is transmitted to the rear wheel via a chain or belt drive 33 transmitted and thus ensures the propulsion of the LEF.

The seat tube 3 takes a seat post 7 so that the weight of the driver of the LEF is defined in the frame element 1 is initiated. The head tube 4 takes a tax rate 10 for storing the front fork 11 together with a handlebar. Over the front fork 11 and the tax rate 10 are the front wheel contact forces 33 ' of the LEF in the frame element 1 initiated.

The down tube 5 has a recording room 13 on where an energy storage 20 , for example a lithium-ion battery, can be locked. The recording room 13 is through a lower pipe segment 14 and an upper pipe segment 15 and the lower connection section 16 and an upper connection section 17 of the down tube 5 limited. The down tube 5 points in the area of the recording room 13 a first opening 18 on the side, largely in the direction of extension of the lower ear 5 and is arranged parallel to the direction of travel. The frame element points to the opposite side 1 a second opening 19 on. The first opening 18 and the second opening 19 can have identical shapes or be configured differently.

The lower pipe segment 14 is through a first part of a jacket section 34 of the down tube 5 and a first stiffening section 26 as well as the upper pipe segment 15 through a second part of the jacket section 34 ' of the down tube 5 and a second stiffening section 27 educated. This results in a lower chamber 28 and an upper chamber 29 with a closed cross-section inside the down tube 5 , Through the two pipe segments 14 . 15 each has a large cross-sectional area in the outer area of the down tube 5 arranged without providing material accumulations. As a result, a high area moment of inertia or a high rigidity of the down tube can be advantageous in terms of production technology 5 can be realized, so the arrangement of the sweeping recording room 13 with two side openings 18 . 19 in the down tube 5 allows.

The lower pipe segment 14 has a height H _R2 and the upper tube segment in a cross section of the down tube 15 a height H _R3 on. The recording room 13 has a height H _A that is greater than 0.5 times the total height of the frame segment (H _tot ). The ratio of the height H _A to the height H _R2 and the ratio of the first height HA to the third height HR3 can be at least 3: 1 and in particular at least 5: 1, in particular at least 7: 1.

The stiffening sections 26 . 27 limit together with a first beam section 30 and a second support section 31 the recording room 13 , The first and second beam sections 30 . 31 lie in the 2 and 3 hidden inside the down tube 5 and are therefore indicated by a dashed line.

The energy storage 20 includes a housing 21 that on a first page that in 3 is shown, a first convection surface 24 and on a second page that in 2 is shown, a second convection surface 24 ' having. When the LEF is moving, the ambient air can reach the convection surfaces 24 . 24 ' flow past and thus ensure the removal of thermal energy by the operation of the energy store 20 arises. The convection surfaces 24 . 24 ' each have a plurality of cooling fins in a central section 41 . 41 ' so that the convective surface is increased and thus larger amounts of energy can be absorbed by the ambient air. It is also conceivable that the cooling fins 41 . 41 ' over the entire surface of the convection surfaces 24 . 24 ' are arranged. As in 4 can recognize the energy storage 20 together with the lower and the upper lateral surface 34 . 34 ' of the frame segment 5 in the area of the receiving compartment 13 form a polygonal, in particular octagonal, cross section. The convection surfaces 24 . 24 ' can in particular be straight and parallel to each other.

The first convection surface 24 and the second convection surface 24 ' form in the pivoted-in state of the energy store 20 together with the lower pipe segment 14 and the upper pipe segment 15 a largely closed surface of the lower ear 5 , The first and / or the second convection surface 24 . 24 ' can within an envelope of the frame segment 5 that the recording room 13 has to be arranged. In this case, the envelope is created by projecting the cross-section directly onto the receiving compartment 13 adjacent section of the frame segment 5 along an imaginary center line of the frame segment 5 described. The energy store can thus be protected from environmental influences and mechanical stress in the receiving space 13 to be ordered. In particular, it is also conceivable that between the convection surfaces 24 . 24 ' and the down tube in the area of the first 18 opening and the second opening, respectively 19 a seal is provided.

With the housing 21 of the energy storage 20 is a connection arrangement 38 firmly connected through which the energy storage 20 via a storage unit 37 of the down tube 5 in the recording room 13 can be used or swung in. The connection arrangement 38 can therefore also be referred to as a swivel arrangement. The storage unit 37 of the down tube 5 is with the first beam section 30 firmly connected and is shown in the figures by the surface of the down tube 5 covered. The energy store is in the inserted or swiveled-in state 20 through a journal 39 the connection arrangement 38 in the storage unit 37 of the down tube 5 stored. The connection arrangement 38 also includes an interface 40 to hand over the in the energy storage 20 stored energy to a consumer of the LEF. In the illustrated embodiment, the energy storage 20 electrical energy via the interface 40 to the engine-gearbox unit 12 submitted to drive the LEFs.

To represent a locking arrangement 22 is in 3 the energy storage 20 shown in a half-pivoted state. The locking arrangement 22 includes a latch unit 35 that with the housing 21 of the energy storage 20 is firmly connected, and one in the 3 concealed holding unit 42 that with the second beam section 31 is firmly connected. The energy storage device can be in a fully inserted or swiveled-in state 20 through the locking arrangement 22 in the recording room 13 be locked. At least one bolt of the bolt unit engages 35 in recesses of the holding unit 42 on.

By means of an actuation arrangement 23 can the locking arrangement 22 reversible in the inserted or swiveled-in state from a locked state in which the energy store 20 between the storage unit 37 and the locking arrangement 22 is tense and does not come out of the recording room 13 can swing out, in an unlocked state, in which the energy storage 20 from the recording room 13 can be swung out, transferred. For this purpose, the actuation arrangement comprises 23 an operating lever 36 which is movable away from the frame element for unlocking the latching arrangement. By pulling the operating lever 36 the locking arrangement is thus in a defined actuation direction 22 transferred to the unlocked state and the energy storage 20 can from the recording room 13 be swung out. The actuation direction can proceed from a perpendicular to a plane, which is defined by a longitudinal axis of the electric vehicle and the vertical, to the outside of the frame element 1 lie in an angular range of + -30 °, in particular in an angular range of + - 20 °, in particular in an angular range of + - 15 °. This ensures that pulling the operating lever 36 in the removal direction of the energy storage 20 he follows. The energy storage 20 can be removed ergonomically and the probability of jamming in the recording room 13 on removal is reduced. The operating lever 36 can also be acted upon by a return spring, not shown, so that the actuating lever 36 after releasing it is guided back to a starting position in which the locking arrangement 22 is in a locked state.

In addition, the theft protection of the energy storage 20 the locking arrangement 22 via a lock arrangement 43 , of which in the 2 and 3 the associated key is recognizable, reversible from an unlocked state to a locked state in which the locking arrangement 22 is blocked, transferred.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

frame element

2

top tube

3

seat tube

4

head tube

5

down tube

6

swingarm

7

seatpost

8th

swivel mechanism

9

Spring-damper unit

10

tax rate

11

front fork

12

Motor-gearbox unit

13

accommodation space

14

lower pipe segment

15

upper pipe segment

16

lower connection section

17

upper connection section

18

opening

19

opening

20

energy storage

21

casing

22

detent arrangement

23

actuator assembly

24, 24 '

convection

25

crank

26

lower stiffening section

27

upper stiffening section

28

lower chamber

29

upper chamber

30

support section

31

support section

32

33, 33 '

wheel

34, 34 '

shell section

35

locking unit

36

actuating lever

37

storage unit

38

joint assembly

39

pivot

40

interface

41, 41 '

cooling fins

42

holding unit

43

lock assembly

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included 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.

Patent literature cited

• EP 2230164 B1 [0004]
• DE 202011050777 U1 [0005]
• US 2011/0129715 A1 [0006]

Claims (15)

An electric vehicle comprising: an energy storage device (20); a frame element (1) having a frame segment (2, 3, 4, 5); wherein the frame segment (2, 3, 4, 5) comprises a receiving space (13) in which the energy store (20) can be locked and has a first lateral opening (18) through which the energy store (20) into the receiving space ( 13) can be used, characterized in that the frame segment (2, 3, 4, 5) comprises a second lateral opening (19) which lies opposite the first opening (18); wherein the energy store (20) has at least one convection surface (24, 24 ') which, in the locked state of the energy store (20), at least partially a surface of the frame segment (2, 3, 4, 5) in the region of the first opening (18) and / or the second opening (19). Electric vehicle after Claim 1 , characterized in that the frame segment (2, 3, 4, 5) in the area of the receiving space (13) for the energy store (20) has stiffening means (26, 27) which are designed in particular in such a way that the receiving space (13) is delimited at the bottom by a lower stiffening section (26) and / or at the top by an upper stiffening section (27), the lower stiffening section (26) having a first part of a jacket section (34) of the frame segment (2 , 3, 4, 5) forms a lower pipe segment (28) with a closed cross section and / or the upper stiffening section (27) with a second part of the jacket section (34 ') of the frame segment (2, 3, 4, 5) forms an upper pipe segment (29) forms with a closed cross section. Electric vehicle according to one of the Claims 1 or 2 , characterized in that in a cross section of the frame segment (2, 3, 4, 5) the receiving space (13) has a first height (H _A ) which is greater than 0.5 times the total height (H _tot ) of Frame segment (2, 3, 4, 5). Electric vehicle according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the frame element (1) is at least partially made of a fiber-reinforced plastic, in particular a carbon fiber or glass fiber reinforced plastic. Electric vehicle according to one of the Claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that the at least one convection surface (24, 24 ') has cooling fins (41, 41'). Electric vehicle according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the energy store (20) has a first convection surface (24) which, in the locked state of the energy store (20), at least partially a surface of the frame segment (2, 3, 4, 5) in the region of the first opening (18) forms, and a second convection surface (24 '), which at least partially forms a surface of the frame segment (2, 3, 4, 5) in the region of the second opening (19) in the locked state of the energy store (20). Electric vehicle according to one of the Claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that the energy store (20) comprises a housing (21) with a connection arrangement (38) through which the energy store (20) via a bearing unit (37) of the frame segment (2, 3, 4, 5) into the receiving space (13) can be used and can be stored in the storage unit (37). Electric vehicle after Claim 7 characterized in that the connection arrangement (37) has a bearing journal (39) which can be inserted into the bearing unit (37) of the frame segment (2, 3, 4, 5) for inserting the energy store (20), and an interface (40) for transferring the energy stored in the energy store (20) to a consumer (12) of the electric vehicle. Electric vehicle according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th , characterized by a locking arrangement (22) with which the energy store (20) can be locked in the inserted state in the receiving space (13) of the frame segment (2, 3, 4, 5), a locking unit (35) of the locking arrangement (22) with the housing (21) of the energy store (20) and a holding unit (42) of the latching arrangement (22) with the frame segment (2, 3, 4, 5) are firmly connected. Electric vehicle after Claim 9 , characterized in that the latching arrangement (22) can be converted reversibly from an unlocked state into a locked state by means of an actuating arrangement (23) with an actuating lever (36). Electric vehicle after Claim 10 , characterized in that the actuating arrangement (23) is designed such that the actuating lever (36) for unlocking the latching arrangement (22) can be moved away from the frame element. Electric vehicle according to one of the Claims 9 to 11 , characterized in that the latching arrangement (22) can be reversibly converted from an unlocked state into a closed state by means of a lock arrangement (43), the lock arrangement (43) being arranged on the frame segment (2, 3, 4, 5). Electric vehicle according to one of the Claims 9 to 12 , characterized in that the housing (21) of the energy store (20) used is arranged braced between the bearing unit (37) and the latching arrangement (22) in the locked state of the latching arrangement (22). Electric vehicle according to one of the Claims 1 to 13 , characterized in that the energy store (20) is an electric battery. Electric vehicle according to one of the Claims 1 to 13 , characterized in that the energy store (20) is a hydrogen tank.

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