JP2012126305A - Trailer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively improve fuel consumption by making a semitrailer type vehicle into a hybrid vehicle with respect to a trailer of the semitrailer type vehicle.SOLUTION: The trailer 20 coupled with a tractor 10 which includes an engine 11 and an electric motor 13 as a power source for traveling, includes: a battery 25 which is connected with the electric motor 13 to supply power in a state coupled with the tractor 10; and a motor generator 26 which supplies the generated electric power to the battery 25 while generating electricity by driving by the rotation power obtained by traveling wheels 27L and 27R when coupled with the tractor 10 and traveling.

Description

  The present invention relates to a trailer, and more particularly to a trailer connected to a tractor including an engine and an electric motor as a power source for traveling.

  In recent years, a hybrid vehicle that assists the output of an engine as a drive source with a driving motor has been put into practical use from the viewpoint of reducing pollution of the vehicle and improving fuel efficiency. In addition, diesel hybrid vehicles combining a diesel engine and a traveling motor have been proposed for large vehicles such as transport trucks.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a parallel hybrid system including a diesel engine and a motor generator as a driving power source as a hybrid system applicable to a large vehicle such as a transportation truck.

  In addition, as a transport truck, a so-called semi-trailer type vehicle that travels by connecting a trailer of a towed vehicle to a tractor that is a towing vehicle is known.

  For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a semi-trailer type connected vehicle that travels by connecting a trailer loaded with a load such as a container on a tractor.

JP 2002-138876 A JP 2007-153192 A

  By the way, in the semi-trailer type vehicle, a large engine with a large output is mounted on the tractor side in order to ensure a sufficient driving force during trailer towing traveling. The large engine has a fuel consumption point of the engine (hereinafter referred to as a fuel consumption point during towing) in a high load side driving region in order to obtain high fuel consumption during trailer towing travel. However, when the tractor alone does not pull the trailer, the weight of the tractor is relatively light and does not require a large driving force, so that the operating range of the large engine is shifted to the operating region on the low load side. For this reason, when the tractor is traveling alone, the operating range of the large engine may be away from the towing fuel efficiency point, which may deteriorate the fuel efficiency.

  In order to improve such deterioration of fuel consumption, it is conceivable to apply the hybrid system described in Patent Document 1 to the tractor side of the semi-trailer vehicle described in Patent Document 2. However, the space on the tractor side of a semi-trailer type vehicle is occupied by a cab (operator's cab) or a large engine that obtains a large driving force when towing. It is difficult to install.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to improve a fuel efficiency effectively by changing a semi-trailer type vehicle having a tractor and a trailer connected to the tractor to a hybrid vehicle with a simple configuration. There is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, the trailer of the present invention is a trailer connected to a tractor including an engine and an electric motor as a power source for traveling, and can supply electric power to the electric motor while being connected to the tractor. A battery connected to the tractor, and a motor generator that generates electric power by driving with rotational power obtained from a traveling wheel and supplies the generated electric power to the battery when traveling with the tractor. And

  In addition, when traveling with being connected to the tractor and the remaining capacity detection means for detecting the remaining capacity of the battery, when the detected value of the remaining capacity detection means is larger than a lower limit threshold, the power of the battery The motor generator may be driven as an electric motor to output power, and power control means may be provided to rotationally drive the traveling wheels with the output power.

  Further, the battery pack may further include a charger that is connected to an external power source and charges the battery with electric power supplied from the external power source.

  According to the present invention, with a simple configuration, a semi-trailer vehicle having a tractor and a trailer coupled to the tractor can be a hybrid vehicle, and fuel efficiency can be effectively improved.

1 is a schematic side view showing a semi-trailer vehicle including a trailer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram showing a semi-trailer vehicle including a trailer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a typical side view which shows the external charging mechanism of the trailer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, based on FIGS. 1-3, the trailer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. The same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the trailer 20 according to the present embodiment is applied to a semi-trailer vehicle 1 that connects a trailer 20 of a towed vehicle to a tractor 10 that is a towed vehicle. The trailer 20 is configured to be coupled to the tractor 10 by connecting a king pin 50 provided at the front of the chassis 21 to a coupler 51 at the rear of the tractor 10. First, the tractor 10 to which the trailer 20 according to the present embodiment is connected will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the tractor 10 includes a diesel engine (hereinafter referred to as an engine) 11, a clutch 12, a tractor side motor (electric motor) 13, a transmission 14, a propeller shaft 15, and a tractor side differential. 16, left and right steering wheels 17L, 17R provided at the front, left and right drive wheels 18L, 18R provided at the rear, and a tractor ECU 60.

  The combustion of the engine 11 is controlled by the tractor ECU 60 so as to output torque according to the traveling state of the tractor 10. Further, the output shaft 11 a of the engine 11 is connected to the input shaft 13 a of the motor 13 via the clutch 12 so as to be connected and disconnected.

  The clutch 12 includes a pair of friction clutches 12a and 12b that are connected and disconnected by supplying hydraulic oil from a hydraulic supply source (not shown) to the clutch actuator 12c. The supply of hydraulic oil to the clutch actuator 12c is controlled by the tractor ECU 60. That is, when a connection signal is output from the tractor ECU 60, hydraulic oil is supplied to the clutch actuator 12c, and the pair of friction clutches 12a and 12b are frictionally engaged with each other, whereby the output shaft 11a of the engine 11 and the travel motor 13 are connected. The input shaft 13a is maintained in a connected state. On the other hand, when a disconnection signal is output from the tractor ECU 60, the hydraulic oil is discharged from the clutch actuator 12c, and the pair of friction clutches 12a and 12b are separated from each other, whereby the output shaft 11a of the engine 11 and the input shaft of the travel motor 13 are separated. 13a is maintained in a cut-off state.

  The tractor side motor 13 functions as a traveling motor (electric motor) or a generator (generator), and its output shaft (not shown) is connected to the input shaft (not shown) of the transmission 14. For example, when only the output torque of the engine 11 is insufficient for the required torque corresponding to the amount of operation of an accelerator pedal (not shown) by the driver, the tractor side motor 13 functions as an electric motor. That is, the tractor-side motor 13 is driven as a drive source of the vehicle 1 by being supplied after DC power stored in a main battery 25 on the trailer 20 side described later is converted into AC power by the inverter 24.

  On the other hand, when the driver depresses the accelerator pedal and the engine brake is activated, or when a brake pedal (not shown) is depressed and a braking operation is performed, the tractor side motor 13 functions as a regenerative brake. It also functions as a generator. That is, the kinetic energy generated in the drive wheels 18L and 18R when the vehicle 1 is decelerated is converted into electric energy (AC power) by the tractor side motor 13, and this AC power is converted into DC power by the inverter 24 to be main. The regenerative power generation stored in the battery 25 is performed.

  The transmission 14 adjusts the torque output from the engine 11 or the tractor side motor 13 to an appropriate rotational speed, and its output shaft (not shown) is connected to the propeller shaft 15. That is, when the clutch 12 is connected and controlled, the output shaft 11a of the engine 11 and the input shaft 13a of the travel motor 13 are connected, so that the output torque of the engine 11 and the travel motor 13 is transmitted by the transmission 14. After the speed is adjusted to an appropriate rotational speed, it is transmitted to the left and right drive wheels 18L and 18R via the propeller shaft 15 and the tractor side differential device 16. On the other hand, when the clutch 12 is controlled to be disconnected, the output shaft 11a of the engine 11 and the input shaft 13a of the traveling motor 13 are disconnected, so that only the output torque of the traveling motor 13 is appropriate for the transmission 14. After the speed change is adjusted to the rotational speed, it is configured to be transmitted to the left and right drive wheels 18L, 18R via the propeller shaft 15 and the tractor side differential device 16.

  The tractor ECU (tractor electronic control unit) 60 controls the operation of the engine 11, the clutch 12, the tractor side motor 13, the transmission 14 and the like that are the drive system of the tractor 10, and is a known CPU, ROM, RAM, input Ports, output ports, etc. are provided. In order to control the operation of these drive systems, the tractor ECU 60 includes an engine 11, a clutch 12, a tractor side motor 13, a transmission 14, an inverter 24, an engine rotation sensor (not shown), an accelerator, as shown in FIG. A sensor (not shown) or the like is electrically connected.

  Further, the tractor ECU 60 has an engine running mode in which the output torque of the engine 11 is preferentially used as a driving power source, and a motor assist that runs with the output torque of the engine 11 being assisted by the tractor side motor 13. The driving mode is set.

  When the tractor ECU 60 pulls the trailer 20, the required torque (hereinafter simply referred to as the required torque) corresponding to the driver's accelerator pedal operation amount is less than a predetermined amount, and the required torque can be satisfied only by the output torque of the engine 11. Selects the engine travel mode. That is, the tractor ECU 60 is configured to control the connection of the clutch 12, to control the tractor side motor 13 to the idling state, and to control the combustion of the engine 11 according to the required torque.

  Further, the tractor ECU 60 sets the motor assist travel mode when the required torque is not less than a predetermined amount at the time of towing the trailer 20 such as when accelerating or starting, and the required torque cannot be satisfied only by the output torque of the engine 11. select. That is, the tractor ECU 60 is configured to drive the tractor-side motor 13 with AC power supplied from the main battery 25 via the inverter 24 so as to function as an electric motor, and to control connection of the clutch 12. Yes.

  On the other hand, when the tractor 10 is traveling alone, the tractor ECU 60 controls the drive system of the tractor 10 so that the tractor 10 travels only with the output torque of the engine 11. That is, the combustion of the engine 11 is controlled according to the required torque, the clutch 12 is controlled to be connected, and the tractor side motor 13 is controlled to the idling state.

  Furthermore, at the time of braking of the vehicle 1 such as an engine brake, the tractor ECU 60 causes the tractor side motor 13 to function as a generator in order to perform regenerative power generation.

  Next, the trailer 20 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the trailer 20 includes left and right front running wheels 27 </ b> L and 27 </ b> R, left and right rear running wheels 28 </ b> L and 28 </ b> R, a trailer-side differential device 29, and a main battery provided below the chassis 21. 25, an inverter 24, a trailer side motor (generator) 26, and a trailer ECU (power machine control means) 61.

  The left and right front running wheels 27L and 27R are attached to both ends of a front running shaft 27a provided behind the chassis 21, as shown in FIG. Further, a trailer-side differential device 29 is interposed on the front traveling shaft 27a. On the other hand, the left and right rear traveling wheels 28L and 28R are attached to both ends of the rear traveling shaft 28a provided in the chassis 21 behind the front traveling shaft 27a.

  That is, when the trailer 20 is pulled by the tractor 10 and travels, the front traveling wheels 27L and 27R and the rear traveling wheels 28L and 28R support the rear side of the trailer 20 while rolling on the road surface. The rotational energy of the front traveling wheels 27L and 27R is configured to be transmitted to the trailer side differential device 29 via the front traveling shaft 27a.

  The main battery 25 is a lithium ion battery capable of storing high-voltage DC power, and is attached to the lower part of the chassis 21 located in front of the front running wheels 27L and 27R as shown in FIG. The main battery 25 is connected to the inverter 24 via electric wiring.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main battery 25 is connected to an external charging mechanism 40 for being charged by being supplied with electric power from an external power source via electric wiring. Hereinafter, the external charging mechanism 40 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the external charging mechanism 40 includes a charger 41 mounted on the trailer 20 and an electric cable 42 having one end connected to the charger 41 and a connector 43 provided at the other end. Further, the main battery 25 and the charger 41 are connected via an electric wiring 44. For example, when the trailer 20 is separated from the tractor 10 and parked at a terminal such as a trailer storage place, the driver or the like plugs the connector 43 into the external power supply 100 installed at the terminal, and the charger 41 is connected to the external power supply 100. Thus, the external charging of the main battery 25 is realized.

  The main battery 25 is provided with a battery sensor (remaining capacity detection means) 70 for detecting the remaining charge (State Of Charge: hereinafter referred to as SOC) of the main battery 25.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the inverter 24 is connected to the main battery 25 and the tractor side motor 13 via electric wiring, and is connected to the main battery 25 and trailer side motor 26 via electric wiring. . That is, when the tractor side motor 13 and the trailer side motor 26 function as an electric motor, the DC power stored in the main battery 25 is converted into AC power by the inverter 24, and then the tractor side motor 13 and the trailer side motor 26 It is configured to be supplied. Further, when the tractor side motor 13 or the trailer side motor 26 functions as a generator, the generated high voltage AC power is converted into DC power by the inverter 24 and then supplied to the main battery 25 to be stored. It is configured. In addition, when the tractor 10 and the trailer 20 are connected, the electrical wiring for connecting the tractor side motor 13 and the inverter 24 is connected by a connector (not shown) together with other brake system wiring.

  The trailer-side motor 26 functions as a generator (generator) or a traveling motor (electric motor), and its rotating shaft 26a is connected to a trailer-side differential device 29 as shown in FIG. For example, when the trailer 20 travels by being pulled by the tractor 10, the trailer-side motor 26 functions as a generator. That is, the rotational energy generated by the front traveling wheels 27L and 27R rolling on the road surface is transmitted from the front traveling shaft 27a to the trailer side motor 26 via the trailer side differential device 29. Thereafter, the transmitted rotational energy is converted into electric energy (AC power) by the trailer side motor 26, and this AC power is converted into DC power by the inverter 24 and stored in the main battery 25. ing.

  When the driver depresses the accelerator pedal and the engine brake is activated, or when the brake pedal (not shown) is depressed and a braking operation is performed, the trailer motor 26 functions as a regenerative brake. It also functions as a generator. That is, the kinetic energy generated in the front traveling wheels 27L and 27R during braking of the vehicle 1 is transmitted from the front traveling shaft 27a to the trailer side motor 26 via the trailer side differential device 29. Thereafter, the transmitted kinetic energy is converted into electric energy (AC power) by the trailer side motor 26, and this AC power is converted into DC power by the inverter 24 and stored in the main battery 25. ing.

  On the other hand, the trailer side motor 26 functions as an electric motor when the SOC, which is the detection value of the battery sensor 70, is higher than a predetermined lower threshold (for example, 80%). That is, when the SOC is sufficient, the trailer side motor 26 supplies the driving force (traction force) of the tractor 10 by supplying the DC power stored in the main battery 25 after being converted into AC power by the inverter 24. Driven as a driving source to assist.

  Note that the switching control for causing the trailer-side motor 26 to function as an electric motor or a generator is controlled by the trailer ECU 61.

  The trailer ECU (trailer electronic control unit) 61 controls the operation of the inverter 24, the trailer side motor 26 and the like mounted on the trailer 20, and includes a known CPU, ROM, RAM, input port, output port, and the like. Has been. In order to control the operation of the inverter 24, trailer side motor 26, etc., the tractor ECU 60 is electrically connected to the inverter 24, trailer side motor 26, battery sensor 70, etc., as shown in FIG.

  The trailer ECU 61 causes the trailer side motor 26 to function as a generator when the trailer 20 is towed or when the vehicle 1 is braked. That is, during trailer 20 towing, the rotational energy of the front running wheels 27L and 27R is converted into electric energy (AC power) by the trailer side motor 26, and also converted into DC power by the inverter 24 to the main battery 25. It is charged. When the vehicle 1 is braked, the kinetic energy generated in the front traveling wheels 27L and 27R is converted into electric energy (AC power) by the trailer side motor 26, and is converted into DC power by the inverter 24 to be converted into the main battery 25. It is comprised so that it may be stored in this.

  Further, when the trailer ECU 61 pulls the trailer 20 and the SOC of the main battery 25 is higher than a lower limit threshold (for example, 80%), the trailer ECU 61 drives the trailer side motor 26 to assist the driving force (traction force) of the tractor 10. To function as. For example, when the SOC of the main battery 25 is sufficient, when a large driving force (traction force) is required for the tractor 10 such as when starting, accelerating, or climbing, the power stored in the main battery 25 is 24 is configured to be supplied to the trailer-side motor 26 through 24.

  With the configuration as described above, the trailer 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention has the following operations and effects.

  The main battery 25 attached to the lower portion of the chassis 21 of the trailer 20 with sufficient space is electrically connected to the tractor-side motor 13 via the inverter 24 in a state where the trailer 20 is coupled to the tractor 10. When the tractor ECU 60 selects the motor assist travel mode during the trailer 20 towing operation that requires a large driving force (traction force) for the tractor 10, the DC power stored in the main battery 25 is converted to AC power by the inverter 24. After the conversion, the tractor side motor 13 is supplied. That is, the tractor side motor 13 is driven as an electric motor by the electric power of the main battery 25 provided on the trailer 20 side, and can assist the output torque of the engine 11 which is insufficient.

  Therefore, the main battery 25 is provided not on the tractor 10 side where the space is limited, but on the lower side of the chassis 21 of the trailer 20 with sufficient space, and the main battery 25 is connected to the tractor 10 with the trailer 20 connected to the tractor 10 side. By connecting the motor 13 so that electric power can be supplied, the semi-trailer vehicle 1 can be a hybrid vehicle, and the fuel efficiency of the tractor 10 can be improved.

  Further, when the tractor 10 is required to have a large driving force (traction force) such as when starting, accelerating, or climbing during trailer 20 towing, the SOC of the main battery 25 is higher than a lower threshold (for example, 80%). The trailer side motor 26 is driven as an electric motor that assists the driving force (traction force) of the tractor 10.

  Therefore, when a large driving force (traction force) is required for the tractor 10, the driving force of the tractor 10 can be effectively assisted by the output torque of the trailer side motor 26, and the trailer 20 is started when towing. In addition, it is possible to effectively improve the fuel consumption during acceleration, climbing, and the like.

  Further, the rotational energy generated in the front traveling wheels 27L and 27R of the trailer 20 during traveling of the semi-trailer type vehicle 1 is converted into electric energy by the trailer side motor 26 functioning as a generator and stored in the main battery 25. Further, the kinetic energy generated in the front running wheels 27L and 27R of the trailer 20 during braking of the semi-trailer type vehicle 1 is converted into electric energy by the trailer side motor 26 and stored in the main battery 25.

  Therefore, the main battery 25 mounted on the trailer 20 can be effectively charged while the trailer 20 is towed by the tractor 10, and the charging efficiency of the main battery 25 can be improved.

  Further, when the trailer 20 is separated from the tractor 10 and is parked at a terminal such as a trailer storage place, the main battery 25 is connected to the external power source 100 by inserting the connector 43 into the external power source 100 installed at the terminal. Are charged with electric power supplied via the charger 41.

  Therefore, even when the trailer 20 is disconnected from the tractor 10 and stopped, the main battery 25 mounted on the trailer 20 can be effectively charged using the external power source 100 or the like, and the main battery 25 is charged. Efficiency can be further improved.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention, it can change suitably and can implement.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the trailer-side motor 26 has been described as generating electric power by converting the rotational energy of the front traveling wheels 27L and 27R into electric energy, but the rotational energy of the rear traveling wheels 28L and 28R is electrically generated. You may comprise so that it may convert into energy.

  Further, the inverter 24 is not necessarily provided on the trailer 20 side, and may be provided on the tractor 10 side.

1 Semi-trailer type vehicle 10 Tractor 11 Engine 13 Tractor side motor (electric motor)
20 Trailer 25 Main battery (battery)
26 Trailer side motor (motor generator)
27L, 27R Left and right front running wheels (traveling wheels)
40 External Charging Mechanism 41 Charger 42 Electric Cable 43 Connector 61 Trailer ECU (Power Control Unit)
70 Battery sensor (remaining capacity detection means)

Claims (3)

A trailer connected to a tractor including an engine and an electric motor as a power source for traveling,
A battery connected to be able to supply power to the electric motor in a state of being connected to the tractor;
And a motor generator that generates electric power by driving with rotational power obtained from a traveling wheel when traveling by being connected to the tractor, and that supplies the generated power to the battery. A remaining capacity detecting means for detecting the remaining capacity of the battery;
When traveling with being connected to the tractor, if the detected value of the remaining capacity detecting means is larger than a lower limit threshold, the motor generator is driven as an electric motor by the electric power of the battery, and power is output and output. The trailer according to claim 1, further comprising: a power control unit that rotationally drives the traveling wheel with the motive power. The trailer according to claim 1, further comprising a charger that is connected to an external power source and charges the battery with electric power supplied from the external power source.

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