JP2023025830A - Method for loading cell on electric truck - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique for loading a cell on an electric truck in which the cell-loading capacity can be freely set by placing a cell in a space between a main sill and a cross sill located between a location below a load-carrying platform and a chassis frame and that is strong against a sideways damage.SOLUTION: In an electric truck, the problem is where a cell is to be loaded. One method for loading the cell on the outer side of a chassis frame or a method for loading the cell between chassis frames has been provided and practiced. The former method is weak against a sideways damage and thus the measures need to be taken, and in the latter method, since a variety of devices are present in the chassis frames, the cell capacity of the cell that can be loaded is limited. Therefore, basically, by utilizing sills formed between a load-carrying platform and the chassis frame, the cell is loaded in a space between the sills. The shape of the sill is contrived and thus the design flexibility of the cell-loading capacity can be attained.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a so-called truck of the type in which cargo is loaded on a loading platform behind the driver's seat, and to a battery mounting method for an electric truck driven by a battery.

EV vehicles driven by secondary batteries are attracting attention as a clean means of transportation that does not emit carbon dioxide (CO2). The first reason is that, unlike a vehicle that runs on an internal combustion engine, the electric power stored in the secondary battery is used to drive the motor, so there is no CO2 emissions, and the ride is quiet and comfortable. The second reason is that maintenance costs, including fuel costs, are cheaper than vehicles with diesel engines.

However, in the current electric trucks, a part of the cargo bed is used as a means for loading batteries, so that there are problems such as a limitation of the amount of cargo that can be loaded. As a solution to this problem, a method of mounting batteries between the tires has been proposed (Japanese Patent No. 4039207). Battery capacity will be limited, and as a result, the mileage of the truck will be affected. Furthermore, since the battery is mounted on the side of the truck, there is a safety problem in the event of an accident with the truck, and countermeasures are required.

As a solution to this problem, a method has been proposed in which the battery is mounted between a sturdy metal material called a chassis frame constructed under the truck bed (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2021-8221, etc.). Certainly, in this method, the battery is housed between the strong chassis frames, so it is resistant to damage from the side, and safety is improved. However, in general, there are many cases where various devices are mounted between the chassis frames, and in so-called hybrid vehicles that are driven by both the engine and the battery, the engine installed on the front side and the rear wheels are driven. Due to the presence of the propeller shaft between the differentials, there can be many restrictions on mounting the battery.

By the way, in manufacturing a truck, it is common for a truck manufacturer that manufactures the truck body and a truck body manufacturer that designs and manufactures the cargo bed on which a load is mounted according to the customer's request. Truck manufacturers make the driver's seat, which contains the drive unit, and the rigid chassis frame, which is made of two metal materials to mount the cargo bed, and the rear wheels. The truck bodybuilder then builds the required cargo bays or side plates to hold the cargo in the bed according to the customer's wishes. For this purpose, a foundation consisting of horizontal and vertical joists is manufactured between the chassis frame and the cargo compartment or the like.

The present invention relates to a method of mounting batteries using the horizontal joists and vertical joists. By configuring the joists in various shapes, the amount of batteries to be loaded can be freely changed and damage from the side can be prevented. To provide a battery mounting method for a strong electric truck.

Patent No. 4039207 Electric vehicle battery device JP 2021-8221 Electric track

The problem to be solved by the present invention relates to a method of mounting a battery on an electric truck. In addition to being limited by the , there is also the issue of safety against damage from the side. In addition, the method of mounting the battery between the strong metal chassis frame makes it strong against damage from the side, but there are various devices and propeller shafts inside the chassis frame, so there is a limit to the amount of battery that can be mounted. There is and so on.

In consideration of these problems, according to this proposal, the battery is installed between the joists constructed between the cargo bed and the chassis frame. To provide a method for mounting a battery in a truck. Description will be made below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of FIG. 1(A) viewed from the side of the track and FIG. 1(B) viewed from above. A truck bodybuilder takes over a vehicle from a truck manufacturer with the vehicle on the driver's seat and the vehicle on the chassis frame connected, and as shown in the figure, supports a loading platform called a vertical joist and a horizontal joist on the chassis frame. Construct structures using durable metal materials. Vertical joists are generally fixed above the chassis frame and horizontal joists are placed above it at a 90 degree angle. Although this example shows a general structure of vertical joists and horizontal joists, it is not limited to this, and the configuration can be changed according to various battery shapes and other conditions.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the cargo bed behind the cab portion of the electric truck. FIG. 2(A) shows the most basic battery mounting method, where 1 is a view of the truck viewed from the front and rear, and 2 is a view viewed from the side. 3 indicates the rear tires and 4 is a heavy duty chassis frame made of metal that mounts rearwardly for the truck from the vehicle section where the driver rides. 5 is a framework called a joist made between the chassis frame and the floor plate of 6, and 7 varies depending on the customer's request, such as a box-shaped cargo bed structure with a roof or a structure without a roof. 8 indicates a battery to be mounted, and in this figure, an example is shown in which the joist 5 secures a height sufficient to mount the battery. One of the advantages of the battery mounting method shown in this figure is that the battery is installed under the loading platform, so even in trucks where the center of gravity tends to be high depending on the weight of the loading platform, the battery, which has a certain amount of weight, can maintain the center of gravity. A lowering effect can be expected.

FIG. 2(B) is a diagram showing another battery mounting method, and parts that perform the same functions as in FIG. 2(A) are indicated by the same numbers. In this figure, since the height of the battery is higher than the standard joist 5-1, the second joist 5-2 is stacked on 5-1. Note that the upper portion of the loading platform 7 is omitted.

FIG. 2(C) is a diagram showing yet another battery mounting method, and parts that perform the same functions as in FIG. 2(A) are indicated by the same numbers. In this figure, the battery is also mounted inside the chassis frame 4 in order to increase the height of the battery.

FIG. 2(D) is a diagram showing yet another battery mounting method, and parts that perform the same functions as in FIG. 2(A) are indicated by the same numbers. In this figure, in addition to the battery mounting method (8-1) in Fig. 2 (C), batteries (8-2) are also mounted outside the chassis frame 4 and joists 5 in order to further increase the amount of batteries to be mounted. are doing. As a battery mounting method, various methods combining (A) to (D) 4 in FIG. 2 are conceivable, although not shown in the drawing.

(A) to (D) of FIG. 3 are diagrams showing the chassis frame, joists (horizontal joists and vertical joists), underframes, floorboards, batteries, etc. more specifically. Figures 3(A) and 3(C) are views of horizontal joists, vertical joists, underframes, and floorboards viewed obliquely from above, with a part of the floorboards cut away so that the joists can be seen. In this figure, the vertical joists are arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the horizontal joists are arranged on top of the vertical joists. A frame called an underframe exists around the horizontal joists. The floorboards are constructed on the horizontal joists, on which the cargo to be loaded is placed. Fig. 3(B) is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 3(A) seen from the front and rear, and depicts a chassis frame and cross members that are not shown in Fig. 3(A). There are spacers between the chassis frame and the vertical joists. In this figure, the battery is shown mounted between the vertical joists. The battery can be removed from the back of the truck by sliding it as shown by the arrow in FIG. 3(A).

FIG. 3(D) is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3(C) viewed from the lateral side, showing how the batteries are mounted between the horizontal joists. The battery is mounted on a convex jig attached under the horizontal joist. When performing maintenance on the battery, as shown in FIG. 3(C), the battery is taken out together with the convex jig.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the battery mounting method of Fig. 2 more specifically. There is a plate, and this support plate also serves to prevent the battery from entering from below with water or snow-removing agent. In addition, this support plate also serves as a cooling plate using air flow. Also, fins can be provided under the support plate to increase the cooling effect.

Fig. 4(B) shows an example in which the battery support plate attached on the battery is attached so as to cover the vertical joist. This support plate supports the battery and also serves as a cooling plate for air cooling.
Fig. 4(C) shows another battery support method. Type A has a box-shaped support jig installed between the vertical joist and the battery. Type B shows the installation with an L-shaped support jig between the horizontal joist and the battery.

Fig. 4(D) shows a method of mounting the battery between the horizontal joists. In this example, the battery support plate is placed below the battery, but the support plate is placed above the battery. A method to do so is also conceivable. In this example, the support plate also takes on the role of cooling. Fig. 4(E) shows a combination of the battery mounting forms shown in Figs. 3(A) to 3(D) and placing the batteries in the space between the vertical and horizontal joists. This indicates that an increase in the load capacity of the battery becomes possible. The support jig for the battery has a convex shape, and the top portion of the jig is fixed to the horizontal joist with a bolt or the like, and the battery is installed on the horizontal portion of the convex shape. In this case, the part of the floor plate above the battery can be removed so that maintenance such as battery replacement is possible.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which horizontal joists and vertical joists are combined in a grid pattern. The battery box shown in Fig. 5(A) has a structure in which six battery modules are grouped together, and is arranged in the space between the horizontal joist and the vertical joist. The shape and dimensions of one battery module are shown at the bottom of FIG. This figure shows an example of two battery boxes installed, but if there is enough space between the horizontal and vertical joists, it is possible to install more battery boxes. Also, the air holes for cooling the battery with air are shown in a part of the horizontal joists, but these air holes can be placed anywhere on any horizontal or vertical joist. Moreover, it is of course possible that there is no air hole.

FIG. 5(B) shows an example in which two battery boxes each having 12 batteries mounted therein are used as one bank. In this way, one bank using 12 battery modules can be stored in one box. The figure below shows one bank, and this bank is also equipped with a BMS (Battery Management System) that has functions such as monitoring the battery status.

FIG. 6 This is an example of a trailer-type truck in which a battery can be mounted in the vehicle in which the driver rides, unlike the conventional battery mounting method. Since it is a trailer type, the trailer part towed by the vehicle on which the driver rides is also equipped with rear tires. There is no drive mechanism in the trailer portion, and the drive mechanism is installed in the vehicle on which the driver rides, so the battery 1 is mounted in that portion, but the battery may have a battery capacity sufficient for the vehicle on which the driver rides to run. Therefore, the capacity becomes small. On the other hand, the trailer portion (vehicle to be towed) carries cargo, so a battery 2 having a capacity corresponding to the cargo is mounted. In this way, by dividing the battery into two parts and mounting it, we propose a battery mounting method suitable for the driving mode.

FIG. 7 shows yet another battery mounting method for an electric truck. In this method, the battery is mounted in the space between the vehicle on the driver's side and the vehicle on the cargo side. FIG. 7A is a side view of the track, and FIG. 7B is a bird's-eye view of the track from above. Since the body manufacturer designs and manufactures the cargo bed by remodeling the vehicle received from the truck manufacturer, it is easy to provide a place for mounting the battery. The figure shows how three battery packs are arranged vertically. Furthermore, a configuration in which batteries are mounted between joists as represented by FIG. 3 can also be used.

The present invention relates to a battery mounting method for an electric truck, and the conventional method of mounting a battery between chassis frames limits the amount of battery that can be mounted. However, by installing the battery in the space between the vertical and horizontal joists between the chassis frame and the cargo bed, the amount of batteries installed can be freely adjusted. It is possible to set it to , and it is possible to realize an electric truck that is resistant to damage from the side.

Fig. 1(A) of the side view of the truck and Fig. 1(B) of the bird's-eye view 2(A) and 2(B), in which the battery is mounted in the space between the joist and the chassis frame of the electric truck, and FIG. Example of mounting, Figure 2 (D) is an example of mounting batteries on the outside of the chassis frame to increase the battery capacity. Figures 3(A) and 3(C) are views of the vertical joists, horizontal joists, and floorboards viewed obliquely from above. Fig. 3(D) is a cross-sectional view seen from . Figures 3(A) and 3(C) show how to remove the battery installed in the space of the vertical or horizontal joist from the side or below for easy maintenance and replacement of the battery. Various methods of mounting the battery in the space between the vertical joist and the horizontal joist are shown. (B) shows an example in which the battery support plate is placed on top of the battery, and FIG. 4(C) shows a method of supporting the battery from the vertical joist with a box-shaped jig, type A, and from the horizontal joist with an L-shaped jig. Supported type B, Fig. 4(D) is an example in which the battery is mounted in the space of the horizontal joist and a battery support plate is provided under the battery, Fig. 4(E) is a convex type under the horizontal joist Example of installing a battery with a support plate Fig. 5(A) is an example of arranging batteries in a space having a structure in which horizontal joists and vertical joists are combined in a grid pattern; is an example of arranging a battery bank with 12 battery modules and a BMS Diagram showing how to install batteries in a trailer-type truck FIG. 7 is a view showing how the battery is mounted between the driver's seat and the cargo compartment of the truck, FIG. 7(A) is a side view, and FIG. 7(B) is a bird's-eye view from above.

Claims (16)

A battery mounting method for an electric truck characterized by mounting the battery in a gap of a structure called a joist existing between a chassis frame and a cargo bed of the truck. A battery mounting method for an electric truck, relating to claim 1, characterized in that the height of the joist is equal to or higher than the height of the battery. Regarding claim 1, if the height of the joists is less than the height of the battery, then the second joist is built on top of the first joist so that the combined height of the two joists is equal to the height of the battery. Battery mounting method for electric truck characterized by being the same or higher A battery mounting method for an electric truck, relating to claim 1, characterized in that the battery mounted between the joists is also installed in the empty space of the chassis frame under the joists. An electric truck, relating to claims 1 and 4, characterized in that the battery is installed also outside the chassis frame and in an empty space above the chassis frame other than the place where the battery is mounted as described in claims 1 and 4. battery mounting method Regarding claim 1, in a structure in which the joist is composed of a horizontal joist and a vertical joist, and the horizontal joist is placed on top of the vertical joist, the battery is mounted in the space of the vertical joist, or the battery is mounted in the space of the horizontal joist. or a battery mounting method for an electric truck characterized by mounting the battery in both the space of the horizontal joist and the vertical joist Regarding claim 1, in a structure in which the joist is composed of a horizontal joist and a vertical joist, and the vertical joist is placed on top of the horizontal joist, the battery is mounted in the space of the vertical joist, or the battery is mounted in the space of the horizontal joist. or a battery mounting method for an electric truck characterized by mounting the battery in both the space of the horizontal joist and the vertical joist Regarding claims 6 and 7, the structure for supporting the battery is a method of providing a support plate under the battery, a method of providing a support plate under the battery, or fixing the battery using a jig from a horizontal joist or a vertical joist. Battery loading method for electric truck using method A battery mounting method for an electric truck, relating to claim 1, characterized in that, in a structure in which the vertical joists and the horizontal joists are configured in a grid pattern, the battery is mounted in a space formed by the vertical joists and the horizontal joists. Regarding claims 1 to 9, the battery to be mounted is housed in a box with a plurality of unit battery modules, and a BMS (Battery Management System) is included in the box, so that the housed battery box can A battery mounting method for an electric truck characterized by having a function of handling electric energy in a predetermined unit (bank) Regarding claims 1 to 10, it relates to a vehicle composed of a vehicle in which a driver rides and a vehicle called a trailer mainly having a cargo bed to be towed, and batteries are installed in both vehicles. Battery mounting method for electric truck characterized by Regarding claims 1 to 10, an electric truck devised so that the floor board built on the joist can be removed from the cargo bed side at a predetermined place, and the battery mounted under it can be replaced and maintenance can be performed. Battery mounting method In relation to claim 6, there is a method in which the battery mounted between the horizontal joists can be moved downward from the bottom of the track together with a convex jig, or the battery mounted between the vertical joists can be slid from the rear of the track. A battery mounting method for an electric truck characterized by adopting a method of allowing the battery to be taken out by moving it, and providing a door through which the battery can be accessed as necessary and a jig that plays an equivalent role. A battery mounting method for an electric truck, relating to claims 1 to 10, in which an air hole for air passage is provided in a part of a joist so that the battery can be cooled. According to claims 6 and 9, the electric power generator is characterized in that the support plate for supporting the battery is provided with fins for air cooling, and cooling pipes for sending air to each battery box are arranged. Truck battery loading method A battery mounting method for an electric truck characterized by providing a space between the driver's seat and the cargo compartment, and mounting the battery in that space.

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