WO2023232550A1

WO2023232550A1 - Mobile power supply unit

Info

Publication number: WO2023232550A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/063756
Authority: WO
Inventors: Benedikt Domke; Krzysztof Antoni DRABIK; Philipp Kurt LÜTOLF; Stefan GRADWOHL
Original assignee: Emost Ag
Priority date: 2022-05-31
Filing date: 2023-05-23
Publication date: 2023-12-07

Abstract

A mobile power supply unit (1) comprises a frame (2). The frame (2) at least partially surrounds a space (4) for receiving a battery module (5). The frame (2) is suitable for shifting the battery module (5) in a horizontal shifting direction (x), in order to insert the battery module (5) into the space (4) and to remove the battery module (5) from the space (4).

Description

Mobile Power Supply Unit

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mobile power supply unit according to the preamble of claim 1 , to a battery module for use in such a power supply unit, and to a kit-of-parts comprising such a power supply unit as well as a battery module.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In areas without access to mains electricity, such as construction sites, areas hit by power outages or rural areas without connection or reliable connection to a power grid, power is often provided by fossil fuel generators. Despite recent advances, fossil fuel generators are very audible and their use may be prohibited by law in designated locations and/or during certain hours of the day.

Power supply units including battery or fuel cell modules are known, in particular for use in homes or other locations to charge electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids. These power supply units have a limit in the amount of power they can deliver and are largely unsuitable for high performance applications such as construction sites and back-up power for homes in case of power outages. Moreover, they are generally not suitable for reconfiguration of the maximum output they provide and their maintenance is cumbersome. Hence, they are of limited use at construction sites or other sites as indicated above.

CH 716 062 A2 discloses a mobile power supply unit on a wheeled trailer which can be towed to various locations, particularly remote locations, for providing electrical power as needed. This power supply unit operates with a plurality of battery modules as energy storage. These battery modules are arranged inside the power supply unit, on a rack comprising several trays, which are vertically spaced apart from each other. The mentioned power supply unit has the advantages of being reuseable, flexible and robust for outside use. Furthermore, it can be easily operated.

However, one drawback of the arrangement of the battery modules on separate trays inside the power supply unit is that they need to be removed individually for maintenance. More specifically, the heavy battery modules must be lifted out of the unit by a service technician, which is not only cumbersome, but also leads to a limitation in size of an individual battery module due to occupational safety regulations. Maintenance of the power supply unit is therefore elaborate, time consuming and expensive.

Consequently, it is a problem underlying the present invention to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings in the prior art. In particular, it is a problem underlying the present invention to provide a mobile power supply unit of the above- mentioned kind which has a better serviceability, in particular with regard to service time and cost. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned problem is solved by a mobile power supply unit having the features in claim 1 . This mobile power supply unit comprises a frame. The frame at least partially surrounds a space for

5 receiving a battery module. The frame is suitable for shifting the battery module in a horizontal shifting direction, in order to insert the battery module into the space and to remove the battery module from the space.

This allows dimensioning the battery module larger, as no lifting of the same is required, in order to remove the battery module from the power supply unit or to0 insert the battery module into the power supply unit, for instance for replacing it during maintenance. Since the power supply unit can therefore be equipped with only one single battery module, service time and cost can be significantly reduced.

A further advantage of the present invention is that various types of battery modules can be used in the same power supply unit. On one hand, the battery module 5 can therefore be selected from several options with regard to size, energy storage capacity and maximum current, depending on the specific use case. On the other hand, it is also possible to employ battery modules from different suppliers, which is important to secure the supply of this expendable part over the lifetime of the power supply unit. For this purpose, it is preferable to equip the power supply unit0 and the battery module with standardized interfaces. The mobile power supply unit can be employed at a site lacking access to mains electricity, such as a construction site or a site where power has been interrupted, whereby power can be drawn from the mobile power supply unit to operate a device or load a device operated at the site, including illumination devices, power

5 tools, telecommunication devices, medical devices etc.

Preferably, depending on the field of application, the mobile power supply unit is suitable in terms of weight and size to be transported from a storage or other site to a deployment site where it is needed, for example having a weight and size suitable for transport by automobile, truck, helicopter, or airship. Delivery of the mobile0 power supply unit is then facilitated, in particular direct delivery without intermediary handover of the mobile power supply unit among different means of transport.

The frame can comprise guiding means for shifting the battery module in the horizontal shifting direction. The guiding means can be at least one rail, in particular a plurality of rails. By equipping the frame of the power supply unit with rails, which 5 allow shifting the battery module in a horizontal direction, even a relatively heavy battery module can be removed from the power supply unit with ease, even by one single technician.

In a mobile power supply unit according to the present invention, the guiding means, in particular the at least one rail (7), is/are arranged at a bottom section of0 the space. This has the advantage that the limited space within the power supply unit - for receiving the battery module - can be used at its optimum. If the rails are arranged at a bottom section of the space, the frame can comprise two rails, which are arranged at opposite edges of the space, the edges being opposite in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the shifting direction. This has the advantage that the footprint of the battery module can be maximized, in order to avoid tipping over of the battery module.

The rails can be realized as sliding rails. This kind of rails has the advantage that the battery module can be realized without moving parts, in particular without wheels, for instance with simple runners. Since the distance the battery module has to be shifted for removing it from the power supply unit is very short, namely only about one length of the battery module in the shifting direction, sliding rails are sufficient for this purpose. The sliding rails can have a U-shaped profile. This sort of profile has the advantage that is available as yard goods from bulk material. Furthermore, despite its low weight, a U-shaped profile has a high mechanical stability. Notwithstanding the aforesaid, it is pointed out that the present invention is by no means limited to sliding rails. In particular, also conventional rails for use with wheels can be used.

The frame and the battery module can comprise corresponding attachment means for holding the battery module in the space in a holding position. Such attachment means can be released when the battery module needs to be removed from the power supply unit, i.e. from the space accommodating the same. They have the advantage that they avoid dislocation of the battery module when the power supply unit is moved, for instance during transport. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the power supply unit further comprises a control module. Preferably, the control module is in lateral arrangement with the space for accommodating the battery module. Even more preferably, the control module extends at least partially alongside this space in vertical di¬

5 rection, in particular between the space and a front or back end cap of the battery module. Such lateral arrangement of the control module with respect to the space has the advantage that the control module, for example including electronic components as described below, is in a position bypassed by heat generated by the battery modules and hence can more easily maintain an optimal operating temper¬0 ature. Further, condensation or moisture will less easily collect on or in the control module, because it is placed not at the bottom but laterally next to the battery module. It was found to be practical and beneficial in terms of longevity when the control module, and the mount described below, can be accessed independently of battery module. In particular, it was also found that the path for wiring, such as 5 communication and/or power wiring, between the battery module and the control module can be shortened in such a modular arrangement.

The control module typically includes power electronics. For example, the control module includes a DC to AC inverter configured to transform DC supplied by the at least one battery module to AC for powering the device or electrical load on the0 deployment site. The control module may also include a rectifier configured to convert AC to DC for charging or recharging the at least one battery modules contained in the rack. In a variation, the control module comprises a transformer for reducing or increasing the voltage of mains electricity to a voltage suitable for charging or recharging the at least one battery module. In addition, or alternatively, the control module comprises a transformer for reducing or increasing the voltage of the at least one battery module output to a voltage suitable for powering the device used at the site. The control unit may include a switched mode power supply.

Correspondingly, the control module is typically connected to the battery module by a wiring. The wiring can be a fiber-optic and/or electrical wiring, in particular a communication and/or a power wiring. The power supply unit can further comprise at least one routing means to route the wiring from the battery module to the control module.

The frame can further comprise a mount for the control module. The mount is preferably extending in vertical direction. Furthermore, the mount is preferably provided laterally next to the space for accommodating the battery module, in particular between the space and a front or back end cap of the battery module.

In a preferred embodiment, the control module, when arranged in its mount, and the battery module are accessible from different sides of the mobile power supply unit. For example, the control module can be accessed from a top side of the power supply unit and the battery module can be accessed from a front side. Alternatively, however, the control module, when arranged in tis mount, may be accessed from the same side, for example the front side of the mobile power supply unit. In a variation, the mount includes a vertical support structure extending in vertical direction, the vertical support structure preferably being fixed to the frame. The vertical support structure may comprise at least one pillar. In a variation, the mount comprises a cavity or compartment. Where the mount comprises a cavity, the ver¬

5 tical support structure may constitute a part of or be provided separately from the back wall of the cavity. In a mounted state of the control module in the mobile power supply unit, the control module's lateral placement may be delimited by the vertical support structure and/or the back wall of the cavity.

The frame can comprise a plurality of support pillars spaced apart from each other0 in a horizontal direction.

Preferably, the support pillars are distributed pairwise in the horizontal shifting direction, specifically the shifting direction of the battery module. Opposite pairs of the support pillars can then be interconnected by at least one horizontal beam, which forms part of the frame. In particular, opposite support pillars can be inter5 connected by an upper horizontal beam and optionally additionally by a lower horizontal beam. Through this setup, the frame at least partially surrounding the space for receiving a battery module can take the form of a cage-like structure, protecting the battery module against impact or collision.

Opposite support pillars and the upper horizontal beam interconnecting them can0 form a U-shaped reinforcing structure, in particular formed of one single piece. This allows reducing the number of parts the frame is formed of, and therefore also the number of connections between separate parts. Consequently, a more stable frame can be produced at lower cost in shorter time. The support pillars can be made from bend sheet metal.

A further advantage of the U-shaped reinforcing structure is that, if this structure is integrated into an outer contour of an outer housing (as described herein below), and the opening of the "U" is pointing downwards, no parts of the housing need to be connected at its top portion. This ensures that the housing remains watertight, and that water can run down along the housing, even if the power supply unit is exposed to rain for a prolonged period of time.

When the opposite support pillars and the horizontal beam interconnecting them form a U-shaped reinforcing structure, the opposite support pillars may be further interconnected to each other by means of a lower horizontal beam, arranged at a level below the space for receiving the battery module. The lower horizontal beam forms a direct or indirect support for the battery module. Furthermore, the U- shaped reinforcing structures U-shaped reinforcing structure, therefore providing a closed frame.

In one embodiment, the lower beams at least partially support the rails for shifting the battery module.

Furthermore, in order to improve the rigidity of the frame, the support pillars and/or horizontal beams can be connected with each other by longitudinal beams. In one embodiment, the lower longitudinal beams at least partially support the control module when mounted. The lower longitudinal beams may extend underneath the mount, in particular underneath its cavity. In a variation, the control module and/or mount is arranged between at least two of the support pillars, in particular

5 is partly surrounded by a U-shaped reinforcing structure consisting of two support pillars and an upper horizontal beam.

The mobile power supply can further comprise an outer housing. The outer housing is preferably configured to guard the space accommodating the battery module against the environment, in particular against excessive dust and moisture. The0 outer housing can comprise several housing panels. The housing panels are then part of the outer contour of the outer housing.

The support pillars and/or the horizontal beams, in particular the upper horizontal beams, can be integrated into an outer contour of the outer housing. This has the advantage that the support pillars and/or the horizontal beams not only fulfill a 5 structural function, and therefore provide mechanical protection for the battery module. They also guard the space accommodating the battery module against the environment.

The support pillars and/or the horizontal beams, in particular the upper horizontal beams, can comprise means to attach the housing panels, such as a fastener means0 including a latch, hinge, clamp, thread for receiving a screw, hook and/or guide including track and groove. At least one housing panel can be arranged between two adjacent support pillars and/or between two horizontal beams, in particular between two upper horizontal beams. This facilitates guarding the battery module against the environment. Good results in terms of mechanical rigidity and protection are achieved in particular when the at least one housing panel is arranged between two adjacent support pillars, in particular laterally adjacent support pillars.

The mobile power supply unit can have a front side and a back side, in the horizontal shifting direction. The front side can be covered by a front end cap. The back side can be covered by a back end cap. The front end cap and/or the back end cap can comprise at least one socket and/or at least one control means and/or at least one display means, which will be described in further detail herein below.

At least one of the housing panels and/or at least one of the end caps can comprise at least one venting opening. In a variation, the mobile power supply unit comprises a venting duct, configured to transport heat away from the interior of the mobile power supply unit to the exterior.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mobile power supply unit comprises at least one hoisting fixture. By way of example, the hoisting fixture can be realized as an eyelet which is attached to an upper horizontal beam of the frame. The hoisting fixture allows hoisting the power supply unit, for instance onto a trailer for transporting the same.

In a particular embodiment of the present invention, at least four support pillars can form, at their lower respective end, legs coming into contact with the ground, floor or carrier on which the mobile power supply unit is placed. The legs may be configured to mount the power supply to a trailer and/or in vertical direction to another mobile power supply unit. In an alternative embodiment, the at least four support pillars are joined, at their lower respective end, to a pedestal, which forms a separate part.

The mobile power supply unit can comprise a wireless network communications device configured to wirelessly exchange location information of the mobile power supply unit with a remote tracking station configured to track mobile power supply units. In addition, or alternatively, the mobile power supply unit can comprise a monitoring device interconnected to, in particular comprised in the battery module, the monitoring device being configured to monitor and read out an electrical state, such as remaining charge, of the battery module, in particular of at least one battery cell of the battery module. Preferably, the monitoring device is part of a battery management system for the monitoring of battery cell parameters such as voltage and temperature, configured preferably to generate an alarm and/or alarm signal when predetermined parameters are violated and/or to break the connection to the affected battery module or battery cell. The monitoring device is preferably elec- tronic. In a variation, it is configured to continuously monitor the battery cell parameters, in particular in real-time. The monitoring device may advantageously be configured to transmit, via the wireless network communications device, the monitored electrical state information to the remote tracking station. In a variation, the monitoring device is interconnected to the control module, in particular to its control means, for example by means of a wiring, for example electrical and/or fiberoptic wiring. In a variation, the wireless network communications device is interconnected to and may be a part of the control module.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a battery module for use in a mobile power supply unit comprising sliding rails, as described herein above. The battery module is characterized in that it comprises runners to slide in the U-shaped sliding rails of the power supply unit.

In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a kit-of-parts comprising a power supply unit as described herein above and a battery module, in particular a power supply unit comprising sliding rails having a U-shaped profile and a battery module comprising runners to slide in the sliding rails, as described herein above.

Such a kit-of-parts can comprise one single battery module. Having only one battery module brings the advantage that the maintenance time for replacing the battery module can be minimized. Furthermore, only one electrical interface between the mobile power supply unit and the battery module needs to be provided. In a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a kit-of-parts, in particular a kit- of-parts as described herein above, comprising a mobile power supply unit, in particular a power supply unit as described herein above, and a mounting frame for mounting the power supply unit on a carrier.

The carrier can for instance be a road trailer or the loading bed of a lorry.

Such a kit-of-parts allows for flexible transport of the power supply unit to a place of use, employing various carriers. The power supply unit can be safely fastened to the carrier during transport. Upon delivery, the power supply unit can be separated from the carrier, and the carrier can be employed separately for transporting other power supply units. By way of example, the power supply unit can be inserted into the mounting frame by use of a forklift truck. A further advantage of such a kit-of- parts is that vibrations in the power supply unit during transport can be significantly reduced.

In a preferred embodiment, the mounting frame comprises fastening means for fastening the power supply unit in the mounting frame. The power supply unit can thus be safely transported without the need of further fastening means, such as lashing straps or the like. The fastening means can be realized as at least one securing pin, preferably a plurality of securing pins.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention, a mobile power supply aggregate unit is disclosed, comprising at least two mobile power supply units, as described herein above, arranged adjacent to each other. In an embodiment of the mobile power supply aggregate unit, the at least two mobile power supply units are mounted on a common trailer. In an embodiment of the mobile power supply aggregate unit, one of the mobile power supply units is an upper mobile power supply unit and the other is a lower mobile power supply unit, wherein the at least two support pillars of the upper mobile power supply unit are aligned with and rest on the at least two support pillars of the lower mobile power supply unit. In addition, or alternatively, at least two of the mobile power supply units are arranged laterally adjacent each other.

In a sixth aspect of the present invention, a distributed off-grid electric power supply system is disclosed, including a plurality of mobile power supply units as described herein above, the mobile power supply units comprising wireless network communications devices and monitoring devices as presented, the distributed off- grid electric power supply further including a mobile power supply unit administration system. The mobile power supply unit administration system preferably includes a depot comprising a plurality of the mobile power supply units as presented, a remote tracking station comprising a remote tracking station network communications device for receiving the monitored electrical state information detected by the monitoring device from the wireless network communications device of the respective mobile power supply unit at a deployment site, such as a site lacking access to mains electricity. The distributed, in particular cloud-based, off-grid electric power supply system preferably is configured to operate on an loT (Internet of Things) platform, in particular a network structure comprising the appropriate loT networking protocols and network layers.

In a variation, the distributed off-grid electric power supply system comprises a server communicatively connected to the remote tracking station network communications device, for example via an electrical wiring or wirelessly, the server comprising a record of mobile power supply units as presented in this document including the electrical state in particular charge state of the battery module(s) and/or battery cell(s) of the respective mobile power supply unit.

In a variation, the distributed off-grid electric power supply system comprises a computer program executable on the server, configured to select and indicate to an operator at the remote tracking station and/or to an operator on the site of deployment of a mobile power supply unit as presented in this document, a replacement of one mobile power supply unit with another. The computer program may be configured to base the selection on the record and on the location information of the mobile power supply units, the selection preferably replacing a mobile power supply unit comprising the at least one energy-depleted battery module with a mobile power supply unit comprising at least one fully or essentially fully charged electric battery module.

In a variation of the distributed off-grid electric power supply system, at least one of the mobile power supply units comprises a control module, wherein the control module comprises control means, the control means including a delivery commander configured to request delivery of a replacement mobile power supply unit via the remote tracking station and/or to order a replacement battery module via the same. The delivery request may be transmitted via the wireless network com¬

5 munications device if provided in the mobile power supply unit. The delivery commander may in addition be configured to request pick-up of a mobile power supply unit and/or a battery module from a site of deployment, for example pick up of a mobile power supply unit comprising depleted battery modules. The delivery commander preferably includes a switch in the electrical interface of the mobile power0 supply unit or a field of a display of the control means.

In a variation of the distributed off-grid electric power supply system, the mobile power supply units comprise a computer program, preferably executed by a processor in the control module, configured to exchange information and commands with the remote tracking station, in particular to exchange electrical state infor5 mation as presented and/or delivery requests of replacement mobile power supply units.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present embodiments, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the disclosure. 0 The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the concepts disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The herein described invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which should not be considered limiting to the invention described in the appended claims. The drawings are showing:

Fig. 1 Perspective view onto the top front side of a mobile power supply unit according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 Perspective view onto the bottom back side of the mobile power supply unit according Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 Exploded top front view of a mobile power supply unit according to Fig. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 Exploded top back view of a mobile power supply unit according to Fig.

1 and 2; Fig. 5 Perspective view onto the top front side of a battery module for mobile power supply unit according to Fig. 1 -4;

Fig. 6 Perspective view onto the bottom front side of the battery module according to Fig. 5; Fig. 7 Perspective view of a mounting frame for power supply unit according to the present invention;

Fig. 8 Enlargement of a part of Fig. 7 together with securing pin.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all features are shown. Indeed, embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Whenever possible, like reference numbers will be used to refer to like components or parts.

As shown in Figure 1 , the mobile power supply unit 1 accoring to the described embodiment has a generally cuboid shape with chamfered corners. The power supply unit 1 is oblong in a horizontal direction x, which corresponds to the shifting direction of the battery module (not visible in Fig. 1 , described in further detail herein below). The power supply unit 1 has a front side A, covered by a front end cap 18 and the back side B, covered by a back end cap (not visible in Fig. 1 ).

The power supply unit 1 comprises an outer housing 16, the outer contour of which includes support pillars 3, horizontal beams 1 5a, as well as housing panels 17, arranged next to and between the support pillars 3 and the horizontal beams 1 5a. The outer surfaces of the support pillars 3 and the horizontal beams 1 5a are flush with the outer surfaces of the housing panels 1 7 and thus form the outer surface of the outer housing 1 6.

The mobile power supply unit 1 has hoisting fixtures 24 in the form of eyelets, which are attached to the horizontal beams 1 5a.

The mobile power supply unit 1 preferably has dimensions in a range of 620 mm < width < 1020 mm; 1 100 mm < length < 1 500 mm; 890 mm < height < 1 290 mm. For example, the mobile power supply unit is configured to supply an external load with 3-phase AC voltage, for example between 380 and 41 5 V AC, in particular 400 V AC.

At the front side end cap 18, two sockets 23 are arranged. The sockets 23 may be connected to power cables (not shown), extending away from the power supply unit 1 to an external load. In some embodiments, the sockets 23 and the power cables may also be configured for recharging the battery module 5. Above the sockets 23 is arranged a hinged cover 9, which can be opened in order to access control means and display means (not visible). The control means comprise a control panel including power and regulator switches and selectors for configuring the power supplied to an external load or a battery recharging procedure. The display means comprise at least one display, for example showing the charge state of the battery modules, power level (wattage) and current (ampere) of the power supplied to the electrical load. It may also show the state of a wireless network connection. This information is preferably read out from the control module 6 (see Fig. 3 and 4), which may include, apart from power conversion and regulation components such as a DC to AC converter, a wireless network communications device configured to wirelessly exchange location information of the mobile power supply unit with a remote tracking station, and a monitoring device interconnected to and for example comprised in the at least one battery module, the monitoring device being configured to monitor and read out an electrical state, in particular a charge state of a battery cell of the battery module. The monitoring device is preferably communicatively connected to the wireless network communications device for relaying the monitored electrical state information to the remote tracking station. Alternatively, the wireless network communications device and/or the monitoring device may be arranged in the mobile power supply unit external to the control module as appropriate.

Figure 2 shows the backside B of the power supply unit 1 with the back side end cap 1 9. This back side end cap 19 is typically made of plastic. Furthermore, the bottom side of the power supply unit 1 is visible. The housing panels 1 7b of the bottom side, which are adjacent to the front side A and the back side B, comprise venting openings 20. These venting openings 20 connect outside air to the air inside the mobile power supply unit 1 . As presently shown, the venting openings 20 are shaped as a plurality of slits in the housing panels 17b. Furthermore, the horizontal beams 1 5b, which form art of the frame 2 as well as of the bottom side of the housing 1 6 can be seen.

Support elements 10 are fixed to those horizontal beams 1 5b. These support elements 10 fulfill the function of supporting the weight of the power supply unit 1 , in particular of the battery module stored inside (see Fig. 3 and 4), when the power supply unit 1 stands on the ground. The weight of the power supply unit 1 is further supported by legs 1 1 , which form part of support pillars 3 (described in further detail herein below).

In the exploded views of Figures 3 and 4, the assembly components of the mobile power supply unit 1 are shown separated from one another. Furthermore, the housing panels 1 7 of the top and longitudinal sides of the outer housing 16 are omitted to reveal further constructive details. In both figures, the battery module 5 has been shifted along a horizontal shifting direction x out of the space 4 surrounded by frame 2. During maintenance of the mobile power supply unit 1 , sliding rails 7 having a U-shaped profile are attached to frame 2 at a bottom part of the space 4 for this purpose. The fame 2 shown comprises four support pillars 3. These support pillars 3 are distributed pairwise along the horizontal direction x, which corresponds to the shifting direction of the battery module 5. Opposite support pillars 3 are interconnected by an upper horizontal beam 1 5a and a lower horizontal beam 1 5b, which both form

5 part of the frame 2. The upper horizontal beams 1 5a are made together with opposite support pillars 3 connecting them as a single piece, forming a U-shaped reinforcing structure.

The U-shaped reinforcing structures are connected with each other with longitudinal beams 13, to form a cage-like frame 2 surrounding a space 4 for receiving the0 battery module 5. In the depicted embodiment, in the assembled state, the longitudinal beams 1 3 are covered by the housing panels 1 7 and do not form part of the outer housing 16.

The bottom parts of the support pillars 3 constitute downwardly directed legs 1 1 . These legs 1 1 extend beyond the downwardly facing surface or base of the outer 5 housing 1 6. As mentioned, the weight of the mobile power supply unit 1 is preferably applied to a support surface, for instance the ground or a trailer by the legs 1 1 , and even more preferably additionally by the support elements 10. The support pillars 3 and the upper horizontal beams 1 5a of a respective reinforcing structure are preferably made of bend sheet metal, the metal for example containing alumi¬0 num and/or steel. The control module 6 is arranged in a vertical orientation between the space 4 for receiving the battery module 5 and the end cap 1 9. The mount 1 2 of the control module 6 is attached to the longitudinal beams 13. The control module 6 is interconnected to a respective battery module 5 by means of a wiring (not shown), which may include electrical and/or optical wiring, routed by means of routing means, in particular tubing.

Figures 5 and 6 reveal further details about the battery module 5. It can be seen that the battery module 5 comprises 1 2 batteries 14, which are stacked in a 3 x 4 layout. The batteries 14 are mounted on a base plate 21 . At the bottom side of this base plate 21 , runners 8 are installed. Furthermore, the base plate 21 comprises attachment means 22 - presently tabs comprising oblong holes - for attaching the battery module 5 to the frame 2 of the power supply unit 1 , when the battery module 5 is placed in space 4.

With regard to the layout of the battery module 5, the following general considerations apply, depending on the field of application:

The voltage provided by the battery module 5 can be up to approximately maximum 590 V, preferably as a sum of 1 2 batteries 14, including 1 2 battery cells each;

The battery module 5 can comprise up to twelve batteries 14;

Each battery 14 can comprise up to twelve battery cells, for example of up to approximately 2 V to 4 V, for example 3.6 V each; The battery module 5 can include a battery monitoring unit for monitoring each battery cell;

The battery module 5 can be configured to provide power as part of an UPS ("uninterruptible power source") unit;

The battery module 5 can comprise a three-phase input and/or output;

The battery module 5 can comprise a single-phase input and/or output;

The battery module 5 can provide a current of up to 600 A;

The battery cells of the batteries 14 can be electrically connected in series;

The battery cells of the batteries 14 can be supercapacitors;

The battery cells can contain Lithium-ions, in particular Lithium Manganese Oxide, for example LiMnO₂, and/or Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC);

The battery cells can be rechargeable, in particular rechargeable from mains electricity, the recharging preferably being controlled by control module 6;

The control module 6 can configured to deliver power up to approximately 50 kW, preferably with a capacity of up to 25 kWh or even 35 kWh;

The control module can include power electronics with at least one MCT (MOS-controlled thyristor) component.

Depending on the application, other parameters, in particular voltage values, capacitances, number of battery cells or battery modules and the type of battery material may be selected as appropriate. Figures 7 and 8 show a mounting frame 25 for a power supply unit 1 according to the present invention. The frame 25 has a rectangular shape and is adapted to mount the power supply unit 1 on a carrier (not shown), suitable for travelling in a direction of travel C. The frame 25 is made of four metal profiles, two longitudinal profiles 26 and two transversal profiles 27, which are respectively identical. Guiding plates (28) are arranged at the top of the profiles 26 and 27, in order to facilitate the placing of the power supply unit 1 , specifically the legs 1 1 of the power supply unit 1 , into the mounting frame 25. In order to secure the power supply unit 1 in the frame 25, the latter is equipped with pin holes 29b, into which securing pins 30 can be inserted. The securing pins 30 engage with respective pin holes 29a of the legs 1 1 of the power supply unit 1 (see Fig. 1 ). The securing pins 30 themselves each comprise a mounting bracket 31 , in order to avoid that the pins 30 accidentally fall out of the pin holes 29 during transport.

Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the Spirit and scope of the invention.

T1

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

1 Mobile power supply unit 20 Venting opening

2 Frame 21 Base plate

3 Support pillar 22 Attachment means

4 Space 23 Socket

5 Battery module 25 24 Hoisting fixture

6 Control module 25 Mounting Frame

7 Rails 26 Longitudinal Profile

8 Runners 27 Transversal Profile

9 Cover 28 Guiding Plates

10 Support element 30 29 Pin Hole

1 1 Leg 30 Securing Pin

1 2 Mount (control module) 31 Mounting Bracket

13 Longitudinal beam

14 Battery A Front side

1 5 Horizontal beam 35 B Back side

16 Outer housing C Direction of Travel

17 Housing panel

18 End cap (front side)

19 End cap (back side)

Claims

1 . A mobile power supply unit ( 1 ) comprising a frame (2), wherein the frame (2) at least partially surrounds a space (4) for receiving a battery module ( 5), characterized in that the frame (2) is suitable for shifting the battery module ( 5) in a horizontal shifting direction (x), in order to insert the battery module

(5) into the space (4) and to remove the battery module (5) from the space (4).

2. The mobile power supply unit ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the frame (2) comprises guiding means for shifting the battery module (5) in the horizontal shifting direction (x).

3. The mobile power supply unit ( 1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the guiding means are at least one rail (7), in particular a plurality of rails (7).

4. The mobile power supply unit ( 1 ) according to claim 3, wherein the guiding means, in particular the at least one rail (7), is/are arranged at a bottom sec- tion of the space (4).

5. The mobile power supply unit ( 1 ) according to claim 4, wherein the frame (2) comprises two rails (7), which are arranged at opposite edges of the space (4), the edges being opposite in a horizontal direction (y) perpendicular to the shifting direction (x).

6. The mobile power supply unit ( 1 ) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the rails (7) are realized as sliding rails.

7. The mobile power supply unit ( 1 ) according to claim 6, wherein the sliding rails (7) have a U-shaped profile.

8. The mobile power supply unit ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the frame (2) and the battery module (5) comprise corresponding attachment means for holding the battery module (5) in the space (4) in a holding position.

9. A battery module ( 5) for use in a mobile power supply unit ( 1 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the battery module (5) comprises runners (8) to slide in the U-shaped sliding rails (7) of the power supply unit ( 1 ).

10. A kit-of-parts comprising the power supply unit ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 8 and a battery module (5), in particular a power supply unit ( 1 ) according to claim 7 and a battery module (5) according to claim 9.

1 1. A kit-of-parts according to claim 10, comprising one single battery module

(5).

12. A kit-of-parts, in particular a kit-of-parts according to one of claims 10 or 1 1 , comprising a mobile power supply unit ( 1 ), in particular a power supply unit ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 8, and a mounting frame (25) for mounting the power supply unit ( 1 ) on a carrier.