DE102021004484A1 - Electromobility system for vehicle trailers - Google Patents

Abstract

An electric mobility system for operating trailers on electric towing vehicles is presented, with which a decisive disadvantage, namely the high purchase price of the vehicles or trailers due to the additional battery capacity required, is eliminated.
The system consists of:
1. A set of vehicle trailers that have space for spare batteries. These batteries are intended to support the towing vehicle in order to cover the additional energy requirement for towing a trailer.
2. a set of replacement batteries. If possible, these are distributed to the trailers in such a way that stationary trailers and trailers used for short journeys do not contain expensive batteries, thus saving costs and energy.
3. An infrastructure consisting of a network of exchange stations that keep full exchange batteries in stock, empty batteries can be charged and where full and empty batteries can be exchanged
With the exchangeable battery system presented, it is possible to operate a larger number of trailers with a small number of batteries, thus saving battery capacity.

Description

The invention presented describes an electromobility system for vehicle combinations with vehicle trailers that can be equipped with additional batteries if required, exchange batteries and exchange stations that make these batteries available.

1. Problem statement

• • Einfache und kompakte Konstruktion des Antriebs
• • Kein Schadstoffausstoß durch das Fahrzeug
• • Geringere Umweltbelastung sofern der Strom umweltfreundlich erzeugt wird
• • Niedrigere Energiekosten

und müssen an dieser Stelle nicht weiter erläutert werden.The advantages of electric mobility are well known:

• • Simple and compact design of the drive
• • No pollutant emissions from the vehicle
• • Lower environmental impact if the electricity is generated in an environmentally friendly manner
• • Lower energy costs

and need not be explained further here.

If an electric car is towing a trailer to transport a payload or a caravan, the energy consumption can increase drastically, so that the range is reduced accordingly. This must be compensated for by additional battery capacity.

2. Previous problem solutions (state of the art)

1. 1. Elektroauto mit Hybridantrieb: eignen sich bei entsprechender Motorleistung zum Ziehen eines Anhängers und werden von vielen Herstellern angeboten. Sie eignen sich nicht dafür, einen Anhänger mit einem elektrischen Antrieb über längere Strecken zu ziehen. Die elektrische Reichweite mit Anhänger beträgt wenige 10 km.
2. 2. Elektroauto mit sehr großer Batterie, z.B. [Tesla Model X], [Audi E-tron]: selbst mit Batteriekapazitäten von bis zu 100 kWh ist die Anhänger-Reichweite deutlich beschränkt und erfüllt damit nicht die Komfort-Anforderungen, die an solch hochpreisige Fahrzeuge gestellt werden.
3. 3. Nutzlast-Anhänger mit eigener Batterie und ggf. eigenem Antrieb, z.B. [Dehtleffs e-Home]): die technische Zusatzausstattung, insbesondere die Batterie erhöht den Verkaufspreis erheblich und ist deshalb für die meisten Anwendungen uninteressant
4. 4. Anhänger als Range Extender, z.B. [ DE102012011960 ], [ CN2026414140 ]:während es bei Anhängern eine große Zahl an Varianten für die unterschiedlichen Bedürfnisse und Nutzlasten gibt, sind mobile Range Extender nur für diesen Zweck gedacht. Es gibt deshalb nur wenige Modelle, die in der Regel auch nur zum Transport der Erweiterungsbatterie, aber nicht für weitere Nutzlasten konstruiert sind.

In the case of electric cars towing a trailer, the following solutions can currently be distinguished:

1. 1. Electric car with hybrid drive: are suitable for towing a trailer with the appropriate engine power and are offered by many manufacturers. They are not suitable for towing a trailer with an electric drive over long distances. The electric range with a trailer is a few 10 km.
2. 2. Electric car with a very large battery, eg [Tesla Model X], [Audi E-tron]: even with battery capacities of up to 100 kWh, the range of the trailer is clearly limited and therefore does not meet the comfort requirements of such high-priced vehicles are provided.
3. 3. Payload trailer with its own battery and possibly its own drive, eg [Dehtleffs e-Home]): the additional technical equipment, in particular the battery, increases the sales price considerably and is therefore of no interest for most applications
4. 4. Trailer as a range extender, e.g. [ DE102012011960 ], [ CN2026414140 ]:While trailers come in a wide variety of variants for different needs and payloads, mobile range extenders are intended for this purpose only. There are therefore only a few models that are usually only designed to transport the expansion battery, but not for additional payloads.

All of these solutions have the disadvantage that they make the towing vehicle or trailer considerably more expensive. If the trailer is used only rarely, e.g. a few times a year, these solutions are uneconomical.

3. New problem solving

The object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide an improved system for operating electrically powered vehicles with trailers. The system consists of suitable vehicle trailers, replacement batteries and replacement stations.

3.1 Trailer

• Sie besitzen im Gegensatz zu herkömmlichen Anhängern einen oder mehrere Batterie-Räume (14) für Wechselbatterien. Der Anhänger ist so konstruiert, dass er mit leeren (14), teilweise oder vollständig (15) bestückten Batterie-Räumen betrieben werden kann.

The trailers (10) associated with the invention ( 1.1 until 1.3 ) are characterized by the following properties:

• In contrast to conventional trailers, they have one or more battery compartments (14) for replacement batteries. The trailer is designed in such a way that it can be operated with empty (14), partially or fully (15) filled battery compartments.

The battery room(s) (14) in the trailer are provided for accommodating replacement batteries (16). The batteries are used to extend the range over medium or long distances. Without replacement batteries, ie with an empty battery compartment (14), the trailer can be used for short distances, e.g. up to 100 km ( 1.1 ).

For long and medium distances, the trailer is fitted with batteries. It then supplies energy to the electric drive when driving. The energy can be transmitted to the towing vehicle via an electrical interface (11) and then take over the power supply of the drive alone or in parallel with the built-in battery of the towing vehicle ( 1.2 ). If the vehicle trailer has its own drive, it is also possible to supply it with the replacement battery without transferring energy to the towing vehicle.

1. 1. Übertragung von Energie zum Fahrzeug während der Fahrt (2.1)
2. 2. Die Batterien werden über die Ladeschnittstelle des Anhängers geladen (1.3)
3. 3. Laden der Batterie über die Schnittstelle zum Fahrzeug. Diese muss dafür bidirektional ausgelegt sein (2.2).

As an option for changing the battery, the trailer also offers a charging device (12). A control unit in the trailer (13) enables various operating modes:

1. 1. Transmission of energy to the vehicle while driving ( 2.1 )
2. 2. The batteries are charged via the trailer charging interface ( 1.3 )
3. 3. Charging the battery via the interface to the vehicle. This must be designed bidirectionally ( 2.2 ).

The replacement batteries are easily installed and removed in the replacement stations. For this purpose, the exchangeable batteries can also be designed as individual modules (17).

3.2 Replacement Batteries

The replacement batteries (16) are used to extend the range of the towing vehicle and trailer combination. They can be borrowed from the operator of the electric mobility system. The aim is to leave the borrowed batteries installed in the trailer for as short a time as possible so that it can be made available to other participants in the system when it is not needed, e.g. when the trailer is parked or is only being moved in a local area can.

• • die mechanische Handhabung zu erleichtern
• • das Zuladungsgewicht zu optimieren oder
• • die Flexibilität des Ausleihsystems zu erhöhen.

The replacement batteries can consist of one (16) or more modules (17) to

• • to facilitate mechanical handling
• • to optimize the payload weight or
• • to increase the flexibility of the lending system.

Mixed operation is also possible if the trailer owner owns one or more modules and borrows one or more modules from a changing station if required. If no batteries are required for trailer operation, the borrowed modules will be returned. During this time, the remaining modules can be used elsewhere, e.g. in buildings as a backup battery.

3.3 Exchange Stations

1. 1. Vorratshaltung der Wechselbatterien
2. 2. Aufladen der im Lager befindlichen der Batterien
3. 3. Ausleihen und Rückgabe der Batterien
4. 4. Austausch der Batterien in den Anhängern

The changing stations (30) have the following tasks ( 3 ):

1. 1. Storage of replacement batteries
2. 2. Charging the batteries in storage
3. 3. Borrowing and returning the batteries
4. 4. Replacing the batteries in the trailers

The changing stations are equipped with a charging unit (34) and an intermediate storage (33) for batteries. The charging unit consists of an electrical power supply (37) and charging device (36) for the batteries (35) to be charged. The purpose of the energy supply is to provide the optimum currents and voltages for charging the batteries.

The charging device is able to charge several batteries at the same time. The charging time and the service life of the batteries can be optimized by the adapted energy supply (37).

The intermediate store (33) is used to keep charged replacement batteries (32) ready and to store batteries (31) that are still to be charged.

A changing or lifting device (38) is provided for changing or installing and removing the batteries if the batteries are too heavy for people to carry. If batteries are used that are divided into several modules, this process can be facilitated. The changing device can work automatically or manually. If possible, the devices are designed in such a way that the process only takes a few minutes, i.e. no longer than a conventional refueling.

If no exchange station is available, existing charging stations can be used and the built-in exchangeable battery can be charged. The electromobility system can thus be understood as a combination of an exchangeable battery system and a rapid charging station system. Depending on which infrastructure is further developed in which area, one or the other system can be used.

When the system is introduced, it is sufficient to have a changing station with rental and return options in the local area of the trailer. This expands the locally usable area of the trailer.

If this extended local area is left, the existing charging station system can be used; the electric car-trailer combination then behaves like any other electric car. Alternatively, a changing station with a change option can also be used.

The system is not dependent on a nationwide network of changing stations. The system can already be operated with two stations at two remote locations, so that it is easy to get started with the system.

3.4 Towing vehicle

The electric towing vehicles suitable for the system ( 2.1 ) are characterized in comparison with conventional electrically powered vehicles in that they can be supplied with energy from the outside via an interface (21) while driving. For this purpose, the interface is connected to the interface of the trailer (10) by a cable (22). In a further embodiment, the interface of the vehicle (21) can also be identical to the charging device (25) of the vehicle.

• • der Batterie des Fahrzeugs (23) oder
• • den Wechselbatterien (15) des Anhängers oder
• • gleichzeitig aus den Batterien des Fahrzeugs und des Anhängers.

The control unit of the vehicle (20) makes it possible to supply the drive (24) with energy while driving, specifically off

• • the vehicle's battery (23) or
• • the trailer's replacement batteries (15) or
• • Simultaneously from the vehicle and trailer batteries.

If the interfaces of the vehicle (21) and the interface of the trailer (10) are bidirectional, the trailer batteries can also be charged via the towing vehicle ( 2.2 ).

3.5 Billing

In contrast to the current car transport system, which is based on consuming petrol or diesel and paying for it when the vehicle is refuelled, the new system also requires a different type of billing.

The batteries are returned to the exchange stations after use. Since the battery does not necessarily have to be empty, it is necessary to measure the energy actually consumed, e.g. via the remaining capacity. In addition, the time how long the battery has been used must be recorded in order to be able to determine the total costs. Billing can take place when the battery is issued or when it is returned. If an exchange of information between the individual stations is necessary for this, this can take place via the exchangeable batteries, the vehicle or the Internet.

3.6 Handling

The new mobility system ( 4 ) distinguishes routes in the local area (small circle) (41), medium-range (large circle) (40) (47), and long-distance (outside the circle). It is organized in such a way that expensive and heavy replacement batteries are installed only in those trailers that travel medium or long distances (42), (48). On the other hand, they generally do not include parked trailers (46) or vehicle-trailers used for short-distance operations (43). As a result, the entire system uses fewer batteries than if each trailer were constantly fitted with batteries, i.e. there are more trailers than replacement batteries (in 4 eg only 4 out of 8 trailers are equipped with exchangeable batteries). This results in cost advantages for users during operation. In addition, the system is also more energy-efficient since the total weight of the trailer is adjusted to the route to be driven.

Compared to trailers that have a permanently installed battery, the production price of the trailers belonging to the system is comparable to that of a conventional trailer.

The short-distance operation in the local area (41) can be carried out inexpensively and without using the exchange stations (44). An exchange station is only used for longer distances and an exchange battery is installed.

• • Ausdehnung des lokalen Bereichs mit direkter Rückkehr zur Ausleihstation (mittlere Reichweite)
• • Verlassen des lokalen Bereichs (Langstrecke) (48) (49), bei dem entweder
  • ◯ die Wechselbatterie bei einer Wechselstation ausgetauscht oder
  • ◯ die Wechselbatterie mittels einer (Schnell-)Ladesäule (50) aufgeladen wird (51).

A distinction is made between two types of use:

• • Extension of the local area with a direct return to the rental station (medium range)
• • Leaving Local Area (Long Haul) (48) (49) where either
  • ◯ the replacement battery is replaced at a replacement station or
  • ◯ the replacement battery is charged (51) using a (quick) charging station (50).

Shortly before the destination, the replacement battery is handed in at a station. This interruption of the journey lasts only a few minutes and is comparable to a fuel stop. The rest of the route is driven again with the built-in battery of the towing vehicle.

Since the amount of energy and duration are billed, there is an incentive to return the replacement batteries and make them available to other participants. This reduces the overall costs for all participants. On the other hand, the system is also flexible enough to leave a battery in a trailer for a longer period of time and bill accordingly. This applies, for example, to trips abroad if no infrastructure is available.

The new system also eliminates another factor of uncertainty associated with previous electromobility: because all participants in the system share the batteries and they are therefore better used, they also reach their life expectancy relatively quickly. This means that the financing costs are lower and the technology of the accumulators can be kept up to date at all times.

In short-distance operation, cost advantages arise when vehicles without a large battery capacity can also be used as towing vehicles.

Reference List

10

vehicle trailer

11

Trailer electrical interface

12

Trailer loading device

13

trailer control unit

14

Trailer battery compartment

15

Stocked battery room

16

change battery

17

Exchangeable batteries designed as modules

20

vehicle control unit

21

Vehicle electrical interface

22

Cable between towing vehicle and trailer

23

battery of the vehicle

24

propulsion of the vehicle

25

Loader of the towing vehicle

30

changing station

31

Discharged or partially charged battery

32

Charged battery

33

Storage for batteries

34

loading unit

35

battery while charging

36

Loading device of the loading unit

37

power supply

38

Changing or lifting device for batteries

40

Mid-range region

41

Local environment, region for short-haul operations

42

Driving team with exchangeable battery (medium distance)

43

Driving team without battery (short distance)

44

exchange stations

45

Parked car and trailer without a replacement battery at the charging station

46

Parked trailer without replacement battery

47

Region covered by an exchange station

48

Driving team with exchangeable battery (large distance)

49

System with several changing stations and charging stations

50

(Fast) charging station outside the covered area

51

Parked team with replacement battery at charging station (long distance)

character list

• 1.1 Trailer with an empty battery compartment
• 1.2 Trailer with batteries and power transmission to the vehicle
• 1.3 Charging the batteries via the trailer charging device
• 2.1 Towing vehicle with trailer while driving
• 2.2 Towing vehicle with trailer while loading over the vehicle
• 3 Changing station with battery storage
• 4 Electromobility system for electric towing vehicles with trailers

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely 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

• DE 102012011960 [0004]
• CN2026414140 [0004]

Claims (5)

System for the operation of electrically powered vehicles with trailers comprising a plurality of vehicle trailers (10), a plurality of replacement batteries (16) and a plurality of changing stations (30), wherein 1.1. The vehicle trailers include at least 1.1.1. one or more battery rooms (14) equipped to accommodate one or more replacement batteries (16), 1.1.2. an electrical interface (11) for supplying a vehicle drive (24) or a trailer-internal drive, 1.2. the replacement batteries (16) 1.2.1. charged at a charging station and/or 1.2.2. can be changed and installed or removed at a changing station (30). 1.3. which include exchange stations 1.3.1. an intermediate store (33) for replacement batteries (31), (32) and or 1.3.2. comprising a loading unit (34). 1.3.2.1. a charging device (36) equipped for charging one or more exchangeable batteries (35), 1.3.2.2. an electrical energy supply (37) for the charging device (36), and/or 1.3.3. a changing or lifting device (38) for the automatic or manual installation and removal of the replacement batteries (31) (32) in the vehicle trailer System for operating electrically powered vehicles with trailers claim 1 , characterized in that 2.1. Parked vehicle trailers (46) and vehicle trailers used for short trips do not contain a replacement battery (16) 2.2. the replacement batteries (16) are only installed in vehicle trailers (42,48) that travel medium or long distances. System for operating electrically powered vehicles with trailers claim 1 , characterized in that it is equipped with a billing system that can record and evaluate the service life and the energy consumed during use after using a replacement battery (16). System for operating electrically powered vehicles with trailers claim 1 , characterized in that there is an electrical connection (22) between the trailer and the vehicle in order to supply the drive of the towing vehicle with energy System for operating electrically powered vehicles with trailers claim 1 , characterized in that the built-in trailer replacement batteries supply a trailer-internal drive

Images