GB1569268A

GB1569268A - Removable battery packs for electrically driven vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB1569268A
Application number: GB52044/75A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Lucas Industries Ltd
Current assignee: ZF International UK Ltd
Priority date: 1975-12-19
Filing date: 1975-12-19
Publication date: 1980-06-11
Also published as: FR2335961A1; JPS5293018A; IT1065514B; DE2657225A1

Description

(54) REMOVABLE BATTERY PACKS FOR ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN VEHICLES (71) We, LUCAS INDUSTRIES LI MITED, a British Company of Great King Street, Birmingham, B19 2XF do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the follow mg statement: This invention relates to removable battery packs for electrically driven vehicles and means for facilitating handling thereof.

Battery packs for such vehicles are normally removed for recharging at fairly frequent intervals. The usual arrangement furthermore involves removal of one pack which requires recharging and inserting another which is fully charged. In vehicles of the kind with which the invention is concerned, the battery pack is inserted generally in a horizontal plane and has rollers or other friction reducing elements on which it is supported, to facilitate its movement into a position in the vehicle in which it is to be fixed. It is usual for the battery pack to be fixed in place by removable locating elements but, of course, during the operation of insertion of the pack. these elements are not in place.

Battery packs for electric vehicles contain a plurality of battery cells and are extremely heavy. Insertion creates no problems providing the vehicle is standing on level ground. However. should the vehicle be standing on an incline, there is a risk of the battery pack, during insertion, getting out of control and sliding or rolling too fast. In such circumstances, a dangerous accident might result.

It is the object of the invention to provide means for facilitating handling of removable battery packs for electrically driven vehicles in a form which substantially eliminates the risk of accidents of the kind referred to.

According to the present invention means for facilitating handling of a removable battery pack for an electrically driven vehicle, the battery pack comprising a plurality of individual batteries mounted in a tray, and the pack being movable horizontally on a track into and out of a space in the vehicle, latching elements on the battery pack and latching elements on the vehicle co-operable therewith, said latching elements being released as the battery pack moves into or out of the space in the vehicle and being engageable to stop movement of the battery pack.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a vehicle fitted with electrical drive and incorporating the invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation view of the vehicle showing a battery pack in a position to be fitted into a vehicle.

Figure 3 is an enlarged end view showing the battery pack in place in the vehicle, and Figure 4 is a fragmentary section on the line 4-4 in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view on the line 5-5 in Figure 3, Figure 6 is a perspective view of a stop on the trolley, and Figure i. is a side view of the stop in its mounted position.

Figures 1 and 2 show a light goods vehicle indicated generally at 10. The electrical drive includes an electric motor (not illustrated) driving the rear wheels through a conventional transmission system, the electric motor being driver controlled and being powered from a battery pack. The battery pack is in the form of a tray 11 in which are removably carried a number of individual storage batteries 12. This battery pack is shown in Figure 1 mounted within a transverse tunnel 13 in the vehicle body. Access to the tunnel is obtained through openable doors (not shown) at the sides of the vehicle the tunnel extending from side to side of the vehicle.

Figure 3 is an enlarged end view of the battery pack shown in place in the vehicle this figure illustrating the floor 14 of the tunnel in the vehicle body. This has three spaced reinforcement ridges 15, 16, 17 extending lengthwise of the tunnel which define between them a pair of parallel track zones each having a pair of reinforced tracks 18. The tracks support rollers 19 carried on respective brackets of the battery pack tray 11. There are a plurality of rollers mounted on the underside of the tray 11 as can be seen in Figure 2.

Formed on the underside of the battery pack tray 11 and between the pairs of sets of rollers 19 are respective racks 20, 21. These racks 20, 21 are arranged with their teeth presented in opposite senses respectively.

The racks are formed by pressing out sections of the base of the tray 11 and are of approximately arcuate configuration. Alternatively, separate rack members may be secured in place.

Respective pawls 22, 23 engage the racks 20, 21 these pawls being presented in opposite sense as shown in Figure 2.

The arrangement is such that when both pawls are engaged with their respective racks the battery pack is prevented from moving in either direction. It will, however, be apparent that this arrangement will act which ever way the battery pack is inserted into the vehicle.

To provide additional retention of the battery pack in place within the vehicle tunnel 13, so that reliance is not placed entirely upon the ratchet and pawl arrangements, the ends of the ridges 15 and 17 engage respective clamps 24 carried on the battery pack. Each such clamp is an elongated bar with an elongated slot to accept a bolt 26. The bolts are secured in the respective ends of the battery pack and the clamps are retained in place thereon by nuts 27. The lower end of each clamp 24 has a hole to register with a cylindrical stud 28 provided on the ends of the ridges 15, 17 respectively. The stud is conveniently the head of a bolt secured in the end of the ridge.

As can be seen from Figure 2 the battery pack is inserted into the tunnel 13 in the vehicle body from a trolley or stillage. The still age has a base platform 29 and a battery pack supporting platform 30. These are connected by scissor links 31 and the upper battery pack supporting platform 30 can be raised lowered by means of a hydraulic piston and cylinder unit 32.

The stillage has at one end wheels 33 and at the other end it has a towing bracket 34 in the form of an apertured plate. A combined handle and wheel assembly 35 with a peg to engage in the hole of the towing bracket 34 is shown in place for rolling the stillage.

However, if it is desired that the stillage should remain stationary the combined handle and wheel assembly 35 is removed thus allowing the end of the stillage to lower onto the ground.

The stillage upper platform 30 has two further pawls 36, 37, one of which is also shown in Figure 4. These pawls are arranged in opposite sense like those in the vehicle tunnel, and when both are engaged the battery pack cannot move in either direction upon the stillage. With the stillage shown with a tow bracket at one end, only one pawl would be required but two are shown to illustrate how they would be positioned on a stillage having facility for loading and unloading at either end thereof.

Provision is made for releasing the pawls, which are spring loaded, into positions for engagement with racks.

Figures 6 and 7 show stop means on the trolley to prevent the battery pack sliding on it, when the pawls are inoperative, or if they do not hold effectively. The stop means is positioned at the end of the trolley presented to the vehicle, as shown in Figure 2.

The stop means comprises a pair of brackets 45 having a pair of apertured lugs 46, 47. In each lug is a slot 48 and an elongated hole 49. These are aligned, in the respective lugs 46, 47 and in each lug they are also aligned lengthwise thereof. The bracket is secured to the trolley platform 30 as shown in Figure 7. The outward faces of the lugs 46, 47 are cut back as shown.

Between the lugs 46, 47 of each bracket is a part 50 carrying a pair of pins 51, 52 extending out of both sides of the part 50 and engaging in the slots 48 and holes of the lugs 46, 47 respectively.

The parts 50 carry an angle section member 53 with a plurality of resilient stops 54 to engage the battery pack tray 11. These stops are preferably rubber cushioning pads.

The parts 50 are shown in positions to locate the stops 54 where they will engage the battery pack tray if it should move on the trolley. To allow 'the battery pack to be moved onto the vehicle, however, the stop means must be moved out of the path of travel.

To achieve this, the angle section member 53 with the parts 50 secured to it is lifted to disengage the pins 51 from the slots 48. The parts 50 and member 53 can now pivot about the pins 52, downwardly. Reengagement is facilitated by the cut down faces of the lugs 46, 47 but because of the faces, it is not possible for the parts 51 and member 53 to occupy an upright position without proper engagement of the pins 51 in the slots 48. This represents a safety measure.

Figure 4 shows the pawl 36 with its spring 38 urging it into contact with the rack 21.

The pawl 36 is pivoted about a pivot pin 39 near one end. The pivot pin 39 is located in a bracket 40 which is shaped to prevent use of a lever under the pawl for actuating the pawl of engagement with its associated rack without the use of the correct tool or cable (to be described).

However, when the pawl is to be released to allow the battery pack to be moved along the stillage and into the vehicle tunnel 13 this can be accomplished by actuation of a cable 41. Thus, on the stillage there are two such cables 41 which communicate with respective controls 42 on the stillage platform 30. These controls may be at the same end or at respective ends of the stillage but are preferably placed conveniently close to the position at which an operator would stand when guiding the battery pack into the vehicle or out of the vehicle onto the 'stillage.

The pawls 22, 23 within the vehicle are similar to the pawl 36 shown in Figure 4 though the cable release 41 is omitted. To release one of these pawls a tool is inserted into a drilling 43 in the end of the pawl adjacent to the pivot pin 39 thereof. This tool is shaped to extend out of the side of the vehicle so as to be operable when required from the position at which the operator would stand when inserting or removing the battery pack. If any requirement arises for engaging the pawl, the operator merely has to release the cable or tool.

The method of inserting the battery pack into the vehicle comprises placing the battery pack on its stillage adjacent to the side of the vehicle and aligned with the tunnel therein as shown in Figure 2. The pawl 36 is now released by actuation of its associated cable 41. The battery pack can now be pushed into the vehicle the rollers 19 running from the tracks on the stillage platform 30 onto the tracks 18 within the vehicle tunnel aligned therewith. The pawls 37 and 23 on the stillage and in the vehicle respectively are presented away from the ratchet teeth of the ratchet 21 and will merely be deflected as the battery pack moves. If, however, there is any tendency for the battery pack to slide back onto the stillage this will be restrained by engagement of the pawls 23 and 37 or either of them engaging with the rack 20.

If, however, the battery pack tends to move too fast into the vehicle it can be easily stopped by releasing the pawl 36 so that it engages with the rack 21.

When the battery pack is fully engaged in the vehicle tunnel it will engage against the pawl 22 through the rack 20 which will arrest its movement. When this point is reached the pawls 22, 23 acting in opposite directions on their respective racks will prevent the battery pack from moving in either direction. However, to retain it firmly in place the clamps 24 are fastened as described.

If the vehicle is standing on an incline laterally of the vehicle any tendency for too rapid insertion of the battery pack into the vehicle or too rapid movement onto the stillage can be controlled by the operator by release of the appropriate pawl to arrest further movement of the battery pack.

Release of the handle, for whatever reason would cause automatic arrest of the battery pack.

It is common for one battery pack to be inserted from one side of the vehicle while another one is extracted from the other side.

Commonly a discharged pack requiring recharging is extracted from one side by pushing a new fully charged one in through the other. In such case the pawl 36 is used to allow the battery pack on the stillage to be inserted from one side as shown in Figure 2 and the pawl 22 within the vehicle is operated at the other side to allow the discharged battery pack to be removed onto a further stillage.

Though remote control of the pawls can be arranged it is better for the control to be purely manual and local to the position at which the battery pack is being manoeuvered since it is at this position that the operator can more readily decide whether any control over the battery pack movement is required.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. Means for facilitating handling of a removable battery pack for an electrically driven vehicle, the battery pack comprising a plurality of individual batteries mounted in a tray. and the pack being movable horizontally on a track into and out of a space in the vehicle, latching elements on the battery pack and latching elements on the vehicle co-operable therewith, said latching elements being released as the battery pack moves into or out of the space in the vehicle and being engageable to stop movement of the battery pack.

2. Means as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is a trolley on which the battery pack is carried before insertion or onto which it is loaded from the vehicle, the trolley also having a track and latching elements engageable with those on the battery pack.

3. Means as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 in which the releaseable latching elements are ratchet and pawl combination.

4. Means as claimed in claim 3 in which the pawls are releasable by manually controllable means.

5. Means as claimed in claim 4 in which said manually controllable means is spring loaded to a pawl engaging position so that, if

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. Figure 4 shows the pawl 36 with its spring 38 urging it into contact with the rack 21. The pawl 36 is pivoted about a pivot pin 39 near one end. The pivot pin 39 is located in a bracket 40 which is shaped to prevent use of a lever under the pawl for actuating the pawl of engagement with its associated rack without the use of the correct tool or cable (to be described). However, when the pawl is to be released to allow the battery pack to be moved along the stillage and into the vehicle tunnel 13 this can be accomplished by actuation of a cable 41. Thus, on the stillage there are two such cables 41 which communicate with respective controls 42 on the stillage platform 30. These controls may be at the same end or at respective ends of the stillage but are preferably placed conveniently close to the position at which an operator would stand when guiding the battery pack into the vehicle or out of the vehicle onto the 'stillage. The pawls 22, 23 within the vehicle are similar to the pawl 36 shown in Figure 4 though the cable release 41 is omitted. To release one of these pawls a tool is inserted into a drilling 43 in the end of the pawl adjacent to the pivot pin 39 thereof. This tool is shaped to extend out of the side of the vehicle so as to be operable when required from the position at which the operator would stand when inserting or removing the battery pack. If any requirement arises for engaging the pawl, the operator merely has to release the cable or tool. The method of inserting the battery pack into the vehicle comprises placing the battery pack on its stillage adjacent to the side of the vehicle and aligned with the tunnel therein as shown in Figure 2. The pawl 36 is now released by actuation of its associated cable 41. The battery pack can now be pushed into the vehicle the rollers 19 running from the tracks on the stillage platform 30 onto the tracks 18 within the vehicle tunnel aligned therewith. The pawls 37 and 23 on the stillage and in the vehicle respectively are presented away from the ratchet teeth of the ratchet 21 and will merely be deflected as the battery pack moves. If, however, there is any tendency for the battery pack to slide back onto the stillage this will be restrained by engagement of the pawls 23 and 37 or either of them engaging with the rack 20. If, however, the battery pack tends to move too fast into the vehicle it can be easily stopped by releasing the pawl 36 so that it engages with the rack 21. When the battery pack is fully engaged in the vehicle tunnel it will engage against the pawl 22 through the rack 20 which will arrest its movement. When this point is reached the pawls 22, 23 acting in opposite directions on their respective racks will prevent the battery pack from moving in either direction. However, to retain it firmly in place the clamps 24 are fastened as described. If the vehicle is standing on an incline laterally of the vehicle any tendency for too rapid insertion of the battery pack into the vehicle or too rapid movement onto the stillage can be controlled by the operator by release of the appropriate pawl to arrest further movement of the battery pack. Release of the handle, for whatever reason would cause automatic arrest of the battery pack. It is common for one battery pack to be inserted from one side of the vehicle while another one is extracted from the other side. Commonly a discharged pack requiring recharging is extracted from one side by pushing a new fully charged one in through the other. In such case the pawl 36 is used to allow the battery pack on the stillage to be inserted from one side as shown in Figure 2 and the pawl 22 within the vehicle is operated at the other side to allow the discharged battery pack to be removed onto a further stillage. Though remote control of the pawls can be arranged it is better for the control to be purely manual and local to the position at which the battery pack is being manoeuvered since it is at this position that the operator can more readily decide whether any control over the battery pack movement is required. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. Means for facilitating handling of a removable battery pack for an electrically driven vehicle, the battery pack comprising a plurality of individual batteries mounted in a tray. and the pack being movable horizontally on a track into and out of a space in the vehicle, latching elements on the battery pack and latching elements on the vehicle co-operable therewith, said latching elements being released as the battery pack moves into or out of the space in the vehicle and being engageable to stop movement of the battery pack.

released, the pawls will engage to arrest movement of the battery pack.

6. Means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including stop means on the trolley to prevent the movement of the battery pack thereon, in one direction.

7. Means for facilitating handling of a removable battery pack for an electrically driven vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.