DRIVE SYSTEM FOR ARMORED ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate to a drive system for armored electric vehicles and a method for its operation in event of a fire of the traction battery.

Claims

1. An armored motor vehicle with electric drive, comprising: a high-voltage battery for the energy supply of the electric drive, being removably connected by explosive connection elements to the motor vehicle, and a combustion engine which is adapted to start and assure propulsion of the motor vehicle upon separation of the high-voltage battery from the motor vehicle.

2. The armored motor vehicle according to claim 1, in which the electric drive is an electrical independent wheel drive.

3. The armored motor vehicle according to claim 1, in which the combustion engine is connected by a differential transmission in permanent and parallel manner to a drive train of the motor vehicle.

4. The armored motor vehicle according to claim 1, in which the combustion engine generates electrical energy for the operation of the electric drive.

5. The armored motor vehicle according to claim 1, in which it is not recognizable from the outside that the motor vehicle has a combustion engine.

6. The armored motor vehicle according to claim 5, in which the exhaust gas system of the combustion engine is not visible from the outside.

7. The armored motor vehicle according to claim 1, in which the high-voltage battery is connected by explosive screws or explosive bolts to the motor vehicle.

8. A method for operating an armored motor vehicle with electric drive including a high-voltage battery for the energy supply of the electric drive, being removably connected by explosive connection elements to the motor vehicle, and a combustion engine which is adapted to start and assure propulsion of the motor vehicle upon separation of the high-voltage battery from the motor vehicle, the method comprising: upon overheating or fire of the high-voltage battery, the connection between the motor vehicle and the high-voltage battery is exploded and the high-voltage battery is entirely separated from the motor vehicle and the combustion engine is started and assures further operation of the drive of the motor vehicle.

9. The method according to claim 8, in which the combustion engine generates a torque which is coupled across a differential transmission into a drive train of the motor vehicle.

10. The method according to claim 8, in which the combustion engine generates electrical energy to supply the electric drive of the motor vehicle.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] Some embodiments include an armored motor vehicle with electric drive, comprising a high-voltage (“HV”) battery for the energy supply of the electric drive, being removably connected by explosive connection elements to the motor vehicle, and comprising a combustion engine which is adapted to start and assure the propulsion of the motor vehicle upon separation of the HV battery from the motor vehicle.

[0008] The HV battery for the energy supply of the electric drive (traction battery) of the armored motor vehicle described herein is removably connected by explosive connection elements to the motor vehicle. This allows for a total detachment of the HV battery from the overall vehicle in event of an attack on or a striking of the vehicle in which the HV battery is affected and responds with fire or explosion and smoke. Thus, the reaction of the HV battery is prevented from extending to the vehicle.

[0009] Pyrotechnic elements are used for the separating of the vehicle and the HV battery. In one embodiment of the armored motor vehicle, the HV battery is connected by explosive screws (similar to the door fastening in VIP armored vehicles) or explosive bolts to the motor vehicle.

[0010] A small combustion engine (internal combustion engine or ICE), such as a 1.4 l TFSI combustion engine, serves for taking over the propulsion after separation of the HV battery. Thus, the continuing propulsion and hence the possibility of escape are assured.

[0011] In one embodiment of the armored motor vehicle, the combustion engine is connected by a differential transmission in permanent and parallel manner to a drive train of the motor vehicle. In another embodiment, the combustion engine is connected to a drive train of the motor vehicle similar to a hybrid drive.

[0012] In another embodiment of the armored motor vehicle, the combustion engine generates electrical energy for the operation of the electric drive. The combustion engine works like a generator and generates enough power to continue operating the electrical drive with the aid of a power electronics. In one embodiment, the armored motor vehicle comprises an electrical independent wheel drive, i.e., each wheel is associated with a separate electrical machine. The combustion engine works like a generator and generates enough power to continue operating the electrical drive (electric motor) of at least one wheel with the aid of a power electronics. This assures the continued propulsion of the overall vehicle in event of a failure of individual wheels or electric motors.

[0013] In one embodiment of the armored motor vehicle, it is not recognizable from the outside that the motor vehicle has a combustion engine, in particular the exhaust gas system of the combustion engine is not visible from the outside. The installation of a combustion engine for emergency situations remains hidden from outsiders, in order to achieve a further safety enhancement, since an attacker will not be expecting a redundant drive system.

[0014] Some embodiments include a method for operating the armored motor vehicle described herein. In the method, upon overheating or fire of the HV battery the connection between the motor vehicle and the HV battery is exploded and the HV battery is entirely separated from the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the combustion engine is started and thus assures the further operation of the drive of the motor vehicle.

[0015] In one embodiment of the method, the combustion engine generates a torque which is coupled across a differential transmission into a drive train of the motor vehicle.

[0016] In another embodiment of the method, the combustion engine generates electrical energy to supply the electric drive of the motor vehicle. In another embodiment of the method, the motor vehicle comprises an electrical independent wheel drive and the combustion engine generates electrical energy to supply the electrical drive of at least one wheel of the motor vehicle.

[0017] Among the benefits of the embodiments described herein is the fact that BEV vehicles can be used for personal protection in public. Thus, even long distances can be covered with purely electrically operated vehicles. In event of an attack on or a striking of the vehicle, the danger zone of the HV battery and the extreme danger potential resulting from it are separated from the vehicle and the passenger compartment. Thanks to the use of an ICE, the vehicle however does not lose its propulsion ability, and thus the passengers are protected and have a chance to leave the danger area.

[0018] The features mentioned herein can be used not only in the particular indicated combination, but also in other combinations or standing alone.

[0019] German patent application no. 10 2022 103469.0, filed Feb. 15, 2022, to which this application claims priority, is hereby incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.

[0020] Aspects of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.