ELECTRIC VEHICLE WITH AXLE MODULES

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an electric vehicle for the transportation of persons and/or loads, having a frame structure and axle modules which are coupled to the frame structure, a front axle module and a rear axle module, to which in each case the wheels are coupled kinematically, at least one of the axle modules having a drive and an energy source. One of the axle modules has four suspension points for the attachment by means of elastic bearings to the frame structure, in each case, two suspension points forming a pair, and the pairs lying at different heights in the motor vehicle vertical direction.

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. An electric vehicle for the transportation of persons or loads, comprising: a frame structure; axle modules coupled to the frame structure, wherein the axle modules comprise a front axle module and a rear axle module, at least one of the axle modules has a drive or an energy source, at least one of the axle modules has two pairs of suspension points for attachment to the frame structure, and each of the two pairs of suspension points are configured at different heights in a vertical direction of the vehicle; and wheels, wherein each wheel is kinematically coupled to the front axle module or the rear axle module.

13. The electric vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the at least one axle module has a battery carrier arranged centrally in the at least one axle module, and the battery carrier is an integral part of the axle module.

14. The electric vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the at least one axle module has an axle frame on a top portion of the axle module, and a first pair of the suspension points project laterally from the axle frame.

15. The electric vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the at least one axle module has an axle subframe in a lower region of the axle module.

16. The electric vehicle according to claim 15, wherein a second pair of the suspension points are on the axle subframe.

17. The electric vehicle according to claim 12, wherein a second pair of the suspension points are in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, on a side of the at least one axle module, and the side is opposite to a first pair of the suspension points.

18. The electric vehicle according to claim 12, further comprising a connecting line that connects a first pair of the suspension points to a second pair of the suspension points, in side view, through a wheel center point offset by ±100 millimeters (mm) with respect to the wheel center point in the vertical direction of the vehicle at the wheel center point or through a center of mass of a battery box.

19. The electric vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the at least one axle module has a wheel hub motor.

20. The electric vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the at least one axle module has a cooling structure for the battery carrier.

21. The electric vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the frame structure comprises a space frame.

22. The electric vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the two pairs of suspension points are oriented in the vertical direction of the vehicle and axially separated from one another.

23. The electric vehicle according to claim 12, further comprising elastic bearings for attaching the two pairs of suspension points to the frame structure.

24. The electric vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the at least one axle module has a transverse leaf spring.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Further advantages, features, properties and aspects are the subject matter of the following description are shown in diagrammatic figures which serve for the simple comprehension of the disclosure and in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an electric vehicle according to at least one embodiment,

[0022] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show perspective views of a front axle module according to at least one embodiment,

[0023] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show a side view and front view of a basic construction of a front axle module according to at least one embodiment, and

[0024] FIG. 6 shows one with regard to the suspension points with the bearing axial direction in the motor vehicle vertical direction according to at least one embodiment.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE

[0025] FIG. 1 shows an electric vehicle 1 according to the disclosure in the form of a people or carry mover.

[0026] A frame structure 2 is shown which is produced from profiles. This results overall in a relatively large interior compartment 3 which can also be called a passenger compartment. The vehicle 1 has a small ground clearance 4 in the region of the low floor, with the result that simple lateral entry and exit are made possible. The driving direction of the vehicle 1 itself can be of identical configuration in both directions. For the sake of simplicity, however, a front side 5 and a rear side 6 are now shown. A front axle module 7 is arranged on the front side 5, and a rear axle module 8 is arranged on the rear side 6. Wheels 9 are coupled kinematically to the respective axle module 7, 8, with the result that a rebound and compression operation can take place, in order to provide corresponding driving comfort. A front crossmember 10 is shown which configures a crash management system, in order to absorb crash energy in the case of a collision.

[0027] Suspension takes place on the frame structure 2 via four suspension points 11 in a manner which is described here by way of example on the front axle module 7, but possibly also for the rear axle module 8. In each case, two suspension points 11 are combined to form a pair. In the motor vehicle vertical direction Z, the front upper suspension points 11 are arranged at a higher level than the rear suspension points 12 which lie below them in the motor vehicle vertical direction Z. An elastomeric rubber bearing is arranged on the respective suspension points 12, via which elastomeric rubber bearing the respective suspension point 11, 12 is coupled to the frame structure 2.

[0028] The front axle module 7 is shown in a perspective frontal view in FIG. 2 and in a perspective view from below in FIG. 3. The front axle module 7 has a circumferential frame 13. In this case, the frame 13 itself also configures a battery carrier, for receiving batteries 14. The battery carrier is therefore an integral constituent part of the front axle module 7. Arms 15 which project laterally in the motor vehicle transverse direction Y are arranged on the frame 13 itself. An axle subframe 16 is configured on the underside. The axle subframe 16 likewise forms an integral constituent part of the front axle module 7. A transverse leaf spring 17 is arranged. Via the latter, wishbones 18 are coupled to the axle subframe 16 here. A damper strut 19 is arranged on a strut bearing 20, the strut bearing 20 being fastened to the frame 13. An electronic power system 21 is configured, for example, in the form of an on-board charger. In a manner which is not shown in greater detail, a cooling system can be a constituent part of the front axle module 7, for example. Optional wheel hub motors are shown which drive the wheels 9.

[0029] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show a diagrammatic front view and side view, respectively, of the front axle module 7. The center of mass 22 of the batteries 14 and the battery carrier, and the wheel center point 23 of a wheel 9 are illustrated according to FIG. 4. The upper suspension points 11 and the lower suspension points 12 which lie below them in the motor vehicle vertical direction Z are shown in each case as a pair. It is likewise illustrated that an axial direction A of the bearings is arranged in a manner which is oriented in the motor vehicle vertical direction Z. In the case of the use of rubber/metal bearings in the suspension points 11, 12, a support can therefore take place in the vertical direction on account of the axial orientation in the motor vehicle vertical direction Z. At the same time, the radial rigidity of the bearings in the motor vehicle longitudinal direction X and in the motor vehicle transverse direction Y can be designed in such a way that improved comfort is achieved in the case of driving over obstacles.

[0030] FIG. 5 shows the side view in the motor vehicle cross section Y. In the case of the side view, a straight connecting line runs through the wheel center point 23 and/or the center of mass 22 of the battery carrier. This does not mean that the respective point 22, 23 has to lie on the straight line. In a projected side view, the straight connecting line 24 runs through at least one of the two points 22, 23.

[0031] The axial orientation of the suspension points 11, 12 in the motor vehicle vertical direction Z is likewise shown once again in FIG. 6.

[0032] The foregoing description of some embodiments of the disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The specifically described embodiments explain the principles and practical applications to enable one ordinarily skilled in the art to utilize various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.