SYSTEM FOR CARRYING, RECEIVING AND UNLOADING LOADS AND GOODS FOR ELECTRIC MOTOR VEHICLES AND HYBRID VEHICLES

Abstract

A system is provided for carrying, receiving and unloading loads and goods for motor vehicles and to a vehicle in which the system is installed. The system allows a maximally variable and simultaneously ideal cuboidal loading area by combining a foldable loading area on the lower face of the vehicle with a rail system, which is positioned on the vehicle lower base in order to receive a wide variety of transport goods and carrier systems and a level-regulating function. Thus, a reduction of the environmental impact of the motor vehicle equipped with the system according to the invention can be combined with a versatile use, whether as a car-sharing concept or private or logistical applications, and excellent loading ergonomics. Additionally, the rail system, the folding mechanism and the transported goods to be conveyed are weatherproofed.

Claims

1. A Device for carrying, receiving and unloading loads and goods below the passenger compartment for electrically operated motor vehicles and hybrid vehicles, characterized in that the device comprises a load-bearing rail system that is integrated in the vehicle lower base (7), a level regulating system which moves the vehicle body to a height defined by the system relative to the road surface, a foldable loading area (5) for carrying, receiving and unloading loads and goods, which is fixed to the vehicle lower base (7) and a rear axle of the type longitudinal arm axle or composite arm axle, the stopping point of which is located on the side of the vehicle lower base (7) or on the side edge of the vehicle lower base (7).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the rail system is aligned along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the rail system comprises at least one profile rail (9) for slidably receiving, storing and unloading a sliding block connected or connectable to the at least one individual item or at least one receiving subsystem or ball or roller-mounted rail runner.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the rail system is variable with respect to its length.

5. Device according to claim 1, wherein the presence of several profile rails (9) in the frame of the rail system, these are arranged axially parallel.

6. Device according to claim 1, wherein the rail system has an integrated locking or jamming functionality, wherein the locking or jamming functionality can be locked and can be unlocked mechanically as well as electromechanically, the locking or jamming functionality is structurally adapted such that it is divided into at least one subsegment for each rail, which allows each subsegment to be locked and unlocked separately, the locking or jamming functionality on the sensor and actuator side is connected in segments to the vehicle's own bus system (21) and the locking or jamming functionality is adapted in such a way that it can be operated both from the vehicle interior via a corresponding control element (24) and via the communication interface (25) from outside the vehicle.

7. Device according to claim 1, wherein the rail system is adapted to accommodate several individual goods, each with its own, sliding block-, roller- or ball-bearing suspension systems.

8. Device according to claim 1, wherein the rail system is adapted to accommodate different subsystems, each of which provide specific transport functionalities for one or more large individual goods without suspension systems.

9. Device according to claim 1, wherein the rail system is adapted to accommodate various subsystems which can quickly receive and unload aggregated container packages or other standardized packaging units.

10. Device according to claim 1, comprising a conveyor for easier loading can be integrated into the rail system.

11. Device according to claim 1, wherein the rail system is adapted such that a correspondingly expanded double profile rail (46) both on the vehicle lower base (7) and also comprises a rail mount for consoles or mounting devices known to the vehicle interior.

12. Device according to claim 1, wherein the level regulating system can keep the specified height in an independently regulating way.

13. Device according to claim 1, wherein the level regulating system is connected to the vehicle's own bus system (21) in such a way that a change in height is made possible both from the control element in the vehicle interior (24) of the vehicle and via the communication interface (25) from the outside.

14. Device according to claim 1, wherein the level regulating system is connected to the vehicle's own bus system (21) in such a way that an angle change by an angle (48) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle is made possible by a corresponding lowering of the rear axle and the lowering of the rear axle is possible in the specified area both when stationary and at a walking speed to be defined.

15. Device according to claim 1, wherein the unfolding functionality of the foldable loading area (5) is carried out by means of a claw grid system.

16. Device according to claim 1, wherein the control of the claw grid system is connected to the vehicle's own bus system (21).

17. Device according to claim 1, wherein the foldable loading area (5) is closed at the bottom by a lower shell (3), wherein the lower shell (3)manufactured in lightweight adaptationis only intended for direct loading with goods of low weight, i.e. up to 50 kg in total, and the lower shell (3) by the adaptation of the folding mechanism a movement exclusively vertically in the z direction.

18. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the foldable loading area (5) is enclosed to the outside by a rollable or foldable material located outside the claw grid (6) non-transparently

19. A Vehicle having an electric or hybrid-electric drive, comprising a device for carrying, receiving and unloading loads and goods below the passenger compartment for electrically operated motor vehicles and hybrid vehicles, characterized in that the device comprises a load-bearing rail system that is integrated in the vehicle lower base (7), comprises a level regulating system which moves the vehicle body to a height defined by the system relative to the road surface, comprises of a foldable loading area (5) for carrying, receiving and unloading loads and goods, which is fixed to the vehicle lower base (7) and comprises a rear axle of the type longitudinal arm axle or composite arm axle, the stopping point of which is located on the side of the vehicle lower base (7) or on the side edge of the vehicle lower base (7).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may have been referred by embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

[0021] These and other features, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following text figure, with like reference numbers referring to like structures across the views, wherein:

[0022] FIG. 1 shows the car with the luggage compartment folded, the longitudinal arms of the rear axle (2) are in a position that holds the body of the vehicle at a level near the ground, the lower shell (3) bears against the vehicle lower base.

[0023] In FIG. 2, the motor vehicle is brought to a maximum height position by means of the ECU of the level regulating system (27) and the spring-damper unit (4) has been brought into a maximum height position, the trailing arm (2) has accordingly changed its inclination. The loading area (5) has been unfolded and takes up the space between the two dashed lines.

[0024] FIG. 3 shows the claw grid system with the loading area (5) unfolded with the components claw grid (6) and servomotor claw grid (8), its attachment to the vehicle lower base (7) and the ending of the loading area downwards by means of the lower shell (3).

[0025] FIG. 4 shows the schematic structure of the locking and unlocking mechanism of the rails. The basic technical design of a rail system is known, the technical design is modified in that the loads are attached in a hanging manner. Furthermore, the locking and unlocking mechanism is adapted so that both manual and electromechanical locking and unlocking are possible.

[0026] FIG. 5 shows the front view of a profile rail (6) with permanently installed rollers (16) and insertable carrier profile (17) bearing the loads.

[0027] FIG. 6 shows the motor vehicle obliquely from behind with the subsystems involved in with the loading area (5) unfolded.

[0028] From this illustration, the arrangement of the profile rails (9) with servomotor eccentric shaft (15) for locking and unlocking can be seen as well as the claw grid (6) and its servomotors (8), which are responsible for the unfolding and folding of the loading area.

[0029] FIG. 7 shows the schematic structure of the vehicle from below, in addition to the course of the rails at maximum length, the arrangement of the vehicle driving electric motor (16) and the drive shafts (15) can be seen.

[0030] FIG. 8 shows the schematic overview of the integrated electronic components on the vehicle's own bus system (21).

[0031] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show schematically the case of loading with a bicycle (34).

[0032] FIG. 11 shows schematically the case of loading with a kayak (35).

[0033] FIG. 12 schematically shows the case of loading with a package of several standard containers (38) put together by means of physical internet boxes.

[0034] FIG. 13 schematically shows the case of loading with a trolley type container (39) to be used as a shopping trolley.

[0035] FIG. 14 shows schematically the case of separate containers for heating (44) and cooling (45) inside the loading area (5).

[0036] FIG. 15 schematically shows a constructive variant with an additional profile for fastening furniture in the vehicle interior as a double profile rail (46).

[0037] FIG. 16 schematically shows the case of automatic unloading of a container (49).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0038] The present invention is described hereinafter by various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein reference numerals used in the accompanying drawing correspond to the like elements throughout the description.

[0039] While the present invention is described herein by way of example using embodiments and illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments of drawing or drawings described and are not intended to represent the scale of the various components. Further, some components that may form a part of the invention may not be illustrated in certain figures, for ease of illustration, and such omissions do not limit the embodiments outlined in any way. It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim. As used throughout this description, the word may is used in a permissive sense (i.e. meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense, (i.e. meaning must). Further, the words a or an mean at least one and the word plurality means one or more unless otherwise mentioned. Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology used herein is solely used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as including, comprising, having, containing, or involving, and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited, and is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. Likewise, the term comprising is considered synonymous with the terms including or containing for applicable legal purposes.

[0040] The specific rear axle construction is to be seen as a constructive requirement through which the large foldable loading area between the two longitudinal arms can be spanned at all.

[0041] The connection of the technical subsystems mentioned to the vehicle's own bus system ensures that their control and function can be both seamlessly integrated and coordinated. For example, the function and control speed of the servo motor for the claw-grid is directly coordinated with the actual height of the vehicle provided by the ECU of the level regulating system and unlocking of the rail system for loading is only authorized when both the level regulating system and the servomotor signal completion of the regulatory unfolding of the loading area. Analogously, it is ensured that the loading area can only be folded in when the rail system is not occupied, and the vehicle is lowered in parallel only at the maximum control speed of the servomotor of the folding mechanism.

[0042] The advantages of the system according to the invention are, in addition to the maximum ergonomic positioning of the loading area and the safe and pollution-protected storage of the cargo, above all the use-dependent adaptability of the system in terms of operation-different maximum lifting heights, freely definable lifting grids and control speeds- and goods to be transported and the intuitive, playful ease of use. Due to the design-related maximum openness, the system can serve a variety of different usage scenarios by means of application-specific subsystems to be used in the rail system, and this in the shortest possible conversion time. A loading area with such a wide range of uses, which is always available at the push of a button but is virtually invisible when not in use, is not yet known. In addition, the system has the great advantage that it offers a number of use cases in the built-in vehicles, both for purely private, purely commercial and mixed use without conversion measures, commercial re-use of a private vehicle is just as conceivable as a highly efficient use as car sharing vehicle with changing task profiles.

[0043] After all, this integrated solution is excellent in terms of both optical and aerodynamic optimization, in both aspects, both when unfolded and when closed.

[0044] In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the lateral external view of a vehicle equipped with the device according to the invention is shown schematically, wherein the area of the unfolded loading area (5), the positioning of the spring-damper unit (4), the rough position of the longitudinal arm of the rear axle (2) with the rear wheel (1) and the lower shell (3) that closes the loading area downwards are recognizable.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, on the one hand, the potential installation space between the rear wheels (1) of the respective vehicle is provided by a corresponding longitudinal arm construction of the rear axle. In comparison to known designs, this is equipped with longer longitudinal arms (2) in order to achieve a sufficient lifting height. Due to the particularly heavy loads, the longitudinal arm (2) will either be made of high-strength steel, a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic or a multi-material combination.

[0046] Furthermore, the foldable loading area (5) in the space between the longitudinal arms (2) is realized in such a way that a claw grid lifting system is used.

[0047] The claw grid lifting system comprises, as can be seen in FIG. 3, the claw grid (6), which is firmly attached laterally to the vehicle lower base (7), the servomotor (8) for the claw grid lifting system and as the lower end of the lower shell (3). By actuating the servomotor (8) connected to the vehicle's own bus system (21), the claw grid (6) is opened and closed.

[0048] Both the claw grid (6) and the lower shell (3) are preferably realized with composite materials such as fiber-reinforced plastics in order to construct easily and space-saving. This reconstruction forming the loading area (5) can be constructed particularly easily, since the heavy loads to be carried are carried by the rail system.

[0049] The rail system is formed by at least one variant shown in FIG. 4 and the following as preferred embodiment, by four profile rails (9) which are structurally embedded in the vehicle lower base (7) and a locking mechanism that can be operated both electromechanically and manually and is connected to the vehicle's own bus system (21).

[0050] By integrating the rail system into the stable floor construction of the passenger compartment, there is a large potential payload for transportation without resulting in additional weight.

[0051] The locking of the rail system is preferably designed so that each profile rail (9) can be locked and unlocked individually, a version of a continuous profile rail with several locking segments is also conceivable, so that even loaded individual goods can be unloaded individually (automatically).

[0052] In FIG. 4 the basic functioning of the locking of the rail system is shown. Here, by rotating the eccentric (10), the flat material (11) fitted into the profile rail (9) is pushed down, as a result of which a clamping connection with the inserted sliding blocks, the roller- or ball-bearing suspension systems or, as in the case of the preferred variant shown in FIG. 5, with the rollers (16) fixedly mounted on the profile rail (9) and the carrier profile (17) inserted between the flat material (11) and rollers (16) are produced. The rotational movement is inducedmediated by a torsionally rigid eccentric shaft (12) which is guided through adequately positioned bearings (13)manually by means of a lever (14) or electrically by means of a servomotor (15) coupled to the vehicle's bus system (21).

[0053] Alternatively, the clamping connection can also be produced directly by servomotors working in the z direction, which, mounted above the profile rail (9), act on the flat material (11).

[0054] In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the electrical connection is also indicated by an interface (31) incorporated into the flat material (11), which can also provide both sensor information and power supply in segments.

[0055] The level regulating system consists in the preferred embodiment, among others, of spring-damper units (4) which are similar to side-by-side buggies attached to the longitudinal arm of the rear axle (2). The large length of the longitudinal arms (2) and the stroke of these spring-damper units (4) result in the particularly large overall stroke for the system according to the invention. The level regulating system is also coupled to the vehicle's own bus system (21).

[0056] The specific interaction of the individual components or subsystems of the system according to the invention is to be illustrated using the most basic basic case, in which the vehicle is at a height below Hmax and the loading area (5) is in the folded state (FIG. 1) is located and a loading of the vehicle is to be made possible.

[0057] After entering the command establish state of chargethis can optionally be done via a control element (24) on the dashboard or via a communication interface (25) via smartphone or tablet (26)the vehicle's internal check is first carried out to determine whether the vehicle is stationary. This is done by querying the vehicle speed sensor information (29). If this is the case, it is brought to the maximum height by means of the control unit or ECU of the level regulating system (27) and the spring-damper unit (4).

[0058] In parallel, the loading area (5) is unfolded at a speed which corresponds at most to the real vertical lifting speed of the level regulating system, that is to say the control speed of the system.

[0059] This is done by extending a piston on the servomotor (8) of the claw grid, which acts in a manner shown in FIG. 3 on one leg of the claw grid (6), so that this unfolds.

[0060] Then the clamping device of the complete rail system is set to unlocked by means of the servomotors of the eccentric shaft (15), so that subsystems of any kind can be introduced.

[0061] After insertion of the goods to be transported or the subsystem, which is intended to enable secure fastening of a special good to be transported, the rail system is locked again.

[0062] When rotating the eccentric shaft (12) and thus the eccentric (10), the clamping flat material (11) is pressed down during the locking, in order to be connected to the sliding block or the balls or the rollers (16) together with the carrier profile (17) to establish a strong clamping connection with the flat material (11).

[0063] By coupling the subsystems to the vehicle's internal bus system (21), the loading situation of the vehicle is known and can be used to control the level control system while driving, the safe locking of the rail system is monitored by an .appropriate sensor status locking rail (28). It is also possible to set up and activate interfaces to the boxes (31) to be loaded, via which temperature data, for example in the case of temperature-controlled boxes, are sent to a display device in the vehicle interior (23).

[0064] User Scenarios:

[0065] After the loading condition has been established and a bicycle holder (33) is attached, which is fastened on the rail side by means of a slide-guided receptacle or, in the case of fixedly mounted rollers, by means of a carrier profile (17) and which, in addition to a swivel arm, also contains a swivel joint constructively, the bicycle (34) is placed behind the vehicle in the manner shown in FIG. 9. After clamping the swivel arm of the bicycle holder (33) to, for example, the seat post, the bicycle (34) can be conveniently lifted and rotated until, as shown in FIG. 10, it can be pushed into the unfolded loading area (5).

[0066] After the loading state has been established, the vehicle is equipped with the front kayak holder and the kayak (35), as outlined in FIG. 11, with an attached rear kayak holder (36) is inserted with sliding blocks or carrier profile (17).

[0067] Analogous to the above applications, corresponding cases of this type are conceivable with bulky individual goods such as surf or kite equipment, musical instruments, architectural models, ladders etc.

[0068] In a drop-box application, after locating the vehicle by means of the GPS location enabled for the CEP service provider, which is carried out via the central control unit (22) of the vehicle, this can receive by means of its courier terminals/tablets (26) authorization via the communication interface of the vehicle (25), for example to place a package in the loading area (5). After authorization, the vehicle automatically brings itself into the ready-to-load state with the loading area (5) unfolded by means of a programmed routine and controls the locking of the tailgate lock (30).

[0069] After opening the tailgate (47), inserting the package and closing the tailgate (47), the vehicle remains in a raised position and can inform the receiver of the package (which can also be the holder of the vehicle) via its communication interface (25) in respect to acceptance of the package. If in a case of use to be defined as a short-term parcel depot, parcel acceptance is also made possible for non-drivers of the vehicle, the parcel recipient can also be granted access to the loading area via the same process as the CEP service provider in order to remove the parcel that was delivered.

[0070] To use the device according to the invention as a practical building block for city logistic applications, a subframe (37) can be introduced into the rail system after the readiness for loading has been established, which can accommodate larger, aggregated city logistic units, which are fixed to each otheralso a package of several standard containers (38), for example, the type of container of the Modulushca project developed for a physical internet to be realized. FIG. 12 illustrates such a loading case. In this way, a very quick and uncomplicated taking along of container packages can be easily realized.

[0071] An application scenario is outlined in FIG. 13, which represents the use of the device according to the invention for transporting a trolley-type container (39) which, in addition to the trolley holder (40) matching the rail system, also has wheels (41). and has a pull-out bracket (42). With this, on the one hand, a safe transport of, for example, shopping goods in the vehicle, and also an ergonomically usable trolley for the transport of goods outside the vehicle is ensured. Furthermore, an application is conceivable in which the heavier, unwieldy part of a purchase for the customer is conveniently delivered to the carwith the above advantages of the system in terms of privacyand this can also be conveniently discharged.

[0072] FIG. 14 shows a scenario which, for example, offers advantages when used by delivery services that transport goods to be tempered. By inserting a cooling unit (43), which also includes heating functions, the loading area can be equipped with both heatable containers (44) and coolable containers (45). In addition to the added value in terms of usage scenarios, there are also potentials for energy savings.

[0073] In FIG. 15 an extended to the vehicle interior, a double profile rail (46) is shown, provided with an additional receptacle, which in addition to the functionality of the rail system according to the invention comprises a downward rail and locking functionality by means of flat material (11), eccentric (10), eccentric shaft (12) including the bearing (13) and servomotor (15) for this also has a rail mount for furniture to be fastened in the vehicle interior. By means of such a double profile rail (46), both the use of materials and the design effort for the vehicle can be minimized, and it is also obvious to include constructive tasks with regard to the stability of the vehicle cell.

[0074] Container elements that are equipped with special sliding blocks with low coefficient of friction or better are equipped with ball or roller bearing suspension systems can also be automatically unloaded with the aid of the system according to the invention.

[0075] This is accomplished by opening the locking of the tailgate lock (30), only lowering the rear axle by means of the ECU of the level regulating system (27) until the vehicle reaches an inclined angle and opening the rail locking system. Due to the inclination of the vehicle body, the container (49) can now slide or roll outward by gravity, the tailgate (47) is pushed open by the container (49).

[0076] Further, the word module, as used herein in the specification, refers to logic embodied in hardware or firmware, or to a collection of software instructions, written in a programming language, such as, for example, Java, C, or assembly. One or more software instructions in the modules may be embedded in firmware, such as an EPROM. It will be appreciated that modules may comprised connected logic units, such as gates and flip-flops, and may comprise programmable units, such as programmable gate arrays or processors. The modules described herein may be implemented as either software and/or hardware modules and may be stored in any type of computer-readable medium or other computer storage device.

[0077] Further, while one or more operations have been described as being performed by or otherwise related to certain modules, devices or entities, the operations may be performed by or otherwise related to any module, device or entity. As such, any function or operation that has been described as being performed by a module could alternatively be performed by a different server, by the cloud computing platform, or a combination thereof.

[0078] It should be noted that where the terms server, secure server or similar terms are used herein, a communication device is described that may be used in a communication system, unless the context otherwise requires, and should not be construed to limit the present disclosure to any particular communication device type. Thus, a communication device may include, without limitation, a bridge, router, bridge-router (router), switch, node, or other communication device, which may or may not be secure.

[0079] Further, the operations need not be performed in the disclosed order, although in some examples, an order may be preferred. Also, not all functions need to be performed to achieve the desired advantages of the disclosed system and method, and therefore not all functions are required.

[0080] The terms and descriptions used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Examples and limitations disclosed herein are intended to be not limiting in any manner, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the disclosure, and their equivalents, in which all terms are to be understood in their broadest possible sense unless otherwise indicated.

[0081] Various modifications to these embodiments are apparent to those skilled in the art from the description and the accompanying drawings. The principles associated with the various embodiments described herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the description is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown along with the accompanying drawings but is to be providing broadest scope of consistent with the principles and the novel and inventive features disclosed or suggested herein. Accordingly, the invention is anticipated to hold on to all other such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the present invention and appended claims.

REFERENCE SIGN LIST

[0082] 1rear wheel [0083] 2longitudinal arm of the rear axle [0084] 3lower shell [0085] 4spring damper unit [0086] 5(foldable) loading area [0087] 6claw grid [0088] 7vehicle lower base [0089] 8claw grid servomotor [0090] 9profile rail [0091] 10eccentric [0092] 11flat material [0093] 12Eccentric shaft torsionally rigid [0094] 13Eccentric shaft bearing [0095] 14Lever for manual operation [0096] 15Eccentric shaft servomotor [0097] 16roller [0098] 17support profile [0099] 18transported goods [0100] 19drive shaft [0101] 20electric motor [0102] 21bus system [0103] 22ECUcentral control unit [0104] 23vehicle interior display device [0105] 24vehicle interior control element [0106] 25communication interface [0107] 26smartphone/tablet/CEP terminal [0108] 27ECU level control system [0109] 28status locking rail [0110] 29vehicle speed sensor information [0111] 30tailgate lock [0112] 31Box 1 interface [0113] 32Box 2 interface [0114] 33swiveling and extending bicycle holding unit [0115] 34bike [0116] 35kayak [0117] 36kayak mount with sliding blocks [0118] 37subframe [0119] 38package of several standard containers [0120] 39trolley type container [0121] 40trolley holder [0122] 41wheel for trolley type containers [0123] 42pull-out bracket [0124] 43cooling unit [0125] 44heatable containers [0126] 45coolable containers [0127] 46double profile rail [0128] 47tailgate [0129] 48angle [0130] 49container