WORKING MACHINE

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a working machine which comprises a cabin for the operator of the working machine, an engine compartment arranged behind the cabin with a drive for the working machine, and at least one tank arranged behind the cabin for containing a fuel, in particular hydrogen. The working machine is characterized in that it has a displacement device on which the at least one tank is arranged within a mounting frame fastened to the working machine base body, wherein the displacement device is adapted to permit lateral displacement of the at least one tank if a force acting laterally on the at least one tank and/or the displacement device exceeds a preset threshold value.

Claims

1. Working machine, comprising: a cabin for the operator of the working machine, an engine compartment arranged behind the cabin, with a drive for the working machine, and at least one tank arranged behind the cabin for containing fuel, comprising a displacement device, on which the at least one tank is arranged within a mounting frame fastened to the working machine base body, wherein the displacement device is adapted to permit lateral displacement of the at least one tank if a force acting laterally on the at least one tank and/or the displacement device exceeds a threshold value.

2. Working machine according to the preceding claim 1, wherein the laterally acting force urges the displacement device.

3. Working machine according to claim 2, wherein the displacement device has a retaining structure in the form of clamping collars, which surrounds the at least one tank, in such a way that the at least one tank cannot detach from the displacement device and can only perform the movement specified by the displacement device.

4. Working machine according claim 2, wherein the displacement device is adapted to permit lateral displacement of the at least one tank to such an extent that the latter moves behind the driver's cab when viewed in the lateral direction.

5. Working machine according to claim 2, wherein the displacement device comprises a rail system via which the at least one tank is linked to the mounting frame, wherein the displacement device including the rail system is oriented laterally, and transversely to the direction of travel of the working machine and permits a corresponding movement transversely to the working machine base body.

6. Working machine according to claim 3, wherein the at least one tank is linked to the mounting frame via the clamping collars, wherein the displacement device comprising the clamping collars is oriented laterally, and transversely to the direction of travel of the working machine and permits a corresponding movement transversely to the working machine base body.

7. Working machine according to claim 2, wherein the displacement device is adapted to permit movement in the lateral direction only and suppresses movement perpendicular thereto, wherein the displacement device suppresses movement in the forward or rearward direction or in the vertical direction of the working machine.

8. Working machine according to claim 1, wherein the displacement device is surrounded by the mounting frame, which is designed to enable lateral deflection of the at least one tank and which remains connected to the working machine base body despite deformation due to a lateral force effect, and which assumes the function of a tear-out protection for the at least one tank connected to the displacement device.

9. Working machine according to claim 1, wherein the displacement device comprises a locking mechanism which only permits lateral movement of the at least one tank when the force acting laterally on the at least one tank and/or the displacement device exceeds the threshold value.

10. Working machine according to claim 2, wherein the at least one tank is provided with a solenoid valve for closing or opening the at least one tank and, if required, establishing or interrupting a fluidic connection to the engine compartment via a fuel line.

11. Working machine according to claim 10, wherein the solenoid valve of the at least one tank shifts to the closed position or remains there in the de-energized state.

12. Working machine according to claim 10, wherein an electric supply line is provided for supplying the solenoid valve of the at least one tank, which is physically separated by a lateral shift of the displacement device.

13. Working machine according to claim 1, wherein the at least one tank is arranged between the cabin and the rear of the working machine in a hydrogen fuel system, wherein the tank is arranged directly behind the cabin and/or the tank is not arranged above the engine compartment.

14. Working machine according to claim 4, wherein dimensions of the at least one tank in the transverse direction of the working machine project beyond dimensions of the driver's cab in the transverse direction and/or wherein the at least one tank is arranged behind the cabin in a recess.

15. Working machine according to claim 1, wherein the drive comprises a fuel cell for generating electric energy by means of hydrogen and/or comprises a reciprocating piston hydrogen engine.

16. Working machine according to claim 1, wherein the at least one tank is a plurality of tanks, each of which has a solenoid valve for closing or opening a respective tank.

17. Working machine according to claim 10, further comprising a control unit adapted to close the solenoid valve of the at least one tank by de-energizing the valve, by means of at least one sensor which detects the displacement of the at least one tank.

18. Working machine, comprising a control unit which is adapted to determine a longitudinal or transverse inclination of the working machine using at least one sensor, and to close a solenoid valve of at least one tank by de-energizing the valve when a preset limit value of the longitudinal and/or transverse inclination is exceeded.

19. Working machine according to claim 1, wherein the fuel is hydrogen.

20. Working machine according to claim 1, wherein the working machine is a wheel loader.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0038] The drawings show in:

[0039] FIG. 1: a schematic top view of the wheel loader,

[0040] FIG. 2: a schematic side view of a wheel loader from the left,

[0041] FIG. 3: a schematic side view of a wheel loader from the left with rear access, and

[0042] FIG. 4: A schematic top view of the loader, wherein a lateral force causes the displacement of the at least one tank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a top view of the wheel loader 1 according to the disclosure. The wheel loader 1 has a front carriage and a rear carriage, which are connected to each other by an articulated joint. The double arrow around the dashed articulated joint illustrates the movability of the front and rear carriage relative to each other.

[0044] The cabin for the operator of the wheel loader is denoted by reference character 2. The cabin is arranged on the rear carriage. Directly behind the cabin 2 is a tank 4 arranged transversely to the direction of travel, which is preferably surrounded on all sides by a protective structure also arranged transversely to the direction of travel and by a mounting frame 5.

[0045] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the tank 4 and the mounting frame 5 extend beyond the cabin 2 on both sides.

[0046] As can be seen from the side views in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tank system extends essentially up to the cabin roof. It can have one, two or more than two tanks arranged one above the other and/or next to each other. The fuel stored in the tank 4 is supplied to the engine compartment 6, where it is then converted in a conversion unit 7 (e.g. hydrogen reciprocating engine or fuel cell).

[0047] The engine compartment 6 is located in the rear carriage of the wheel loader and contains, among other things, the drive technology of the wheel loader for driving the wheels 3 of the wheel loader 1. The drive can, for example, be a hydrogen reciprocating piston engine or a fuel cell that supplies an electric motor with electric energy.

[0048] Reference character 8 denoted the maintenance and service access to the engine compartment 6, which is preferably designed as a ladder or staircase, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0049] FIG. 2 shows the wheel loader according to FIG. 1 in a side view from the left and FIG. 3 shows the wheel loader according to FIG. 1 in a side view from the left with optional rear-side access.

[0050] It can be seen from the Figures that the tank or tank assembly is located directly behind the cabin 2. Between the cabin 2 and the engine compartment 6 is located a recess in which the tank assembly is arranged.

[0051] FIG. 4 again shows a top view of the wheel loader 1, in which reference character 9 now shows a lateral application of force which has led to a displacement of the at least one tank 4 with the aid of the displacement device. In comparison to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the position of the at least one tank 4 is shifted in the direction of the application of force 9, so that the application of force 9 now no longer primarily acts on the structure of the at least one tank 4 (or the retaining structure surrounding the tank 4 or on the surrounding mounting frame), but can also be dissipated by the driver's cab 2 or the engine compartment 6. This means that the force 9 can no longer act primarily on the at least one tank 4 or the mounting frame, but can also act on other structural components of the working machine as a result of the displacement.

[0052] As a result, structural damage due to the load case of the lateral force of the at least one tank 4 can thus be mitigated, so that the safety of the working machine and the machine operator can be ensured.