Power Distributor Unit For A Utility Vehicle And Utility Vehicle Comprising Said Power Distributor Unit

Abstract

A power distribution includes first and second inputs, first and second outputs, and a third output configured to connect to a low-voltage vehicle power supply, a high-voltage distributor is connected to the first input and forms the connection between the energy storage and further components of the power distribution. A controller monitors at least the high-voltage distributor and can control components of the power distribution. At least one inverter is arranged in the current path between the high-voltage distributor and at least one of the contacts for the first output, the second output or the second input, a first converter is arranged between the high-voltage distributor and the third output and converts a DC voltage provided by the high-voltage distributor to a lower DC voltage.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. A power distribution (1) for a utility vehicle having at least one power takeoff with an electric machine (3), comprising: a first input (E1) configured to connect to an energy storage (2) of the utility vehicle, the energy storage (2) being configured to provide a DC voltage; a second input (E2) configured to connect to an external power source; a first output (A1) configured to connect to the power takeoff; a second output (A2) configured to connect to an external current collector; a third output (A3) configured to connect to a low-voltage vehicle power supply; a high-voltage distributor (6) connected to the first input (E1) and forming the connection between the energy storage (2) and further components of the power distribution (1); a controller (5) configured to monitor at least the high-voltage distributor (6) and further configured to control components of the power distribution (1); at least one inverter (I1; I1.1; I2) arranged in the current path between the high-voltage distributor (6) and at least one of the contacts for the first output (A1), the second output (A2) or the second input (E2); a first converter (K1) arranged between the high-voltage distributor (6) and the third output (A3) and converts a DC voltage provided by the high-voltage distributor (6) to a lower DC voltage.

14. The power distribution (1) according to claim 13, wherein the high-voltage distributor (6) is directly connected to the first output (A1).

15. The power distribution (1) according to claim 13, wherein a second converter (K2) is arranged between the high-voltage distributor (6) and the first output (A1).

16. The power distribution (1) according to claim 15, further comprising an inverter (I1; I2 configured to provide an AC voltage required for the power takeoff and is arranged before the first output (A1).

17. The power distribution (1) according to claim 13, wherein separate inverters (I1; I1.1) are provided for the second output (A2) and the second input (E2).

18. The power distribution (1) according claim 16, wherein a shared inverter (I1; I1.1; I2 is provided for the second output (A2) and the second input (E2).

19. The power distribution (1) according to claim 18, wherein the inverter (I2) is configured bidirectional.

20. The power distribution (1) according to claim 19, wherein a shared inverter (I1; I2) is provided for the first output (A1) and the second output (A2).

21. The power distribution (1) according to claim 13, wherein at least two of the contacts for the first output (A1), the second output (A2) and the second input (E2) are connected to the further components of the power distribution (1) via a changeover switch (7).

22. The power distribution (1) according to claim 13, wherein a plurality of second outputs (A2) is provided.

23. The power distribution (1) according to claim 13, wherein the second output (A2) and the second input (E2) are formed by a contact.

24. A utility vehicle having the power distribution (1) according to claim 13 and a power takeoff with an electric machine (3).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the figures. Like or similar elements are designated with consistent reference numerals. In particular:

[0031] FIGS. 1 to 8 schematically show an embodiment example of a power distribution unit; and

[0032] FIG. 9 schematically shows an embodiment example of a utility vehicle having a power distribution unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] FIGS. 1 to 8 all show the power distribution unit 1 schematically. A plurality of contacts are provided at the power distribution unit 1 of which a first input E1 and second input E2 and a first output A1, second output A2 and third output A3 are shown.

[0034] Shown at the first input E1 is an energy storage 2 which is connected to the first input E1. Individual lines for the two poles are shown schematically. In the depicted embodiment example, the energy storage 2 is shown as a high-voltage battery or high-voltage accumulator.

[0035] In contrast, the second input E2 is shown schematically as a contact which is configured, for example, as a polyphase plug-in termination for electrical plug-in terminations that are customary for the location or specific to a device. The power distribution unit 1 is connectable to an external power source via the second input E2 in order, for example, to charge the energy storage 2 and/or, in stationary applications, to provide the power supply of the utility vehicle.

[0036] At least one electric machine 3 of a power takeoff is provided at the first output A1 of the power distribution unit 1.

[0037] The second output A2 for an external current collector is shown as a schematic contact analogous to the second input E2.

[0038] A power supply distributor 4 which supplies power to the vehicle electrical system of the utility vehicle is shown at the third output A3.

[0039] The embodiment examples according to FIGS. 1 to 8 further have in common that the power distribution unit 1 comprises a control device 5 with which at least individual components can be monitored and/or controlled or adjusted. For example, parameters such as temperature, current, voltage, contact utilization and the like can be detected and components can be switched on or off or their performance can be controlled.

[0040] The power distribution unit 1 further has a high-voltage distributor 6 which is connected to the first input E1 and to further components of the power distribution unit 1. The DC voltage applied by the energy storage 2 is selectively and/or simultaneously applied to further components of the power distribution unit 1 via the high-voltage distributor 6.

[0041] A first converter K1 is provided between the high-voltage distributor 6 and the third output A3, a voltage of the energy storage 2 applied via the high-voltage distributor 6 being transformed by the first converter K1 to a DC voltage required for the vehicle electrical system. Energy storages 2 in the form of a high-voltage battery have a voltage between 60V and 800V depending on construction, whereas a vehicle electrical system is generally operated at 12V or 24V.

[0042] The embodiment example shown in FIG. 1 comprises an inverter I1 which is arranged between the high-voltage distributor 6 and the second output A2. The DC voltage provided by the high-voltage distributor 6 or the energy storage 2, respectively, is converted into an AC voltage required for an external consumer via the inverter I1.

[0043] Also, a further inverter I1.1 is provided, this further inverter I1.1 being arranged between the high-voltage distributor 6 and the second input E2. The AC voltage which can be optionally supplied via the second input E2 is correspondingly transformed by the further inverter I1.1 into a DC voltage and fed to the high-voltage distributor 6. The supplied current can be used to charge the energy storage 2 and/or routed directly to further components of the power distribution unit 1.

[0044] In the embodiment example shown in FIG. 1, a separate inverter 13 is provided, this separate inverter 13 being arranged between the first output A1 and an electric machine 3 of the power takeoff. The voltage provided by the power distribution unit 1 is converted by this separate inverter 13 for an AC voltage suitable for the electric machine 3. By providing a separate inverter 13 associated with the electric machine, the same power distribution unit 1 can be used for power takeoffs with different electric machines, which is advantageous particularly for platform-based utility vehicles with different bodies.

[0045] The embodiment example shown in FIG. 2 is substantially identical to the example shown in FIG. 1, for which reason reference is made to the above description, except that the inverter I1 associated with the second output A2 and the further inverter I1.1 associated with the second input E2 have been replaced by a shared bidirectional inverter I2. The quantity of components can be reduced in this way. Depending on the type of construction of the bidirectional inverter I2, the second input E2 and the second output A2 can be used simultaneously or only alternately. In particular, if the second input E2 and second output A2 are not to be operated simultaneously, the two contacts can possibly be formed by an individual plug-in termination, and an automatic or user-defined switching can be carried out between input and output.

[0046] FIG. 3 shows a construction which is basically identical to that in FIG. 2, but a changeover switch 7 is arranged additionally between a bidirectional inverter I2 and a second input E2 and second output A2. The changeover switch 7 can make an electric connection between the bidirectional inverter I2 and either the second input E2 or the second output A2. The changeover switch 7 can define the working direction of the bidirectional inverter I2 either directly or via the control device 5. Alternatively, the changeover switch 7 can also be switched via the control device based on measurement values, for example, voltage applied to the contacts or the like.

[0047] In FIG. 4, a second converter K2 is provided between the first output A1 and the high-voltage distributor 6. This second converter K2 transforms the DC voltage across the high-voltage distributor 6 or the energy storage 2 to a different DC voltage required for the power takeoff. In so doing, it is advantageous that the same power takeoffs can possibly be used for different vehicles with different energy storages 2.

[0048] Further in FIG. 4, the inverter I1 for the second output A2 is also not connected to the high-voltage distributor 6 directly but rather via the second converter K2. Alternatively, the inverter I1 can also be connected directly to the high-voltage distributor 6.

[0049] In contrast, the further inverter I.1.1 in FIG. 4 is directly connected to the high-voltage distributor 6. In this case, it is also alternatively possible to connect the further inverter I1.1 to the high-voltage distributor 6 likewise via the second converter K2 if required.

[0050] FIG. 5 shows a construction analogous to that shown in FIG. 4. In this case, the inverter I1 and the further inverter I1.1 are replaced by a shared bidirectional inverter I2 as is also the case, e.g., in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, so that the quantity of components is reduced. The second converter K2 must correspondingly also be usable bidirectionally.

[0051] Alternatively, the bidirectional inverter I2 can also be connected directly to the high-voltage distributor 6 in this embodiment example depending on the output voltage of the second converter K2 and the utilized inverter I1; I1.1; I2.

[0052] In contrast to the previous embodiment examples, no separate inverter 13 is provided in the embodiment example shown in FIG. 6. An inverter I1 whose output side is connected to a changeover switch 7 is provided. The inverter I1 is correspondingly connectible via the changeover switch 7 to the first output A1 and therefore to the power takeoff or the electric machine 3 thereof or to the second output A2. The further construction is analogous to FIG. 1 or FIG. 4, for example.

[0053] Accordingly, the power takeoff of the power distribution unit 1 can be supplied directly by an AC voltage required for the electric machine 3, which correspondingly reduces the components and installation space in the power takeoff.

[0054] Vis-à-vis FIG. 6, a bidirectional inverter I2 is again provided in FIG. 7 which replaces both the inverter I1 and the further inverter I1.1. A connection can correspondingly be configured to the first output A1, second output A3 or second input E2 via the changeover switch 7.

[0055] The embodiment example in FIG. 8 corresponds to FIG. 7, but the changeover switch 7 has been replaced by a selector unit 8. A connection of the bidirectional inverter I2 to any of the various contacts A1; A2; E2 can be produced with the selector unit 8. Simultaneous connections are also possible.

[0056] The selector unit 8 can be constructed as a demand-driven activation or also as an interrupter or breaker for disconnecting contacts which are not needed or which are defective.

[0057] Of course, a selector unit 8 can also be provided in the other embodiment examples instead of a changeover switch 7 as provided in FIG. 8.

[0058] FIG. 9 shows an exemplary utility vehicle, in this example a semitractor, to which a trailer with a power takeoff is coupled, in this example for a dump truck.

[0059] A power distribution unit 1 and an energy storage 2 which are electrically connected to one another via a powerline is shown schematically in a utility vehicle.

[0060] A power takeoff with an electric machine 3, in this case, for example, for a hydraulic pump, is provided at the trailer. The power takeoff is electrically conductively connected to the power distribution unit 1 also by a powerline. The powerline is preferably constructed as a cable which is connected to the power takeoff and which has a plug socket which is connected to a first output A1 configured as a corresponding mating piece.

[0061] In addition, a data link is also provided, for example, between the power takeoff and power distribution unit to allow a flow of information. Sensor data and/or control commands, for example, can be transmitted via the data link.

[0062] It will be appreciated that other vehicle bodies are also possible aside from the depicted example of a dump truck trailer. The invention is also not limited to tractors but rather comprehends vehicles of any kind such as trucks, mobile cranes, construction machinery and other utility vehicles.

[0063] Further, a plurality of contacts, also a variety of contacts, can also be provided for the second output, for example, such as plug-in connectors with different quantities of phases or voltages, preferably corresponding to the line voltages customary for the location. For Europe, for example, a three-phase plug and three-phase socket with 400V and one or more power sockets with 230V single phases. For other regions, correspondingly diverging, such as 120V single phase and 240V single phase for America or 127V/220V or 220V/380V for China. The frequency also corresponds to the frequency of the local line voltage, usually 50 Hz or 60 Hz.

[0064] Further, the invention is also not limited to the embodiments described herein. As has been stated above, advantageous features can also be provided in isolation or in combination with one another.

[0065] Thus, while there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0066] 1 power distribution unit [0067] 2 energy storage [0068] 3 electric machine (power takeoff) [0069] 4 vehicle power supply distributor [0070] 5 control device [0071] 6 high-voltage distributor [0072] 7 changeover switch [0073] 8 selector unit [0074] E1 first input [0075] E2 second input [0076] A1 first output [0077] A2 second output [0078] A3 third output [0079] I1 inverter [0080] I1.1 further inverter [0081] I2 (bidirectional) inverter [0082] 13 (separate) inverter [0083] K1 first converter [0084] K2 second converter