Mobile machine

A mobile machine, such as an industrial truck, includes at least two electrical drive systems (4, 5), at least one electrical control system (14) and at least one electrical power source (1). Excess electrical energy generated during deceleration of at least one of the electrical drive systems (4) is fed to at least one other electrical drive system (5).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application corresponds to German Application No. 102 44 769.1 filed Sep. 26, 2002, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a mobile machine, such as a fork lift truck, with at least two electrical drives, at least one electrical control system, and at least one electric power source.

2. Technical Considerations

During the deceleration of an electrical drive system of a mobile machine, such as a traction drive system of an industrial truck for example, the electrical drive system functions as a generator and converts kinetic energy into electrical energy. If a battery is used as the energy source, this electrical energy can be used to recharge the battery. Because the energy to operate the electrical drive was previously taken from the battery, the charging capacity of the battery is generally sufficient to absorb the energy released during deceleration. However, if a heat engine with a connected generator or a fuel cell system is used as the energy source, for example, the battery is unable to absorb all of the electrical energy generated during deceleration and the generated electrical energy must be discharged in some other way. In addition to the direct conversion of the electrical energy into heat, it is also possible to use the generated energy to charge a conventional electrical buffer storage mechanism, such as a high-capacity capacitor, for example. Although such conventional buffer storage mechanisms are typically large enough to absorb a sufficient amount of the generated energy even during a long downhill run of the mobile machine and, thus, to ensure the braking action, these conventional buffer storage mechanisms are still expensive and take up a lot of space in the mobile machine. If the capacity of the buffer storage mechanism is insufficient to absorb all of the energy generated under all expected operating conditions, an additional braking resistance must be provided, which also takes up space and requires a complex cooling system.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a mobile machine, such as an industrial truck, with at least two electrical drives and which safely diverts the electrical energy released during deceleration of one of the electrical drives easily and economically.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention teaches that at least a portion of the electrical energy (e.g., the excess electrical energy) generated during the deceleration of at least one of the electrical drive systems is fed to at least one other electrical drive system. It thereby becomes possible to divert the excess energy into a system that is already present in any case, as well as to omit braking resistances or buffer storage mechanisms that would otherwise have to be installed, or to significantly reduce the capacity of such systems.

The electrical drive system to be braked can advantageously be effectively connected with an electrical storage mechanism to absorb the braking energy. During brief decelerations, energy can thereby be absorbed in the electrical storage mechanism and can be available for the electrical drive systems.

The electrical energy storage mechanism is advantageously charged by the electrical drive system that is being braked with only the excess energy, i.e., the amount of energy that is not required by the drive system provided for the absorption of the electrical energy (e.g., second drive system) for its normal operation. Therefore, during a deceleration process, the drive system provided for the absorption of the electrical energy (e.g., second drive system) is supplied only if it actually requires energy.

It is particularly advantageous if the drive system provided for the absorption of the electrical energy (e.g., second drive system), if it is not already in operation, is activated to absorb energy only when the electrical energy storage mechanism is fully charged. The second electrical drive system, if it does not require energy for operation, is thereby put into operation during long-term decelerations and braking operations.

It is particularly advantageous if the drive system provided for the absorption of the electrical energy (e.g., second drive system) is effectively connected with a hydraulic system, such as a hydraulic pump. As a result, the energy absorbed by the second drive system can be transmitted to the hydraulic system.

It is also advantageous if the energy introduced into the hydraulic system from the drive system provided for the absorption of the electrical energy (e.g., second drive system) is converted into thermal energy by means of a pressure reducing valve. Because valves of this type are generally already present in hydraulic circuits, it is thereby possible to dissipate the braking energy easily and effectively.

Energy introduced into the hydraulic system by the drive system provided for the absorption of the electrical energy (e.g., second drive system) can be advantageously converted into thermal energy by means of a hydrodynamic braking device. Even large amounts of energy can thereby be dissipated efficiently and with a low rate of wear.

It is advantageous if at least one fuel cell system is used as the power source for the operation of at least one of the electrical drive systems. These systems are characterized by high efficiency and low emissions.

It is further advantageous if at least one heat engine, such as an internal combustion engine, with a connected generator is used as the power source for the operation of the electrical drive systems. These systems are easy to manufacture and maintain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1shows a schematic diagram of a known mobile machine. From the power source1, lines2run to an electrical control system3. Connected to the control system3are two motors4,5(traction motors) as well as an electrical energy storage mechanism6and a braking resistance7. The motor4is used as the traction drive system of the mobile machine. The motor5drives a hydraulic pump8of a hydraulic circuit. This pump8transports the hydraulic fluid from a reservoir9to a control valve block10. The supply to the consumers of hydraulic energy is regulated by means of the control valve block10. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, these consumers are represented by a cylinder11. Hydraulic fluid that is not transported to the consumers is diverted to the reservoir9by means of a pressure reducing valve which, in this case, is integrated into the control valve block10.

If the mobile machine is braked by means of the motor4, the motor4functions as a generator and supplies electricity to the control system3, which transmits the electricity to the electrical energy storage mechanism6or to the braking resistance7. If the electrical energy storage mechanism6is fully charged, the energy can only be reduced by means of the braking resistance7, which converts it into heat and must, therefore, be provided with sufficient cooling.

FIG. 2is a schematic diagram of an exemplary mobile machine incorporating features of the invention.FIG. 2uses the same numbering system for the components already explained with reference toFIG. 1. New numbers are used for different components that have a similar function, such as the electrical control system12of the invention.

The power source1supplies the mobile machine, in particular the control system12, with electrical energy during normal operation. As the power source1, any conventional power source for known mobile machines can be used to take maximum advantage of their specific characteristics. For example, internal combustion engines are simple and heavy-duty energy sources, while fuel cells have high efficiency and advantageously low emissions. Fuel cells also offer a practically unlimited period of operation when they are supplied via the electric power grid.

The control system12, as in the illustrated case, can be a one-part component that actuates both motors4,5, although there can also be separate control systems for the individual motors4,5which are located spatially separated from each other and can also be effectively connected with each other by means of a third control unit. The motors4,5can be traction motors of the types normally used for mobile machines, for example for operation using direct current, alternating current, or three-phase current. The commands for the actuation of the traction motor4can be received by the control system12from control elements (not shown here), such as an accelerator pedal or an electronic control system, while the motor5can be actuated as a function of the operating conditions, such as the fluid pressure in the hydraulic circuit.

If the mobile machine is braked by means of the motor4, the motor4, operating according to the generator principle, supplies electricity to the control system12which transmits the electricity to the motor5. In particular, when fuel cell systems are used as the power source1, the control system12also prevents current from being fed back to the power source1. The hydraulic pump8driven by the motor5transports the hydraulic fluid to the control valve block10. The control valve block10regulates the feed of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic consumers. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, these consumers are represented by the cylinder11and, on an industrial truck, can be, for example, the lifting and tilting cylinders of a lifting platform or a hydraulic steering actuator. The control valves in the control valve block10for the individual consumers can be actuated directly by an operator or also by means of conventional electronic control systems. If the hydraulic pump8supplies more hydraulic fluid than is required by the consumers11, as will frequently be the case even during braking or deceleration, the excess fluid is transported via a pressure reducing valve into the reservoir9and the energy is thereby dissipated. The pressure reducing valve in this case can be integrated into the control valve block10, although it can also be realized in the form of a separate component.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, it is therefore possible to do without a storage mechanism for the absorption of electrical energy as well as braking resistances altogether. The space required for the installation of these units can be used for other purposes, and the cost of their maintenance, especially the cooling of braking resistances, can likewise be eliminated altogether, which results in the simplest possible construction of the industrial truck.

FIG. 3shows a circuit diagram for a mobile machine incorporating features of the invention with a hydrodynamic brake and an electrical energy storage mechanism. In addition to the components that are essentially identical to the ones already illustrated inFIG. 2and identified by the same numbers,FIG. 3also shows an electrical energy storage mechanism13, which is electrically connected with the electrical control system14, as well as a hydrodynamic braking device (retarder)15.

If the mobile machine is decelerated and the motor4supplies electricity to the control system14, the control system14transmits this energy, if and to the extent that the hydraulic consumers do not need any power just then, preferably first to the electrical energy storage mechanism13. The electrical energy storage mechanism13can be one or more large-capacity capacitors, because capacitors can be charged particularly rapidly compared to batteries. As a result of the preferred charging of the electrical energy storage mechanism13, the electrical energy generated during braking is again available for the motors4,5when a load is applied to them once again, while it is lost when it is transformed into heat for the operation of the mobile machine. The energy consumption of the mobile machine is, therefore, reduced in comparison to an embodiment that does not have an electrical storage mechanism13(such as illustrated inFIG. 2). On the other hand, if the motor5requires energy during the braking process, for example because the hydraulic cylinder11is actuated simultaneously, the energy generated during the braking at the motor4is preferably supplied directly to the motor5.

When the motors4,5require energy again, the energy storage mechanism13can also be discharged with priority over the supply of power from the power source1, so that sufficient capacity in the storage mechanism13will be available for the next braking operation. The control of the charging status of the electrical energy storage mechanism13is appropriately coordinated to the demand profile of the mobile machine. For example, a minimum charging status of the electrical energy storage mechanism13may be desirable during normal operation to meet peak load requirements with the electrical energy storage mechanism13, thereby making it possible to install a power source1with a lower continuous output.

If the electrical energy storage mechanism13is no longer able to absorb additional energy, or if the absorption of additional energy is no longer desired for other reasons, the energy can be discharged via the hydraulic circuit. The discharge can be done only via the hydraulic braking device15, only via the pressure relief valve, or via both simultaneously. The method selected will generally depend on the amount of energy to be dissipated. A discharge of energy via both paths will generally be selected to discharge particularly large amounts of energy, while for moderate amounts of energy, the hydraulic braking device15will normally absorb almost all of the energy, and for very small braking outputs, it may be advantageous to route the discharge exclusively via the pressure relief valve.

The exemplary embodiment illustrated here is particularly suited for mobile machines with high power requirements, i.e., for heavy machines or machines that travel at higher speeds, in which the dissipation of all the energy via a pressure relief valve alone cannot be guaranteed, because the hydrodynamic braking device15makes it possible to effectively dissipate large amounts of energy with low amounts of wear.

Other conceivable variants include the dissipation of the energy introduced into the hydraulic system solely by means of the hydrodynamic brake. Embodiments with hydrodynamic braking but without electrical energy storage mechanisms are also possible, however, as are embodiments without hydrodynamic braking but with electrical energy storage mechanisms.