WORK MACHINE

A work machine, more particularly a wheeled loader, having a cab for the operator of the work machine, wherein the work machine has a drive which can be operated with hydrogen and that one or more tanks for receiving hydrogen are provided, wherein components for receiving the tanks are provided, wherein the tank or tanks are arranged below the cab and, when the work machine is viewed from above, next to the cab of the work machine, wherein the components for receiving the tanks do not have a direct mechanical connection to the cab, and that an armor is provided which partially or completely surrounds the tank.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2021 121 512.9 filed on Aug. 19, 2021, and German Patent Application No. 10 2022 111 432.5 filed on May 9, 2022. The entire contents of each of the above-listed applications are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a work machine, more particularly a wheeled loader, having a cab for the operator.

BACKGROUND

From the prior art, work machines are known to have a traction drive generally an internal combustion engine, usually a diesel motor.

As part of decarbonization efforts, alternative drive concepts and alternative energy sources are desired.

SUMMARY

The present invention therefore addresses the problem of developing a work machine of with lower CO2emissions.

According to the invention it is provided for the work machine to have a drive using hydrogen fuel. One or more tanks for receiving hydrogen are provided, with the tank or tanks arranged below the cab and, when the work machine is viewed from above, next to the cab of the work machine. The work machine includes, an armor which partially or completely surrounds the tank.

The present invention is therefore based on the concept of providing a hydrogen-driven work machine, wherein it is simultaneously ensured that the hydrogen tank is sufficiently protected against damage, is arranged as far away as possible from hot or ignitable environments, is arranged with consideration of the all-round view and as few different installation locations as possible are needed in the vehicle, optionally by arranging several individual tanks in one region and the hydrogen tank, and is easily accessible for maintenance or repair work.

The arrangement of the tank or tanks next to and under the cab ensures that the view of the machine operator in the cab is not impaired.

The arrangement of the tank or tanks has the further advantage that a completely new vehicle concept does not have to be developed. Rather, the known vehicle structure can be largely retained.

To ensure sufficient protection, solid cladding in the form of an armor is provided.

The work machine can have two or more axles, wherein the tank is preferably arranged in the region between the axles, i.e. behind the front axle and in front of the rear axle.

In comparison to conventional work machines with a rigid frame, the articulation region on the wheeled loader is located between the axles. During travel, the position of the front and rear section with respect to one another constantly changes as a result of steering operations. This may be taken into consideration in the design of the armor.

It is preferably provided for the work machine to have a frame, and for the armor to be arranged outside of the frame. This region, in contrast to the rear and front side of the work machine, is well protected against external influences.

The armor is arranged in the vicinity of the supporting structure outside of the vehicle frame, which makes it possible to achieve the same high degree of protection against mechanical damage through external influences as offered by arranging the tank or tanks within the vehicle frame, where the hydrogen tanks are usually arranged due to the particularly high need for protection. In alternative embodiments, arranging the tank or tanks within the vehicle frame is also covered by the present invention.

In some aspects, on both sides of the cab or of the vehicle basic frame, i.e. right and left, at least one tank for receiving hydrogen is arranged, in each case with the armor.

Thus the tanks for storing hydrogen are installed in the protected regions between the drive axles, outside left and right in each case in the region under the driver's cab of the hydrogen-driven wheeled loader or another work machine.

The tank can be any tank suitable for storing hydrogen in liquid and/or gaseous form and/or in bonded form, e.g. as metal hydride.

In a further embodiment, it is provided that the work machine has steps for accessing the cab are located in the rear region of the work machine.

The tank or tanks with armor can adopt the current installation location of the means of access to the driver's cab, and therefore in this embodiment, the steps for access are instead accommodated in the rear of the vehicle, preferably in the region of the ballast weights.

It is conceivable that the work machine has an internal combustion engine for the combustion of hydrogen.

Also conceivable is a fuel cell drive with an electrified drivetrain for driving an electric motor which serves as the traction motor for the wheeled loader.

In a further embodiment, the tank has an elongate form and can be arranged upright. The tank can be arranged in any manner.

It is advantageous if the tank is not fixedly connected to the work machine and is instead replaceable. This offers the advantage of replacing a defective tank or simply replacing an empty tank with a full tank.

It is noted that the present application covers a work machine both with an empty tank and with a hydrogen-filled tank.

At this juncture, it is noted that the term “a” does not necessarily refer to exactly one of these elements, even if this is one possible embodiment, and can also relate to a plurality of the elements. Similarly, the use of the plural form includes the presence of the element in question in the singular, and, vice versa, the singular form also covers a plurality of the elements in question. Furthermore, all the features of the invention described here can be combined with one another in any way or claimed independently of one another.

Further details and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail on the basis of an embodiment shown in the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS.1and2show side views of a wheeled loader1according to an embodiment.

The wheeled loader has a front chassis section2and a rear chassis section3, which are connected to one another in an articulated manner.

Reference sign4denotes the cab for the operator of the wheeled loader.

The wheeled loader furthermore has a front axle and a rear axle, both of which are denoted by reference sign7.

As can be seen fromFIGS.1and2, there is a hydrogen tank5located on each side of the wheeled loader, in each case surrounded by an armor6. The wheeled loader has components for receiving the tanks, where the components for receiving the tanks do not have a direct mechanical connection to the cab.

The tank5and the armor6are, on both sides of the wheeled loader, located on the rear chassis section3in a region under the cab4and between the two axles7.

From the top view according toFIG.3and the illustration from below according toFIG.4, it is discernible that the two tanks5with the respective armor6are arranged next to the cab4, i.e. arranged offset to the side relative to the cab4.

The armor6in each case surrounds of the tanks5completely, i.e. on all sides.

FIG.5shows an embodiment which corresponds to the embodiment ofFIGS.1and2but with the difference that the stairs or other means of access8for the machine operator is arranged in the rear region, i.e. behind the rear axle7.

After accessing, the machine operator walks forward to the cab4over the rear wheel house or body parts.

The present invention relates to a work machine, more particularly a wheeled loader, having a cab for the operator of the work machine.

From the prior art, work machines are known the traction drive of which is configured by an internal combustion engine, usually a diesel motor.

Decarbonization is giving rise to the issue of alternative drive concepts and alternative energy sources.

The present invention therefore addresses the problem of developing a work machine of the aforementioned type such that said work machine meets the requirements of lowest possible CO2emissions.

The object is achieved by a work machine having the features of claim1.

According to the invention it is provided for the work machine to have a drive which can be driven using hydrogen, and one or more tanks for receiving hydrogen are provided, wherein the tank or tanks are arranged below the cab and, when the work machine is viewed from above, next to the cab of the work machine, and an armor is provided which partially or completely surrounds the tank.

The present invention is therefore based on the concept of providing a hydrogen-driven work machine, wherein it is simultaneously ensured that the hydrogen tank

is sufficiently protected against damage, is arranged as far away as possible from hot or ignitable environments,

is arranged with best-possible consideration of the all-round view and

as few different installation locations as possible are needed in the vehicle, optionally by arranging several individual tanks in one region and

is easily accessible for maintenance or repair work.

The arrangement of the tank or tanks next to and under the cab ensures that the view of the machine operator in the cab is not impaired.

The arrangement according to the invention of the tank or tanks has the further advantage that a completely new vehicle concept does not have to be developed. Rather, the known vehicle structure can be largely retained.

To ensure sufficient protection, solid cladding in the form of an armor is provided.

The work machine can have two or more axles, wherein the tank is preferably arranged in the region between the axles, i.e. behind the front axle and in front of the rear axle.

In comparison to conventional work machines with a rigid frame, the articulation region on the wheeled loader is located between the axles. During travel, the position of the front and rear section with respect to one another constantly changes as a result of steering operations. This must be taken into consideration in the design of the armor.

It is preferably provided for the work machine to have a frame, and for the armor to be arranged outside of the frame. This region, in contrast to the rear and front side of the work machine, is well protected against external influences.

The armor is preferably arranged in the vicinity of the supporting structure outside of the vehicle frame, which makes it possible to achieve the same high degree of protection against mechanical damage through external influences as offered by arranging the tank or tanks within the vehicle frame, where the hydrogen tanks are usually arranged due to the particularly high need for protection.

However, arranging the tank or tanks within the vehicle frame is also covered by the present invention.

Preferably on both sides of the cab or of the vehicle basic frame, i.e. right and left, at least one tank for receiving hydrogen is arranged, in each case with the armor.

Preferred is thus the installation of tanks for storing hydrogen in the protected regions between the drive axles, outside left and right in each case in the region under the driver's cab of the hydrogen-driven wheeled loader or another work machine.

The tank can be suitable for storing hydrogen in liquid and/or gaseous form and/or in bonded form, e.g. as metal hydride.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the work machine has steps for accessing the cab and the steps are located in the rear region of the work machine.

The tank or tanks with armor can adopt the current installation location of the means of access to the driver's cab, and therefore in this embodiment, the steps for access are instead accommodated in the rear of the vehicle, preferably in the region of the ballast weights.

It is conceivable that the work machine has an internal combustion engine for the combustion of hydrogen.

Also conceivable is a fuel cell drive with electrified drivetrain for driving an electric motor which serves as the traction motor for the wheeled loader.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the tank has an elongate form and can be arranged upright. The tank can be arranged in any manner.

It is advantageous if the tank is not fixedly connected to the work machine and is instead replaceable. This offers the advantage of replacing a defective tank or simply replacing an empty tank with a full tank.

It is noted that the present application covers a work machine both with an empty tank and with a hydrogen-filled tank.

At this juncture, it is noted that the term “a” does not necessarily refer to exactly one of these elements, even if this is one possible embodiment, and can also relate to a plurality of the elements. Similarly, the use of the plural form includes the presence of the element in question in the singular, and, vice versa, the singular form also covers a plurality of the elements in question. Furthermore, all the features of the invention described here can be combined with one another in any way or claimed independently of one another.

Further details and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail on the basis of an embodiment shown in the drawing.

In the Figures:

FIG.1shows a schematic side view of a wheeled loader from the right,

FIG.2shows a schematic side view of a wheeled loader from the left,

FIG.3shows a schematic top view of the wheeled loader,

FIG.4shows a schematic view of a wheeled loader from below and

FIG.5shows a schematic view of the wheeled loader from the left with the means of access moved to the rear.

FIGS.1and2show side views of a wheeled loader1according to the invention.

The wheeled loader has a front chassis section2and a rear chassis section3, which are connected to one another in an articulated manner.

Reference sign4denotes the cab for the operator of the wheeled loader.

The wheeled loader furthermore has a front axle and a rear axle, both of which are denoted by reference sign7.

As can be seen fromFIGS.1and2, there is a hydrogen tank5located on each side of the wheeled loader, in each case surrounded by an armor6.

The tank5and the armor6are, on both sides of the wheeled loader, located on the rear chassis section3in a region under the cab4and between the two axles7.

From the top view according toFIG.3and the illustration from below according toFIG.4, it is discernible that the two tanks5with the respective armor6are arranged next to the cab4, i.e. arranged offset to the side relative to the cab4.

The armor6in each case surrounds of the tanks5completely, i.e. on all sides.

FIG.5shows an embodiment which corresponds to the embodiment ofFIGS.1and2but with the difference that the means of access8for the machine operator is arranged in the rear region, i.e. behind the rear axle7.

After accessing, the machine operator walks forward to the cab4over the rear wheel house or body parts.