Patent ID: 12187367

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Below, a trailer according to an embodiment is explained using the drawings. The shapes, materials, numbers, and numerical values described below are examples for explanation, and can be changed as appropriate according to specifications of the trailer. In the following, like elements are given the same reference signs in all drawings.

InFIGS.1to6, an orthogonal coordinate system consisting of FR, RW, and UP axes is used to represent the position and direction of each component. The FR axis is a vehicle front-rear direction axis with the forward direction of the vehicle as the positive direction. The RW axis is a vehicle width direction axis with the right side of the vehicle as the positive direction. The UP axis is a vehicle up-down direction axis with the upper side as the positive direction.

FIG.1illustrates a trailer10according to the present embodiment. The trailer10is a towed vehicle that is towed by a vehicle (not shown). For example, a chassis of the trailer10is loaded with a container100as illustrated inFIG.6. The container100is, for example, a freezer container or a kitchen cabin. As will be described later, a battery pack50is used as a power source for electrical equipment installed in the container100.

With reference toFIG.1, the trailer10includes the chassis20and a drawbar30. The chassis20is a rectangular frame in plan view, and includes a pair of side members24A,24B and a pair of cross members22A,22B. The pair of side members24A,24B and the pair of cross members22A,22B are welded to each other, for example.

The side members24A,24B are frame members disposed at both ends of the trailer10in the vehicle width direction and extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. For example, the side members24A,24B are channel steel, and the groove openings are directed inward in the vehicle width direction.

The cross members22A,22B are frame members extending in the vehicle width direction by connecting front ends and rear ends of the pair of side members24A,24B. The cross members22A,22B may be channel steel, for example. For example, the groove opening of the cross member22A provided at the front of the vehicle faces downward.

The groove opening of the cross member22B provided at the rear of the vehicle faces the front of the vehicle. The groove width of the cross member22B is provided to exceed the groove widths of the side members24A,24B, and the rear ends of the side members24A,24B are accommodated in the groove of the cross member22B.

A license plate21, reflectors23, brake lamps25, and turn lamps27are attached to the rear surface of the cross member22B. The brake lamps25and turn lamps27are connected to an electrical wiring connector (not shown). The electrical wiring connector is connected to the electrical system of the towing vehicle. As a result, the brake lamps25and the turn lamps27can be turned on in conjunction with the operation of the brake pedal and direction indicator switch of the towing vehicle.

The drawbar30, which is a connecting rod member, extends from the chassis20to the front of the vehicle. For example, the drawbar30has an easel-shaped frame member in plan view. The rear ends of the drawbar30are fixed to the side members24A,24B, and the drawbar30extends obliquely forward toward the center of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction from the rear ends. The drawbar30is also supported by a support beam36and the cross member22A.

A hitch coupler32and a lock lever34are provided at the front end of the drawbar30. The hitch coupler32is put on a hitch ball of a hitch member (not shown) provided on the rear surface of the towing vehicle. Further, by tilting the lock lever34, the hitch coupler32is fixed to the hitch ball.

With reference toFIG.2, a pair of wheels40,40is pivotally supported by the side members24A,24B. For example, the wheels40are pivotally supported by the side members24A,24B via a suspension mechanism. The example ofFIG.2shows a torsion suspension having a torsion bar42as a suspension mechanism.

As a brake mechanism for the wheels40,40, the trailer10is provided with an inertia brake mechanism. A wire44extends from the wheels40,40toward the front of the vehicle. The front end of wire44is attached to the rear surface of the towing vehicle. If the hitch coupler32is disengaged from the hitch member of the towing vehicle during towing, the trailer10will be left behind the towing vehicle and separated from the towing vehicle. At this time, the wire44is pulled by the towing vehicle, thereby activating a brake mechanism (not shown) provided inside the wheels40,40to stop the trailer10.

Power Source Equipment

With reference toFIGS.1and2, the space from the torsion bar42, which is the axle of the wheels40,40, to the cross member22B at the rear of the vehicle serves as a mounting area for the battery pack50. By adopting such a layout, interference between the battery pack50and the braking mechanism such as an inertia brake can be avoided.

With reference toFIGS.1and3, a battery frame60is fixed to the side members24A,24B of the chassis20. The battery pack50, a power supply unit52, and a charging unit54are assembled to the battery frame60. For example, the power supply unit52, the battery pack50, and the charging unit54are arranged on the battery frame60in the vehicle width direction.

The charging unit54is an electronic device unit that controls charging of the battery pack50. The charging unit54includes, for example, an inverter and a direct-current to direct-current (DC/DC) converter. For example, a charging inlet56is provided on the outer surface of the side member24A in the vehicle width direction. When a charging connector (not shown) of an external charging facility is inserted into the charging inlet56, alternating current (AC) power is supplied to the charging unit54from the charging connector. The inverter of the charging unit54converts the supplied power between AC and DC. Also, the DC/DC converter of the charging unit54boosts the voltage of the DC power to a voltage suitable for charging the battery pack50.

The power supply unit52controls power supply to the battery pack50. The power supply unit52is electrically connected to the battery pack50and a plug socket106of the container100(seeFIG.6). For example, a power cable (not shown) extends from the power supply unit52to the plug socket106.

The power supply unit52includes, for example, an inverter and a DC/DC converter. For example, DC power is supplied from the battery pack50. The DC/DC converter of the power supply unit52steps down the voltage of the DC power to the rated voltage of the electrical equipment (for example, air conditioning equipment, cooking equipment, etc.) connected to the plug socket106. Furthermore, the DC power is converted into AC power by the inverter, and the AC power after conversion is supplied to the electrical equipment.

For example, the power supply unit52and the charging unit54accommodate electronic devices such as the inverter and the DC/DC converter in the casing. The power supply unit52and the charging unit54are fixed to the battery frame60so that the top surface of the casing is positioned lower than the top surfaces of the side members24A,24B. This fixing mode will be described later.

The battery pack50is provided, for example, on the battery frame60at the center in the vehicle width direction. For example, the battery pack50is a package body in which electrical components such as a battery electronic control unit (ECU), a cooling blower, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, and a temperature sensor are housed in a casing in addition to a plurality of battery cells.

The battery pack50is, for example, a so-called reusable product that was installed as a power source for driving a vehicle such as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) or a battery electric vehicle (BEV) and removed from the vehicle due to deterioration. For example, the battery pack50is mounted on the trailer10as it is removed from the original vehicle, without undergoing customization work such as replacement of internal battery cells or modification of the casing.

A power source for driving a vehicle is required to have a high output and a high capacity sufficient to drive a heavy vehicle. When the battery pack50is used as a power source for driving a vehicle for a long period of time, the internal battery cells deteriorate. The battery pack50of which output and capacity no longer satisfy the required values for driving the vehicle is removed from the vehicle.

After being removed, the battery pack50is utilized as a power source device for other purposes based on its output, capacity, and the like. For example, in the trailer10according to the present embodiment, the battery pack50is used as a power source for electrical equipment used in the container100(seeFIG.6).

For example, the container100is a kitchen cabin for providing cooking and selling services. That is, the trailer10is used as a kitchen trailer. In such a case, the container100is equipped with a refrigerator, a water supply pump, and lighting as electrical equipment for the store.

The battery pack50is exclusively used as a power source for these electrical equipment for the store. In other words, the battery pack50is not used as a power source for driving a vehicle, which has been the previous purpose of use. For example, the battery pack50is electrically disconnected from the drive mechanism that drives the wheels40of the trailer10and the regenerative mechanism that regeneratively brakes the wheels40.

For example, the trailer10is not equipped with a rotating electrical machine for driving and regeneratively braking the wheels40. In such a configuration, charging devices for the battery pack50is exclusively external charging through the charging inlet56and other charging devices are excluded from the trailer10. Further, the power supply destination of the battery pack50is exclusively the plug socket106in the container100and the electrical equipment in the container100, and the other in-vehicle electrical equipment (for example, the brake lamps25and the turn lamps27) is excluded from the power supply destination of the battery pack50.

As described above, in the trailer10according to the present embodiment, the battery pack50is exclusively used as a power source for electrical equipment inside the container100. For example, the battery pack50is permitted to be mounted on the trailer10if the battery pack50has the same quality as a stationary power source, which is a household power source. This allows battery packs50with various degrees of deterioration to be mounted on the trailer10.

Further, for example, if a mobile battery or the like is separately loaded in the container100as the power supply for the store of the container100, the usable space of the container100is reduced accordingly. In view of this, in the trailer10according to the present embodiment, the battery pack50, which is the power source for the store, is accommodated inside the chassis20of the trailer10, in other words, under the floor of the container100. Therefore, it is possible to avoid occupying part of the usable space of the container100with the power source.

Battery Frame

The battery frame60is a grid-shaped mounting frame that is fixed to the chassis20of the trailer10. The battery pack50is assembled to the battery frame60. With reference toFIGS.3and4, the battery frame60includes a pair of crossbars61A,61B and a pair of side bars64A,64B.

The crossbars61A,61B are frame members extending in the vehicle width direction while being spaced apart in the vehicle front-rear direction, and both ends in the vehicle width direction are fixed to the side members24A,24B. The crossbars61A,61B are made of, for example, square steel pipes (square pipes).

With reference toFIG.4, both ends of the pair of crossbars61A,61B in the vehicle width direction are fixed to the side members24A,24B via side brackets70A,70B and lower brackets72A,72B.FIGS.3to5do not show the left side brackets70A,70B and the left lower brackets72A,72B. However, based on the symmetry of the vehicle structure, the side brackets70A,70B and the lower brackets72A,72B having structures symmetrical to those illustrated inFIGS.3to5are provided on the left ends of the pair of crossbars61A,61B.

FIG.5illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the side bracket70A and the lower bracket72A. The side bracket70B and the lower bracket72B also have the same structure as shown inFIG.5. The side bracket70A has its outer end in the vehicle width direction inserted into the groove of the side member24A. The side bracket70A is welded to the side member24A, for example, as indicated by a bead70A1.

An inner portion of the side bracket70A in the vehicle width direction extends downward from the side member24A. A lower end of the side bracket70A is fixed to the crossbar61A via the lower bracket72A. The lower bracket72A is, for example, a channel steel, and the groove extends in the vehicle width direction.

The lower end of the side bracket70A enters into the groove of the lower bracket72A. The side bracket70A and the lower bracket72A are fixed by welding as indicated by a bead70A2.

The lower end (groove bottom) of the lower bracket72A is connected to the end of the crossbar61A in the vehicle width direction. The lower bracket72A is welded to the crossbar61A, as indicated by a bead72A1.

Since the side member24A, the side bracket70A, the lower bracket72A, and the crossbar61A are fixed by welding, the crossbar61A is fixed to the side member24A (and the side member24B) in a non-detachable state. As for the crossbar61B, these members are similarly fixed to the side members24A,24B in a non-detachable state. That is, the separation distance between the crossbars61A,61B in the vehicle front-rear direction, in other words, the vehicle front-rear width of the battery frame60is maintained at a constant width.

For example, when various battery packs50having different shapes to be assembled to the battery frame60have the same vehicle front-rear dimension, the separation distance between the crossbars61A,61B is fixed so that the mounting work of the battery pack50can be performed smoothly.

For example, when the battery pack50is used as a power source for driving a vehicle, the battery pack50is installed under the rear seat of the vehicle. Since the width of the rear seat of the vehicle is almost constant among vehicle types, various battery packs50with different shapes can be mounted on the battery frame60by setting the separation distance between the crossbars61A,61B to this width of the rear seat.

Also, with reference toFIG.4, the crossbars61A,61B are fixed to the side members24A,24B via the side brackets70A,70B and the lower brackets72A,72B, so that the battery frame60is positioned lower than the chassis20. As shown by an accommodation depth H1inFIG.5, which will be described later, the battery frame60is disposed at a position (sinking position) lower than the chassis20, so that the battery pack50can be suppressed from protruding from the chassis20.

With reference toFIGS.4and5, the side bars64A,64B extend in the vehicle front-rear direction while being separated in the vehicle width direction. Further, the front ends and rear ends of the side bars64A,64B are fixed to the pair of crossbars61A,61B. The side bars64A,64B are made of square steel pipes (square pipes), for example.

Cutouts65A,65B are provided at the front and rear ends of the side bars64A,64B, respectively. The cutouts65A,65B are used for alignment when the front and rear ends of the side bars64A,64B are placed on the crossbars61A,61B.

The side bars64A,64B are detachably fixed to the crossbars61A,61B. The side bars64A,64B are fastened and fixed to the crossbars61A,61B using, for example, bolts and nuts.

With reference toFIGS.4and5, a plurality of fastening holes62A1to62A6is drilled in the top surface of the crossbar61A along the vehicle width direction. A plurality of fastening holes62B1to62B6is also drilled in the top surface of the crossbar61B along the vehicle width direction. For example, three fastening holes are provided in each of the front and rear ends of the side bars64A,64B.

The fastening holes62A1to62A6,62B1to62B6to which the side bars64A,64B are fastened are defined according to the vehicle width direction dimensions of the battery pack50that is a mounted object. For example, the front ends and rear ends of the side bars64A,64B are slid on the crossbars61A,61B, and then fastened with bolts and nuts to the crossbars61A,61B. Since the separation distance between the side bars64A,64B in the vehicle width direction can be set flexibly in this way, various battery packs50with different shapes can be mounted on the battery frame60.

With reference toFIGS.1,4and5, supporting members for supporting the battery pack50, the power supply unit52, and the charging unit54are attached to the side members24A,24B, the crossbars61A,61B, and the side bars64A,64B.

For example, a pair of support bands68A,68A extends across the side member24A and the side bar64A. Similarly, a pair of support bands68B,68B extends across the side member24B and the side bar64B. For example, as illustrated inFIG.5, the support bands68A,68B are attached to the bottom walls of the side members24A,24B and the side bars64A,64B. The power supply unit52and the charging unit54are supported by the support bands68A,68B from their bottom surfaces.

With reference toFIGS.4and5, L-shaped brackets63A,63B,66A,66B are attached to the crossbars61A,61B and the side bar64A. For example, with reference toFIG.5, vertical plates of L-shaped brackets63A,63B,66A,66B are fixed by welding to side walls of the crossbars61A,61B and the side bar64A. A plurality of fastening holes is drilled in the horizontal plate.

The L-shaped brackets63A,63B,66A, and66B abut on the bottom wall of the battery pack50to support the battery pack50. Further, a fastening holes (not shown) provided in the bottom wall of the battery pack50and the fastening holes of the respective L-shaped brackets63A,63B,66A,66B are axially aligned to be fastened and fixed.

With reference toFIG.5, the height H1from the lateral plate of the L-shaped bracket66A to the top surface of the side member24A can be regarded as the accommodation depth of the battery pack50.

When the types of the battery packs50that may be mounted on the trailer are known, the maximum height (pack thickness) of the battery packs50of various shapes is the standard. For example, with reference toFIG.5, the UP axial dimensions of the side bracket70A and the lower bracket72A are defined such that the accommodation depth H1has a value larger than the maximum height (maximum thickness) H0of the various battery packs50(H0<H1).

In the example ofFIG.5, the side brackets70A (,70B) and the lower brackets72A (,72B) are fixed by welding. However, the side brackets70A (,70B) and the lower brackets72A (,72B) may be fixed using detachable fixing such as fastening fixing. In this case, the height position of the lower brackets72A (,72B) relative to the side brackets70A (,70B) can be adjusted by drilling a plurality of fastening holes in the height direction.

In this manner, by making the accommodation depth H1greater than the height H0of the battery pack50, the battery pack50is suppressed from protruding from the chassis20. With reference toFIG.6, the container100placed on the chassis20is provided with a grid-shaped floor frame104as a reinforcing member for a floor102.

To facilitate user movement within the container100, the floor102and floor frame104may be laid flat. In such a case, since the protrusion of the battery pack50from the chassis20is suppressed on the trailer10side, interference between the battery pack50and the floor frame104can be avoided. That is, the work of assembling the container100to the trailer10can be performed smoothly.