SE1850560A1

SE1850560A1 - A charging device for a functional module and a vehicle assembled from a set of modules

Info

Publication number: SE1850560A1
Application number: SE1850560A
Authority: SE
Inventors: André Claesson; Linus Ährlig; Robert Sjödin
Original assignee: Scania Cv Ab
Priority date: 2018-05-15
Filing date: 2018-05-15
Publication date: 2019-11-16
Also published as: WO2019221656A1; DE112019002475T5; SE542943C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging device (50) for a functional module (6), adapted to be connected to a drive module (1) for forming an assembled vehicle (2), the charging device (50) comprising a first contact element (52) adapted to be arranged at the functional module (6) and configured for transmitting electric power from an external power source (56) to at least one energy storage unit (12) in the functional module (6) and/or in the drive module (1), and a protective element (58), which at least partly surrounds the first contact element (52). The protective element (58) is arranged to be movable between a first and a second position (68, 69) in relation to the first contact element (52). The invention also relates to a vehicle (2) assembled from a set of modules (1, 6).

Description

A charging device for a functional module and a vehicle assembled from a set of modules TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a charging device for a functional module and a vehicle as-sembled from a set of modules according to the appended claims.

BACKGROUND “vehicles of today are typically manufactured for a specific purpose, eg. a ous is man~ufactured for transporting people and a truck is manufaotured for transporting goods.Such vehicles are typically manufactured and completely assemhied in a factory orthey may he partly assemhled in a factory and cornpleted at a body manufacturer.Cšnce the vehicle is assernioied, the vehicle may he used for the specific purpose. Thus,a hus may he used as a hus and a garloage truck may he used as a garhage truck.fliifferent vehicles are thus needed for different purposes, which may reduire a largefleet of vehicles and which may he very costiy. lt may therefore he desired to ce apleto customize a vehicle depending on different missions. The vehicle may he providedwith electric engines for the propulsion of the vehicle and also he provided with energystorage units, which provides the electric engines with electric power. The energy stor- age units must be charged with electric power.

There are, for example, known solutions where a truck can pe rehuilt hy changing aconcrete mixer to a loading platform. This increases the fiexihility and tvvo differentfunctions can ce achieved hy means of one single vehicle. Also, document US-2Gt6/Cil29958 A discloses a moduler electric vehicle using interchangeaple vehicleassembly modules. The user can thereoy disassemhle and reassernloie the vehicle foruse in different applications. ilïiisassemhling and reassemhling such a vehicle would,however, ce a very cumhersorne and time oonsuming work. Furthermore, when a fail»ure occurs in one of the known vehicle inoduies it iriay he difficult to replace the fallingmodule, which may result in that the vehicle may he unusahle for a considerahle period of time. it may also be cumbersome to transport the replacing module to the site of thevehicle with the falling module.

SUMMARY Despite known solutions in the art, it is desired to develop a charging device for afunctional module, which charging device enables a simple and safe charging of en-ergy storage units. Also, it is desired to develop a charging device for a functionalmodule, which charging device is protected from debris from the surroundings.

An object of the invention is therefore to achieve a charging device for a functionalmodule, which charging device enables a simple and safe charging of energy storage units.

Another object of the invention is to achieve a charging device for a functional mod-ule, which charging device is protected from debris from the surroundings.

The herein mentioned objects are achieved with a charging device for a functional module according to the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the invention a charging device for a functional module isprovided, adapted to be connected to a drive module for forming an assembled vehi-cle, the charging device comprising a first contact element adapted to be arranged atthe functional module and configured for transmitting electric power from an externalpower source to at least one energy storage unit in the functional module and/or inthe drive module, and a protective element, which at least partly surrounds the firstcontact element, wherein the protective element is arranged to be movable between a first and a second position in relation to the first contact element.

The above-mentioned objects are also achieved by a vehicle assembled from a set ofmodules according to the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the invention a vehicle assembled from a set of modules isprovided, the vehicle comprising at least one drive module and at least one functional module, the vehicle further comprising at least one charging device.

By such a charging device for a functional module a simple and safe charging of en-ergy storage units is enabled. Electric power from an external power source is trans-ferred both simple and safe to the at least one energy storage unit in the functionalmodule and/or in the drive module. The protective element, which at least partly sur-rounds the first contact element, and is adapted to be arranged at the functional mod-ule, protects the surroundings from coming in contact with electrically conductiveparts of first contact element. The protective element also protects the first contact el-ement from coming in contact with debris from the surroundings, which may have anaggressive impact on the first contact element and thus reduce the transfer capabili-ties of electric power of the first contact element. The protective element may bemovable to a position on the first contact element in which the first contact element isat least partly surrounded by the protective element and to position which enablesthe first contact element to have contact with the external power source for transferelectric power to the at least one energy storage unit in the functional module and/or in the drive module, if the functional module is connected to a drive module.

Providing the vehicle assembled from a set of modules with such a charging device,electric power from an external power source is transferred both simple and safe tothe at least one energy storage unit in the functional module and/or in the drive mod-ule. The protective element protects the surroundings from coming in contact withelectrically conductive parts of first contact element. The protective element also pro-tects the first contact element from coming in contact with debris from the surround-ings, which may have an aggressive impact on the first contact element and thus re-duce the transfer capabilities of electric power of the first contact element. The vehi-cle and thus the charging device may be exposed to debris from the surroundingsboth when the vehicle is moving and when the vehicle is parked and not moving.

At least ene drive medule may be used tegether with different functional modules. Thefunctieriai medules may be designed fer specific purposes. Therefere, by eembining adrive inedule with a suitable furictieriei inedule, it is pessibie te Customize a vehicle depending on different missions. A functional rnedule may be prepared to perform aspecific function and the drive module, which may be autonomously operated, mayconnect with the functional module to achieve an assembled vehicle customized for acertain mission. The at least one functional module may be configured with a passen-ger compartment for accommodating passengers and may thus function as a bus whenbeing assembled with the at least one drive module. The charging device may beconfigured and adapted for different types of functional modules in order to provide asimple and safe charging of the energy storage units in the functional module and/orin the drive module. Charging of energy storage units in the drive module is possible ifa drive module is connected to the functional module.

Additional objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will be apparentto one skilled in the art from the following details, and through exercising the invention.While the invention is described below, it should be apparent that the invention maynot be limited to the specifically described details. One skilled in the art, having accessto the teachings herein, will recognize additional applications, modifications and incor-porations in other areas, which are within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Below is a description of, as examples, preferred embodiments with reference to theenclosed drawings, in which: Figure 1a schematically illustrates an assembled vehicle provided with a charging de- vice according to an embodiment; Figure 1b schematically illustrates a side view of a drive module and a functional mod- ule provided with a charging device according to an embodiment; Figure 2 schematically illustrates a section view of a drive module according to an embodiment; Figure 3a schematically illustrates an assembled vehicle provided with a charging de- vice according to an embodiment; Figure 3b schematically illustrates a side view of two drive modules and a functional module provided with a charging device according to an embodiment; Figure 4a schematically illustrates a side view of a functional module provided with acharging device according to an embodiment; Figure 4b schematically illustrates a side view of a functional module provided with acharging device according to an embodiment; Figure 5a schematically illustrates a section view of a charging device according to an embodiment; Figure 5b schematically illustrates a section view of a charging device according to an embodiment; Figure 6a schematically illustrates a section view of a charging device according to an embodiment; and Figure 6b schematically illustrates a section view of a charging device according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION l\/lodularised vehicles are typically assembled at the customer”s premises and the cus-tomer may thus buy a set of modules from a manufacturer. The assembled vehiclemay comprise at least two modules including at least one drive module and at leastone functional module. Such a modularised vehicle is applicable on all sorts of roadvehicles and may thus relate to heavy vehicles, such as buses, trucks etc., which maybe used on public roads. The at least one drive module may have at least one electric engine as a propulsion source.

The at least one drive module and at least one functional module may be provided withenergy storage units, which provides the at least one electric engine with electric power. The energy storage units must be charged with eiecrtric power.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure a charging device for a functionalmodule is provided, adapted to be connected to a drive module for forming an as-sembled vehicle, the charging device comprising a first contact element adapted tobe arranged at the functional module and configured for transmitting electric powerfrom an external power source to at least one energy storage unit in the functionalmodule and/or in the drive module, and a protective element, which at least partlysurrounds the first contact element, wherein the protective element is arranged to bemovable between a first and a second position in relation to the first contact element.

The protective element, which at least partly surrounds the first contact element, pro-tects humans and animals in the surroundings from coming in contact with electricallyconductive parts of first contact element. The protective element also protects thefirst contact element from being exposed to debris from the surroundings, which mayhave an aggressive impact on the first contact element and thus reduce the transfercapabilities of electric power of the first contact element. The protective element ismovable arranged on the first contact element.

At least one drive module may be used together with different functional modules. Thefunctionei modules rney be designed for specific purposes. Therefore, by combining edrive module tivith a suitable functional module, it is possible to Customize a vehicledepending on different missions. A functionel rnoduie rney be prepered to perform especific function end the autonomously operated drive module may connect with thefunctional module to achieve an assembled vehicle customized for a certain mission.The at least one functional module may be configured with a passenger compartmentfor accommodating passengers and may thus function as a bus when being assembledwith the at least one drive module. The charging device may be configured andadapted for the type, size and weight of the functional module. Charging of energystorage units in the drive module is possible if a drive module is connected to the func» tionai module.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure the protective element in thefirst position is arranged to isolate a terminal end of the first contact element from theexternal power source and in the second position is arranged to enable the terminalend to transmit electric power from the external power source to the at least one en- ergy storage unit. ln the first position of the protective element, the first contact element is at least partlysurrounded by the protective element and the protective element is arranged to iso-late the terminal end of the first contact element from the external power source, sothat the first contact element may not have any contact with the external powersource. ln the first position of the protective element will not be exposed to debrisfrom the surroundings. ln a second position of the protective element, the first contactelement is at least partly surrounded by the protective element and the terminal endof the first contact element is exposed for the external power source, so that electricpower from the external power source can be transmitted to the at least one energystorage unit in the functional module and/or in the drive module. ln the second posi-tion of the protective element, the first contact element will not be exposed to debrisfrom the surroundings since the first contact element is surrounded at least partly by the protective element.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure the protective element is resili-ent and is at least partly movably arranged in relation to the first contact element by compression of the protective element.

The resilient material in the protective element allows the protective element to moveto the second position when the protective element is compressed, such as when aload is exerted on the protective element. Such load exerted on the protective ele-ment may be the load from the weight of the functional module. The load exerted onthe protective element will compress the protective element, so that the terminal endof the first contact element is enable to transmit electric power from the externalpower source to the at least one energy storage unit. The protective element mayhave a cylindrical shape provided with a longitudinal bore in which the first contact el-ement is arranged. ln a situation when no load is exerted to the resilient protective el- ement, the protective element is in the first position and is arranged to isolate the ter-minal end of the first contact element from the external power source. When a load isexerted on the protective element, the length of the resilient protective element willbe reduced. Since the protective element is resilient and is at least partly movably ar-ranged in relation to the first contact element, the relative movement will enable theterminal end of the first contact element to transmit electric power from the externalpower source to the at least one energy storage unit. The relative movement of theprotective element in relation to the first contact element will bring the terminal end ofthe first contact element to an end of the longitudinal bore of the cylindrical shapedprotective element. This enables the terminal end of the first contact element to getclose to the power source and thus transmit electric power from the external powersource to the at least one energy storage unit. The protective element is connectedto the functional module and may be compressed between the functional module andthe external power source.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure the protective element is mov-ably arranged in relation to the first contact element by displacement of the protective element.

The protective element may be displaced between the first and the second position inrelation to the first contact element. The protective element may be displaced when aload is exerted on the protective element. Such load exerted on the protective ele-ment may be the load from the weight of the functional module. The displacement ofthe protective element in relation to the first contact element results in that the termi-nal end of the first contact element is enable to transmit electric power from the exter-nal power source to the at least one energy storage unit. When the protective ele-ment is in the first position, the protective element is arranged to isolate the terminalend of the first contact element from the external power source. The displacement ofthe protective element to the second position will enable the terminal end of the firstcontact element to transmit electric power from the external power source to the atleast one energy storage unit. The protective element may have a cylindrical shapeprovided with a longitudinal bore in which the first contact element is arranged. Therelative movement of the protective element in relation to the first contact element will bring the terminal end of the first contact element to an end of the longitudinal bore of the cylindrical shaped protective element. This enables the terminal end of the firstcontact element to get close to the power source and thus transmit electric power from the external power source to the at least one energy storage unit.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure the charging device furthercomprising at least one first spring connected to the protective element, which first spring acts to displace the protective element towards the first position.

The protective element is displaced towards the second position when a load is ex-erted on the protective element. Such load exerted on the protective element may bethe load from the weight of the functional module. The load should be larger than thespring force of the first spring, which spring force acts to displace the protective ele-ment towards the first position. When the load exerted on the protective element inthe direction of the second position ceases, the spring force of the first spring dis-places the protective element towards the first position. The first spring may be a coilspring, a plate spring, a leaf spring, a compressible rubber spring or the like. The firstspring is on one side connected to the protective element and on another side con-nected to the functional module.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure the charging device furthercomprising at least one second spring connected to the functional module and thefirst contact element.

The second spring connected to the functional module and the first contact elementmay have a protective function on the first contact element and on the functionalmodule. The protective element may be movably arranged in relation to the first con-tact element. When a load acts on the protective element and the protective elementreaches the second position, the load may also act on the first contact element. Theat least one second spring connected to the functional module and the first contactelement will act against this load and will have a dampening effect on the first contact element.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure the first contact element isadapted to bear or at least partly bear the weight of the functional module.

The protective element may be movably arranged in relation to the first contact ele-ment. When a load, resulting from the weight of the functional module, acts on theprotective element and the protective element reaches the second position, this loador a part of this load will act on the first contact element. Since the first contact ele-ment is adapted to bear or at least partly bear the weight of the functional module, the first contact element is adapted to act as a stand for the functional module.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure the first contact element isadapted to be connected to a second contact element connected to the external power source and which second contact element is arranged at a ground surface.

The second contact element may have a shape of a flat plate or disc, which is ar-ranged at a ground surface. The first contact element may rest on the second contactelement when the first contact element is adapted to be connected to a second con-tact element. When a load, resulting from the weight of the functional module, acts onthe first contact element, and the first contact element rests on the second contact el-ement, the second contact element may be adapted to bear or at least partly bear theweight of the functional module. Thus the second contact element may act as a com-bined platform and charging station for the first contact element when the first contactelement acts as a stand for the functional module. The second contact element maybe integrated in the external power source. Therefore, the first contact element may be connected directly to the external power source.

The second contact element is connected to the external power source and electricpower is transmitted from the external power source to the at least one energy stor-age unit in the functional module and/or in the drive module via the first and second contact elements when the first and second contact elements are connected.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure the second contact element comprises an electrical conductive material. 11 The second contact element, which is connected to the external power source com-prises an electrical conductive material. The electrical conductive material of the sec- ond contact element may be adapted to transmit electric power.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure the first contact element com-prises an electrical conductive material.

The first contact element may be configured for transmitting electric power throughelectrical conductive material in the first contact element. Both the first contact ele-ment and the second contact element may comprise electrical conductive material.When the first contact element is connected to the second contact element, electricpower may be conductively transmitted from the external power source to the at leastone energy storage unit in the functional module and/or in the drive module.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure the first contact element isprovided with an inductive conductor, which is configured for transmitting electricpower from the external power source to the at least one energy storage unit.

Such an inductive conductor may be provided with an induction coil, which receivespower from another induction coil in which an alternating electromagnetic field is cre-ated from the power source. The other induction coil may be arranged in the secondcontact element, which is connected to the power source. ln addition to the protective element, which protects the surroundings from coming incontact with the first contact element, the risk for electric shock is minimal when thefirst contact element is provided with an inductive conductor. Such first contact ele- ment provided with an inductive conductor is safe for the surroundings.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure a vehicle assembled from a set ofmodules is provided, the vehicle comprising at least one drive module and at leastone functional module, the vehicle further comprising at least one charging device. 12 Electric power from an external power source is transferred both simple and safe tothe at least one energy storage unit in the functional module and/or in the drive mod-ule of the assembled vehicle. The protective element protects the surroundings fromcoming in contact with electrically conductive parts of first contact element. The vehi-cle and thus the charging device may be exposed to debris from the surroundingsboth when the vehicle is moving and when the vehicle is parked and not moving. Theprotective element protects the first contact element from coming in contact with de-bris from the surroundings, which may have an aggressive impact on the first contactelement and thus reduce the transfer capabilities of electric power of the first contact element.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure the drive module comprises at leasta pair of wheels and is configured to be autonomously operated and drive the assem-bled vehicle.

The drive module may be autonomously operated and be connected with the func-tional module to achieve an assembled vehicle customized for a certain mission. Theat least one functional module may be configured with a passenger compartment foraccommodating passengers and may thus function as a bus when being assembledwith the at least one drive module. The charging device may be configured andadapted for different types of functional modules in order to provide a simple andsafe charging of the energy storage units in the functional module and/or in the drivemodule. Charging of energy storage units in the drive module is possible if a drivemodule is connected to the functional module.

A drive module with at least a pair of wheels may have good manoeuvring abilities.The drive module may turn about a vertical axis that extends between the two wheels.The design of the drive module may also be very compact when two wheels are ar-ranged at the drive module. With the drive module having two wheels, typically twodrive modules are needed to assemble a vehicle, depending on whether the functional module comprises wheels or not. 13 The pair of wheels may be arranged at the drive module, such that a centre axis ofeach wheel coincides with each other. Each wheel has a centre axis and may be ar-ranged at the drive module so that each wheel may rotate about its centre axis. Thecentre axis of each wheel may thus be referred to as the rotational axis of each wheel.The centre axis of the wheels coinciding means that the centre axis of the wheels arealigned. By having the centre axis of each wheel coinciding with each other the drivemodule has good manoeuvring abilities. Also, the drive module may be able to makea pivoting movement about the coinciding centre axis of the two wheels. Thus, thedrive module may be configured to pivot about the common centre axis of the twowheels. This pivoting movement of the drive module may be useful when connectingand disconnecting the drive module with other modules. The control device configuredto operate the drive module as an independently driven unit may be configured to con-trol the pivoting movement of the drive module.

The propulsion unit of the drive module may be an electric machine, connected to thewheels. The pair of wheels of the drive module may thus be referred to as drive wheels.ln one example, the drive module comprises two electrical machines, one connectedto each wheel. The electric machines may be arranged in the rim of the wheels. Thewheels of the drive module may thus be driven independently of each other. The elec-tric machines may also work as generators and generate electric energy when brakingthe wheels. The drive module may also comprise a steering system connected to thewheels. This way, the drive module is steerable. The drive module may also comprisea brake system for braking the wheels. The brake system may comprise a wheel brakefor each wheel of the drive module. Redundancy is achieved in that the drive modulecan be steered by means of the electrical machines and/or the wheel brakes in theevent that the steering system malfunctions.

The drive module being autonomously operated means that the control device of thedrive module is configured to receive commands and instructions from an off-boardsystem and to execute these commands/instructions. The autonomously operateddrive module may thus be said to be self-operated based on received commands andinstructions from the off-board system. The autonomously operated drive modulemay thus be self-operated without an on-board or off-board driver. The control device 14 may be adapted to convert the commands to control signals for controlling the sys-tems and components of the drive module and thereby control for example the steer-ing and the propulsion of the drive module. This way, the drive module is self-drivenbased on the received commands and instructions. The control device may operatethe drive module autonomously also based on data from the at least one sensor, tak- ing situations that may happen during transportation into account.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure the vehicle comprises two drive modules.

Each drive module may then comprise one pair of wheels. By selecting the at leastone functional module and two drive modules based on a function to be performed, acustomized vehicle may be assembled, which is customized for the function to beperformed. Also, an assembled vehicle may be achieved, which is adapted to thesurroundings and the operating conditions of the vehicle. An assembled vehicle pro-vided with two drive modules may have more power and may support larger andheavier vehicles than a vehicle provided with only one drive module. lf one of thedrive modules will lose power, the other drive module may take over and drive the vehicle.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure one of the drive modules is config-ured to operate as a master and the other drive module and the functional module is configured to operate as a slave.

A control device of one of the drive modules may be configured to operate the associ-ated drive module as the master. A control device of the other drive module may beconfigured to operate the associated drive module as the slave. The master will decidehow to operate the drive modules and thus how to operate the assembled vehicle. lnaddition, any further module, such as the functional module being connected to thedrive module(s) and which comprises a control device, may become slave in the as-sembled vehicle. Each drive module is associated with a registration number but onlyone registration number should be shown on an assembled vehicle. ln the event thatthe assembled vehicle comprises two drive modules, the first control device may ap-point one drive module to be master and the other to be slave. Typically, the master will be commanded to show its registration number and the slave will not show itsregistration number. The first control device may thus transmit instructions regarding registration number to the second control device of the at least one drive module.

The charging device has been described in connection with a vehicle assembledfrom a set of modules. The charging device may however be used on a vehicle ar- ranged in one piece.

The present disclosure will now be further illustrated with reference to the appended figures.

Figure 1a schematically illustrates a side view of an assembled vehicle 2 comprising adrive module 1 and a functional module 6 provided with a charging device 50 accordingto an embodiment. The drive module 1 comprises a pair of wheels 8 and is configuredto be autonomously operated, which means that the assembled vehicle 2 is configuredto be autonomously operated. The functional module 6 may be provided with wheels8, but generally a functional module 6 cannot move on its own. lnstead, the functionalmodule 6 needs to be connected to at least one drive module 1 to be able to move.The functional module 6 may accommodate or supporting a load. The at least onefunctional module 6 may be configured for transporting goods and may thus functionas a truck when being assembled with at least one drive module 1. ln fig. 1a the drivemodule 1 and the functional module 6 are physically connected to each other, so thatinterfaces 14 arranged on the drive module 1 and the functional module 6 are physi-cally connected to each other. A control device 16, 70 is comprised in any of the twomodules 1, 6. The drive module 1 may comprise a control device which hereinafter willbe referred to as a first control device 16. The functional module 6 may comprise acontrol device, which hereinafter will be referred to as a second control device 70. Thecharging device 50 comprises a first contact element 52 and is adapted to be arrangedat the functional module 6. The charging device 50 may be arranged on an undersideof the functional module 6 and directed downwards. When the vehicle 2 is assembledthe charging device 50 is arranged at a distance from the ground surface 54. Whenthe vehicle 2 is parked and/or disassembled, which is described in connection with fig.1b the charging device 50 may rest on the ground surface 54 and be configured for 16 transmitting electric power from an external power source 56 to at least one energystorage unit 12 in the functional module 6 and/or in the drive module 1.

Figure 1b schematically illustrates a side view where the drive module 1 has beenphysically disconnected from the assembled vehicle 2 and thus from the functionalmodule 6, so that the drive module 1 and the functional module 6 are separated. lnfig. 1b also the drive module 1 has been moved in direction away from the functionalmodule 6, which is the remaining module of the assembled vehicle 2. The first con-tact element 52 of the charging device is adapted to bear or at least partly bear theweight of the functional module 6. A load resulting from the weight of the functionalmodule 6, acts on the first contact element 52. The first contact element 52 isadapted to act as a stand for the functional module 6. When the first contact element52 of the charging device 50 rests on the ground surface 54 it may transmit electricpower from the external power source 56 to the at least one energy storage unit 12 in the functional module 6 and/or in the drive module 1.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a drive module 1 in a section view. The drive module 1may comprise a pair of wheels 8. The wheels 8 may be arranged at the first and secondsides 28, 30 of the drive module 1. One wheel 8 may be arranged at the first side 28and the other wheel 8 may be arranged at the second side 30. A steering unit 40 maybe connected to the wheels 8. The steering unit 40 may make the drive module 1steerable. The pair of wheels 8 may be so arranged at the drive module 1 that a centreaxis 43 of each wheel 8 coincides with each other. Each wheel 8 has a centre axis 43and may be arranged at the drive module 1 so that each wheel 8 may rotate about itscentre axis 43. When the centre axis 43 of each wheel 8 coincides with each other thedrive module 1 has good manoeuvring abilities. Also, the drive module 1 may be con-figured to enable a pivoting movement about the coinciding centre axis 43 of the twowheels 1. This pivoting movement of the drive module 1 may be useful when connect-ing and disconnecting the drive module 1 with other modules 6. The first control device16 configured to operate the drive module 1 as an independently driven unit may con-trol the pivoting movement of the drive module 1.

The drive module 1 may comprise at least two interfaces 14 for transferring electricenergy and/or transmitting electric signals, and for physically connection. 17 The drive module 1 may comprise at least one propulsion unit 10 connected to the pairof wheels 8. The propulsion unit 10 may be an electric machine connected to thewheels 8. Two electric machines may be arranged as propulsion units 10 in the drivemodule 1. One electric machine 10 may be connected to one wheel 8 and the otherelectric machine 10 may be connected to the other wheel 8. The electric machines 10may be arranged in the rim 42 of the wheels 8. The wheels 8 may thereby be drivenindependently of each other. The electric machines 10 may also work as generatorsand generate electric energy when braking the wheels 8. lnstead of electric machines10 as a propulsion unit 10, the at least one propulsion unit 10 may be an internal com- bustion engine, such as an otto engine or a diesel engine connected to the wheels 8.

The drive module 1 may comprise at least one energy storage unit 12 for providing thepropulsion unit 10 with energy. ln the case where the propulsion unit 10 is an electricengine, the energy storage unit 12 may be an electric battery. The electric battery maybe recharged with electric energy. Alternatively, when the electric battery is dis-charged, the electric battery may be replaced by another charged electric battery. lnthe case where the propulsion unit 10 is an internal combustion engine, the energy storage unit 12 may be a fuel tank with fuel suitable for the internal combustion engine.

The drive module 1 may comprise a separate closed cooling system 22, for cooling theat least one propulsion unit 10 and the at least one energy storage unit 12. Providedwith a separate closed cooling system 22 the drive module 1 may be operated as anindependently driven unit, without any need of an external cooling arrangement. Also,the drive module 1 does not have to be connected to a cooling system of a functionalmodule 6. The separate closed cooling system 22 may be based on a liquid coolant orbased on a forced flow of cooling air.

As mentioned above the drive module 1 may comprise a first control device 16. Thefirst control device 16 may be configured to operate the drive module 1 as an inde-pendently driven unit. The drive module 1 may transport itself without any externaldriven unit such as a towing vehicle 2. The drive module 1 may transport itself bymeans of the at least one propulsion unit 10. The drive module 1 may be configured to 18 be autonomously operated. Thus, the first control device 16 may be configured to con-trol the operation of the drive module 1. The first control device 16 may be configuredto transmit control signals to the various systems and components of the drive module1 for controlling for example the steering and the propulsion of the drive module 1. Thefirst control device 16 may be adapted to operate the drive module 1 autonomouslybased on received commands. The first control device 16 may thus be adapted toreceive commands from a remotely located off-board system or a control centre 20and to convert the command into control signals for controlling the various systemsand components of the drive module 1. The first control device 16 may also be config-ured to receive data about the surroundings from at least one second sensor element45, and based on this data control the drive module 1. The first control device 16 maybe implemented as a separate entity or distributed in two or more physical entities. Thefirst control device 16 may comprise one or more computers. The first control device16 may thus be implemented or realised by the first control device 16 comprising a processor and a memory.

As mentioned above, the drive module 1 may be configured to constitute a part of anassembled vehicle 2. Such a vehicle 2 assembled from a set of modules 1, 6. Theassembled vehicle 2 may comprise at least one functional module 6. The assembledvehicle 2 may further comprise at least one drive module 1 as disclosed in figures 1aand 1 b. The assembled vehicle 2 may comprise two drive modules 1. The drive module1 may be adapted to be configured based on a function to be performed by the drivemodule 1 itself or as an assembled vehicle 2. However, the drive module 1 may itselfthus constitute a vehicle.

The drive module 1 may be adapted to be releasably connected to either a seconddrive module 1 and/or a functional module 6 for forming an assembled vehicle 2. Atleast one of the sides of the drive module 1 may thus have a shape that allows thedrive module 1 to be releasably connected to the second drive module 1 and/or thefunctional module 6.

The at least two interfaces 14 may be physical interfaces 14, arranged to physicallyconnect the drive module 1 with the second drive module 1 and/or the functional mod-ule 6. 19 The drive module 1 may comprise at least two interfaces 14, each arranged on differentsides of the drive module 1. The interfaces 14 of the drive module 1 may be releasablyconnectable to a corresponding interface 14 of the second drive module 1 and/or thefunctional module 6. Thus, each module in the set of modules 1, 6 may comprise atleast one interface 14, which may be releasably connectable to a corresponding inter-face 14 on another module.

The at least two interfaces 14 may be electric interfaces 14, arranged for transferringelectric power and/or transmitting electric signals between the drive module 1 and thesecond drive module 1. The electrical interface 14 may be a wireless interface 14 or aconductive interface 14. By connecting the drive module 1 and the functional module6 electrically the modules 1, 6 may transfer power between each other and also shareinformation. The drive module 1 may, for example, control parts of the functional mod- ule 6, such as opening and closing of doors, heating and cooling.

The drive module 1 may comprise at least one second sensor element 45 for detectingand registering objects in the surrounding of the drive module 1. The at least one sec-ond sensor element 45 may be a proximity sensor for detecting and registering thedistance to objects, such as vehicles, pedestrians, traffic lights and/or buildings. Basedon information from at least one second sensor element 45, the drive module 1 maybe operated such that a safe distance to the surrounding objects is maintained andaccidents avoided. The at least one second sensor element 45 may be a radar, a lidar OI' a Camera.

Figure 3a schematically illustrates a side view of an assembled vehicle 2 comprisingtwo drive modules 1 and a functional module 6 provided with a charging device 50according to an embodiment. The at least one functional module 6 may be configuredwith a passenger compartment 49 for accommodating passengers and may thus func-tion as a bus 41 when being assembled with the drive modules 1. lt is to be understoodthat the shape of the two drive modules 1 may be identical and are configured as thedrive module 1 described above. ln fig. 3a the drive modules 1 are connected to thefunctional module 6 and the interfaces 14 of the drive modules 1 and the functionalmodule 6 are thus connected with each other.

By selecting the at least one functional module 6 and two drive modules 1 based on afunction to be performed a customized vehicle 2 can be assembled, which may besuitable for a function to be performed. Also, an assembled vehicle 2 may be achieved,which is adapted to the surroundings and the operating conditions of the vehicle 2.Different configurations of the drive module 1 may be required when the drive modules1 form part of the assembled vehicle 2 performing the function of transporting people,transporting goods, shovelling snow etc. The drive modules 1 may also be adapted tobe dynamically configured based on the surroundings in which the assembled vehicle2 will perform its function. The charging device 50 comprises a first contact element 52is adapted to be arranged at the underside of the functional module 6. Several chargingdevices 50 may be arranged on the functional module 6. ln fig. 3b the drive modules 1 and the functional module 6 have been physically dis-connected from the assembled vehicle 2 and thus from the functional module 6, sothat the drive modules 1 and the functional module 6 are separated from each other.ln fig. 3b the drive modules 1 have been moved in direction away from the functionalmodule 6. The first contact element 52 is adapted to bear or at least partly bear theweight of the functional module 6. A load resulting from the weight of the functionalmodule 6, acts on the first contact element 52. The first contact element 52 may beadapted to act as a stand for the functional module 6. The first contact element 52 isconfigured for transmit electric power from the external power source 56 to the atleast one energy storage unit 12 in the functional module. The first contact element52 may also be configured for transmit electric power from the external power source56 to the at least one energy storage unit 12 in the drive module 1, if a drive module1 is connected to the functional module 6. An external power source 56 may be ar- ranged for each charging device 50.

Figure 4a schematically illustrates a side view of a functional module 6 provided witha charging device 50 according to an embodiment. Two charging devices 50 areshown in the embodiment. Each charging device 50 may comprise a first contact ele-ment 52 adapted to be arranged at the functional module 6 and configured for trans-mitting electric power from an external power source 56 to at least one energy stor-age unit 12 in the functional module 6 and/or in the drive module 1. The first contact 21 element 52 may be connected to the energy storage unit 12 by means of cables 59.A protective element 58, which at least partly surrounds the first contact element 52,protects humans and animals in the surroundings from coming in contact with electri-cally conductive parts of first contact element 52. The protective element 58 also pro-tects the first contact element 52 from being exposed to debris from the surround-ings, which may have an aggressive impact on the first contact element 52 and thusreduce the transfer capabilities of electric power of the first contact element 52. Thefirst contact element 52 is adapted to bear or at least partly bear the weight of thefunctional module 6. Load resulting from the weight of the functional module 6 mayact on the first contact element 52. Since the first contact element 52 is adapted tobear or at least partly bear the weight of the functional module 6, the first contact ele-ment 52 is adapted to act as a stand for the functional module 6.

The first contact element 52 is adapted to be connected to a second contact element60 connected to the external power source 56 and which second contact element 60is arranged at the ground surface 54. The second contact element 60 may have ashape of a flat plate or disc, which is arranged at a ground surface 54. The first con-tact element 52 may rest on the second contact element 60 when the first contact el-ement 52 is connected to the second contact element 60. When a load, resultingfrom the weight of the functional module 6, acts on the first contact element 52, andthe first contact element 52 rests on the second contact element 60, the second con-tact element 60 may be adapted to bear or at least partly bear the weight of the func-tional module 6. Thus the second contact element 60 may act as a combined plat-form and charging station for the first contact element 52 when the first contact ele-ment 52 acts as a stand for the functional module 6. The second contact element 60is connected to the external power source 56 by means of cables 59 and electricpower is transmitted from the external power source 56 to the at least one energystorage unit 12 in the functional module 6 and/or in the drive module 1 via the firstand second contact elements 52, 60 when the first and second contact elements 52,60 are connected to each other. 22 The second contact element 60 comprises an electrical conductive material. The sec-ond contact element 60, which is connected to the external power source 56 com-prises an electrical conductive material. The electrical conductive material of the sec-ond contact element 60 may be adapted to transmit electric power.

The first contact element comprises 52 an electrical conductive material. The firstcontact element 52 may be configured for transmitting electric power through electri-cal conductive material in the first contact element 52. Both the first contact element52 and the second contact element 60 may comprise electrical conductive material.When the first contact element 52 is connected to the second contact element 60,electric power may be conductively transmitted from the external power source 56 tothe at least one energy storage unit 12 in the functional module 6 and/or in the drive module 1.

Figure 4b schematically illustrates a side view of a functional module 6 provided witha charging device 50 according to an embodiment. The first contact element 52 isprovided with an inductive conductor 62, which is configured for transmitting electricpower from the external power source 56 to the at least one energy storage unit 12.The first contact element 52 may be connected to the energy storage unit 12 bymeans of cables 59.

Such an inductive conductor 62 may be provided with a first induction coil 64, whichreceives power from a second induction coil 66 in which an alternating electromag-netic field is created from the external power source 56. The second induction coil 66may be arranged in the second contact element 60, which is connected to the exter-nal power source 56 by means of cables 59. ln addition to the protective element 58, which protects the surroundings from comingin contact with the first contact element 52, the risk for electric shock is minimal whenthe first contact element 52 is provided with an inductive conductor 62. Such first con-tact element 52 provided with an inductive conductor 62 is safe for the surroundings.

The functional module may be arranged with a separate stand 67, in addition to thecharging device 50. 23 Figure 5a schematically illustrates a section view of a charging device 50 accordingto an embodiment. The protective element 58, which at least partly surrounds the firstcontact element 52, is arranged to be movable between a first position 68 and a sec-ond position 69 in relation to the first contact element 52. The protective element 58protects humans and animals in the surroundings from coming in contact with electri-cally conductive parts of the first contact element 52. The protective element 58 alsoprotects the first contact element 52 from being exposed to debris from the surround-ings, which may have an aggressive impact on the first contact element 52 and thusreduce the transfer capabilities of electric power of the first contact element 52. The protective element 58 is movable arranged on the first contact element 52.

The first contact element 52 is adapted to be connected to the second contact ele-ment 60 connected to the external power source 56 and which second contact ele-ment 60 is arranged at the ground surface 54. The second contact element 60 mayhave a shape of a flat plate or disc, which is arranged at a ground surface 54. Theprotective element 58 in the first position is arranged to isolate a terminal end 72 ofthe first contact element 52 from the second contact element 60 and thus the exter- nal power source 56. ln the first position 68 of the protective element 58, the first contact element 52 is atleast partly surrounded by the protective element 58 and the protective element 58 isarranged to isolate the terminal end 72 of the first contact element 52 from the exter-nal power source 56, so that the first contact element 52 may not have any contactwith the second contact element 60 and thus the external power source 56. ln thefirst position 68 of the protective element 58 will not be exposed to debris from the surroundings.

The protective element 58 is resilient and is at least partly movably arranged in rela-tion to the first contact element 52 by compression of the protective element 58.

The resilient material in the protective element 58 allows the protective element 58 tomove to the second position 69 when the protective element 58 is compressed, suchas when a load is exerted on the protective element 58. Such load exerted on the 24 protective element 58 may be the load from the weight of the functional module 6.The load exerted on the protective element 58 will compress the protective element58, so that the terminal end 72 of the first contact element 52 may connect to thesecond contact element 60 and thus is enable to transmit electric power from the ex-ternal power source 56 to the at least one energy storage unit 12. The protective ele-ment 58 may have a cylindrical shape provided with a longitudinal bore 74 in whichthe first contact element 52 is arranged. ln a situation when no load is exerted to theresilient protective element 58, the protective element 58 is in the first position 68 andis arranged to isolate the terminal end 72 of the first contact element 52 from the ex- ternal power source 56.

The charging device 50 further comprising at least one second spring 78 connectedto the functional module 6 and the first contact element 52.

The second spring 78 connected to the functional module 6 and the first contact ele-ment 52 may have a protective function on the first contact element 52 and on thefunctional module 6. The protective element 58 may be movably arranged in relationto the first contact element 52. When a load acts on the protective element 58 andthe protective element 58 reaches the second position 69, the load may also act onthe first contact element 52. The at least one second spring 78 connected to thefunctional module 6 and the first contact element 52 will act against this load and willhave a dampening effect on the first contact element 52.

Figure 5b schematically illustrates a section view of a charging device 50 accordingto an embodiment. ln the second position 69 of the protective element 58, the termi-nal end is enabled to transmit electric power from the external power source 56 to theat least one energy storage unit 12. ln the second position 69 of the protective ele-ment 58, the first contact element 52 is at least partly surrounded by the protectiveelement 58 and the terminal end 72 of the first contact element 52 is exposed for andconnected to the second contact element 60, so that electric power from the externalpower source 56 can be transmitted to the at least one energy storage unit 12 in thefunctional module 6 and/or in the drive module 1. ln the second position 69 of theprotective element 58, the first contact element 52 will not be exposed to debris from the surroundings since the first contact element 52 is surrounded at least partly bythe protective element 58.

When a load is exerted on the protective element 58, the length of the resilient pro-tective element 58 will be reduced due to compression of the resilient protective ele-ment 58. Since the protective element 58 is resilient and is at least partly movably ar-ranged in relation to the first contact element 52, the relative movement will enablethe terminal end 72 of the first contact element 52 to contact and connect to the sec-ond contact element 60 for transmitting electric power from the external powersource 56 to the at least one energy storage unit 12. The relative movement of theprotective element 58 in relation to the first contact element 52 will bring the terminalend 72 of the first contact element 52 to an end of the longitudinal bore 74 of the cy-lindrical shaped protective element 58. This enables the terminal end 72 of the firstcontact element 52 to get close to the second contact element 60 and the externalpower source 56 and thus transmit electric power from the external power source 56to the at least one energy storage unit 12. The protective element 58 is connected tothe functional module 6 and may be compressed between the functional module 6and the second contact element 60.

Figure 6a schematically illustrates a section view of a charging device 50 accordingto an embodiment. The protective element 58 is movably arranged in relation to thefirst contact element 52 by displacement of the protective element 58. The protectiveelement 58 may be displaced between the first and the second position 68, 69 in re-lation to the first contact element 52. The protective element 58 may be displacedwhen a load is exerted on the protective element 58. Such load exerted on the pro-tective element 58 may be the load from the weight of the functional module 6. Thedisplacement of the protective element 58 in relation to the first contact element 52results in that the terminal end 72 of the first contact element 52 will connect to thesecond contact element 60 and thus is enable to transmit electric power from the ex-ternal power source 56 to the at least one energy storage unit 12. When the protec-tive element 58 is in the first position 68, the protective element 58 is arranged to iso-late the terminal end 72 of the first contact element 52 from the second contact ele-ment 60 and the external power source 56. 26 The charging device 50 further comprising at least one first spring 76 connected tothe protective element 58, which first spring 76 acts to displace the protective ele-ment 58 towards the first position 68. The protective element 58 is displaced towardsthe second position 69 when a load is exerted on the protective element 58. Suchload exerted on the protective element 58 may be the load from the weight of thefunctional module 6. The load should be larger than the spring force of the first spring76, which spring force acts to displace the protective element 58 towards the first po-sition 68. When the load exerted on the protective element 58 in the direction of thesecond position 69 ceases, the spring force of the first spring 76 displaces the pro-tective element 58 towards the first position 68. The first spring 76 may be a coilspring, a plate spring, a leaf spring, a compressible rubber spring or the like. The firstspring 76 is on one side connected to the protective element 58 and on another sideconnected to the functional module 6.

Figure 6b schematically illustrates a section view of a charging device 50 accordingto an embodiment. The displacement of the protective element 58 to the second po-sition 69 will enable the terminal end 72 of the first contact element 52 to contact andconnect to the second contact element 60 and thus transmit electric power from theexternal power source 56 to the at least one energy storage unit 12. The protectiveelement 58 may have a cylindrical shape provided with a longitudinal bore 74 inwhich the first contact element 52 is arranged. The relative movement of the protec-tive element 58 in relation to the first contact element 52 will bring the terminal end72 of the first contact element 52 to an end of the longitudinal bore 74 of the cylindri-cal shaped protective element 58. This enables the terminal end 72 of the first con-tact element 52 to get close to the second contact element 60 and the external powersource 56 and thus transmit electric power from the external power source 56 to theat least one energy storage unit 12.

The second spring 78 connected to the functional module 6 and the first contact ele-ment 52 may have a protective function on the first contact element 52 and on thefunctional module 6. The protective element 58 may be movably arranged in relation 27 to the first contact element 52. When a load acts on the protective element 58 andthe protective element 58 reaches the second position 69, the load may also act onthe first contact element 52. The at least one second spring 78 connected to thefunctional module 6 and the first contact element 52 will act against this load and willhave a dampening effect on the first contact element 52.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been furnished for illustrative anddescriptive purposes. lt is not intended to be exhaustive, or to limit the embodimentsto the variants described. l\/lany modifications and variations will obviously be apparentto one skilled in the art. The embodiments have been chosen and described in orderto best explicate principles and practical applications, and to thereby enable one skilledin the art to understand the embodiments in terms of its various embodiments and withthe various modifications that are applicable to its intended use. The components andfeatures specified above may, within the framework of the embodiments, be combined between different embodiments specified.

Claims

28 Claims

1. A charging device (50) for a functional module (6), adapted to be connected to adrive module (1) for forming an assembled vehicle (2), the charging device (50) com-prising: a first contact element (52) adapted to be arranged at the functional module(6) and configured for transmitting electric power from an external power source (56)to at least one energy storage unit (12) in the functional module (6) and/or in thedrive module (1), and a protective element (58), which at least partly surrounds the first contact ele-ment (52); wherein the protective element (58) is arranged to be movable between a first and a second position (68, 69) in relation to the first contact element (52).

2. The charging device (50) according to claim 1, wherein the protective element (58)in the first position (68) is arranged to isolate a terminal end (72) of the first contactelement (52) from the external power source (56) and in the second position (69) isarranged to enable the terminal end (72) to transmit electric power from the externalpower source (56) to the at least one energy storage unit (12).

3. The charging device (50) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the pro-tective element (58) is resilient and is at least partly movably arranged in relation tothe first contact element (52) by compression of the protective element (58).

4. The charging device (50) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the pro-tective element (58) is movably arranged in relation to the first contact element (52) by displacement of the protective element (58).

5. The charging device (50) according to claim 4, further comprising at least one firstspring (76) connected to the protective element (58), which first spring (76) acts todisplace the protective element (58) towards the first position. 29

6. The charging device (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, furthercomprising at least one second spring connected to the functional module and the first contact element.

7. The charging device (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, whereinthe first contact element (52) is adapted to bear or at least partly bear the weight of the functional module (6).

8. The charging device (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, whereinthe first contact element (52) is adapted to be connected to a second contact element(60) connected to the external power source (56) and which second contact element (60) is arranged at a ground surface (56).

9. The charging device (50) according to claim 8, wherein the second contact ele- ment (60) comprises an electrical conductive material.

10. The charging device (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, whereinthe first contact element (52) comprises an electrical conductive material.

11. The charging device (50) according to any one of the claims 1 - 7, wherein thefirst contact element (52) is provided with an inductive conductor (62), which is con-figured for transmitting electric power from the external power source (56) to the at least one energy storage unit (12).

12. A vehicle (2) assembled from a set of modules (1 , 6), the vehicle (2) comprising: at least one drive module (1); and at least one functional module (6) the vehicle (2) further comprising at least one charging device (50) accordingto any one of the preceding claims.

13. The vehicle (2) according to claim 12, wherein the drive module (1) comprises atleast a pair of wheels (8) and is configured to be autonomously operated and drivethe assembled vehicle (2).

14. The vehicle (2) according to any one of claims 12 - 13, wherein the vehicle (2) comprises two drive modules (1 ).

15. The vehicle (2) according to any one of claims 12 - 14, wherein one of the drivemodules (1) is configured to operate as a master and the other drive module (1) and the functional module (6) is configured to operate as a slave.