Frame structure of battery powered industrial vehicle

• US 6,474,429 B1
• Filed: 02/08/2000
• Issued: 11/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
• Inventors: Nishio, Jun
• Primary Examiner(s): Olszewski, Robert P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): McClellan, James S.
• Application Number:
  US09/500,279
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: 180/68.5, 180/89.1, 180/65.1, 180/311, 180/313, 280/783, 280/785, 296/203.03, 296/29
• US Class Current: 180/68.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations

Abstract

A frame structure for an industrial vehicle includes a lower plate, a front frame portion, a rear frame portion and a battery chamber. The front frame portion is spaced from the rear frame portion. The battery chamber is located between the front frame portion and the rear frame portion. The battery chamber has an opening at a side of the frame structure for receiving a battery. The frame structure further includes a side bar for coupling the front frame portion with the rear frame portion. The side bar extends along the periphery of the opening.

Claims

1. An improved frame structure for an industrial vehicle, the frame structure including a lower plate, a front frame portion, a rear frame portion and a battery chamber, wherein the front frame portion is spaced apart from the rear frame portion and the battery chamber is located between the front frame portion and the rear frame portion, the battery chamber having an opening at a side of the frame structure for receiving a battery, the frame structure further comprising:

a coupler for coupling the front frame portion with the rear frame portion, wherein the coupler is shaped around the periphery of the opening, wherein the coupler includes a central portion extending along a bottom of the battery chamber and vertical portions, wherein each vertical portion extends along one of a pair of facing side walls of the battery chamber.

2. The frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the opening is defined by the bottom and side walls of the battery chamber.

3. The frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the coupler is reinforced by first and second reinforcements, wherein the first reinforcement reinforces the central portion of the coupler and the second reinforcement reinforces the central portion and one of the vertical portions.

4. The frame structure according to claim 3, wherein the second reinforcement is located at a corner of the opening.

5. The frame structure according to claim 3, wherein the coupler is located between the first reinforcement and the second reinforcement.

6. The frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the coupler includes a front end portion and a rear end portion, wherein the front end portion is attached to the front frame portion and the rear end portion is attached to the rear frame portion.

7. The frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the coupler is attached to the front frame portion at a location higher than the axis of a front axle.

8. The frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the front frame portion includes a front cross plate and a tilt cylinder holder, and wherein the coupler extends to a vicinity of the tilt cylinder holder.

9. The frame structure according to claim 1, further comprising at least one roller attached to the lower plate.

10. A frame structure for an industrial vehicle, the frame structure including a lower plate, a front frame portion, a rear frame portion and a battery chamber, wherein the front frame portion is spaced from the rear frame portion and the battery chamber is located between the front frame portion and the rear frame portion, the battery chamber having first and second openings at the sides of the frame structure, the first opening for receiving a battery, the frame structure further comprising:

a first coupler and a second coupler for coupling the front frame portion with the rear frame portion, wherein the first coupler is shaped around the periphery of the first opening and defines the first opening size through which the battery passes; and

wherein the first coupler includes a central portion extending along a bottom of the battery chamber and vertical portions, wherein each vertical portion extends along one of the side walls of the battery chamber.

11. The frame structure according to claim 10, wherein the first and second openings are defined by the bottom and the side walls of the battery chamber.

12. The frame structure according to claim 11, wherein the first coupler is reinforced by first and second reinforcements, wherein the first reinforcement reinforces the central portion of the coupler and the second reinforcement reinforces the central portion and one of the vertical portions.

13. The frame structure according to claim 12, wherein the second reinforcement is located at a corner of the first opening.

14. The frame structure according to claim 12, wherein the first coupler is located between the first reinforcement and the second reinforcement.

15. The frame structure according to claim 10, wherein the first coupler includes a front end portion and a rear end portion, wherein the front end portion is attached to the front frame portion and the rear end portion is attached to the rear frame portion.

16. The frame structure according to claim 10, wherein the first coupler is attached to the front frame portion at a location higher than the axis of a front axle.

17. The frame structure according to claim 10, wherein the front frame portion includes a front cross plate and a tilt cylinder holder, and wherein the first coupler extends to a vicinity of the tilt cylinder holder.

18. The frame structure according to claim 10, further comprising at least one roller attached to the lower plate.