Battery replacement system for an industrial truck

• US 7,258,184 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2004
• Issued: 08/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Linde Material Handling GmbH (Superlift Holding SARL)
• Original Assignee: Linde AG (Linde Plc)
• Inventors: Messer, Keith Francis, Eckersley, Paul John, Shorney, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): RESTIFO, JEFFREY J
• Application Number:
  US10/984,689
• Publication Number:
  US 20050121241A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,015 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.1, 180/68.5, 414/397, 414/398
• US Class Current: 180/68.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/44 Industrial trucks or floor conveyors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/07536 Battery stoppers, i.e. means to hold battery in position
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/0754 Battery removal arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/60 Electric or hybrid propulsion means for production processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A battery replacement system for an industrial truck has an electrical propulsion drive and at least one battery compartment for holding a battery block. The battery block can be moved essentially in a horizontal direction into the battery compartment or out of the battery compartment. An external holding apparatus independent of the industrial truck is provided for the battery block. The industrial truck can be maneuvered over the holding apparatus such that the holding apparatus is positioned beneath the battery compartment. The battery block located within the battery compartment can be lifted slightly by the holding apparatus. The force required to lift the battery block can be produced by the electrical propulsion drive.

Claims

1. A battery replacement system for an industrial truck comprises the following features:

an industrial truck having an electrical propulsion drive;

the industrial truck including at least one battery compartment for holding a battery block;

the battery block movable in a horizontal direction into the battery compartment or out of the battery compartment; and

an external holding apparatus, which is independent of the industrial truck, and provided for the battery block,

wherein the industrial truck is maneuverable over the holding apparatus such that the holding apparatus can be positioned beneath the battery compartment,

wherein the battery block, when located within the battery compartment, can be lifted by means of the holding apparatus,

wherein a force required to lift the battery block can be produced by the electrical propulsion drive of the industrial truck, and

wherein the holding apparatus has an inclined path arranged such that the path makes contact with the battery block during relative movement of the industrial truck with respect to the holding apparatus such that the path lifts the battery block as a consequence of the propulsion movement of the industrial truck.

2. The battery replacement system according to claim 1, wherein the inclined path is a roller path.

3. The battery replacement system according to claim 1, including a horizontal section adjacent to an upper end of the inclined path.

4. The battery replacement system according to claim 1, wherein the holding apparatus includes a means for locking the battery block on the holding apparatus, which locking means acts in a horizontal direction.

5. The battery replacement system according to claim 4, wherein the means for locking the battery block on the holding apparatus can be operated as required.

6. The battery replacement system according to claim 1, wherein the industrial truck includes a means for locking the battery block on the industrial truck, which locking means acts in a horizontal direction.

7. The battery replacement system according to claim 6, wherein the means for locking the battery block on the industrial truck can be activated by the weight of the battery block supported on the industrial truck.

8. The battery replacement system according to claim 6, wherein the means for locking the battery block on the industrial truck can be activated by a control element arranged on the holding apparatus and can be operated as required, while the holding apparatus is positioned at least partially beneath the industrial truck.

9. The battery replacement system according to claim 8, wherein the means for locking the battery block on the holding apparatus and/or the control element which can be operated as required for activation of the means for locking the battery block on the industrial truck can be operated remotely from the industrial truck.

10. The battery replacement system according to claim 1, wherein the holding apparatus is arranged in a fixed position.

11. The battery replacement system according to claim 1, wherein the industrial truck can be maneuvered over the holding apparatus in a longitudinal direction.

12. The battery replacement system according to claim 11, wherein, during movement, the holding apparatus is located between columns of a lifting framework on the industrial truck.