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EP-4739851-A1 - ELECTRICAL POWER SUPPLY MODULE FOR REPLACING A COUNTERWEIGHT OF A PIECE OF CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT, INCORPORATING A FRAME SUPPORTING A BATTERY PACK AND A DEVICE FOR INSTALLING/REMOVING THE BATTERY PACK

EP4739851A1EP 4739851 A1EP4739851 A1EP 4739851A1EP-4739851-A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical power supply module (10, 10'), intended to replace an inert mass forming the counterweight of a piece of construction equipment, the module comprising: a frame (11) configured to be attached to a structural part of the piece of construction equipment and to support a battery pack, in turn configured to supply power to at least one electric motor of the piece of construction equipment; and a device (13) for installing/removing the battery pack, which device is configured to remove the battery pack from a position in which the battery pack is installed on the frame to a position in which it is removed from the frame and vice-versa.

Inventors

  • ROBIN, Vincent

Assignees

  • Elhyte Energies

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240703

Claims (11)

  1. 1. Power supply module (10, 10’), intended to replace an inert mass forming the counterweight of a construction machine, the module comprising: - a chassis (11) configured to be fixed on a structural part of the construction machine and to support a set of batteries sized with a weight equal to at least part of the weight of the counterweight and configured to electrically power at least one electric motor of the construction machine, and - a device (13) for installing/removing the battery pack configured to remove the battery pack from a position placed on the chassis to a position removed outside the chassis and vice versa.
  2. 2. Module according to claim 1, comprising a protective casing (15) fixed to the chassis and configured to be arranged at least partially around the battery assembly in its position mounted on the chassis, the protective casing preferably comprising at least one door (16) configured to allow, in its open position, the removal of the battery assembly by the device.
  3. 3. Module according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a hydraulic group (22) configured to supply the device with hydraulic fluid, the module preferably comprising at least one accessory battery (21) configured to electrically supply the hydraulic group.
  4. 4. Module according to one of claims 1 or 2, comprising at least one accessory battery (21) configured to electrically power the installation/removal device.
  5. 5. Module according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a guide (18) configured to guide the set of batteries when it is placed on the chassis.
  6. 6. Module according to one of the preceding claims, the installation/removal device comprising two articulated arms (14) configured to be attached to the battery assembly at two lifting points (26).
  7. 7. Power supply kit including: - a power supply module according to one of the preceding claims and; - a battery pack configured to be supported by the module chassis, the battery pack preferably including an on-board telematics device.
  8. 8. Kit according to the preceding claim, the battery assembly having a general shape of a straight block with a volume (27) projecting from one face of the straight block, preferably with an L-shaped cross section.
  9. 9. Construction machine (1) whose inert mass forming a counterweight (2) has been replaced by a module according to one of claims 1 to 6.
  10. 10. Method for electrifying a construction machine comprising the steps of: a) dismantling the inert mass forming the counterweight of the construction machine; b) mounting in place of the counterweight an electrical power supply module according to one of claims 1 to 6 by fixing the chassis of the module to a structural part of the construction machine; c) electrically connecting the electrical power supply module to the electric motor.
  11. 11. Method for removing and electrically recharging a set of batteries mounted on the electrical power supply module of the construction machine according to claim 9, comprising the steps of: al) removing, using the module installation/removal device, the set of batteries and placing it on a suitable trailer; bl) moving the trailer to an electrical charging station; cl) electrically connecting the set of batteries to the charging station so as to recharge it.

Description

Description Title: Power supply module intended to replace a construction machine counterweight, integrating a chassis supporting a set of batteries and a device for installing/removing the set of batteries. Technical field The present invention relates to the field of construction machinery. The invention more specifically relates to an electrical power supply module configured to be installed on a construction machine in place of the usual counterweight. The module can house a set of batteries, configured to electrically power at least one electric motor that drives the hydraulic unit and/or the transmission of the machine. The set of batteries can also serve as a generator set in order to electrically power other equipment, whether or not the set is housed in the module. The main area of application envisaged concerns construction machinery with thermal, electric and/or hydrogen engines, comprising a counterweight, in particular earthmoving machinery, in particular excavators, loaders, bulldozers and compactors. The invention is particularly suitable for the conversion, or retrofit, of construction machinery with thermal engines into electric machinery. In the context of the invention, the expression “construction machinery” is used to designate in particular machinery enabling work to be carried out on public construction sites, handling, railway works and/or river works. Previous technique Consideration is currently being given to using electric-powered construction machinery instead of combustion-powered machinery or to convert, also known as retrofitting, existing combustion-powered machinery into electric-powered machinery, primarily to meet greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. In addition, conversion represents an economical solution for electrifying a fleet of thermal engine vehicles. However, to date, electric construction machinery using electrochemical batteries for their power supply are subject to specific usage constraints. Thus, the autonomy of an electric construction machine is limited by the volume available for the batteries and by their weight. The size of a set of batteries is often insufficient to fully meet the needs of users, particularly for continuous use over an entire working day. Furthermore, managing battery recharging can also represent a significant constraint, particularly when direct access to the electricity grid is impossible, as is often the case on construction sites. In the absence of access to the electricity grid, it becomes necessary either to move the construction machine itself to an access point to the electricity grid using suitable means of transport, or to set up a mobile recharging solution such as a generator or power bank. These constraints complicate the use and management of a fleet of electric motor construction machinery. Among the known electric motor construction machines, some models have replaceable battery packs, in order to partially overcome the disadvantages mentioned above. For example, Limach offers a model of construction machinery with an electric motor E88.1 comprising two sets of accumulators that can be mounted or removed independently of each other using mechanical arms. This makes it possible to keep at least one set of batteries installed on the construction machinery at all times and to carry out a swapping of the sets. For example, it is possible to charge one set of batteries while two other sets are installed on the construction machinery and supply it for its operation. Patent application EPI 770223 A1 relates to an electrically powered construction machine, in particular an excavator, powered by a battery that can be replaced. However, replacing the battery is impractical. Existing solutions for the electric conversion of construction machinery are not entirely satisfactory. Indeed, these solutions typically require a significant modification of the structure and/or configuration of the construction machinery during the conversion, which makes these operations complex and costly. There is therefore a need to facilitate the operation of electrically powered construction machinery, and in particular to simplify the conversion of thermally powered machinery into electrically powered machinery. The aim of the invention is to meet at least part of this need. Disclosure of the invention To this end, the invention relates to an electrical power supply module intended to replace an inert mass forming the counterweight of a construction machine, the module comprising: - a chassis configured to be fixed to a structural part of the construction machine and to support a battery pack sized with a weight equal to at least part of the weight of the counterweight and configured to electrically power at least one electric motor of the construction machine and, - a device for installing/removing the battery pack configured to remove the battery pack from a position installed on the chassis to a position removed outside the chassis and vi