Motor vehicles – Power – Electric
Patent
1979-10-01
1982-07-13
Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
Motor vehicles
Power
Electric
105 51, 180 65C, 180 685, B60L 1112
Patent
active
043390153
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to electrically driven motor vehicles of the kind having a rechargeable battery pack which is arranged to supply electrical power to drive the vehicle, through an appropriate transmission system.
In known vehicles of this kind it has been possible to recharge the batteries by means of a charging unit which runs on liquid fuel or other power source which is not the battery pack itself. Such a battery charging unit is bulky and therefore there have been several proposals for accommodating it, including mounting it in a trailer towed by the vehicle.
Within the practical limits set by the motor vehicle size, the space occupied by a battery pack and its charging unit must be kept to a reasonable minimum. It has furthermore been found that the provision of a battery pack without a charging unit severely limits the range of possible use of the vehicle between charging sessions, during which the vehicle is, perforce, stationary and it is for this reason that a charging unit may be provided. Without incurring a substantial penalty in terms of occupation of space as well as of weight, such a charging unit would not, under most circumstances, do more than retard the rate of discharge of the batteries of the battery pack.
Another alternative which has been tried is to provide a battery pack and electric motor arranged to be driven therefrom and also an internal combustion engine. In this construction, the electric drive is used for acceleration and also possibly for deceleration but when cruising at steady speeds the internal combustion engine is used, preferably at its most efficient speed of operation. However, such a vehicle is greatly complicated by the need for complex controls and dual transmission provision.
The object of this invention is to provide a motor vehicle with a battery pack and a charging unit in a convenient form which will provide a practical range of use of the vehicle.
According to the invention there is provided an electrically driven motor vehicle including an electric motor arranged to drive the vehicle through a transmission system, a battery pack arranged to provide power for driving the electric motor, and a charging unit for charging the battery pack, and characterised in that the battery pack and charging unit are mounted on a common structure which is provided with means whereby it is detachably carried on the vehicle.
Conveniently, the structure on which the battery pack and charging unit are mounted includes a frame which is, at least in part, hollow to provide a storage space for fuel for the charging unit.
According to a further aspect the invention resides in a battery pack and charging unit for an electrically driven motor vehicle, characterised in that a common structure is provided for supporting the battery pack and the charging unit, the structure being provided with means whereby it can be detachably secured to a vehicle.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a vehicle constructed in accordance with the invention,
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the underpart of the vehicle, and
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a further alternative construction in accordance with the invention.
The type of vehicle shown in the drawings is a light goods carrying vehicle having a driver's cab portion indicated generally at 10 having side access doors 12 and a goods carrying area indicated generally at 11. This has rear access doors (not shown).
A floor indicated at 13 extends through the vehicle, this being supported on chassis members 14. A pair of front steerable wheels 15 and a pair of driven rear wheels 16 are provided. The vehicle body is of conventional kind and would normally be provided with an internal combustion engine mounted ahead of the driving compartment, and connected with the rear wheels 16 through a conventional transmission system. However, the vehicle is electrically propelled as will be described.
Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 the electrical drive appara
REFERENCES:
patent: 1165784 (1915-12-01), Klingelsmith
patent: 2111563 (1938-03-01), Kliesrath
patent: 2544831 (1951-03-01), Guyton
patent: 3182742 (1965-05-01), Dow
patent: 3497027 (1970-02-01), Wild
patent: 3616872 (1971-11-01), Taylor
Fowkes Ronald
Harding Geoffrey G.
Lucas Industries Limited
Peters Jr. Joseph F.
Smith Milton L.
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