IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,325,152
Granted Patent B2
US 12,325,152 · App. 17/599,951 · Granted Jun 10, 2025

Drive train for a mixer drum and control device for such a drive train

Inventors: Eduard Heilig (Friedrichshafen, DE); Udo Gillich (Tettnang, DE); Marcel Liesel (Friedrichshafen, DE); David Wörzler (Langenargen, DE); Raphael Zohner (Hünfelden, DE)
Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
B28C5/4206B60L1/003B60L50/61B60L53/14B60L2200/28B60L2200/36
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,325,152
App. No.
17/599,951
Granted
Jun 10, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A drive train for a mixer drum comprises a generator which outputs a first alternating voltage to a first converter. The first converter is connected to a high-voltage direct voltage network. A second converter is also provided which is connected to the high-voltage direct voltage network and which supplies an electric motor with a second alternating voltage in order to drive the mixer drum. The drive train also comprises a high-voltage battery which is connected to the high-voltage direct voltage network. Finally, a control unit is also provided which is connected to the first and second power converters or the battery and thus controls a flow of energy via the high-voltage direct voltage network.

Claims (32)

1. A drive train for a mixer drum comprising:

a generator, which outputs a first AC voltage to a first power converter, wherein the first power converter is connected to a high-voltage DC grid;

a second power converter, which is connected to the high-voltage DC grid and which supplies a second AC voltage to an electric motor for driving the mixer drum;

a high-voltage battery, which is connected to the high-voltage DC grid;

a control device, which is connected to the first and second power converters and/or the battery and therefore controls an energy flow over the high-voltage DC grid; and

a DC voltage terminal, is connected to the high-voltage DC grid and wherein the DC voltage terminal converts an external DC voltage into a high-voltage DC voltage.

2. The drive train as claimed in claim 1 , a DC-DC converter is connected to the high-voltage DC grid and derives a low voltage from a high-voltage DC voltage from the high-voltage DC grid for supplying power to further components.

3. The drive train as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the further components are a chute adjustment device and/or a drum lid and/or a cooling system.

4. The drive train as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the first and the second power converters and the DC-DC converter are accommodated together in a switchgear cabinet.

5. The drive train as claimed in claim 2 , further comprising a DC voltage terminal connected to the high-voltage DC grid and wherein the DC voltage terminal converts an external DC voltage into the high-voltage DC voltage.

6. The drive train as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the further components are a chute adjustment device and/or a drum lid and/or a cooling system.

7. The drive train as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the control device has at least the following functions: speed regulation for the mixer drum, first monitoring for a maximum speed of the mixer drum, second monitoring for a preset direction of rotation of the mixer drum, holding of the mixer drum, compensation for an uneven distribution of a material in the mixer drum, and torque regulation of the mixer drum.

8. The drive train as claimed in claim 1 , wherein an on-board charger is connected to the high-voltage DC grid, wherein the on-board charger rectifies a connected external AC voltage and converts the external AC voltage into a high-voltage DC voltage.

9. The drive train as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the control device is connected to the on-board charger in order to regulate the energy flow.

10. The drive train as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control device is connected to the DC voltage terminal in order to regulate the energy flow.

11. A drive train for a mixer drum comprising:

a generator, which outputs a first AC voltage to a first power converter, wherein the first power converter is connected to a high-voltage DC grid;

a second power converter, which is connected to the high-voltage DC grid and which supplies a second AC voltage to an electric motor for driving the mixer drum;

a high-voltage battery, which is connected to the high-voltage DC grid; and

a control device, which is connected to the first and second power converters and/or the battery and therefore controls an energy flow over the high-voltage DC grid;

wherein the control device has at least the following functions: speed regulation for the mixer drum, first monitoring for a maximum speed of the mixer drum, second monitoring for a preset direction of rotation of the mixer drum, holding of the mixer drum, compensation for an uneven distribution of a material in the mixer drum, and torque regulation of the mixer drum.

12. The drive train as claimed in claim 11 , the second power converter transmits data to the control device, wherein the data is derived at least from a first temperature value of the electric motor.

13. The drive train as claimed claim 11 , wherein the second power converter transmits data to the control device, wherein the data is derived at least from the following values: a first temperature value of the electric motor and a second temperature value of the second power converter.

14. The drive train as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the data is also derived from a speed of the electric motor.

15. The drive train as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the second power converter transmits data to the control device, wherein the data is derived at least from one of the following values: a first temperature value of the electric motor, or a second temperature value of the second power converter or a speed of the electric motor.

16. A drive train for a mixer drum comprising:

a generator, which outputs a first AC voltage to a first power converter, wherein the first power converter is connected to a high-voltage DC grid;

a second power converter, which is connected to the high-voltage DC grid and which supplies a second AC voltage to an electric motor for driving the mixer drum;

a high-voltage battery, which is connected to the high-voltage DC grid;

a control device, which is connected to the first and second power converters and/or the battery and therefore controls an energy flow over the high-voltage DC grid; and

at least one pilot contact is provided which in each case connects components of the drive train on a tractor and a trailer.

17. The drive train as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the pilot contact is provided between the generator and the power converter at an interface between the tractor and the trailer.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 29, 2021
From: HEILIG, EDUARD; GILLICH, UDO; LIESEL, MARCEL; WÖRZLER, DAVID; ZOHNER, RAPHAEL
To: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
Reel/Frame 057644/0704 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 102019204435.2 · Mar 29, 2019 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220152871A1 · May 19, 2022
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