Battery replacement location and related control method

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery replacement station and a control method therefor. The battery replacement station includes the following: a primary charging section and a secondary charging section and a battery replacement platform, the primary battery replacement platform being located between the primary and secondary charging sections, primary and secondary shuttles both moving between the primary and secondary sections, the primary and secondary charging sections and the primary battery replacement platform, a control unit electrically connected to the first and second shuttles and used to control the first and second shuttles to perform the following operations: When starting the same vehicle on the first battery replacement platform, if the first shuttle is opening or placing the battery, the second shuttle performs the other operation. The battery replacement station and its related control method reduce the waiting time of vehicles during battery replacement by using the alternating operation of the first and second shuttles, and thus increase the battery replacement efficiency of the battery replacement station.

Description

manual Invention Title: Battery Swapping Station and Control Method Thereof

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application CN201711240305.X, filed on November 30, 2017. The entire contents of the aforementioned Chinese patent application are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to a battery swapping station and its control method. Background Technology

[0003] Currently, vehicle exhaust emissions remain a significant contributor to environmental pollution. To address this issue, researchers have developed natural gas vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, solar-powered vehicles, and electric vehicles to replace gasoline-powered cars. Among these, electric vehicles hold the most promising potential.

[0004] Direct charging is currently mainly used in some small cars, such as taxis and family cars. Electric vehicles using direct charging currently rely on ground-mounted charging stations for charging. However, these charging stations are not only inconvenient to manage, but also, with the increasing prevalence of electric vehicles, it is difficult to achieve centralized management of their charging.

[0005] Quick-swap batteries are currently mainly used in public transportation systems, enabling electric buses to quickly swap their onboard batteries at quick-swap stations, thus achieving continuous online operation. However, current quick-swap stations all suffer from long battery replacement times and low replacement efficiency.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing battery swapping station, which has long battery replacement time and low efficiency, and to provide an efficient battery swapping station and its control method.

[0008] The present invention solves the above-mentioned technical problems through the following technical solution:

[0009] A battery swapping station, comprising:

[0010] The first charging chamber and the second charging chamber are both used to store the vehicle's battery and to charge the vehicle's battery.

[0011] The first battery swapping platform is located between the first charging chamber and the second charging chamber, and is used to swap the vehicle's battery.

[0012] A first shuttle and a second shuttle, the first shuttle traveling between the first charging room and the first battery swapping platform, and the second shuttle traveling between the second charging room and the first battery swapping platform, are both used to perform battery removal and installation operations on vehicles on the first battery swapping platform; and

[0013] The control unit is electrically connected to the first shuttle and the second shuttle. The control unit is used to control the first shuttle and the second shuttle to perform the following operations: when operating the same vehicle on the first battery swapping platform, if the first shuttle performs one of the operations of removing and installing the battery, the second shuttle performs the other of the operations of removing and installing the battery.

[0014] Preferably, the battery swapping station also includes a second battery swapping platform and a third shuttle vehicle;

[0015] The second battery swapping platform is located on the opposite side of the first battery swapping platform relative to the first charging chamber;

[0016] The third shuttle travels between the first charging room and the second battery swapping platform and is electrically connected to the control unit. The third shuttle is used to perform battery removal and installation operations on vehicles on the second battery swapping platform.

[0017] The battery swapping station is equipped with multiple battery swapping channels (second battery swapping platform), which can simultaneously swap batteries for multiple vehicles, reducing waiting time.

[0018] Preferably, the first charging chamber and the second charging chamber are respectively equipped with a first palletizer and a second palletizer, and both the first palletizer and the second palletizer are electrically connected to the control unit;

[0019] The first charging chamber forms a first front compartment and a first rear compartment that are interconnected. The first palletizer travels back and forth between the first front compartment and the first rear compartment. The first shuttle car exchanges batteries with the first palletizer in the first front compartment. The first rear compartment is used to place the first battery rack. The first palletizer is used to pick up and put down the batteries on the first battery rack.

[0020] The second charging chamber forms a second front compartment and a second rear compartment that are interconnected. The second palletizer travels back and forth between the second front compartment and the second rear compartment. The second shuttle exchanges batteries with the second palletizer in the second front compartment. The second rear compartment is used to place the second battery rack. The second palletizer is used to pick up and put down the batteries on the second battery rack.

[0021] Preferably, the first battery swapping platform is connected to an uphill ramp and a downhill ramp upstream and downstream in the direction the vehicle is entering, respectively.

[0022] Preferably, the battery swapping station also includes a first monitoring room;

[0023] In the direction in which the vehicle enters the first battery swapping platform, the first monitoring room is located upstream of the first charging room, and the control unit is located inside the first monitoring room.

[0024] Preferably, the battery swapping station also includes a first monitoring room and a second monitoring room.

[0025] The control unit includes a first monitoring device and a second monitoring device, which are respectively located in a first monitoring room and a second monitoring room.

[0026] The first monitoring equipment is used to control the first shuttle car to alternately perform battery removal and battery installation operations on the vehicles on the first battery swapping platform;

[0027] The second monitoring device is used to control the second shuttle to alternately remove and install batteries on the vehicles on the first battery swapping platform.

[0028] Preferably, the first shuttle vehicle includes: a chassis, a lifting frame, and a lifting mechanism;

[0029] The lifting mechanism connects the chassis and the lifting frame and lifts the lifting frame relative to the chassis. The lifting mechanism includes a link, the first end of which is rotatably connected to the lifting frame and the second end of which is rotatably connected to the chassis.

[0030] The lifting frame is used for removing and installing the vehicle's battery.

[0031] Preferably, the connecting rod is a cam.

[0032] A control method, applied to the battery swapping station as described above, includes the following steps:

[0033] S1: When the vehicle has not entered the first battery swapping platform, the control unit controls the first shuttle to take out the fully charged battery from the first charging chamber and wait in the first charging chamber;

[0034] S2: After the vehicle enters the first battery swapping platform, the control unit controls the second shuttle to enter the first battery swapping platform and remove the vehicle's battery;

[0035] S3: The control unit controls the first shuttle to install a fully charged battery onto the vehicle on the first battery swapping platform.

[0036] Preferably, in step S2, after the second shuttle removes the vehicle's battery, the control unit controls the second shuttle to transfer the vehicle's battery to the second charging chamber for charging and removes the fully charged battery from the second charging chamber and places it in standby in the second charging chamber.

[0037] In step S3, after the first shuttle installs the fully charged battery onto the vehicle on the first battery swapping platform, the control unit controls the first shuttle to return to the first charging room to stand by.

[0038] The control method also includes the following steps:

[0039] S4: After the next vehicle enters the first battery swapping platform, the control unit controls the first shuttle to enter the first battery swapping platform and remove the vehicle's battery. After the first shuttle removes the vehicle's battery, the control unit controls the first shuttle to transfer the vehicle's battery to the first charging chamber for charging and to take out the fully charged battery from the first charging chamber and wait in the first charging chamber.

[0040] S5: The control unit controls the second shuttle to install the fully charged battery onto the vehicle on the first battery swapping platform. After the second shuttle installs the fully charged battery onto the vehicle, the control unit controls the second shuttle to return to the second charging room to stand by.

[0041] S6: Return to step S2.

[0042] The positive and progressive effects of this invention are as follows: the battery swapping station and its control method shorten the waiting time for vehicle battery replacement and improve the battery swapping efficiency of the station by alternating the operation of the first shuttle and the second shuttle. Attached Figure Description

[0043] Figure 1 is a plan view of a battery swapping station according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a flowchart of a control method for a battery swapping station according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a shuttle battery pack swapping device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a chassis according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a lifting frame according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a partial structural diagram of a shuttle battery pack swapping device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the battery lifting part and the vehicle fixing part are removed. Figure 7 is a perspective view of a cam according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the cooperation structure between the cam and the lifting frame according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is a perspective view of a vehicle fixing part according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 is a perspective view of a battery lifting part according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 is another perspective view of a battery lifting part according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 is a perspective view of a second moving frame according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 is a perspective view of a tray according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 14 is another partial structural diagram of a shuttle battery pack swapping device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the battery lifting part is removed. Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the battery swapping platform according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: Chassis 101; First sidewall 102; Second sidewall 103; Guide section 104; Rotating shaft 105; Lifting frame 106; Guide groove 107; Vehicle fixing section 120; First moving frame 121; First fork 122; Unlocking mechanism 123; Connecting plate 124; Guide opening 125; Battery lifting section 130; Second moving frame 131; Insertion groove 132; Tray 133; Second fork 134; Spring 135; Insertion piece 136; Guide block 140; Guide rail 150; First drive section 160; Second drive section 170; Cam 181; Insertion shaft 182; Bearing 183; Lifting drive unit 184; Pulley 185; First end 186; Second end 187; Battery swapping platform 190 Lifting mechanism 191; Vehicle 200; Battery 210; Battery swapping station 300; First battery swapping platform 301; Second battery swapping platform 302; Third shuttle 303; Uphill ramp 304; Downhill ramp 305; First full-function container 310; First charging room 311; First front compartment 312; First rear compartment 313; First monitoring room 314; First operating room 315; First monitoring equipment 316; First palletizer 317; First shuttle 318; First battery rack 319; Second full-function container 330; Second charging room 331; Second front compartment 332; Second rear compartment 333; Second monitoring room 334; Second operating room 335; Second monitoring equipment 336; Second palletizer 337; Second shuttle 338; Second battery rack 339. Detailed Implementation

[0045] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and by way of embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiments.

[0046] As shown in Figure 1, the battery swapping station 300 includes a first full-function container 310 and a second full-function container 330 arranged side by side. A first battery swapping platform 301 is provided between the first full-function container 310 and the second full-function container 330, and a second battery swapping platform 302 is provided on the opposite side of both the first full-function container 310 and the second full-function container 330. The vehicle 200 can swap batteries on the first battery swapping platform 301 and the second battery swapping platform 302. The first battery swapping platform 301 and the second battery swapping platform 302 are connected to an uphill ramp 304 and a downhill ramp 305 upstream and downstream of the vehicle 200 in the direction it enters, respectively.

[0047] The first full-function container 310 is equipped with a first charging room 311 and a first monitoring room 314.

[0048] The first charging chamber 311 is used to store and charge the batteries of the vehicle 200. The first charging chamber 311 also houses a first palletizer 317 and a first shuttle 318. The first shuttle 318 travels between the first charging chamber 311 and the first battery swapping platform 301. The first shuttle 318 is used to perform battery removal and installation operations on the vehicle 200 on the first battery swapping platform 301. The first charging chamber 311 forms a first front compartment 312 and a first rear compartment 313 that are interconnected. The first palletizer 317 travels between the first front compartment 312 and the first rear compartment 313. The first shuttle 318 exchanges batteries with the first palletizer 317 in the first front compartment 312. The first rear compartment 313 is used to place the first battery rack 319, and the first palletizer 317 is used to pick up and place batteries on the first battery rack 319.

[0049] In the direction in which vehicle 200 enters the first battery swapping platform 301, a first monitoring room 314 is located upstream of the first charging room 311, and a first monitoring device 316 is installed inside the first monitoring room 314. In addition to the first monitoring device 316, the first monitoring room 314 also includes a first operating room 315 for operators to access. The first monitoring device 316 is electrically connected to the first shuttle 318, the first palletizer 317, and the battery rack, and is used to control the movement of the first shuttle 318 and the first palletizer 317 and monitor the charging status of the first battery rack 319.

[0050] The second full-function container 330 is equipped with a second charging room 331 and a second monitoring room 334.

[0051] The second charging chamber 331 is used to store and charge the batteries of vehicle 200. The second charging chamber 331 also houses a second palletizer 337 and a second shuttle 338. The second shuttle 338 travels between the second charging chamber 331 and the second battery swapping platform 302. The second shuttle 338 is used to remove and install batteries on vehicle 200 on the first battery swapping platform 301. The second charging chamber 331 forms a second front compartment 332 and a second rear compartment 333 that are interconnected. The second palletizer 337 travels between the second front compartment 332 and the second rear compartment 333. The second shuttle 338 exchanges batteries with the second palletizer 337 in the second front compartment 332. The second rear compartment 333 is used to place the second battery rack 339, and the second palletizer 337 is used to pick up and place batteries on the second battery rack 339.

[0052] In the direction in which vehicle 200 enters the first battery swapping platform 301, a second monitoring room 334 is located upstream of the second charging room 331, and a second monitoring device 336 is installed inside the second monitoring room 334. In addition to the second monitoring device 336, the second monitoring room 334 also includes a second operating room 335 for operators to access. The second monitoring device 336 is electrically connected to the second shuttle 338, the second palletizer 337, and the battery rack, and is used to control the movement of the second shuttle 338 and the second palletizer 337 and monitor the charging status of the second battery rack 339.

[0053] A third shuttle 303 is provided on the opposite side of the first shuttle 318 relative to the first palletizer 317 and on the opposite side of the second shuttle 338 relative to the second palletizer 337. The third shuttle 303 travels between the first charging room 311 and the second battery swapping platform 302 and is electrically connected to the first monitoring equipment 316 and the second monitoring equipment 336 respectively. The third shuttle 303 is used to perform battery removal and battery installation operations on the vehicle 200 on the second battery swapping platform 302.

[0054] When operating on the same vehicle 200 on the first battery swapping platform 301, if the first shuttle 318 performs one of the battery removal and installation operations, the second shuttle 338 performs the other of the battery removal and installation operations. Furthermore, the first shuttle 318 and the second shuttle 338 alternately perform these battery removal and installation operations, thereby enabling faster battery replacement of vehicle 200. The second battery swapping platform 302, however, uses the normal battery swapping process.

[0055] The battery swapping process on the first battery swapping platform 301 is described below based on Figure 2.

[0056] Step S1: Before the vehicle 200 enters the first battery swapping platform 301, the first monitoring device 316 controls the first shuttle 318 to take out a fully charged battery from the first charging chamber 311 and wait in the first charging chamber 311.

[0057] Step S2: After vehicle 200 enters the first battery swapping platform 301, the second monitoring device 336 controls the second shuttle 338 to enter the first battery swapping platform 301 and remove the battery from vehicle 200. After the second shuttle 338 removes the battery from vehicle 200, the second monitoring device 336 controls the second shuttle 338 to transfer the battery from vehicle 200 to the second charging chamber 331 for charging, and then removes the fully charged battery from the second charging chamber 331 and places it in standby mode. While the second shuttle 338 is removing the battery from vehicle 200, the first shuttle 318 can move to one side of vehicle 200 to standby, so that while the second shuttle 338 is exiting the underside of vehicle 200 from the other side, it can simultaneously enter the underside of vehicle 200 from one side to install the battery. This further saves time when replacing the battery.

[0058] Step S3: The first monitoring device 316 controls the first shuttle 318 to install the fully charged battery onto the vehicle 200 on the first battery swapping platform 301; after the first shuttle 318 installs the fully charged battery onto the vehicle 200 on the first battery swapping platform 301, the first monitoring device 316 controls the first shuttle 318 to return to the first charging room 311 to stand by.

[0059] Step S4: After the next vehicle 200 enters the first battery swapping platform 301, the first monitoring device 316 controls the first shuttle 318 to enter the first battery swapping platform 301 and remove the battery from vehicle 200. After the first shuttle 318 removes the battery from vehicle 200, the first monitoring device 316 controls the first shuttle 318 to transfer the battery from vehicle 200 to the first charging chamber 311 for charging, and then removes the fully charged battery from the first charging chamber 311 and places it in standby. While the first shuttle 318 is removing the battery from vehicle 200, the second shuttle 338 can drive to the other side of vehicle 200 to standby, so that while the first shuttle 318 is driving out from one side of vehicle 200's underside, it can enter from the other side of vehicle 200's underside to install the battery.

[0060] Step S5: The second monitoring device 336 controls the second shuttle 338 to install the fully charged battery onto the vehicle 200 on the first battery swapping platform 301. After the second shuttle 338 installs the fully charged battery onto the vehicle 200, the second monitoring device 336 controls the second shuttle 338 to return to the second charging room 331 to stand by.

[0061] Step S6: Return to step S2.

[0062] In the above process, although the first monitoring device 316 and the second monitoring device 336 control the equipment in the first full-function container 310 and the second full-function container 330 respectively, the first monitoring device 316 is also connected to the second monitoring device 336 via wireless or wired communication to coordinate and issue instructions to each other.

[0063] In this embodiment, the first shuttle 318, the second shuttle 338, and the third shuttle 303 all adopt a cam mechanism instead of a traditional scissor structure. This results in a lower initial height for the shuttles, avoiding the need for deep pits on the battery swapping platform, reducing the overall height of the battery swapping platform, and lowering the construction cost of the battery swapping station 300.

[0064] The structure of the first shuttle 318 is described below with reference to Figure 3-14. The structures of the second shuttle 338 and the third shuttle 303 are roughly the same as those of the first shuttle 318, and will not be described again.

[0065] As shown in Figure 3, the first shuttle 318 includes: a chassis 101, a lifting frame 106, a battery lifting section 130, a vehicle 200 fixing section 120, and a lifting mechanism.

[0066] As shown in Figure 4, the chassis 101 has a four-sided frame structure, and the lifting frame 106 is disposed in the four-sided frame structure. Cams 181 are connected to the inner sides of the two opposing first side walls 102 of the chassis 101, and guide parts 104 are provided on the inner side of the second side wall 103 of the chassis 101 adjacent to the first side walls 102.

[0067] As shown in Figure 5, the lifting frame 106 is a plate-like structure, and a guide groove 107 is provided on the side of the lifting frame 106, which extends horizontally.

[0068] As shown in Figure 6-8, the lifting mechanism connects the chassis 101 and the lifting frame 106 and lifts the lifting frame 106 relative to the chassis 101. In Figure 6, the cam 181 located at the top of the drawing is not engaged with the lifting frame 106.

[0069] The lifting mechanism includes four cams 181 rotatably mounted on the chassis 101 via a rotating shaft 105 and a lifting drive unit 184. The first end 186 of each cam 181 is rotatably connected to the lifting frame 106, and the second end 187 of each cam 181 is rotatably connected to the chassis 101. The rotating shaft 105 connects to the lifting drive unit 184. This lifting drive unit 184 is a rotary motor mounted on the chassis 101. The lifting drive unit 184 drives the rotating shaft 105 to rotate via a pulley structure located on the outside of the chassis 101. Figure 6 only shows the pulley 185; the belt connecting the pulley 185 is not shown.

[0070] The first end 186 of the cam 181 is provided with an insertion shaft 182, which is inserted into the guide groove 107 and can slide within the guide groove 107. A bearing 183 is fitted onto the insertion shaft 182 to reduce the friction when the insertion shaft 182 slides in the guide groove 107. The second sidewall 103 of the chassis 101 is provided with a vertically extending guide portion 104, which is used to guide the lifting frame 106 to move linearly in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the guide portion 104 is a vertically extending guide rail, which cooperates with a slider provided on the lifting frame 106 to guide the lifting frame 106 to slide in the vertical direction. Alternatively, the guide portion can also be in other forms, such as a vertically extending groove with a protrusion on the lifting frame that cooperates with the groove, or the guide portion is a slider with a guide rail on the lifting frame that cooperates with it.

[0071] Figure 8 illustrates the mating structure between the cam 181 and the guide groove 107 of the lifting frame 106 in this embodiment. Under the combined action of the guide portion 104 and the guide groove 107, when the cam 181 rotates, the lifting frame 106 can move linearly in the vertical direction without producing horizontal displacement.

[0072] In other embodiments, cam 181 may be replaced by other linkage mechanisms. Alternatively, cam 181 may be replaced by a rod. Preferably, cam 181 may be replaced by an eccentric wheel. When an eccentric wheel is used, jamming when the eccentric wheel rotates to the top dead center or bottom dead center can be avoided.

[0073] Both the battery lifting section 130 and the vehicle 200 fixing section 120 are laterally (in the direction indicated by the double-headed arrow X in Figure 3) slidably mounted on the lifting frame 106. The battery lifting section 130 and the vehicle 200 fixing section 120 cooperate with each other to realize the loading and unloading of the battery of the vehicle 200.

[0074] As shown in Figure 9, the fixed part 120 of the vehicle 200 includes a first moving frame 121 and an unlocking mechanism 123, which is disposed on the first moving frame 121. First forks 122 are also provided on both sides of the first moving frame 121, which are used to hold the vehicle 200 in place. The unlocking mechanism 123 can unlock or lock the battery on the vehicle 200.

[0075] As shown in Figures 10-11, the battery support part 130 includes a second motion frame 131 and a tray 133. The tray 133 is located above the second motion frame 131 and is used to support the battery. The tray 133 and the second motion frame 131 are elastically connected.

[0076] A spring 135 is provided between the tray 133 and the second motion frame 131. The spring 135 is sleeved on a pin (not shown). One end of the pin is fixed to one of the tray 133 and the second motion frame 131. The length of the pin is shorter than the undeformed length of the spring 135 and longer than the shortest contracted length of the spring 135, so that the second motion frame 131 elastically supports the tray 133.

[0077] As shown in Figures 12-13, a second fork 134 is provided on the side of the tray 133. This second fork 134 is used to hold the battery of the vehicle 200 and fix it relative to the battery of the vehicle 200. An insert 136 is provided below the tray 133, and a "V"-shaped insertion groove 132 is provided above the second moving frame 131. The tray 133 is fixed relative to the second moving frame 131 by inserting the insert 136 into the insertion groove 132. Thus, when the second moving frame 131 moves laterally, it can drive the tray 133 to move.

[0078] In this embodiment, a structure of the battery lifting section is schematically shown, which is a double-layer structure. Alternatively, the battery lifting section can also be a single-layer plate structure that can move laterally relative to the lifting frame and support the battery, with the second fork directly mounted on the single-layer plate structure.

[0079] The shuttle battery pack replacement device 100 also includes a horizontal traveling mechanism (not shown in the figure), with a chassis 101 mounted on the horizontal traveling mechanism. The chassis 101 can be fixedly connected to the horizontal traveling mechanism or simply placed on it. The horizontal traveling mechanism is used to drive the chassis to move horizontally on a pre-laid track. Alternatively, the horizontal traveling mechanism can also be a traveling mechanism that can move arbitrarily on flat ground or slopes according to external remote control commands.

[0080] The movement of the first motion frame 121 and the second motion frame 131 relative to the lifting frame 106 is briefly described below with reference to Figures 6 and 14.

[0081] As shown in Figure 6, the lifting frame 106 has a guide rail 150 arranged laterally. Guide blocks 140 are provided on the lower surfaces of both the first moving frame 121 and the second moving frame 131, and the guide blocks 140 slide on the guide rail 150. The first moving frame 121 and the second moving frame 131 share the same guide rail 150. The lifting frame 106 also has a first drive unit 160 and a second drive unit 170. The first drive unit 160 drives the first moving frame 121 to move laterally, and the second drive unit 170 drives the second moving frame 131 to move laterally.

[0082] As shown in Figure 14, the first motion frame 121 is located below the second motion frame 131. The first motion frame 121 is connected to the first drive unit 160 via a connecting plate 124 and is driven by the first drive unit 160. The first motion frame 121 has a guide opening 125 to expose the guide block 140 connected to the second motion frame 131. The second motion frame 131 is mounted above the first motion frame 121 but does not contact the first motion frame 121, and the lower surface of the second motion frame 131 is connected to the second drive unit 170 and is driven by the second drive unit 170. Both the first drive unit 160 and the second drive unit 170 include a lead screw and nut transmission mechanism and a rotary motor that drives the lead screw of the lead screw and nut transmission mechanism to rotate, thereby realizing the linear motion of the first motion frame 121 and the second motion frame 131. The lead screw and nut transmission mechanism and the rotary motor have been widely used in the prior art and will not be described in detail here. Of course, those skilled in the art may also use other devices, such as linear motors, as the first drive unit 160 and the second drive unit 170.

[0083] The first drive unit 160, the second drive unit 170, and the lifting drive unit 184 are all controlled by a control unit. This control unit can be a control device located on the first shuttle 318, or it can be the main control device of the battery swapping station 300 that uses the first shuttle 318.

[0084] When it is necessary to remove the battery of vehicle 200, the first shuttle 318 moves to the bottom of vehicle 200 first. The first drive unit 160 and the second drive unit 170 receive instructions and cause the first motion frame 121 and the second motion frame 131 to first move laterally to a predetermined position. Then, the lifting drive unit 184 receives instructions and causes the lifting frame 106 to rise to a predetermined position. At this time, the first fork 122 holds the lock base on the vehicle 200 for locking the battery pack, and the second fork 134 holds the battery of the vehicle 200. The unlocking mechanism 123 unlocks the battery lock, so that the battery is no longer locked to the vehicle 200. Then, the first motion frame 121 remains stationary, while the second motion frame 131 moves away from the first motion frame 121 to allow the battery to detach from the vehicle 200. After the battery detaches from the vehicle 200, it falls onto the tray 133. Then, the lifting frame 106 moves down, taking the battery with it. Then, the first shuttle 318 drives away from the bottom of the vehicle 200 with the removed battery.

[0085] When it is necessary to install the battery of vehicle 200, the first shuttle 318 moves to the bottom of vehicle 200 with the fully charged battery. The first drive unit 160 and the second drive unit 170 receive instructions and cause the first motion frame 121 and the second motion frame 131 to move laterally to a predetermined position. The lifting drive unit 184 receives instructions and causes the lifting frame 106 to rise to a predetermined position. At this time, the first fork 122 holds the locking base on vehicle 200 for locking the battery pack, and the second fork 134 holds the fully charged battery. Then, the first motion frame 121 remains stationary, while the second motion frame 131 moves toward the direction close to the first motion frame 121 so that the battery is fixed to vehicle 200 and the unlocking mechanism 123 locks the battery to vehicle 200.

[0086] As shown in Figure 15, the battery swapping station 300 includes: a charging room (not shown), a battery swapping platform 190, a lifting mechanism 191, and a first shuttle 318.

[0087] The lifting mechanism 191 is mounted on the battery swapping platform 190 and is used to lift the vehicle 200 on the battery swapping platform 190. The lifting mechanism 191 is generally a support for the four wheels of the vehicle 200. In Figure 15, the lifting mechanism 191 is in the raised state.

[0088] The first shuttle 318 can travel between the battery swapping platform 190 and the charging room to transport fully charged batteries 210 from the charging room to the vehicle 200 or to transport batteries 210 removed from the vehicle 200 to the charging room for charging.

[0089] When the first shuttle 318 is carrying battery 210 (whether it is a battery removed from vehicle 200 or a fully charged battery) and needs to enter or exit from the bottom of vehicle 200, the lifting mechanism 191 lifts vehicle 200 upwards to allow the first shuttle 318 to smoothly enter or exit from the bottom of vehicle 200.

[0090] Because the first shuttle 318 uses a cam mechanism, its height is relatively low (total equipment height 175mm). Four cams 181 simultaneously lift it by 80mm, while the floor of vehicle 200 is generally 190mm above the ground. After vehicle 200 enters the battery swapping platform 190, the first shuttle 318 can directly enter the bottom of vehicle 200. Lifting the first shuttle 318 by 80mm allows for locking or unlocking of the battery. After the battery is removed, the lifting mechanism 191 raises vehicle 200 by 200mm, allowing the first shuttle 318 to move out from the bottom of vehicle 200 with the battery.

[0091] Because the overall height of the first shuttle 318 is reduced, the battery swapping platform 190 of the battery swapping station 300 no longer needs a deep recess to allow the first shuttle 318 to enter the bottom of the vehicle 200. Therefore, the overall height of the battery swapping platform 190 is reduced, thus lowering the height of the uphill ramp 304 and downhill ramp 305 leading to the platform to 230mm (from the original 480mm), further reducing the difficulty of vehicle 200 entering. The lengths of the uphill ramp 304 and downhill ramp 305 are also correspondingly reduced, from 7345mm and 4545mm respectively to 4500mm and 3000mm, thereby reducing the construction cost of the battery swapping station 300.

[0092] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art should understand that these are merely illustrative examples, and the scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principles and essence of the present invention, but all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

Claims

1. A battery swapping station, characterized in that it comprises: a first charging room and a second charging room, both used to store and charge vehicle batteries; a first battery swapping platform located between the first and second charging rooms, used to swap vehicle batteries; a first shuttle and a second shuttle, the first shuttle traveling between the first charging room and the first battery swapping platform, and the second shuttle traveling between the second charging room and the first battery swapping platform, both used to perform battery removal and installation operations on vehicles on the first battery swapping platform; and a control unit electrically connected to the first and second shuttles, the control unit controlling the first and second shuttles to perform the following operation: when operating on the same vehicle on the first battery swapping platform, if the first shuttle performs one of the battery removal and installation operations, the second shuttle performs the other of the battery removal and installation operations.

2. The battery swapping station as described in claim 1 is characterized in that the battery swapping station further includes a second battery swapping platform and a third shuttle vehicle; the second battery swapping platform is located on the opposite side of the first battery swapping platform relative to the first charging room; the third shuttle vehicle travels back and forth between the first charging room and the second battery swapping platform and is electrically connected to the control unit, and the third shuttle vehicle is used to perform battery removal and battery installation operations on vehicles on the second battery swapping platform.

3. The battery swapping station as described in claim 2 is characterized in that the first charging chamber and the second charging chamber are respectively equipped with a first palletizer and a second palletizer, both of which are electrically connected to the control unit; the first charging chamber forms a first front compartment and a first rear compartment that are interconnected, the first palletizer travels back and forth between the first front compartment and the first rear compartment, the first shuttle exchanges batteries with the first palletizer in the first front compartment, the first rear compartment is used to place a first battery rack, and the first palletizer is used to pick up and place batteries on the first battery rack; the second charging chamber forms a second front compartment and a second rear compartment that are interconnected, the second palletizer travels back and forth between the second front compartment and the second rear compartment, the second shuttle exchanges batteries with the second palletizer in the second front compartment, the second rear compartment is used to place a second battery rack, and the second palletizer is used to pick up and place batteries on the second battery rack.

4. The battery swapping station as described in at least one of claims 1-3 is characterized in that the upstream and downstream sides of the first battery swapping platform in the direction in which the vehicle enters are respectively connected to an uphill ramp and a downhill ramp.

5. The battery swapping station as described in at least one of claims 1-4 is characterized in that the battery swapping station further includes a first monitoring room; the first monitoring room is located upstream of the first charging room in the direction in which the vehicle enters the first battery swapping platform, and the control unit is located in the first monitoring room.

6. The battery swapping station according to at least one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the battery swapping station further includes a first monitoring room and a second monitoring room, the control unit includes a first monitoring device and a second monitoring device, the first monitoring device and the second monitoring device being respectively disposed in the first monitoring room and the second monitoring room; the first monitoring device is used to control the first shuttle to alternately perform battery removal and battery installation operations on vehicles on the first battery swapping platform; the second monitoring device is used to control the second shuttle to alternately perform battery removal and battery installation operations on vehicles on the first battery swapping platform.

7. The battery swapping station as described in at least one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the first shuttle vehicle comprises: a chassis, a lifting frame, and a lifting mechanism; the lifting mechanism connects the chassis and the lifting frame and lifts the lifting frame relative to the chassis, the lifting mechanism includes a connecting rod, a first end of the connecting rod being rotatably connected to the lifting frame, and a second end of the connecting rod being rotatably connected to the chassis; the lifting frame is used for removing and installing the vehicle's battery.

8. The battery swapping station as described in claim 7, wherein the connecting rod is a cam.

9. A control method, characterized in that the control method is applied to a battery swapping station as described in at least one of claims 1-8, the control method comprising the following steps: S1: when a vehicle has not entered the first battery swapping platform, the control unit controls the first shuttle to remove a fully charged battery from the first charging chamber and wait in the first charging chamber; S2: after a vehicle enters the first battery swapping platform, the control unit controls the second shuttle to enter the first battery swapping platform and remove the vehicle's battery; S3: the control unit controls the first shuttle to install the fully charged battery onto the vehicle on the first battery swapping platform.

10. The control method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, in step S2, after the second shuttle removes the vehicle's battery, the control unit controls the second shuttle to transfer the vehicle's battery to the second charging chamber for charging and removes the fully charged battery from the second charging chamber and waits in the second charging chamber; in step S3, after the first shuttle installs the fully charged battery onto the vehicle on the first battery swapping platform, the control unit controls the first shuttle to return to the first charging chamber and wait; the control method further includes the following steps: S4: after the next vehicle enters the first battery swapping platform, the control unit controls the first shuttle to enter the first battery swapping platform and remove the vehicle's battery; after the first shuttle removes the vehicle's battery, the control unit controls the first shuttle to transfer the vehicle's battery to the first charging chamber for charging and removes the fully charged battery from the first charging chamber and waits in the first charging chamber; S5: the control unit controls the second shuttle to install the fully charged battery onto the vehicle on the first battery swapping platform; after the second shuttle installs the fully charged battery onto the vehicle, the control unit controls the second shuttle to return to the second charging chamber and wait; S6 Return to step S2.

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