Battery pack locking mechanism, bracket assembly, electric vehicle, and battery pack locking method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a battery pack locking mechanism, a bracket assembly, an electric vehicle, and a battery pack locking method. The locking mechanism is used to unlock or lock the battery pack to the bracket. The locking mechanism includes a fixing member having a locking space. When the battery pack is placed relative to the bracket, the locking mechanism is used to lock the connector on the battery pack within the locking space. The locking mechanism is provided with an opening on one side of the locking space, which is arranged toward the battery pack and vertically close to the battery pack. This allows the connector to enter the opening in a vertical direction facing the bottom wall of the bracket and move into the locking space. This effectively reduces the complexity and tediousness of the process for installing and fixing the battery pack on the bracket, while also ensuring the reliability of the fixation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack locking mechanism, a bracket assembly, an electric vehicle and a battery pack locking method. Background Art

[0002] Existing battery installation methods for electric vehicles are generally divided into fixed and replaceable types. Fixed batteries are generally fixed to the vehicle and directly charged by the vehicle. Replaceable batteries, on the other hand, are generally fixed to the vehicle's bracket through a removable installation method. The battery can be removed for individual replacement or charging operations. After the replacement battery is fully charged, it can be installed in the vehicle.

[0003] In the existing technology, battery replacement methods include manual, automatic and other means. Regardless of which method is used, when the battery is installed on the vehicle bracket, the bracket needs to lock the battery on the bracket. Due to the large size and heavy weight of the battery, a multi-point locking method is usually used to achieve this. For the locking mechanism, how to quickly and conveniently lock or unlock the battery on the vehicle bracket is the focus of research and development of existing technicians. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the defects of the prior art in that the process of installing the battery pack on the bracket is complicated and the steps are cumbersome, and to provide a battery pack locking mechanism, a bracket assembly, an electric vehicle and a locking method for the battery pack.

[0005] The present invention solves the above technical problems through the following technical solutions:

[0006] A battery pack locking mechanism, disposed on a bottom wall of a bracket, for unlocking or locking the battery pack to the bracket. The locking mechanism includes a fixing member having a locking space. When the battery pack is placed relative to the bracket, the locking mechanism is used to lock a connector on the battery pack within the locking space.

[0007] The locking mechanism is provided on one side of the locking space with an opening disposed toward the battery pack and vertically close to the battery pack, so that the connector enters the opening in a vertical direction facing the bottom wall of the bracket and moves into the locking space.

[0008] The locking mechanism allows the battery pack's connector to pass through the opening in the vertical direction and then move into the locking space, and uses the locking space to fix the connector, so that the battery pack can be fixed relative to the bracket when it is placed on the bracket by battery replacement equipment such as a palletizer, thereby effectively reducing the complexity and tediousness of the process of installing and fixing the battery pack on the bracket, and also ensuring the reliability of the fixation.

[0009] Preferably, the locking mechanism also includes a locking tongue, which is used to lock the connector after the connector of the battery pack falls into the locking space to prevent the connector from escaping from the locking space, thereby avoiding the risk of the battery pack escaping relative to the bracket after the locking is completed.

[0010] Preferably, the locking tongue is rotatably arranged on the bracket to open or close the opening, and the locking tongue can be switched between a first state position and a second state position;

[0011] When the locking tongue is in the first state position, the locking tongue opens the opening, and the connecting member can enter or leave the locking space;

[0012] When the locking tongue is in the second state position, the locking tongue closes the opening, and the connecting member cannot enter or leave the locking space.

[0013] With the above-mentioned structural arrangement, the locking tongue can be switched between the first state position and the second state position to achieve the purpose of unlocking or locking the battery pack to the bracket.

[0014] Preferably, the locking tongue is arranged on the bracket through a rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft is arranged on the bracket below the locking space, and the rotating shaft is configured so that when the connecting member is located in the locking space, the vertical distance between the axis of the rotating shaft and the center of the battery pack is greater than the vertical distance between the center of the connecting member and the center of the battery pack.

[0015] With the above-mentioned structural setting, when the connector is in the locking space, it cannot rely on its own force acting on the lock tongue to switch the lock tongue to the first state position to open the lock tongue. Therefore, when the connector is in the locking space, the lock tongue has a self-locking effect on the connector, which can effectively improve the reliability of the battery pack locking mechanism.

[0016] Preferably, the locking tongue has a stop portion, and when the locking tongue is in a first state position, the stop portion opens the opening; when the locking tongue is in a second state position, the stop portion closes the opening.

[0017] With the above-mentioned structural arrangement, the opening is opened or closed by utilizing the stopper formed on the surface of the lock tongue, so that the battery pack can be unlocked or locked to the bracket.

[0018] Preferably, a guide channel leading to the opening is provided on one side of the fixing member facing the bottom surface of the battery pack, and the guide channel is used for allowing the connecting member to enter the opening, so as to guide the connecting member to accurately enter the opening.

[0019] Preferably, the fixing member includes a lock body, one side of the lock body has a lock groove concave toward the inside of the lock body, the locking space is formed in the lock groove, and the opening is formed on the surface of the lock groove.

[0020] Preferably, the locking mechanism comprises a lock tongue connected to the lock body, the lock tongue is movable relative to the lock body, and the lock tongue can move between a first state position and a second state position;

[0021] When the locking tongue is in the first state position, the locking tongue opens the opening, and the connecting member can enter or leave the locking space;

[0022] When the locking tongue is in the second state position, the locking tongue closes the opening, and the connecting member cannot enter or leave the locking space.

[0023] With the above-mentioned structural arrangement, the locking tongue can be switched between the first state position and the second state position to achieve the purpose of unlocking or locking the battery pack to the bracket.

[0024] Preferably, the locking tongue is arranged on the bracket through a rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft is arranged on the bracket below the locking space, and the rotating shaft is configured so that when the connecting member is located in the locking space, the vertical distance between the axis of the rotating shaft and the center of the battery pack is greater than the vertical distance between the center of the connecting member and the center of the battery pack.

[0025] With this structural arrangement, when the connector is within the locking space, it cannot rely on its own force on the lock tongue to switch the lock tongue to the first state position, thereby opening the lock tongue. Therefore, when the connector is within the locking space, the lock tongue has a self-locking effect on the connector, which effectively improves the reliability of the battery pack locking mechanism.

[0026] Preferably, the locking tongue has a stop portion, and when the locking tongue is in a first state position, the stop portion opens the opening; when the locking tongue is in a second state position, the stop portion closes the opening.

[0027] With the above-mentioned structural arrangement, the opening is opened or closed by utilizing the stopper formed on the surface of the lock tongue, so that the battery pack can be unlocked or locked to the bracket.

[0028] Preferably, a guide channel leading to the opening is provided on a side of the fixing member facing the bottom surface of the battery pack, and the guide channel is used for allowing the connecting member to enter the opening to guide the connecting member to enter the opening accurately.

[0029] Preferably, the locking tongue can be rotated to the first state position along the first flipping direction under the action of external force or the thrust of the connecting member, so that the locking tongue can switch to the first state position when subjected to external force to achieve the purpose of opening the opening and allowing the connecting member to enter.

[0030] Preferably, the locking tongue rotates to the second state position along the second flipping direction without the action of external force, so that the locking tongue remains in the second state position without the action of external force to keep the opening closed.

[0031] Preferably, the lock tongue is in the second state position when it is located at the opening of the lock slot, and the connecting member can push the lock tongue to move from the second state position to the first state position, so as to utilize the placement and movement of the battery pack as an external force source, and push the lock tongue to switch to the first state position through the connecting member, so that the connecting member can also enter the locking space through the opening when the lock tongue is in the second state position.

[0032] Preferably, the connecting member pushes the locking tongue to move from the second state position to the first state position along the first direction, and the connecting member enters the locking space through the opening along the second direction. The first direction and the second direction have different orientations, so that after the connecting member enters the opening, the connecting member is locked in the locking space by changing the direction of movement, so that the locking step is controlled by controlling the displacement of the connecting member.

[0033] Preferably, the lock groove forms a guide channel at the opening of the lock body surface, and the guide channel is used for the connecting member to push the lock tongue to move along the first direction, so as to guide the connecting member to accurately enter the opening.

[0034] Preferably, a guide chamfer is provided at the opening to improve the guiding reliability of the guide channel.

[0035] Preferably, the first direction is a vertical direction, and the second direction is a horizontal direction, so as to adapt to the placement process when the battery pack is placed on the bracket by a palletizer.

[0036] Preferably, the battery pack is transported by a palletizer and placed on the bracket along the first direction, and the palletizer pushes the battery pack into the bracket along the second direction, so that the locking step is controlled by controlling the displacement of the battery pack by the palletizer.

[0037] Preferably, when the battery pack is connected to the electrical connection plug of the bracket, the connector enters the locking space through the opening along the second direction, so as to lock the connector in the locking space during the process of the palletizer pushing the battery pack to be electrically connected to the bracket.

[0038] Preferably, the fixing member further includes a limiting member, and the limiting member is used to limit the lock tongue from moving in a direction away from the second state position when the lock tongue is in the first state position;

[0039] When the battery pack is connected to the electrical connection plug of the bracket, the lock tongue is in the second state position, and the connecting member abuts against the surface of the lock tongue in the direction of pushing the lock tongue away from the second state position, so as to ensure that the lock tongue effectively and reliably locks the connecting member in the locking space when the connecting member applies an outward force to the lock tongue in the locking space.

[0040] Preferably, the lock tongue has an arc-shaped abutment surface, which is used to directly contact the connector, so that the force of the connector on the lock tongue can be transmitted in the correct direction to ensure that the lock tongue can lock the connector in the locking space.

[0041] Preferably, the fixing member also includes an elastic member, which is used to apply elastic force to the lock tongue so that the lock tongue remains in the second state position when not affected by external force, so that after the connecting member enters the locking space, the lock tongue is driven to return to the second state position by the rebound force of the elastic member to close the opening.

[0042] Preferably, the elastic member is a tension spring to improve the rebound effect of the lock tongue.

[0043] Preferably, the locking mechanism further includes a lock tongue link, which is movably connected to the lock tongue. Under the action of an external force, the lock tongue link drives the lock tongue to move from a first state position to a second state position, so as to unlock the battery pack relative to the bracket.

[0044] Preferably, the fixing member also includes a driver, which is connected to the lock tongue connecting rod, and the driver is used to drive the lock tongue connecting rod to move the lock tongue from the first state position to the second state position, so as to actively drive the lock tongue to switch states.

[0045] Preferably, there are multiple locking mechanisms, and the multiple locking mechanisms are arranged in sequence along the direction in which the battery pack enters the bracket, and the lock tongue links of each locking mechanism are connected end to end in sequence, so as to achieve synchronous control of multiple locking mechanisms by controlling a single lock tongue link.

[0046] Preferably, the fixing member is connected to the bottom wall of the bracket.

[0047] The above structural arrangement provides a preferred embodiment in which a fixing member is arranged on a bracket.

[0048] Preferably, the fixing member is formed inside the bottom wall of the bracket.

[0049] The above structural arrangement provides a preferred embodiment in which a fixing member is arranged on a bracket.

[0050] A battery pack locking mechanism for unlocking or locking a battery pack to a bracket, the locking mechanism comprising:

[0051] a connector, the connector being disposed on the bottom surface of the battery pack;

[0052] a fixing member disposed on a bottom wall of the bracket, the fixing member having a locking space, wherein the locking mechanism is used to lock the connecting member in the locking space when the battery pack is placed relative to the bracket;

[0053] The locking mechanism is provided on one side of the locking space with an opening disposed toward the battery pack and vertically close to the battery pack, so that the connector enters the opening in a vertical direction facing the bottom wall of the bracket and moves into the locking space.

[0054] The locking mechanism allows the battery pack's connector to pass through the opening in the vertical direction and then move into the locking space, and uses the locking space to fix the connector, so that the battery pack can be fixed relative to the bracket when it is placed on the bracket by battery replacement equipment such as a palletizer, thereby effectively reducing the complexity and tediousness of the process of installing and fixing the battery pack on the bracket, and also ensuring the reliability of the fixation.

[0055] Preferably, the connecting member includes a lock head and a base, the base is connected to the battery pack, the lock head is formed at one end of the base away from the battery pack, and the lock head enters and exits the locking space through the opening.

[0056] A bracket assembly comprises a bracket and the battery pack locking mechanism as described above.

[0057] The locking mechanism of the bracket assembly allows the battery pack's connector to pass through the opening in the vertical direction and then move into the locking space, and uses the locking space to fix the connector, so that the battery pack can be fixed relative to the bracket when it is placed on the bracket by battery replacement equipment such as a palletizer, thereby effectively reducing the complexity and tediousness of the process of installing and fixing the battery pack on the bracket, and also ensuring the reliability of the fixation.

[0058] Preferably, a plurality of the locking mechanisms are sequentially arranged along the extension direction of the bottom plate crossbeam of the bracket to improve the fixing ability of the locking mechanism to the battery pack.

[0059] Preferably, the bracket is fixed to the lower surface of the chassis beam of the electric vehicle through the bottom plate crossbeam, so that the bracket assembly can maintain stability when installed on the electric vehicle.

[0060] An electric vehicle comprises the bracket assembly described above.

[0061] On the bracket assembly of the electric vehicle, the locking mechanism allows the connector of the battery pack to pass through the opening in the vertical direction and then move into the locking space, and uses the locking space to fix the connector, so that the battery pack can be fixed relative to the bracket when it is placed on the bracket by battery replacement equipment such as a palletizer, thereby effectively reducing the complexity and tediousness of the process of installing and fixing the battery pack on the bracket, and also ensuring the reliability of the fixation.

[0062] Preferably, the bracket of the bracket assembly is fixed to the surface of the chassis beam of the electric vehicle by fasteners, so that the bracket assembly can maintain stability when installed on the electric vehicle, avoiding vibration of the bracket assembly when the electric vehicle is driving.

[0063] Preferably, the chassis of the electric vehicle has a left beam and a right beam arranged in parallel;

[0064] The bracket assembly is arranged on the left beam and the right beam to further improve the installation stability of the bracket assembly.

[0065] Preferably, the bottom plate cross beam of the bracket of the bracket assembly is formed in one piece, and the bottom plate cross beam is fixed to the lower surface of the left beam and the right beam to further improve the installation stability of the bracket assembly.

[0066] A battery pack locking method, wherein the battery pack locking method uses the battery pack locking mechanism described above, and the battery pack locking method comprises the following steps:

[0067] moving the battery pack so that the connector is close to the opening of the locking mechanism;

[0068] Move the battery pack in a vertical direction and control the connecting member to enter the opening;

[0069] Moving the battery pack in a horizontal direction and controlling the connector to enter the locking space;

[0070] The locking mechanism is controlled to close the opening to lock the battery pack.

[0071] The positive progress effect of the present invention is:

[0072] In the battery pack locking mechanism, bracket assembly, electric vehicle and battery pack locking method, the locking mechanism allows the battery pack's connector to pass through the opening in the vertical direction and then move into the locking space, and uses the locking space to fix the connector, so that the battery pack can be fixed relative to the bracket during the process of being placed on the bracket by battery exchange equipment such as a palletizer, thereby effectively reducing the complexity and tediousness of the process of installing and fixing the battery pack on the bracket, and also ensuring the reliability of the fixation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a locked state of a battery pack and a bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of a bracket assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0076] Figure 4 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] Figure 5 FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the locking process of the locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention (I).

[0078] Figure 6 FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the locking process of the locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention (II).

[0079] Figure 7 FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the locking process of the locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] Figure 8 FIG4 is a schematic diagram of the locking process of the locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0081] Figure 9 Schematic diagram (1) of the unlocking process of the locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] Figure 10 Schematic diagram (2) of the unlocking process of the locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] Figure 11 Schematic diagram (3) of the unlocking process of the locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] Figure 12 The figure is a schematic diagram of the connection relationship between an electric vehicle and a bracket assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] Description of reference numerals:

[0086] Fixing element 1, locking space 1a, opening 1b, guide channel 1c

[0087] Lock tongue 11, stopper 11a, abutment surface 11b

[0088] Rotation axis 12

[0089] Lock body 13, lock slot 131

[0090] Elastic member 14

[0091] Connector 2, lock 21, base 22

[0092] Battery pack 3, bottom wall 3a

[0093] Bracket 4, bottom wall 4a

[0094] Electrical connection plug 41

[0095] Bottom beam 42

[0096] Bracket assembly 20

[0097] Electric vehicle body 5, left beam 51, right beam 52 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0098] The present invention is further described below by way of examples, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of the examples.

[0099] like Figure 1-4 As shown, the present invention provides a battery pack locking mechanism for unlocking or locking the battery pack 3 on the bracket 4. The locking mechanism includes a fixing member 1 and a connecting member 2. In this embodiment, the battery pack 3 is transported by a palletizer or other battery replacement equipment and enters the bracket 4 along the horizontal direction B.

[0100] like Figure 2 As shown, it is a schematic diagram of the partial structure of the bracket assembly 20 in this embodiment. An electrical connection plug 41 is provided on the back surface of the bracket 4 of the bracket assembly 20 for connecting with the battery pack 3. A plurality of fixing members 1 of the locking mechanism are distributed on the surface of the bottom wall 4a of the bracket 4. These fixing members 1 of the locking mechanism are arranged sequentially along the direction in which the battery pack 3 enters and exits the bracket 4 (i.e., the horizontal direction B), and are evenly distributed along the direction in which the battery pack 3 enters the bracket 4 and are disposed inside the bottom crossbeam 42. Of course, when the bracket 4 has multiple bottom crossbeams 42 arranged in parallel, the fixing members 1 of the locking mechanism should be disposed on these bottom crossbeams 42 at the same time to ensure that the force applied to the battery pack 3 by the locking mechanism is uniform.

[0101] like Figure 3As shown, it is a structural schematic diagram of the battery pack 3 in this embodiment. The battery pack 3 is provided with multiple connecting parts 2 of the locking mechanism on the surface of the bottom wall 4a corresponding to the bracket 4. These connecting parts 2 are synchronously set corresponding to the setting positions of the fixing parts 1 of the locking mechanism. These connecting parts 2 correspond to each fixing part 1, and the battery pack 3 is locked relative to the bracket 4 by positioning the connecting parts 2 on the fixing parts 1.

[0102] Among them, such as Figure 4 As shown, the fixing member 1 includes a lock body 13, one side of the lock body 13 has a lock groove 131 recessed into the interior of the lock body 13, and a locking space 1a is formed in the lock groove 131. The lock body 13 is provided with a bottom wall 3a facing the battery pack 3 on one side of the locking space 1a, and an opening 1b close to the battery pack 3 along the vertical direction A. The opening 1b is formed on the surface of the lock body 13 so that the connector 2 enters the opening 1b along the vertical direction A facing the bottom wall 4a of the bracket 4 and then moves into the locking space 1a.

[0103] The locking mechanism allows the connector 2 of the battery pack 3 to pass through the opening 1b along the vertical direction A and then move into the locking space 1a, and uses the locking space 1a to fix the connector 2, so that the battery pack 3 can be fixed relative to the bracket 4 when it is placed on the bracket 4 by battery replacement equipment such as a palletizer, thereby effectively reducing the complexity and tediousness of the process of installing and fixing the battery pack 3 on the bracket 4, and also ensuring the reliability of the fixation.

[0104] In this embodiment, the lock body 13 is connected to the bottom plate crossbeam 42 of the bracket 4 via fasteners. Of course, in other embodiments, the lock body 13 can also be formed directly on the bottom wall 4a of the bracket 4, that is, the locking space 1a is provided inside the bracket 4, and the opening 1b is provided on the surface of the bracket 4, to achieve the same effect as in this embodiment.

[0105] like Figure 4As shown, the locking mechanism also includes a lock tongue 11 connected to the lock body 13. The lock tongue 11 is rotatably arranged on the lock body 13 around the rotation axis 12 so as to move relative to the lock body 13 by flipping. A stop portion 11a is provided on the surface of the lock tongue 11. The lock tongue 11 can switch between a first state position and a second state position to open or close the opening 1b of the lock body 13 through the stop portion 11a. When the lock tongue 11 is in the first state position, the stop portion 11a opens the opening 1b, allowing the connector 2 to enter or leave the locking space 1a, that is, allowing the battery pack 3 to enter the bracket 4 or be removed from the bracket 4. After the connector 2 enters the locking space 1a, the force exerted by the electrical connection plug 41 on the bracket 4 on the electrical connection socket on the battery pack 3 limits the connector 2 from continuing to move along the horizontal direction B toward the end plate of the bracket 4. When the lock tongue 11 is in the second position, the stopper 11a closes the opening 1b, preventing the connector 2 from entering or leaving the locking space 1a, thereby locking the battery pack 3 to the bracket 4. With the above-described structural arrangement, the lock tongue 11 can be switched between the first and second positions to unlock or lock the battery pack 3 to the bracket 4.

[0106] The lock body 13 also includes a guide channel 1c at the location where the opening 1b is located. This guide channel 1c is used to guide the connector 2 into the opening 1b along the vertical direction A. Therefore, chamfers are provided on the surfaces of the guide channel 1c and the lock body 13 to accurately guide the connector 2 into the opening 1b. The fixing member 1 also includes an elastic member 14, which is used to apply an elastic force to the lock tongue 11 to maintain the lock tongue 11 in the second state position when no external force is applied, thereby continuously keeping the opening 1b closed. Preferably, the elastic member 14 is a tension spring, one end of which is connected to the lock tongue 11 and the other end is connected to the bottom plate crossbeam 42.

[0107] In addition, the connector 2 also includes a lock 21 and a base 22. The base 22 is connected to the bottom wall 3a surface of the battery pack 3. The lock 21 is formed at the end of the base 22 away from the battery pack 3. The lock 21 enters and exits the locking space 1a through the opening 1b to achieve locking of the position relative to the bracket 4.

[0108] like Figure 5 As shown, it is a schematic diagram of the positions of the fixing member 1 and the connecting member 2 before the battery pack 3 is placed on the bracket 4. In this embodiment, the battery pack 3 is transported to the top of the bracket 4 by a palletizer. Figure 6As shown, under the action of the palletizer, the battery pack 3 is placed on the bracket 4 along the vertical direction A. At this time, the connector 2 enters the opening 1b through the guide channel 1c in the vertical downward direction. During the entry process, the connector 2 moves downward and contacts the lock tongue 11 in the second state position. The lock head 21 applies a thrust to the lock tongue 11, so that the lock tongue 11 rotates to the first state position along the first flipping direction (i.e., counterclockwise in the figure) with the rotation axis 12 as the center under the thrust of the connector 2. The lock tongue 11 can switch to the first state position when subjected to a vertical downward external force such as the connector 2 falling down, so as to achieve the purpose of opening the opening 1b and allowing the connector 2 to enter. Of course, in other embodiments, the lock tongue 11 can also be driven by other external forces to rotate to the first state position along the first flipping direction with the rotation axis 12 as the center, so as to open the opening 1b before the connector 2 enters the opening 1b.

[0109] Afterwards, if Figure 7 As shown, the palletizer pushes the battery pack 3 into the bracket 4 along the horizontal direction B. The lock head 21 of the connector 2 also enters the locking space 1a of the opening 1b along the horizontal direction B. At this time, the lock tongue 11, free from external forces, rebounds to the second state position in the second flipping direction (i.e., clockwise in the figure) about the rotation axis 12 under the action of the elastic member 14, thereby keeping the opening 1b closed.

[0110] The lock head 21 is in the first locking position (i.e. Figure 7 At this time, the battery pack 3 is also pushed horizontally by the palletizer, and the electrical connection socket of the battery pack 3 and the electrical connection plug 41 on the bracket 4 are pressed against each other, thereby achieving electrical connection with the electrical connection plug 41 on the bracket 4.

[0111] After this, if Figure 8 As shown, after the palletizer removes the horizontal external force that pushes the battery pack 3 onto the bracket 4, the pressing force between the battery pack 3 and the electrical connection plug 41 of the bracket 4 is released, causing the battery pack 3 to move horizontally outward, and the lock head 21 also moves to the second locking position (i.e. Figure 8 At this time, the lock head 21 abuts against the lock tongue 11 in the second state position along the horizontal direction B.

[0112] At this time, the rotating shaft 12 is arranged below the locking space 1a. The position of the rotating shaft 12 is specifically set so that when the connector 2 is located in the locking space 1a, the vertical distance L1 between the axis of the rotating shaft 12 and the center of the battery pack 3 (not shown in the figure) is greater than the vertical distance L2 between the center of the connector 2 and the center of the battery pack 3. In this position setting, when the battery pack 3 is subjected to an external force and attempts to escape from the locking space 1a in the horizontal direction B, the lock tongue 11 is in the second state position. In this state, even if the connector 2 abuts against the lock tongue 11 in the horizontal outward direction, the force exerted by the connector 2 on the lock tongue 11 cannot push the lock tongue 11 to the first state position. In other words, in this structural setting, when the connector 2 is in the locking space 1a, it cannot rely on its own force on the lock tongue 11 to switch the lock tongue 11 to the first state position, so that the lock tongue 11 opens the opening 1b. Therefore, when the connector 2 is in the locking space 1 a , the locking tongue 11 has a self-locking effect on the connector 2 , thereby effectively improving the reliability of the battery pack locking mechanism.

[0113] In this case, the lock head 21 is pushed against the surface of the lock tongue 11 by the reaction force generated by the tightening of the electrical connector 2, so that the battery pack 3 is completely positioned on the bracket 4 along the horizontal direction B, preventing the battery pack 3 from moving horizontally within the bracket 4, and completely limiting the displacement of the battery pack 3 relative to the bracket 4 along the horizontal direction B. At the same time, this displacement restriction solution can also ensure that the bracket 4 and the battery pack 3 are always electrically connected, improving the reliability of the electrical connection.

[0114] At the same time, the lock tongue 11 in this embodiment is provided with a circular arc-shaped concave abutment surface 11b at its end. The function of the abutment surface 11b is to abut against the connecting member 2, thereby increasing the contact area between the connecting member 2 and the lock tongue 11 during the abutment process, so that the force of the connecting member 2 on the lock tongue 11 can be transmitted in the correct direction to ensure that the lock tongue 11 can "self-lock" the connecting member 2 in the locking space 1a.

[0115] like Figures 8-11 As shown in FIG, it is a schematic diagram of the process of the locking mechanism unlocking the battery pack 3 from the bracket 4 in this embodiment. The unlocking process of the locking mechanism is roughly the same as the locking process described above. Figure 8 As shown, when the battery pack 3 is locked in the bracket 4 and is located at the second locking position, the locking tongues 11 abut against each other.

[0116] like Figure 9 As shown, the palletizer pushes the battery pack 3 in the horizontal direction B to the first locking position, so that the lock tongue 11 has enough space to switch back to the first state position, so as to move the connector 2 out of the opening 1b of the bracket 4 in the horizontal direction and open it. Figure 10 and Figure 11As shown, the battery pack 3 is moved horizontally by the palletizer so that the lock head 21 moves to the opening 1b position, and then leaves the guide channel 1c in the vertical upward direction, thereby unlocking the battery pack 3 relative to the bracket 4.

[0117] During the unlocking process, the movement of the lock tongue 11 from the second state position to the first state position cannot be achieved by using the connecting member 2 to push the lock tongue 11 to switch states, as in the locking process. Therefore, in this embodiment, the fixing member 1 also includes a lock tongue connecting rod (not shown) and a driver (not shown), with the driver indirectly connected to the lock tongue 11 via the lock tongue connecting rod. Driven by the driver, the lock tongue connecting rod drives the lock tongue 11 from the second state position to the first state position, thereby enabling the connecting member 2 to move out of the locking space 1a along the horizontal direction B during the unlocking process. The driver can employ a conventional motion mechanism to achieve the purpose of driving the lock tongue 11. When the driver is a linear motion mechanism, the lock tongue connecting rod merely serves as a connection, transmitting linear displacement to the lock tongue 11. When the driver is a rotational motion mechanism, the lock tongue connecting rod also serves to change the direction of motion, converting the rotational displacement into linear displacement through a mechanical structure, such as a cam structure. Since these lock tongue connecting rod structures are all within the scope of the prior art, they will not be described in detail here.

[0118] In addition, when multiple fixing members 1 are simultaneously provided on the bottom plate crossbeam 42 of the bracket 4, the lock tongue connecting rods between the fixing members 1 can be connected end to end in sequence to achieve synchronous movement, so that the state position of each fixing member 1 can be switched synchronously.

[0119] The present invention also provides an electric vehicle, which uses the bracket assembly 20 as described above. Figure 12 As shown, the electric vehicle has a chassis beneath its body 5. The chassis includes a left beam 51 and a right beam 52 arranged in parallel. Two bracket assemblies 20 are respectively disposed on the outside of the left beam 51 and the right beam 52, with openings 1b facing outward, allowing the battery pack 3 to be mounted on the lower portion of the vehicle body from both sides. The bracket assemblies 20 are secured to the chassis using fasteners to ensure stability when mounted on the electric vehicle and prevent vibration during driving.

[0120] In addition, the bottom plate cross beam 42 of the bracket 4 of the two bracket assemblies 20 is an integrally formed structure, and the bottom plate cross beam 42 is fixed on the lower surface of the left beam 51 and the right beam 52 to further improve the installation stability of the bracket assembly 20. At the same time, the locking mechanism fixes the battery pack directly to the bottom plate cross beam 42, so that the battery pack is directly connected to the chassis of the electric vehicle through the bottom plate cross beam 42, which can effectively improve the fixing reliability.

[0121] The present invention also provides a battery pack locking method:

[0122] 1. Move the battery pack 3 so that the connector 2 approaches the opening 1b of the locking mechanism. Specifically, in this embodiment, the battery pack 3 is placed at the corresponding position of the bracket 4 using a palletizer, and the battery pack 3 is moved so that the connector 2 approaches and aligns with the opening 1b of the locking mechanism through the guide channel 1c.

[0123] 2. Move the battery pack 3 in the vertical direction A and control the connector 2 to enter the opening. Specifically, the battery pack 3 can be moved in the vertical direction A close to the bracket 4 by the battery replacement equipment, and the lock tongue 11 can be pushed to the first state position by the connector 2 to open the opening 1b, so that the connector 2 can enter the opening 1b.

[0124] 3. Move the battery pack 3 in the horizontal direction B and control the lock head 21 of the connector 2 to enter the locking space 1a. Specifically, the battery pack 3 is moved horizontally in the horizontal direction B by the battery replacement equipment so that the connector 2 enters the locking space 1a.

[0125] 4. Control the locking mechanism to close the opening to lock the battery pack 3, so that the battery pack 3 is locked on the bracket 4. Specifically, when the connector 2 of the battery pack 3 reaches the locking space 1a, the movable member 11 rotates to the second state position under the action of the movable link 14 to close the opening 1b.

[0126] 5. Move the battery pack 3 in the opposite direction of horizontal direction B, so that the lock head 21 of the connector 2 abuts against the abutment surface 11b of the lock tongue 11. Specifically, after the lock tongue 11 closes the opening 1b, the horizontal thrust applied by the battery swapping device is removed, and the battery pack 3 moves in the opposite direction of horizontal direction B, abutting against the abutment surface 11b of the lock tongue 11, completely locking the battery pack 3 relative to the bracket 4.

[0127] Of course, in other embodiments, before the connecting member 2 enters the opening 1b, the battery exchange device can be used to apply a force to the movable link 14, so as to drive the movable member 11 to open the opening 1b through the force of the battery exchange device.

[0128] The battery pack 3 is locked on the bracket 4 through the above process, which effectively reduces the complexity and tediousness of the process of installing and fixing the battery pack 3 on the bracket 4, while also ensuring the reliability and firmness of the bracket 4 locking the battery pack 3.

[0129] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art will appreciate that these are merely illustrative and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art may make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principles and essence of the present invention, and such changes and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery pack locking mechanism, characterized in that: The locking mechanism is provided on the bottom wall of the bracket, and is used to unlock or lock the battery pack to the bracket. The locking mechanism includes a fixing member having a locking space. When the battery pack is placed relative to the bracket, the locking mechanism is used to lock the connector on the battery pack within the locking space. The locking mechanism is provided on one side of the locking space with an opening disposed toward the battery pack and close to the battery pack in a vertical direction, so that the connecting member enters the opening in a vertical direction facing the bottom wall of the bracket and moves into the locking space; The locking mechanism further includes a locking tongue, which is used to lock the connecting member of the battery pack after it falls into the locking space to prevent the connecting member from escaping from the locking space; The locking tongue has a stop portion which is in an arc structure. When the connecting member enters the opening in a vertical downward direction and abuts against the arc structure, the connecting member can slide into the locking space along the arc structure under the action of gravity.

2. The battery pack locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: The locking tongue is rotatably arranged on the bracket to open or close the opening, and the locking tongue can be switched between a first state position and a second state position; When the locking tongue is in the first state position, the locking tongue opens the opening, and the connecting member can enter or leave the locking space; When the locking tongue is in the second state position, the locking tongue closes the opening, and the connecting member cannot enter or leave the locking space.

3. The battery pack locking mechanism according to claim 2, wherein: The lock tongue is arranged on the bracket through a rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft is arranged on the bracket below the locking space. The rotating shaft is configured so that when the connecting member is located in the locking space, the vertical distance between the axis of the rotating shaft and the center of the battery pack is greater than the vertical distance between the center of the connecting member and the center of the battery pack.

4. The battery pack locking mechanism according to claim 2, wherein: When the locking tongue is in a first state position, the stop portion opens the opening; when the locking tongue is in a second state position, the stop portion closes the opening.

5. The battery pack locking mechanism according to claim 2, wherein: A guide channel leading to the opening is provided on one side of the fixing member facing the bottom surface of the battery pack, and the guide channel is used for allowing the connecting member to enter the opening.

6. The battery pack locking mechanism according to claim 2, wherein: The fixing member includes a lock body, one side of the lock body has a lock groove concave toward the inside of the lock body, the locking space is formed in the lock groove, and the opening is formed on the surface of the lock groove.

7. The battery pack locking mechanism according to claim 6, wherein: The locking tongue can be rotated to a first state position along a first flipping direction under the action of an external force or a thrust of the connecting member.

8. The battery pack locking mechanism according to claim 6, wherein: The locking tongue rotates to a second state position along a second flipping direction without the action of external force.

9. The battery pack locking mechanism according to claim 6, wherein: The locking tongue is in a second state position when located at the opening of the locking groove, and the connecting member can push the locking tongue to move from the second state position to the first state position.

10. The battery pack locking mechanism according to claim 9, wherein: The connecting member pushes the locking tongue to move from the second state position to the first state position along a first direction, and the connecting member enters the locking space through the opening along a second direction, and the first direction and the second direction are different.

11. The battery pack locking mechanism according to claim 10, wherein: The lock groove forms a guide channel at the opening of the lock body surface, and the guide channel is used for the connecting member to push the lock tongue to move along the first direction.

12. The battery pack locking mechanism according to claim 11, wherein: A guide chamfer is provided at the opening.

13. The battery pack locking mechanism according to claim 10, wherein: The first direction is a vertical direction, and the second direction is a horizontal direction.

14. The battery pack locking mechanism according to claim 13, wherein: The battery pack is transported by a palletizer and placed on the bracket along the first direction, and the palletizer pushes the battery pack into the bracket along the second direction.

15. The battery pack locking mechanism according to claim 14, wherein: When the battery pack is connected to the electrical connection plug of the bracket, the connector enters the locking space through the opening along the second direction.

16. The battery pack locking mechanism according to claim 15, wherein: The fixing member further includes a limiting member, which is used to limit the movement of the lock tongue in a direction away from the second state position when the lock tongue is in the first state position; When the battery pack is connected to the electrical connection plug of the bracket, the locking tongue is located in the second state position, and the connecting member abuts against the surface of the locking tongue in a direction of pushing the locking tongue away from the second state position.

17. The battery pack locking mechanism according to claim 16, wherein: The locking tongue has an arc-shaped abutting surface, and the abutting surface is used for directly contacting the connecting piece.

18. The battery pack locking mechanism according to claim 2, wherein: The fixing member further includes an elastic member, which is used to apply elastic force to the locking tongue so that the locking tongue remains in the second state position when no external force is applied.

19. The battery pack locking mechanism according to claim 18, wherein: The elastic member is a tension spring.

20. The battery pack locking mechanism according to claim 2, wherein: The locking mechanism further includes a lock tongue connecting rod, which is movably connected to the lock tongue. The lock tongue connecting rod drives the lock tongue to move from a first state position to a second state position under the action of an external force.

21. The battery pack locking mechanism according to claim 20, wherein: There are multiple locking mechanisms, and the multiple locking mechanisms are arranged in sequence along the direction in which the battery pack enters the bracket, and the lock tongue connecting rods of the locking mechanisms are connected end to end in sequence.

22. The battery pack locking mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein: The fixing member is connected to the bottom wall of the bracket.

23. The battery pack locking mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein: The fixing member is formed inside the bottom wall of the bracket.

24. A battery pack locking mechanism, characterized in that: It is used to unlock or lock the battery pack to the bracket, and the locking mechanism includes: a connector, the connector being disposed on the bottom surface of the battery pack; a fixing member disposed on a bottom wall of the bracket, the fixing member having a locking space, wherein the locking mechanism is used to lock the connecting member in the locking space when the battery pack is placed relative to the bracket; The locking mechanism is provided on one side of the locking space with an opening disposed toward the battery pack and close to the battery pack in a vertical direction, so that the connecting member enters the opening in a vertical direction facing the bottom wall of the bracket and moves into the locking space; The locking mechanism further includes a locking tongue, which is used to lock the connecting member of the battery pack after it falls into the locking space to prevent the connecting member from escaping from the locking space; The locking tongue has a stop portion which is in an arc structure. When the connecting member enters the opening in a vertical downward direction and abuts against the arc structure, the connecting member can slide into the locking space along the arc structure under the action of gravity.

25. The battery pack locking mechanism according to claim 24, wherein: The connecting member includes a lock head and a base, the base is connected to the battery pack, the lock head is formed at one end of the base away from the battery pack, and the lock head enters and exits the locking space through the opening.

26. A bracket assembly, characterized in that: It comprises a bracket and a battery pack locking mechanism as described in any one of claims 1-23.

27. The bracket assembly according to claim 26, wherein: The plurality of locking mechanisms are arranged in sequence along the extension direction of the bottom plate cross beam of the bracket.

28. The bracket assembly according to claim 27, wherein: The bracket is fixed to the lower surface of the chassis beam of the electric vehicle through the bottom plate cross beam.

29. An electric vehicle, characterized in that: It includes the bracket assembly as claimed in claim 26.

30. The electric vehicle according to claim 29, wherein: The bracket of the bracket assembly is fixed to the surface of the chassis beam of the electric vehicle through fasteners.

31. The electric vehicle according to claim 30, wherein: The chassis of the electric vehicle comprises a left beam and a right beam arranged in parallel; The bracket assembly is arranged on the left beam and the right beam.

32. The electric vehicle according to claim 31, wherein: The bottom plate cross beam of the bracket of the bracket assembly is formed in one piece, and the bottom plate cross beam is fixed to the lower side surfaces of the left beam and the right beam.

33. A method for locking a battery pack, characterized in that: The battery pack locking method uses the battery pack locking mechanism according to claim 1, and the battery pack locking method includes the following steps: moving the battery pack so that the connector is close to the opening of the locking mechanism; Move the battery pack in a vertical direction and control the connecting member to enter the opening; Moving the battery pack in a horizontal direction and controlling the connector to enter the locking space; The locking mechanism is controlled to close the opening to lock the battery pack.

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