Battery transfer system with sprocket chain and battery swap station or energy storage station

Abstract

The present invention discloses a battery transport system and a battery swap station or energy storage station with a sprocket chain. The battery transport system is used to transport batteries between multiple battery compartments arranged in the vertical direction of a battery rack. The battery transport system includes a battery pick-up and placement mechanism for picking up and placing batteries from the battery compartment; the guide mechanism includes a guide assembly and at least two guide columns of the battery rack, the guide columns are arranged in the vertical direction, and the guide assembly is connected between the guide columns and the battery pick-up and placement mechanism; the sprocket of the transmission mechanism is fixed on the guide column, the chain is sleeved on the two sprockets, and the two ends of the chain are fixedly connected to the battery pick-up and placement mechanism, and any sprocket rotates to move the chain in the vertical direction to drive the battery pick-up and placement mechanism to move up and down. With the present invention, the chain is sleeved on the two sprockets, and its transmission is relatively stable, which can drive the battery pick-up and placement mechanism to move up and down smoothly; the battery pick-up and placement mechanism moves up and down along the guide column in the vertical direction, which can improve the positioning efficiency and the pick-up and placement efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a battery transport system with a sprocket chain and a battery swap station or an energy storage station. Background Art

[0002] As the battery charging time of electric vehicles is limited, quick-swap electric vehicles have been accepted by more and more users. It is only necessary to replace the depleted battery pack and install a fully charged battery pack in the battery swap station, saving a long battery charging time. The battery swap station is equipped with: battery swap equipment for battery removal or installation, battery transport equipment for transporting battery packs, and charging equipment for charging battery packs.

[0003] The existing battery transfer device usually realizes lifting and moving through a guide mechanism, a transmission mechanism and a drive mechanism, so as to transfer the battery between the battery positions. The Chinese patent application with publication number CN110901601A discloses an AGV charging station, which adopts the principle of multi-axis linkage and the design of a multi-axis system, specifically exchanges and charges the battery in the direction of X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis and battery pulling and pushing, removes the battery from the AGV trolley and puts the battery into the load-bearing frame. The Chinese patent application with publication number CN111717062A discloses a battery replacement system for a heavy truck and a method of using it, wherein the mechanical arm on the battery replacement stacker can move under the load of the lifting device and the lateral movement device to take and place the battery. The Chinese patent application with publication number CN211733721U discloses a battery transfer device, in which the battery lifting mechanism is arranged in the cavity formed by the main frame and can be lifted and lowered vertically relative to the main frame, and also includes a chain and a sprocket arranged around the frame, and the battery lifting mechanism is driven to lift and lower by the chain. However, the chain is only connected on one side of the end, and the transmission is unstable.

[0004] However, the transfer device disclosed in the above-mentioned prior art has a complex structure, low flexibility, and is not easy to expand, which limits its scope of application; moreover, the entire lifting process lacks stability and is prone to tilting, jamming, collision, etc., resulting in damage to the equipment.

[0005] In addition, battery swap stations built in traditional ways are mostly integrated structures, which require the relevant materials to be transported to the site before construction. The battery swap station itself has a large space and the corresponding construction materials are also large in specifications. This is not only inconvenient for transportation and high in cost, but also has a long construction period and is not conducive to later expansion and upgrading of battery swap equipment.

[0006] The Chinese patent application with publication number CN106043247A discloses a modular and expandable battery swap station equipment and charging rack. The battery storage modules in the charging rack are stacked together in a building block manner, and the battery transfer device can travel through the battery storage modules. The Chinese patent application with publication number CN208181025U discloses a battery warehouse and a new energy vehicle battery swap station, wherein the battery warehouse has a plurality of battery racks arranged in series, and each battery rack is respectively provided with a corresponding elevator, or the battery racks share one elevator. However, they are all for splicing the charging warehouses in the battery racks. When constructing a battery swap station, the charging warehouses still need to be spliced ​​in sequence, and the battery swap station itself cannot be modularized. Summary of the invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the defects of complex structure and poor flexibility of the battery transportation system in the prior art, and to provide a battery transportation system and a battery swap station or energy storage station with a sprocket chain.

[0008] The present invention solves the above technical problems through the following technical solutions:

[0009] A battery transport system with a sprocket chain is used to transport batteries between multiple battery positions arranged in a vertical direction of a battery rack, and its characteristics are:

[0010] The battery transport system comprises a battery pick-up and placement mechanism, a guide mechanism and a transmission mechanism, wherein the battery pick-up and placement mechanism is used to pick up and place batteries from the battery compartment; the guide mechanism comprises a guide assembly and at least two guide posts of a battery rack, wherein the guide posts are arranged in a vertical direction, and the guide assembly is connected between the guide posts and the battery pick-up and placement mechanism;

[0011] The transmission mechanism includes a chain and two sprockets; the sprocket is fixed on the guide column, the chain is sleeved on the two sprockets, and both ends of the chain are fixedly connected to the battery pick-up and placement mechanism. The rotation of any one of the sprockets causes the chain to move in the vertical direction to drive the battery pick-up and placement mechanism to move up and down.

[0012] In this solution, the battery pick-up and placement mechanism is lifted and lowered by a sprocket chain, and the chain is set on two sprockets, and its transmission is relatively stable, which can drive the battery pick-up and placement mechanism to lift and lower smoothly. In addition, the battery pick-up and placement mechanism uses the guide column of the battery rack as a lifting guide, and moves up and down in the vertical direction along the guide column, which has a compact structure and simple control, and can improve the positioning efficiency and the picking and placing efficiency.

[0013] Preferably, two ends of the chain are arranged on the side wall of the battery taking and placing mechanism at a preset interval along the vertical direction.

[0014] In this solution, both ends of the chain are connected to the side walls of the battery pick-and-place mechanism in the vertical direction, which can facilitate the arrangement of the chain and enable the chain to be transmitted in the vertical direction, thereby driving the battery pick-and-place mechanism to rise and fall in the vertical direction.

[0015] Preferably, two ends of the chain are respectively connected to upper and lower edge positions of the side wall of the battery taking and placing mechanism along the vertical direction.

[0016] In this solution, the two ends of the chain are respectively arranged at the upper and lower edge positions of the side wall of the battery pick-and-place mechanism, so that the relative distance between the two connection ends of the chain is larger, which can make the connection more stable.

[0017] Preferably, at least one end of the chain is movable in a vertical direction relative to the battery access mechanism to adjust the tension of the chain.

[0018] In this solution, the connection between the chain and the battery pick-and-place mechanism can be adjusted relative to the battery pick-and-place mechanism, so that the tension of the chain can be adjusted, so that the transmission of the chain to the battery pick-and-place mechanism is more stable and has higher transmission accuracy.

[0019] Preferably, at least one transmission mechanism is provided on each side of the battery pick-and-place mechanism, the number of the guide columns is at least two, the guide columns are provided at the middle positions on both sides of the battery pick-and-place mechanism, or the guide columns are provided at the four end positions of the battery pick-and-place mechanism.

[0020] Preferably, there are two transmission mechanisms, and the two transmission mechanisms are arranged at the middle positions on both sides of the battery pick-and-place mechanism, and the two guide posts are correspondingly located at the middle positions on both sides of the battery pick-and-place mechanism.

[0021] In this solution, the battery pick-up and placement mechanism is driven by a transmission mechanism disposed at a middle position, which can simplify the structure and enable the battery pick-up and placement mechanism to be driven smoothly.

[0022] Preferably, the number of the transmission mechanisms is four, and the four transmission mechanisms are respectively arranged at the four ends of the battery pick-and-place mechanism, and the four guide columns are correspondingly located at the four end positions of the battery pick-and-place mechanism.

[0023] In this solution, the four ends are respectively transmitted through four transmission mechanisms, which can improve the stability of the transmission; accordingly, the four ends are provided with guide columns, which can guide the four ends and improve the stability.

[0024] Preferably, two ends of the chain are respectively connected to upper and lower end angles of corresponding ends of the battery pick-and-place mechanism.

[0025] In this solution, both ends of the chain are connected to the upper and lower end angles of the battery pick-and-place mechanism, which can make the connection between the chain and the battery pick-and-place mechanism more reliable, and each end has a transmission chain, which can also make the transmission smooth.

[0026] Preferably, the battery transport system further comprises a counterweight mechanism, which comprises a counterweight block and a counterweight rope; the counterweight rope is used to connect the counterweight block and the battery pick-and-place mechanism so that the counterweight block balances the lifting and lowering movement of the battery pick-and-place mechanism.

[0027] In this solution, the transmission mechanism can be balanced by the counterweight mechanism, reducing the load-bearing requirements of the transmission mechanism during operation, and also allowing the battery transport device to stably stop at a relative position to a battery compartment.

[0028] Preferably, the battery transport system also includes a top plate, which is arranged on the top of the guide mechanism; the counterweight mechanism also includes a pulley group, which includes a lifting pulley, a counterweight pulley and a transition pulley, the lifting pulley is connected to the battery picking and placing mechanism, the counterweight pulley is connected to the counterweight block, and the transition pulley is connected to the counterweight cable, and the transition pulley is used to change the extension direction of the counterweight cable so that the counterweight cable bypasses the lifting pulley and the counterweight pulley; both ends of the counterweight cable are respectively connected to the top plate, and the counterweight cable bypasses the lifting pulley, the transition pulley and the counterweight pulley in turn.

[0029] In this solution, the lifting pulley is arranged at the bottom of the battery access mechanism, and the outer walls of the two side plates of the battery access mechanism are connected with the lifting pulley; so that the counterweight rope can bypass from the bottom of the battery access mechanism, which can not only balance the lifting and lowering movement of the battery access mechanism, but also play a safety role. The counterweight pulley is connected to the top of the counterweight block; so that the counterweight rope can bypass from the top of the counterweight block to avoid interference with the counterweight block.

[0030] Preferably, the battery transport device further comprises a driving mechanism, which comprises at least one driving motor, and the driving motor is connected to any one of the sprockets in the transmission mechanism to drive the sprocket to rotate and drive the battery pick-and-place mechanism to move up and down.

[0031] Preferably, the number of the drive motors is two, the two drive motors are arranged on one side of the battery picking and placing mechanism, and the drive motors are respectively connected to the sprockets arranged oppositely on both sides of the battery picking and placing mechanism, so that the two oppositely arranged sprockets rotate synchronously; wherein, the two sides of the battery picking and placing mechanism refer to the two sides with the telescopic direction of the battery picking and placing mechanism as the axis.

[0032] In this solution, the drive motor is placed on one side of the battery pick-and-place mechanism, and the drive motor can control two opposite sprockets at the same time, so that the layout of the drive motor is more reasonable, and the sprockets on both sides of the battery pick-and-place mechanism can rotate synchronously to drive the battery pick-and-place mechanism to move smoothly.

[0033] Preferably, the driving mechanism further comprises a coaxial connector, the output shaft of the driving motor is connected to the input end of the coaxial connector, and the coaxial connector penetrates and connects the corresponding two sprockets.

[0034] In this solution, one output shaft of the driving motor is output as multiple shafts through a coaxial connector, thereby achieving synchronous rotation of the sprockets on both sides of the battery pick-and-place mechanism.

[0035] Preferably, relative to the guide columns arranged on both sides of the extension and retraction direction of the battery pick-up and placement mechanism, two columns in the battery rack facing the battery pick-up and placement mechanism are reused.

[0036] In this solution, the guide mechanism reuses the columns of the battery rack on one side. On the one hand, it can reduce space waste, make the space more compact, and reduce the footprint. On the other hand, the battery transfer system can be closer to the battery rack, reducing the pick-up and placement distance and improving the pick-up and placement efficiency.

[0037] Preferably, the battery transport system is arranged between two columns of battery racks arranged at a preset interval, and the battery pick-up and placement mechanism is arranged to be telescopically movable toward the two columns of battery racks to pick up and place batteries; the four guide columns respectively reuse the four columns of the two columns of battery racks toward the battery pick-up and placement mechanism.

[0038] In this solution, the guide mechanism reuses the four columns of the battery racks on both sides, and the battery transfer system can be directly operated between two opposite battery racks without installing additional guide columns, which can improve strength and reduce costs. The structure is simple and compact, and the installation process saves manpower and material resources, which improves the operating efficiency of the entire system. In addition, the guidance is carried out from the four ends of the battery pick-up and placement mechanism, so that the movement stability of the battery pick-up and placement mechanism is maximized, and at the same time, the structure of the guide mechanism is simplified. The guidance is completely achieved by reusing the columns of the battery rack, and the optimal design of the transfer equipment and the battery rack structure is obtained, which reduces the complexity of the structure, makes the overall structure more compact, has higher strength, and saves space resources; and it is convenient for the battery pick-up and placement mechanism to pick up and place batteries from the battery racks on both sides, which improves the efficiency of battery pick-up and placement.

[0039] Preferably, the reused column has a transmission surface that cooperates with the transmission mechanism, and / or the reused column has a guide surface that cooperates with the battery placement mechanism.

[0040] In this solution, the column has a transmission surface that matches the transmission mechanism. In the specific implementation, the two sprockets in the transmission mechanism are fixed on the transmission surface. After the chain is set on the two sprockets, the two ends are connected to the battery pick-up and placement mechanism, so as to transmit and improve the accuracy of the transmission direction. The column can also have a guide surface that matches the battery pick-up and placement mechanism, so as to guide the lifting and moving of the battery pick-up and placement mechanism, realize the installation of the transmission mechanism and the guidance of the battery pick-up and placement mechanism, simplify the overall structure, make the connection between the two more compact, and can improve the guiding strength, reduce costs, save manpower and material resources during the installation process, and improve the operating efficiency of the entire system.

[0041] Preferably, the guide assembly comprises a guide rail and a guide shoe, wherein the guide rail is arranged on the side of the guide column facing the battery pick-up and placement mechanism; the guide shoe is arranged on the battery pick-up and placement mechanism and is movably connected to the guide rail.

[0042] In this solution, the guide rails and guide shoes enable the battery pick-up and placement mechanism to be lifted and lowered relative to the guide mechanism, so that the movement of the battery pick-up and placement mechanism is more stable.

[0043] A battery swap station or energy storage station is used to replace batteries in electric vehicles. Its characteristic is that the battery swap station or energy storage station includes a battery transport system with a sprocket chain as described above.

[0044] Preferably, the battery swap station or energy storage station is formed by splicing at least two boxes together, and at least two of the boxes have a connecting part that communicates with each other from top to bottom.

[0045] The battery swap station or energy storage station further includes a battery rack, which is arranged in the vertical direction in the connecting portion; the battery rack includes a plurality of battery positions arranged in the vertical direction;

[0046] The guide mechanism of the battery transport system is arranged in the connecting part; the battery picking and placing mechanism of the battery transport system moves up and down along the guide mechanism to pick up and place batteries from the plurality of battery storage positions.

[0047] In this solution, the battery swap station or energy storage station can be a box-shaped device composed of multiple boxes stacked up and down, and the boxes are independent of each other. During the construction process, after the components in the box are installed, the stacked box-shaped equipment can be divided into multiple upper and lower boxes for transportation separately to meet road transportation requirements and facilitate on-site installation and commissioning after transportation. In addition, the stacking of boxes can reduce the land area, improve land utilization rate, and accommodate more battery packs under the same land area. The lower box is connected to the upper box, so that the battery swap equipment or battery transfer equipment inside the stacked box-shaped equipment can move unimpeded along the height direction of the stacked box-shaped equipment. The extension of the stacked box-shaped equipment in the height direction can enable the battery swap station or energy storage station or energy storage station to accommodate more battery packs and more types of battery packs, thereby improving the battery swap efficiency and operation capacity of the battery swap station or energy storage station or energy storage station.

[0048] Preferably, the battery swap station or energy storage station comprises a first box body arranged at the bottom, both sides of the first box body are battery storage areas, and the middle of the first box body is a battery swap area;

[0049] The battery swap station or energy storage station also includes a second box, which is at least arranged above the battery storage area of ​​the first box and is connected to the battery storage area of ​​the first box to form the connecting part.

[0050] In this solution, the two sides of the first box body are battery storage areas, and the middle is a battery replacement area, so that the battery can be taken in and removed from both sides of the electric vehicle, improving the battery replacement efficiency, and also making use of the space on both sides to improve the utilization rate. In addition, the second box body is at least arranged above the battery storage area of ​​the first box body, which can achieve the expansion of the battery compartment height direction and save box body materials.

[0051] The positive and progressive effect of the present invention is that the battery pick-up and placement mechanism is driven to rise and fall by the sprocket chain, and the chain is set on two sprockets, and its transmission is relatively stable, which can drive the battery pick-up and placement mechanism to rise and fall smoothly. In addition, the battery pick-up and placement mechanism uses the guide column of the battery rack as a lifting guide, and moves up and down in the vertical direction along the guide column, which has a compact structure and simple control, and can improve the positioning efficiency and the picking and placing efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a battery transport system provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a battery transport system provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a battery transport system provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the counterweight mechanism is removed;

[0055] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of a battery transport system provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the transmission mechanism is removed;

[0056] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a battery transport system provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the transmission mechanism is removed;

[0057] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of the connection between the chain and the battery pick-and-place mechanism in the battery transport system provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of a guide assembly in a battery transport system provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0059] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of a battery transport system and a battery rack provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0060] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of a battery swap station or energy storage station provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Description of reference numerals:

[0062] Battery transport system1

[0063] Battery pick-and-place mechanism 110

[0064] Side Panel 111

[0065] Mounting 112

[0066] Guide mechanism 120

[0067] Guide column 121

[0068] Guide assembly 122

[0069] Guide Rail 1221

[0070] Extension 12211

[0071] Guide shoe 1222

[0072] Guide groove 12221

[0073] Transmission mechanism 130

[0074] Chain 131

[0075] First end 1311

[0076] Second end 1312

[0077] Sprocket 132

[0078] Connecting rod 141

[0079] Fixed seat 142

[0080] Nut 143

[0081] Driving mechanism 150

[0082] Drive motor 151

[0083] Coaxial connector 152

[0084] Top plate 160

[0085] Counterweight mechanism 170

[0086] Counterweight 171

[0087] Counterweight cable 172

[0088] Lifting pulley 1731

[0089] Counterweight pulley 1732

[0090] Transition pulley 1733

[0091] First transition pulley 17331

[0092] Second transition pulley 17332

[0093] Battery rack 2

[0094] Battery compartment 210

[0095] Column 220

[0096] Battery swap station or energy storage station 3

[0097] First box 310

[0098] Second box 320 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0099] The present invention is further described below by way of examples, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of the examples.

[0100] The embodiment of the present invention provides a battery transport system 1 with a sprocket chain, which can be used to transport batteries of electric vehicles. Specifically, the battery transport system 1 can be used to transport batteries between multiple battery positions 210 arranged in the vertical direction of a battery rack 2. Figure 8As shown, the battery slots 210 are arranged on the battery rack 2 in sequence from bottom to top, and each battery slot 210 can be used to accommodate batteries for charging. The battery transportation system 1 can be moved to one side of the opening of the battery slot 210 to place the battery into the battery slot 210 or take the battery out of the battery slot 210, thereby realizing the transportation of batteries between multiple battery slots 210.

[0101] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the battery transport system 1 includes a battery picking and placing mechanism 110, a guide mechanism 120 and a transmission mechanism 130. The battery picking and placing mechanism 110 is used to pick up and place batteries from the battery compartment 210; the guide mechanism 120 includes a guide assembly 122 and at least two guide columns 121 of the battery rack, the guide column 121 is arranged along the vertical direction, and the guide assembly 122 is connected between the guide column 121 and the battery picking and placing mechanism 110.

[0102] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the transmission mechanism 130 includes a chain 131 and two sprockets 132; the sprockets 132 are fixed on the guide column 121, the chain 131 is sleeved on the two sprockets 132, and both ends of the chain 131 are fixedly connected to the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110. The rotation of any sprocket 132 causes the chain 131 to move in the vertical direction to drive the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110 to move up and down.

[0103] The battery pick-and-place mechanism 110 is driven to rise and fall by the chain 131 through the sprocket 132. The chain 131 is sleeved on the two sprockets 132, and its transmission is relatively stable, which can drive the battery pick-and-place mechanism 110 to rise and fall smoothly. In addition, the battery pick-and-place mechanism 110 is moved up and down in the vertical direction along the guide column 121, which can improve the positioning efficiency and the pick-and-place efficiency.

[0104] In specific implementation, Figure 1-3 As shown, two sprockets 132 can be respectively arranged at the upper and lower ends of the guide column 121, and the chain 131 can be sleeved on the two sprockets 132 in the vertical direction. Any one of the upper and lower sprockets 132 can be used as a driving sprocket 132, and driven by a driving motor 151, thereby driving the movement of the chain 131, so that the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110 fixedly connected to the chain 131 can be lifted and moved. In addition, a guide assembly 122 can be arranged between the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110 and the guide column 121 to improve the stability of the guide. A counterweight mechanism can also be arranged and connected to the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110, and the movement of the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110 can be balanced by the counterweight mechanism.

[0105] As a preferred embodiment, two ends of the chain 131 are disposed on the side wall of the battery placing and retrieving mechanism 110 at a preset interval along the vertical direction.

[0106] In specific implementation, Figure 6 As shown, the battery access mechanism 110 can be fixed to both ends of the chain 131, so as to achieve follow-up movement with the chain 131. When fixed to the battery access mechanism 110, there can be a preset interval between the two ends of the chain 131, which is convenient for leaving enough space for connection on the one hand, and can also make the connection more stable on the other hand.

[0107] Specifically, Figure 6 As shown, the two ends of the chain 131 are respectively connected to the upper and lower edges of the side wall of the battery pick-and-place mechanism 110 in the vertical direction, so that the relative distance between the two connection ends of the chain 131 is larger, which can make the connection more stable.

[0108] As a preferred implementation method, Figure 6 As shown, at least one end of the chain 131 is movable in the vertical direction relative to the battery pick-and-place mechanism 110 to adjust the tension of the chain 131. This makes the transmission of the chain 131 to the battery pick-and-place mechanism 110 more stable and more accurate.

[0109] In specific implementation, Figure 6 As shown, the two ends of the chain 131131 are a first end 1311 and a second end 1312, and the first end 1311 and the second end 1312 are both connected to the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110, and the distance between the first end 1311 and the second end 1312 can be adjusted. The battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110 includes a mounting member 112, and the mounting member 112 is used to fix the chain 131. Specifically, a connecting portion is provided on the mounting member 112, and the first end 311 and the second end 312 are connected to the mounting member 112 from the top and the bottom of the mounting member 112 respectively through two connecting portions. The connecting portion specifically includes a connecting rod 141, a fixing seat 142 and a plurality of nuts 143. One end of the connecting rod 141 has a pin hole, which is used to be fixed with the end of the chain 131131 by pin connection, so that the connecting rod 141 and the end of the chain 131131 can be simply and reliably connected. The other end surface of the connecting rod 141 has a thread, and the fixing seat 142 is fixed on the mounting member 112. The fixing seat 142 is provided with a mounting hole for the threaded end of the connecting rod 141 to pass through. The nuts 143 are fixed to the threaded end of the connecting rod 141 by threaded connection, so that the connecting rod 141 is positioned on the fixing seat 142.

[0110] In addition, the connecting portion may also be disposed at other positions of the battery taking and placing mechanism 110 , which may be selected accordingly according to the number and position of the transmission mechanisms 130 .

[0111] As a preferred embodiment, at least one transmission mechanism 130 is provided on each side of the battery picking and placing mechanism 110, the number of guide columns 121 is at least two, guide columns 121 are provided at the middle positions on both sides of the battery picking and placing mechanism 110, or guide columns 121 are provided at the four end positions of the battery picking and placing mechanism 110.

[0112] In a specific implementation, there may be two transmission mechanisms 130 , which are disposed at the middle positions on both sides of the battery pick-and-place mechanism 110 , and the two guide posts 121 are correspondingly located at the middle positions on both sides of the battery pick-and-place mechanism 110 .

[0113] Alternatively, the number of the transmission mechanisms 130 may be four, and the four transmission mechanisms 130 are respectively disposed at the four ends of the battery pick-and-place mechanism 110 , and the four guide posts 121 are correspondingly located at the four end positions of the battery pick-and-place mechanism 110 .

[0114] The number of transmission mechanisms 130 can be selected accordingly according to actual conditions. Generally, each transmission mechanism 130 corresponds to a guide column 121 or a guide surface to guide the battery pick-and-place mechanism 110 to rise and fall, thereby improving the stability of movement.

[0115] As a preferred implementation method, Figure 1 As shown, the two ends of the chain 131 are respectively connected to the upper and lower end angle positions of the corresponding ends of the battery pick-and-place mechanism 110. Therefore, each end has a transmission chain 131, which can also make the transmission stable.

[0116] As a preferred implementation method, Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the battery transport system 11 also includes a top plate 160 and a counterweight mechanism 170, and the top plate 160 is arranged on the top of the guide mechanism 120120; the counterweight mechanism 170 includes a counterweight block 171, a counterweight rope 172 and a pulley group, and the pulley group includes a lifting pulley 1731, a counterweight pulley 1732 and a transition pulley 1733, the lifting pulley 1731 is connected to the battery picking and placing mechanism 110, the counterweight pulley 1732 is connected to the counterweight block 171, and the transition pulley 1733 is connected to the counterweight rope 172, and the transition pulley 1733 is used to change the extension direction of the counterweight rope 172 so that the counterweight rope 172 bypasses the lifting pulley 1731 and the counterweight pulley 1732; both ends of the counterweight rope 172 are respectively connected to the top plate 160, and the counterweight rope 172 bypasses the lifting pulley 1731, the transition pulley 1733 and the counterweight pulley 1732 in turn.

[0117] like Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, in a specific implementation, the lifting pulley 1731 is arranged at the bottom of the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110, and the outer walls of the two side plates 111 of the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110 are connected with the lifting pulley 1731; so that the counterweight cable 172 can bypass from the bottom of the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110, which can not only balance the lifting and lowering movement of the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110, but also play a safety role. The counterweight pulley 1732 is connected to the top of the counterweight block 171; so that the counterweight cable 172 can bypass from the top of the counterweight block 171 to avoid interference with the counterweight block 171. In addition, the pulley block includes at least two transition pulleys 1733, namely a first transition pulley 17331 and a second transition pulley 17332. The first transition pulley 17331 is arranged above the lifting pulley 1731, and the counterweight cable 172 passes around the lifting pulley 1731 and then extends upward in the vertical direction to connect with the first transition pulley 17331; the second transition pulley 17332 is arranged above the counterweight pulley 1732; and the counterweight cable 172 passes around the second transition pulley 17332 and then extends downward in the vertical direction to connect with the counterweight pulley 1732. Thus, the counterweight cable 172 passes around the lifting pulley 1731, the transition pulley 1733 and the counterweight pulley 1732 in sequence, so that the counterweight block 171 is connected to the battery pick-and-place mechanism 110, so that the counterweight block 171 can balance the lifting and lowering movement of the battery pick-and-place mechanism 110.

[0118] The second transition pulley 17332 is preferably at the same horizontal position as the first transition pulley 17331, so as to avoid the height difference and waste of space. In addition, the transition pulley 1733 can also be fixedly connected to the top plate 160 to achieve the change of the direction of the counterweight cable 172.

[0119] As a preferred embodiment, the battery transport device also includes a driving mechanism 150, which includes at least one driving motor 151. The driving motor 151 is connected to any sprocket 132 in the transmission mechanism 130 to drive the sprocket 132 to rotate and drive the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110 to move up and down.

[0120] In a specific implementation, the driving motor 151 can be connected to any one of the upper and lower sprockets 132. The sprocket 132 connected to the driving motor 151 is a driving wheel, which can drive the chain 131 to rotate; correspondingly, the other sprocket 132 is a driven sprocket 132. In addition, the driving motor 151 can be arranged at a suitable position above or below to meet the requirements of various situations.

[0121] As a preferred implementation method, Figure 3As shown, there are two drive motors 151, which are arranged on one side of the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110, and the drive motors 151 are respectively connected to the sprockets 132 arranged oppositely on both sides of the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110, so that the two oppositely arranged sprockets 132 rotate synchronously; wherein, the two sides of the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110 refer to the two sides with the extension direction of the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110 as the axis. Thus, the layout of the drive motors 151 is more reasonable, and the sprockets 132 on both sides of the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110 can rotate synchronously to drive the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110 to move smoothly.

[0122] As a preferred implementation method, Figure 3 As shown, the drive mechanism 150 further includes a coaxial connector 152, the output shaft of the drive motor 151 is connected to the input end of the coaxial connector 152, and the coaxial connector 152 penetrates and connects the corresponding two sprockets 132. Thus, the sprockets 132 on both sides of the battery pick-and-place mechanism 110 rotate synchronously.

[0123] As a preferred implementation, relative to the guide posts 121 disposed on both sides of the extension and retraction direction of the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110 , two upright posts 220 in the battery rack 2 facing the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110 are reused.

[0124] As another preferred implementation, Figure 8 As shown, the battery transport system 1 is arranged between two columns of battery racks 2 arranged at a preset interval, and the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110 is arranged to be telescopically movable toward the two columns of battery racks 2 to pick up and place batteries; the four guide columns 121 respectively reuse the four columns 220 of the two columns of battery racks 2 toward the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110.

[0125] In the above two embodiments, the guide mechanism 120 can reuse the columns 220 of the battery rack 2. It can reuse the columns 220 of the battery rack 2 on one side, or reuse the columns 220 of the battery racks 2 on both sides at the same time, so as to reduce space waste, make the space more compact, and reduce the floor space, and on the other hand, the battery transport system 1 can be closer to the battery rack 2, reduce the pick-up and placement distance, and improve the pick-up and placement efficiency. Accordingly, the space between the battery rack 2 and the battery transport equipment is more compact, further reducing the floor space.

[0126] As a preferred embodiment, the reused column 220 has a guide surface that matches the battery placement mechanism 110 .

[0127] In specific implementation, Figure 1 and Figure 8As shown, the column 220 has multiple side walls, one or more of which can be used as guide surfaces. The guide surface refers to the side wall surface used for the lifting and lowering guidance of the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110. This simplifies the overall structure, makes the connection between the two more compact, and can improve the guiding strength, reduce costs, save manpower and material resources during the installation process, and improve the operating efficiency of the entire system.

[0128] As a preferred implementation method, Figure 1 and Figure 7 As shown, the guide assembly 122 includes a guide rail 1221 and a guide shoe 1222 . The guide rail 1221 is disposed on the pillar 121 and extends in the vertical direction. The guide shoe 1222 is disposed on the battery placement mechanism 110 and positioned on the guide rail 1221 . The guide shoe 1222 can move along the extension direction of the guide rail 1221 .

[0129] More specifically, Figure 7 As shown, the surface of the guide rail 1221 has a protruding portion 12211, the protruding portion 12211 extends in the direction in which the guide shoe 1222 is provided, and the guide shoe 1222 is positioned on at least one side of the protruding portion 12211; the guide shoe 1222 has a guide groove 12221 extending in the vertical direction, the guide groove 12221 is used to accommodate the protruding portion 12211, and the inner surface of the guide groove 12221 is in sliding or rolling contact with at least one side of the protruding portion 12211. The protruding portion 12211 of the guide rail 1221 can improve the positioning effect; and at least one guiding side surface can be arranged through the protruding portion 12211 to improve the guiding ability.

[0130] In addition, the counterweight mechanism 170 may also have a guide assembly to guide the counterweight block; the specific structure of the guide assembly may adopt the above-mentioned guide rail guide shoe, or may adopt a guide wheel assembly, or may adopt other structural forms. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, guide rails and guide shoes are provided on both sides of the counterweight mechanism for guidance.

[0131] The embodiment of the present invention further provides a battery swap station or energy storage station 3 for replacing batteries of electric vehicles. The battery swap station or energy storage station 3 includes the battery transport system 1 with sprocket chain as described above.

[0132] As a preferred embodiment, the battery swap station or energy storage station 3 is formed by splicing at least two boxes up and down, and at least two boxes have a connecting part that communicates up and down;

[0133] The battery swap station or energy storage station 3 further includes a battery rack 2, which is arranged in the vertical direction in the connecting part; the battery rack 2 includes a plurality of battery compartments 210 arranged in the vertical direction;

[0134] The guide mechanism 120 of the battery transport system 1 is arranged in the connecting part; the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110 of the battery transport system 1 is lifted and moved along the guide mechanism 120 to pick up and place batteries from multiple battery storage positions 210. The battery swap station or energy storage station 3 is composed of at least two boxes spliced ​​up and down, which is convenient for transportation and on-site assembly. There is a connecting part between the boxes, and the battery compartment, the guide mechanism 120, the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110 and other components can be arranged through the space to achieve full utilization of the longitudinal space. In addition, the battery pick-up and placement mechanism 110 can be lifted and moved in the longitudinal space of the battery swap station or energy storage station 3 under the guidance of the guide mechanism 120 to achieve battery picking and placement of multiple battery storage positions 210.

[0135] The battery swap station or energy storage station 3 can be a box-shaped device composed of multiple boxes stacked up and down, and the boxes are independent of each other. During the construction process, after the components in the box are installed, the stacked box-shaped equipment can be divided into multiple upper and lower boxes for transportation separately to meet road transportation requirements and facilitate on-site installation and commissioning after transportation. In addition, the stacking arrangement between the boxes can reduce the land area, improve land utilization rate, and allow more battery packs to be accommodated under the same land area. The lower box is connected to the upper box, so that the battery swap equipment or battery transfer equipment inside the stacked box-shaped equipment can move unimpeded along the height direction of the stacked box-shaped equipment. The extension of the stacked box-shaped equipment in the height direction can enable the battery swap station or energy storage station or energy storage station to accommodate more battery packs and more types of battery packs, thereby improving the battery swap efficiency and operation capacity of the battery swap station or energy storage station or energy storage station.

[0136] As a preferred implementation method, Fig. 9 As shown, the battery swap station or energy storage station 3 includes a first box 310 disposed at the bottom, the two sides of the first box 310 are battery storage areas, and the middle of the first box 310 is a battery swap area; the battery swap station or energy storage station 3 also includes a second box 320, and the second box 320 is at least disposed above the battery storage area of ​​the first box 310, and is connected to the battery storage area of ​​the first box 310. In this way, the battery can be taken in and removed from both sides of the electric vehicle, which improves the efficiency of battery swapping, and the space on both sides can also be used to improve the utilization rate. In addition, the second box 320 is at least disposed above the battery storage area of ​​the first box 310, which can achieve the expansion of the height direction of the battery compartment 210 and save box materials.

[0137] As a preferred embodiment, at least one row of battery racks 2 is provided in the battery storage area; the battery picking and placing mechanism 110 is located on one side of the entrance and exit of the battery compartment 210 of the battery rack 2; the guide mechanism 120 is arranged along the vertical direction and corresponds to the battery compartment 210, so as to guide the vertical lifting and lowering of the battery picking and placing mechanism 110 to pick up and place the battery.

[0138] As a preferred embodiment, the guide mechanism 120 includes at least two guide columns 121 arranged along the vertical direction, wherein the two guide columns 121 are along the inlet and outlet directions of the battery compartment 210 and are arranged at both ends of the battery picking and placing mechanism 110; the two guide columns 121 reuse the two columns 220 of the battery rack 2 close to the battery picking and placing mechanism 110.

[0139] As a preferred implementation method, Figure 8 As shown, the battery pick-and-place mechanism 110 is located between two rows of battery racks 2 that are arranged opposite to each other at a predetermined interval; the guide mechanism 120 includes four guide columns 121 along the vertical direction, and the four guide columns 121 are arranged one by one at the four end positions of the battery pick-and-place mechanism 110, and the four guide columns 121 reuse the four columns 220 of the two rows of battery racks 2 close to the battery pick-and-place mechanism 110; the gear 132 is connected to the side of the battery pick-and-place mechanism 110 facing the column 220.

[0140] The guide mechanism 120 reuses the columns 220 of the battery racks 2 on both sides, and the battery pick-and-place mechanism 110 can pick and place batteries on the battery racks 2 on both sides, which can not only improve the pick-and-place efficiency, but also save resources of the battery pick-and-place mechanism 110. Moreover, the space between the battery rack 2 and the battery pick-and-place mechanism 110 is more compact, further reducing the occupied area.

[0141] Although the specific embodiments of the present invention are described above, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that this is only for illustration and the protection 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, but these changes and modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery transport system with a sprocket chain, the battery transport system is used to transport batteries between multiple battery positions arranged in a vertical direction of a battery rack, characterized in that: The battery transport system comprises a battery pick-up and placement mechanism, a guide mechanism and a transmission mechanism, wherein the battery pick-up and placement mechanism is used to pick up and place batteries from the battery compartment; the guide mechanism comprises a guide assembly and at least two guide posts of the battery rack, wherein the guide posts are arranged in a vertical direction, and the guide assembly is connected between the guide posts and the battery pick-up and placement mechanism; The transmission mechanism includes a chain and two sprockets; the sprockets are fixed on the guide column, the chain is sleeved on the two sprockets, and both ends of the chain are fixedly connected to the battery pick-up and placement mechanism, and any rotation of the sprockets causes the chain to move in the vertical direction to drive the battery pick-up and placement mechanism to move up and down; The battery transport device further includes a driving mechanism, wherein the driving mechanism includes at least one driving motor, and the driving motor is connected to any of the sprockets in the transmission mechanism to drive the sprocket to rotate and drive the battery pick-and-place mechanism to move up and down; There are two drive motors, which are arranged on one side of the battery pick-up and placement mechanism, and the drive motors are respectively connected to the sprockets arranged oppositely on two sides of the battery pick-up and placement mechanism, so that the two sprockets arranged oppositely rotate synchronously; wherein the two sides of the battery pick-up and placement mechanism refer to the two sides with the telescopic direction of the battery pick-up and placement mechanism as the axis; The guide columns arranged on both sides of the extension and retraction direction of the battery pick-up and placement mechanism reuse the two columns in the battery rack facing the battery pick-up and placement mechanism.

2. The battery transport system with sprocket chain according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two ends of the chain are arranged on the side wall of the battery taking and placing mechanism at a preset interval along the vertical direction.

3. The battery transport system with sprocket chain as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The two ends of the chain are respectively connected to the upper and lower edge positions of the side wall of the battery taking and placing mechanism along the vertical direction.

4. The battery transport system with sprocket chain according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least one end of the chain is movable in a vertical direction relative to the battery taking and placing mechanism to adjust the tension of the chain.

5. The battery transport system with sprocket chain according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least one transmission mechanism is disposed on each side of the battery pick-and-place mechanism, the number of the guide columns is at least two, the guide columns are disposed at the middle positions on both sides of the battery pick-and-place mechanism, or the guide columns are disposed at the four end positions of the battery pick-and-place mechanism.

6. The battery transport system with sprocket chain according to claim 5, characterized in that: There are two transmission mechanisms, which are arranged at the middle positions on both sides of the battery pick-and-place mechanism, and the two guide posts are correspondingly located at the middle positions on both sides of the battery pick-and-place mechanism.

7. The battery transport system with sprocket chain according to claim 5, characterized in that: The number of the transmission mechanisms is four, and the four transmission mechanisms are respectively arranged at the four ends of the battery pick-and-place mechanism, and the four guide columns are correspondingly located at the four end positions of the battery pick-and-place mechanism.

8. The battery transport system with sprocket chain according to claim 7, characterized in that: The two ends of the chain are respectively connected to the upper and lower end angle positions of the corresponding ends of the battery taking and placing mechanism.

9. The battery transport system with sprocket chain according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery transport system also includes a counterweight mechanism, which includes a counterweight block and a counterweight rope; the counterweight rope is used to connect the counterweight block and the battery pick-up and placement mechanism so that the counterweight block balances the lifting and lowering movement of the battery pick-up and placement mechanism.

10. The battery transport system with sprocket chain according to claim 9, characterized in that: The battery transport system also includes a top plate, which is arranged on the top of the guide mechanism; the counterweight mechanism also includes a pulley group, which includes a lifting pulley, a counterweight pulley and a transition pulley, the lifting pulley is connected to the battery picking and placing mechanism, the counterweight pulley is connected to the counterweight block, and the transition pulley is connected to the counterweight cable, and the transition pulley is used to change the extension direction of the counterweight cable so that the counterweight cable bypasses the lifting pulley and the counterweight pulley; both ends of the counterweight cable are respectively connected to the top plate, and the counterweight cable bypasses the lifting pulley, the transition pulley and the counterweight pulley in turn.

11. The battery transport system with sprocket chain according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving mechanism further comprises a coaxial connector, the output shaft of the driving motor is connected to the input end of the coaxial connector, and the coaxial connector penetrates and connects the two corresponding sprockets.

12. The battery transport system with sprocket chain according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery transport system is arranged between two rows of battery racks arranged at a preset interval, and the battery pick-up and placement mechanism is arranged to be telescopically movable toward the two rows of battery racks to pick up and place batteries; The four guide posts respectively reuse the four upright posts of the two rows of battery racks toward the battery pick-and-place mechanism.

13. The battery transport system with sprocket chain according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The reused column has a transmission surface that matches the transmission mechanism, and / or the reused column has a guide surface that matches the battery placement mechanism.

14. The battery transport system with sprocket chain according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide assembly comprises a guide rail and a guide shoe. The guide rail is arranged on the side of the guide column facing the battery pick-and-place mechanism; the guide shoe is arranged on the battery pick-and-place mechanism and is movably connected to the guide rail.

15. A battery replacement station for replacing batteries in electric vehicles, characterized in that: The battery swap station comprises a battery transport system having a sprocket chain as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The battery swap station according to claim 15, characterized in that: The battery swap station is formed by splicing at least two boxes up and down, and at least two of the boxes have a connecting part that communicates up and down; The battery swap station further includes a battery rack, which is arranged in the vertical direction in the connecting portion; the battery rack includes a plurality of battery positions arranged in the vertical direction; The guide mechanism of the battery transport system is arranged in the connecting part; the battery picking and placing mechanism of the battery transport system moves up and down along the guide mechanism to pick up and place batteries from the plurality of battery storage positions.

17. The battery swap station according to claim 16, characterized in that: The battery swap station includes a first box body disposed at the bottom, both sides of the first box body are battery storage areas, and the middle of the first box body is a battery swap area; The battery swap station further includes a second box, which is disposed at least above the battery storage area of ​​the first box and is connected to the battery storage area of ​​the first box to form the connecting portion.

18. An energy storage station for replacing batteries in electric vehicles, characterized in that: The energy storage station comprises a battery transport system having a sprocket chain as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14.

19. The energy storage station according to claim 18, characterized in that: The energy storage station is formed by splicing at least two boxes up and down, and at least two of the boxes have a connecting part that communicates up and down; The energy storage station further comprises a battery rack, which is arranged in the vertical direction in the connecting portion; the battery rack comprises a plurality of battery positions arranged in the vertical direction; The guide mechanism of the battery transport system is arranged in the connecting part; the battery picking and placing mechanism of the battery transport system moves up and down along the guide mechanism to pick up and place batteries from the plurality of battery storage positions.

20. The energy storage station according to claim 19, characterized in that: The energy storage station includes a first box body arranged at the bottom, both sides of the first box body are battery storage areas, and the middle of the first box body is a battery replacement area; The energy storage station further includes a second box body, which is at least arranged above the battery storage area of ​​the first box body and is connected to the battery storage area of ​​the first box body to form the connecting part.

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