Battery box locking mechanism for electric vehicles

Abstract

The present invention provides a battery box locking mechanism for an electric vehicle, which comprises a bolt shaft, a housing, a sliding sleeve, an engaging end plate, a base, a spring and a cover plate. The bolt shaft is arranged in the housing, and the sliding sleeve, the engaging end plate and the base are sequentially sleeved on the bolt shaft and are all limited by the spring; vertical bosses are uniformly distributed on the inner wall of the housing; the plum blossom angle structure at the lower part of the bolt shaft matches the plum blossom angle structure on the inner hole of the sliding sleeve; the teeth on the engaging end plate and the sliding sleeve are engaged with each other; the bottom of the base is in coaxial clearance fit with the bottom of the housing; the spring comprises a first spring and a second spring, the first spring is arranged between the shaft shoulder and the engaging end plate, and the second spring is arranged between the sliding sleeve and the base; the counterbores and through holes arranged at intervals on the cover plate respectively correspond to the first fixing holes and the second fixing holes on the housing. The structure of the present invention is reasonably designed and easy to operate, can rigidly and reliably fix the battery box, and effectively prevents the battery box from loosening in a vibration environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of electric vehicles, and particularly relates to a battery box locking mechanism for an electric vehicle. Background Art

[0002] With the large-scale popularization of electric vehicles, how to efficiently and quickly recharge electric vehicles has become a generally concerned issue. At present, there are mainly two energy replenishment modes: charging mode and battery swapping mode. Compared with the charging mode, the battery swapping mode can adopt the vehicle-battery separation mode, and the battery swapping mode can quickly replenish the energy of the electric vehicle, eliminating the concern of users about the long charging waiting time. Since the battery box in the battery swapping mode is charged in a constant temperature and humidity environment in the battery swapping station and maintained by professional personnel, it is beneficial to improve the battery life and charging safety.

[0003] For the battery swapping mode, the battery box locking mechanism is particularly important as one of the key carriers connecting the battery box body and the vehicle body. Due to the characteristics of the large volume and heavy weight of the battery box, in order to ensure reliable locking, the current unlocking and locking devices have complex structural designs, multiple locking points, and high precision requirements. Therefore, the inventor proposes a new battery box locking mechanism for electric vehicles using battery swapping to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Aiming at the above deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention aims to provide a battery box locking mechanism for an electric vehicle, solve problems such as the complex structure and low reliability of the existing unlocking and locking devices, and realize the function of free unlocking and locking by setting a vertical boss, a meshing structure of a sliding sleeve and a meshing end plate for guiding in the shell, and a plum blossom angle structure of a bolt shaft cooperating with the sliding sleeve and an unlocking sleeve, and with the action of two springs, rigidly and reliably fix the battery box, and effectively prevent the battery box from loosening in a vibration environment.

[0005] The present invention is realized through the following technical solutions:

[0006] A battery box locking mechanism for an electric vehicle, which includes a housing, a bolt shaft, a sliding sleeve, an engaging end plate, a base, a spring, and a cover plate. The bolt shaft is arranged inside the housing. The sliding sleeve, the engaging end plate, and the base are sequentially sleeved on the bolt shaft inside the housing. The cover plate is arranged above the housing. Vertically symmetric bosses are provided on the inner wall of the housing. The bottom of the vertically symmetric bosses is fixedly connected to the inner bottom of the housing as a whole. A first connection hole is provided in the middle of the inner bottom of the housing. A first fixing hole and a second fixing hole are spaced apart at the top of the housing. The bolt shaft has a circular shaft structure, and a shoulder is provided in the middle of the circular shaft. The circular shaft above the shoulder is a threaded structure, and plum blossom angle structures are evenly distributed on the circular shaft below the shoulder. The outer circumference of the bottom of the sliding sleeve and the circumferential center hole of the engaging end plate are both provided with teeth, and the sliding sleeve and the engaging end plate are meshed and connected through the teeth. The inner hole of the sliding sleeve is provided with a plum blossom angle structure matching the lower part of the bolt shaft in the circumferential direction, and the sliding sleeve and the bolt shaft are meshed and connected through the plum blossom angle structure. A stepped shaft is provided at the bottom of the base, and the stepped shaft is inserted into the first connection hole of the housing and is coaxially and clearance-fitted with the housing. A second connection hole is provided in the middle of the base, and the top end of the base is fixedly connected to the engaging end plate. The spring includes a first spring and a second spring. The first spring is sleeved outside the sliding sleeve, and both ends of the first spring are fixedly connected to the shoulder and the engaging end plate respectively. The second spring is sleeved on the lower part of the bolt shaft and is located inside the base, and both ends of the second spring are fixedly connected to the sliding sleeve and the base respectively.

[0007] Preferably, the vertically symmetric bosses are of an arc structure. Arc-shaped grooves with the same structure are provided on the outer circumferences of the base and the engaging end plate, and the arc-shaped grooves match the arc structure of the vertically symmetric bosses.

[0008] Preferably, both the first spring and the second spring are arranged in a compressed state.

[0009] Preferably, the first fixing hole is of a blind hole structure and has internal threads provided therein. The second fixing hole is of a through hole structure and penetrates each of the vertically symmetric bosses.

[0010] Preferably, the cover plate is of a circular thin plate structure, and a through hole for the bolt shaft to pass through is provided in the middle thereof. A plurality of counterbores and through holes are spaced apart on the upper end surface of the cover plate. The counterbores correspond to the first fixing holes, and the through holes correspond to the second fixing holes.

[0011] Preferably, a U-shaped groove is provided at the bottom of the housing, and the U-shaped groove corresponds to the position of the vertically symmetric bosses.

[0012] Preferably, the diameter of the first connection hole is greater than the diameter of the bolt shaft, and the diameters of the second connection hole, the inner hole of the sliding sleeve, and the through hole in the middle of the cover plate are all equal to the diameter of the bolt shaft.

[0013] Preferably, the head and tail of the bolt shaft are both provided with a tapered fillet structure.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0015] 1. The present invention adopts a quick assembly structure with a reasonable structural design and few locking points, which can effectively solve the problems of complex structure and low reliability of the existing unlocking and locking devices.

[0016] 2. The present invention realizes the axial sliding of the components in the housing along the bolt shaft by arranging a vertical boss for guiding, a meshing structure of the sliding sleeve and the meshing end plate, and a plum blossom angle structure of the bolt shaft cooperating with the sliding sleeve and the unlocking sleeve in the housing, and with the assistance of the acting force of two springs, which is convenient for unlocking and locking and better rigidly and reliably fixes the battery box body.

[0017] 3. After the unlocking and locking program operations are completed, the present invention can realize the self-locking function by the acting force of the spring to make the sliding sleeve and the meshing end plate return to their positions and re-mesh. After the base returns to its position, the components in the housing are limited and fixed, effectively preventing the problem of the battery box loosening in a vibrating environment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the battery box locking mechanism for an electric vehicle according to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the battery box locking mechanism for an electric vehicle according to the present invention in the locked state;

[0020] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the housing structure of the battery box locking mechanism for an electric vehicle according to the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the sliding sleeve structure of the battery box locking mechanism for an electric vehicle according to the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the meshing end plate structure of the battery box locking mechanism for an electric vehicle according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the bolt shaft structure of the battery box locking mechanism for an electric vehicle according to the present invention.

[0024] Explanation of the marks in the figure:

[0025] Bolt shaft 1, shaft shoulder 11, spline angle structure 13 of the bolt shaft, housing 2, first fixing hole 21, second fixing hole 22, inner bottom 23 of the housing, vertical boss 24, first connection hole 25, sliding sleeve 3, spline angle structure 31 of the sliding sleeve, teeth 32 on the sliding sleeve, inner hole 33 of the sliding sleeve, engaging end plate 4, arc groove 41, teeth 42 on the engaging end plate, base 5, cover plate 6, counterbore 61, through hole 62, first spring 7, second spring 8. Detailed implementation manner

[0026] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote elements having the same or similar functions. Although various aspects of the embodiments are shown in the drawings, the drawings do not have to be drawn to scale unless otherwise specified.

[0027] A battery box locking mechanism for an electric vehicle according to the present invention, as Figures 1 to 6 shown, includes a bolt shaft 1, a housing 2, a sliding sleeve 3, an engaging end plate 4, a base 5, a spring, and a cover plate 6.

[0028] The housing 2 is arranged in a cylindrical structure. Vertically arranged bosses 24 with an arc-shaped structure are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the inner wall of the housing 2, that is, the vertically arranged bosses 24 are located on the inner wall of the cylinder between the upper end surface of the inner bottom 23 of the housing and the upper end surface of the housing 2. The bottom of the vertically arranged bosses 24 is fixedly connected to the inner bottom 23 of the housing as a whole, playing a role of vertical guiding. A first connection 25 is provided in the middle of the inner bottom 23 of the housing for the lower part of the base 5 to be inserted and fitted. Two groups of circular hole structures are arranged at intervals on the top end surface of the housing 2. The first group is four symmetrically arranged first fixing holes 21. The first fixing holes 21 are arranged in a blind hole structure and are internally provided with internal threads for fixedly connecting the housing 2 and the cover plate 6. The second group is four symmetrically arranged second fixing holes 22. The second fixing holes 22 are arranged in a through hole structure and are preferably arranged at the position of the vertically arranged bosses 24. The through holes penetrate through each vertically arranged boss 24 and are directly communicated with the bottom of the housing 2. A U-shaped groove is provided at the bottom of the housing corresponding to the position of the vertically arranged bosses 24 for fixedly connecting the housing 2 and the battery box body.

[0029] The bolt shaft 1 is arranged in a round shaft structure in the housing. A shaft shoulder 11 is provided in the middle of the bolt shaft 1. The round shaft above the shaft shoulder 11 is in a threaded structure and is provided with external threads. Spline angle structures 13 are evenly distributed on the round shaft below the shaft shoulder 11 for rotating together with the bolt shaft 1 after being fitted with an unlocking sleeve. The head of the bolt shaft 1 is provided with a tapered fillet structure for facilitating insertion into the nut side. The tail of the bolt shaft 1 is also provided with a tapered fillet structure for facilitating the insertion of the unlocking sleeve.

[0030] The sliding sleeve 3 is in a cylindrical structure and sleeved on the round shaft below the shaft shoulder. It is fixed between the lower end face of the shaft shoulder 11 of the bolt shaft 1 and the second spring 8. A plurality of plum blossom angle structures 31 are arranged on the inner hole 33 of the sliding sleeve in the circumferential direction. The plum blossom angle structure is matched and meshed with the plum blossom angle structure 13 of the bolt shaft, and the sliding sleeve can slide along the axial direction of the bolt shaft. In a preferred embodiment of the present application, the plum blossom angle structure is a polygon or a wavy line structure with a convex and concave outer circumference of a cross-section. And when in the locked state, the sliding sleeve and the bolt shaft are in a meshing and locking state. When the locked state is released, the sliding sleeve 3 can rotate together with the bolt shaft 1. A ratchet 32 is arranged on the outer circumference of the bottom of the sliding sleeve 3 for cooperating with the ratchet 42 on the meshing end plate 4.

[0031] The meshing end plate 4 is in a circular thin plate structure, and ratchets 42 matching the sliding sleeve are also arranged on the circumference of its central hole. The meshing end plate 4 is sleeved outside the sliding sleeve, and the bottom of the meshing end plate 4 is meshed and connected with the sliding sleeve 3 through the ratchets. A plurality of arc-shaped grooves 41 are arranged on the outer circumference of the meshing end plate 4. The positions and shapes of the arc-shaped grooves 41 match the arc-shaped structure of the vertical boss 24, and the meshing end plate 4 can slide up and down along the vertical boss 24 under the vertical acting force.

[0032] The base 5 is in a cylindrical structure and is arranged below the sliding sleeve and the meshing end plate, and is also sleeved on the bolt shaft. A plurality of arc-shaped grooves are also arranged on the outer circumference of the base 5. The positions and shapes of the arc-shaped grooves match the arc-shaped structure of the vertical boss 24, so that the base 5 can slide up and down along the vertical boss 24 under the vertical acting force. A stepped shaft is arranged at the lower part of the base 5, and a second connection hole is arranged in the middle of the bottom of the base. The diameter of the second connection hole is smaller than that of the first connection hole. The stepped shaft is inserted into the first connection hole of the housing and is in coaxial clearance fit with the housing 2. The top end of the base is fixedly connected with the meshing end plate.

[0033] The spring includes a first spring 7 and a second spring 8. The first spring 7 is arranged between the lower end face of the shaft shoulder 11 and the upper end face of the meshing end plate 4 and is sleeved outside the sliding sleeve. The two ends of the first spring are respectively fixedly connected with the shaft shoulder and the meshing end plate. The second spring 8 is sleeved on the bolt shaft and is located between the lower end face of the sliding sleeve 3 and the inner bottom of the base 5. The two ends of the second spring are respectively fixedly connected with the sliding sleeve and the base. The diameter of the first spring 7 is larger than that of the sliding sleeve 3, the diameter of the second spring 8 is larger than that of the bolt shaft 1, and the diameter of the first spring 7 is larger than that of the second spring 8. The first spring and the second spring are both initially arranged in a compressed state.

[0034] The cover plate 6 is a circular thin plate structure and is arranged on the shell 2. The upper part of the bolt shaft 1 passes through the through hole in the middle of the cover plate, so that the upper end surface of the shaft shoulder 11 is in fit connection with the cover plate 6. Two groups of round hole structures are arranged on the cover plate 6 at intervals. The first group is a counterbore structure. The counterbore 61 corresponds to the first fixing hole 21, and is used for the cover plate 6 and the shell 2 of the locking mechanism to be fixedly connected by bolts. With the counterbore structure, when fixedly connected, the head of the bolt is inside the counterbore, keeping the end surface of the cover plate horizontal. The second group is a through hole structure. The through hole 62 corresponds to the second fixing hole 22, and is used for the screw at the battery box end to pass through the through hole 62 and extend into the second fixing hole 22 of the shell, and be fixedly connected with the shell. The numbers of the counterbores 61 and through holes 62 on the cover plate 6 are the same as the numbers of the first fixing holes 21 and second fixing holes 22 on the shell 2 respectively.

[0035] The diameter of the first connection hole on the shell is larger than the diameter of the bolt shaft. The diameters of the second connection hole on the base 5, the inner hole 33 of the sliding sleeve and the through hole in the middle of the cover plate 6 are all equal to the diameter of the bolt shaft 1.

[0036] The following further describes the specific embodiments of the present invention:

[0037] The present invention includes a bolt shaft 1, a shell 2, a sliding sleeve 3, an engaging end plate 4, a base 5, a spring and a cover plate 6. The bolt shaft 1 is arranged inside the shell 2. The sliding sleeve 3, the engaging end plate 4 and the base 5 are sequentially sleeved on the bolt shaft 1 and are all limited by springs. The spring includes a first spring 7 and a second spring 8. The first spring 7 is arranged between the shaft shoulder 11 of the bolt shaft and the engaging end plate 4 and is in a compressed state, so that the engaging end plate 4 is pressed against the upper end surface of the base 5 under the downward acting force of the first spring 7. The second spring 8 is arranged between the sliding sleeve 3 and the base 5 and is in a compressed state, so that the sliding sleeve 3 is pressed against the engaging end plate under the upward acting force of the second spring 8. The base and the engaging end plate can slide up and down along the axial direction of the bolt shaft under the guiding action of the vertical boss 24, but cannot rotate.

[0038] Cover the cover plate 6. The counterbore on the cover plate is opposite to the blind hole on the shell, and the cover plate and the shell are fixed by screwing in bolts. The through hole on the cover plate is opposite to the through hole on the shell. The corresponding bolt on the battery box passes through the through hole on the cover plate and extends into the through hole on the shell, and is fixed at the bottom of the shell, so as to ensure that the battery box is in fit with the cover plate and is fixedly connected with the shell.

[0039] Through the matching of the spring expansion and contraction forces of the first spring 7 and the second spring 8, the ratchets on the sliding sleeve are matched and engaged with the ratchets on the meshing end plate in the vertical direction. When the two are in the engaged state, the bolt shaft cannot rotate, thus realizing the self-locking function to ensure that the mechanism does not become loose during vehicle operation. When an unlocking device, such as an unlocking sleeve, cooperates with the plum blossom angle structure at the bottom of the bolt shaft, first the unlocking sleeve contacts the base and pushes the base to slide upward along the axial direction of the bolt shaft, overcoming the acting forces of the second spring and the first spring, and pushing the meshing end plate to slide along the axial direction of the sliding sleeve, so that the meshing end plate is disengaged from the ratchet of the sliding sleeve. The plum blossom angle structure and the unlocking sleeve are engaged, and the bolt shaft can be driven to rotate, thus realizing the locking and unlocking of the locking mechanism and the nut side. After withdrawing the unlocking and locking sleeve, the meshing end plate and the base return to their original positions under the action of the spring, and the self-locking function is realized again.

[0040] The embodiments described above are only descriptions of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Without departing from the design spirit of the present invention, various deformations and improvements made by those of ordinary skill in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention shall fall within the protection scope determined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery box locking mechanism for an electric vehicle, characterized in that, It includes a housing, a bolt shaft, a sliding sleeve, an engaging end plate, a base, a spring and a cover plate. The bolt shaft is arranged inside the housing. The sliding sleeve, the engaging end plate and the base are sequentially sleeved on the bolt shaft inside the housing. The cover plate is arranged above the housing. Vertically symmetric bosses are provided on the inner wall of the housing. The bottom of the vertically symmetric bosses is fixedly connected to the inner bottom of the housing as a whole. A first connection hole is provided in the middle of the inner bottom of the housing. A first fixing hole and a second fixing hole are spacedly arranged at the top of the housing. The bolt shaft has a circular shaft structure, and a shoulder is provided in the middle of the circular shaft. The circular shaft above the shoulder is a threaded structure, and plum blossom angle structures are evenly distributed on the circular shaft below the shoulder. Teeth are provided on the outer circumference of the bottom of the sliding sleeve and on the circumference of the central hole of the engaging end plate. The sliding sleeve and the engaging end plate are meshed and connected through the teeth. A plum blossom angle structure matching the lower part of the bolt shaft is provided on the inner hole of the sliding sleeve in the circumferential direction. The sliding sleeve and the bolt shaft are meshed and connected through the plum blossom angle structure. A stepped shaft is provided at the bottom of the base. The stepped shaft is inserted into the first connection hole of the housing and is in coaxial clearance fit with the housing. A second connection hole is provided in the middle of the base. The top end of the base is fixedly connected to the engaging end plate. The spring includes a first spring and a second spring. The first spring is sleeved outside the sliding sleeve. The two ends of the first spring are respectively fixedly connected to the shoulder and the engaging end plate. The second spring is sleeved on the lower part of the bolt shaft and is located inside the base. The two ends of the second spring are respectively fixedly connected to the sliding sleeve and the base.

2. The battery box locking mechanism for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vertically symmetric bosses are of an arc structure. Arc-shaped grooves with the same structure are provided on the outer circumferences of the base and the engaging end plate, and the arc-shaped grooves match the arc structure of the vertically symmetric bosses.

3. The battery box locking mechanism for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first spring and the second spring are arranged in a compressed state.

4. The battery box locking mechanism for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that The first fixing hole is of a blind hole structure and has an internal thread provided therein. The second fixing hole is of a through hole structure and penetrates through each of the vertically symmetric bosses.

5. The battery box locking mechanism for an electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that The cover plate has a circular thin plate structure, and a through hole for the bolt shaft to pass through is provided in the middle thereof. A plurality of counterbores and through holes are spacedly arranged on the upper end surface of the cover plate. The counterbores correspond to the first fixing holes, and the through holes correspond to the second fixing holes.

6. The battery box locking mechanism for an electric vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that, A U-shaped groove is provided at the bottom of the housing, and the U-shaped groove corresponds to the position of the vertically symmetric bosses.

7. The battery box locking mechanism for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the first connection hole is larger than the diameter of the bolt shaft. The diameters of the second connection hole, the inner hole of the sliding sleeve and the through hole in the middle of the cover plate are all equal to the diameter of the bolt shaft.

8. The battery box locking mechanism for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the head and the tail of the bolt shaft are provided with tapered rounded corner structures.

Images