Dynamic parking battery swapping method and system

Abstract

This application relates to a dynamic parking battery swapping method and system. The dynamic parking battery swapping method includes the following steps: detecting whether there is a vehicle at the parking position corresponding to the battery swapping device; if there is a vehicle, starting the battery swapping device to replace the battery box for the vehicle. The above-mentioned dynamic parking battery swapping method and system start the battery swapping device to replace the battery box for the vehicle when it is detected that there is a vehicle at the parking position corresponding to the battery swapping device. During the battery swapping process, the vehicle does not park at a fixed battery swapping position, but the battery swapping device parks at a position convenient for battery swapping according to the actual situation. By having the vehicle park at the parking position corresponding to the battery swapping device, the battery swapping device can complete the battery swapping faster, improving the efficiency of replacing the battery box for the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of battery swapping, and in particular, to a dynamic parking battery swapping method and system. Background Art

[0002] During the existing battery swapping process for a vehicle, the vehicle needs to be parked at a pre-set parking position, and then the battery swapping device moves to the battery swapping station corresponding to the parking position to replace the battery box of the vehicle. Since the battery swapping station needs to correspond to the parking position, the battery swapping station is also a fixed position, resulting in the battery swapping device being unable to adjust the initial battery swapping position according to the actual situation, reducing the efficiency of the battery swapping device for the vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the above, it is necessary to provide a dynamic parking battery swapping method and system, aiming to improve the battery swapping efficiency for replacing the battery box of the vehicle.

[0004] To this end, the present application provides a dynamic parking battery swapping method, including the following steps:

[0005] Detect whether there is a vehicle at the parking position corresponding to the battery swapping device;

[0006] If there is a vehicle, start the battery swapping device to replace the battery box of the vehicle.

[0007] According to the above dynamic parking battery swapping method, before detecting whether there is a vehicle at the parking position corresponding to the battery swapping device, it further includes: moving the battery swapping device to the battery swapping position, and the battery swapping position corresponds to the placement position of the battery rack.

[0008] According to the above dynamic parking battery swapping method, the battery swapping position corresponds to the vacant placement position;

[0009] The battery swapping device replacing the battery box of the vehicle includes: the battery swapping device moves the depleted battery box of the vehicle to the vacant placement position.

[0010] According to the above dynamic parking battery swapping method, the battery swapping position corresponds to the placement position for placing a fully charged battery box;

[0011] The battery swapping device replacing the battery box of the vehicle includes: the battery swapping device moves the fully charged battery box of the battery rack to the vehicle.

[0012] According to the above dynamic parking battery swapping method, detecting whether there is a vehicle at the parking position corresponding to the battery swapping device includes: detecting whether there is a vehicle at the parking position on the side of the battery swapping device relative to the battery rack.

[0013] According to the dynamic parking type battery swapping method described above, detecting whether there is a vehicle at the parking position corresponding to the battery swapping device includes: detecting whether there is a vehicle at the parking position below the battery swapping device.

[0014] According to the dynamic parking type battery swapping method described above, detecting whether there is a vehicle at the parking position corresponding to the battery swapping device includes: when the vehicle moves to the parking position, triggering a detector provided on the battery swapping device to detect whether there is a vehicle at the parking position.

[0015] This application also provides a dynamic parking type battery swapping system, including:

[0016] A battery swapping device for replacing the battery box of a vehicle;

[0017] A detector for sending a trigger signal when detecting that there is a vehicle at the parking position corresponding to the battery swapping device;

[0018] A controller for starting the battery swapping device to swap the battery for the vehicle when receiving the trigger signal.

[0019] According to the dynamic parking type battery swapping system described above, the controller is further configured to control the battery swapping device to move to the battery swapping position when the detector sends a trigger signal, and the battery swapping position corresponds to the vacant placement position of the battery rack.

[0020] According to the dynamic parking type battery swapping system described above, the detector includes one or a combination of a light curtain, an ultrasonic radar, and a photoelectric switch.

[0021] According to the dynamic parking type battery swapping system described above, the detector is used to detect the parking position on the side of the battery swapping device relative to the battery rack, and the battery swapping device replaces the battery box of the vehicle from the side of the driving direction of the vehicle.

[0022] According to the dynamic parking type battery swapping system described above, the detector is used to detect the parking position below the battery swapping device, and the battery swapping device replaces the battery box of the vehicle from above the vehicle.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the above dynamic parking type battery swapping method and system start the battery swapping device to swap the battery for the vehicle when detecting that there is a vehicle at the parking position corresponding to the battery swapping device. During the battery swapping process, the vehicle does not stop at a fixed battery swapping position, but the battery swapping device stops at a position convenient for battery swapping according to the actual situation. By having the vehicle stop at the parking position corresponding to the battery swapping device, the battery swapping device can complete the battery swapping faster, improving the efficiency of replacing the battery box of the vehicle. Description of the Drawings

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following will briefly introduce the accompanying drawings required for the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the accompanying drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present disclosure. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other accompanying drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0025] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the dynamic parking type battery swapping system in Embodiment 1.

[0026] Figure 2 It is a flowchart of the dynamic parking type battery swapping method.

[0027] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the vehicle in the non-arrival state in Embodiment 1.

[0028] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the vehicle in the arrival state in Embodiment 1.

[0029] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of the dynamic parking type battery swapping system in Embodiment 2.

[0030] Figure 6 It is a top view of Embodiment 2.

[0031] Figure 7 It is a top view of Embodiment 2 in the vehicle arrival state.

[0032] Description of the main component symbols

[0033] Battery rack 10 Battery box 11 Placement position 12 Battery swapping device 20 Mobile platform 21 Robot arm 22 Vehicle 30 Detection area 40

[0034] The following specific embodiments will further illustrate the present invention in conjunction with the above accompanying drawings. Specific embodiments

[0035] In order to more clearly understand the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure content, the following will be described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments of the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. In the following description, many specific details are set forth in order to fully understand the present invention. The described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all embodiments. Based on the disclosed embodiments, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts.

[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which this application belongs. The terms used in the specification are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application.

[0037] In each embodiment, for the purpose of facilitating description rather than limiting the present disclosure, the term "connection" used in the specification and claims of this application is not limited to physical or mechanical connection, but may include electrical connection, whether direct or indirect. Terms such as "upper", "lower", "below", "left", "right", etc. are only used to represent relative position relationships. When the absolute position of the object being described changes, the relative position relationship also changes accordingly.

[0038] Embodiment 1

[0039] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the dynamic parking battery swapping system in Embodiment 1. As Figure 1 shown, the dynamic parking battery swapping system includes a battery swapping device 20, a detector (not shown in the figure), and a controller (not shown in the figure), which are used to transfer the battery box 11 with the battery rack 10 and the vehicle 30, so as to realize the function of replacing the battery box 11 for the vehicle 30.

[0040] The battery swapping device 20 may be an existing battery swapping device 20. In this embodiment, the battery swapping device 20 may be a side battery swapping device 20, including a moving platform 21 and a robotic arm 22 provided on the moving platform 21. The moving platform 21 can move along a predetermined route to adjust the position of the battery swapping device 20. The robotic arm 22 can extend from the moving platform 21, for example, it can extend or retract towards both sides of the moving direction of the moving platform 21, so as to complete the transfer operation of the battery box 11 with the battery rack 10 or the vehicle 30. In some other embodiments, the battery swapping device 20 may also be a hoisting structure, and can move above the battery box 11 and the vehicle 30 by movably connecting to a frame above the battery swapping area. The battery swapping device 20 extends a grasping mechanism downward through a winch or other means to dock with the battery box 11, and then lifts the battery box 11 to realize the transfer operation of the battery box 11 with the battery rack 10 and the vehicle 30. Among them, the above-mentioned "transfer operation of the battery box 11" includes moving the battery box 11 to the battery rack 10 or the vehicle 30, that is, the "storage" operation, and also includes moving the battery box 11 of the battery rack 10 or the vehicle 30 to the battery swapping device 20, that is, the "retrieval" operation.

[0041] The detector is used to emit a trigger signal when detecting that there is a vehicle 30 at the parking position corresponding to the battery swapping device 20. The detector includes one or a combination of a light curtain, an ultrasonic radar, and a photoelectric switch, and can detect the parking position on the side of the battery swapping device 20 relative to the battery rack 10, or can also detect the parking position below the battery swapping device 20. As an example, the detector can detect a preset area. For example, for a light curtain or an ultrasonic radar, when at least a part of the vehicle 30 enters this area, it will trigger the detector to emit a trigger signal. In some other embodiments, the detection area 40 of the detector can also be a straight line. For example, detectors such as photoelectric switches emit infrared rays or lasers at preset positions, and when the vehicle 30 blocks this straight line, it will trigger the detector to emit a trigger signal. In some other embodiments, the detector can also be a trigger switch or other structures, and the detection area 40 is a point. When the vehicle 30 moves to the preset position, it will touch this detector and emit a trigger signal. Those skilled in the art can set the position of the detector according to actual needs. In some preferred embodiments, the detector is connected to the battery swapping device 20 and can move with the battery swapping device 20. Thus, after the battery swapping device 20 moves to the battery swapping position, the detector can detect whether there is a vehicle 30 at the parking position corresponding to the battery swapping position.

[0042] The controller is used to start the battery swapping device 20 to swap the battery for the vehicle 30 when receiving the trigger signal. The controller is further configured to control the battery swapping device 20 to move to the battery swapping position corresponding to the placement position 12 of the battery rack 10 when the detector emits the trigger signal. In practical applications, the controller can be the control module of the battery swapping device 20 or an independent controller of the system. Those skilled in the art can set the type of the controller according to needs. The controller is signal-connected to the detector and the battery swapping device 20, and can control actions such as starting or stopping the battery swapping device 20 according to the trigger signal of the detector.

[0043] In this embodiment, the battery rack 10 includes a plurality of placement positions 12 arranged in the traveling direction of the vehicle 30, and each placement position 12 can accommodate a battery box 11. In some embodiments, the battery rack 10 further includes a charger, and each placement position 12 is provided with a charging plug. When the battery box 11 is placed in the placement position 12, the charger can charge the battery box 11 through the charging plug until the battery box 11 reaches a fully charged state. In this embodiment, a fully charged battery box 11 means that the power of the battery box 11 exceeds a preset value, which can be any value such as 90% or 80% of the total power. Those skilled in the art can set the power value at which the battery box 11 is allowed to be replaced into the vehicle 30 according to needs. The battery swapping device 20 is provided near the battery rack 10 and can move along the arrangement direction of the placement positions 12 of the battery rack 10 to adjust the position of the battery swapping device 20. When the vehicle 30 needs to replace the battery box 11, it moves along one side of the battery swapping device 20 relative to the battery rack 10 until it stops at a docking position corresponding to the battery swapping device 20.

[0044] The following will Figure 2 describe in detail a battery swapping method based on the above dynamic parking type battery swapping system.

[0045] Figure 2 is a flowchart of the dynamic parking type battery swapping method. As shown in Figure 2 the figure, the dynamic parking type battery swapping method includes steps S201 to S205.

[0046] Step S201: Move the battery swapping device 20 to a battery swapping position, which corresponds to the placement position 12 of the battery rack 10, preferably corresponding to the vacant placement position 12. In this step, the battery swapping device 20 can move to near a vacant placement position 12 according to the placement situation of the battery boxes 11 on the battery rack 10, so that the battery swapping device 20 can timely move the obtained battery box 11 to this vacant placement position 12. In some other embodiments, the battery swapping device 20 can also move to near a position where a fully charged battery box 11 is stored according to the placement situation of the battery boxes 11 on the battery rack 10 to adapt to the situation where the fully charged battery box 11 can be directly placed on the vehicle 30.

[0047] Step S202: Prompt the vehicle 30 to continue moving. After the battery swapping device 20 moves to the preset battery swapping position, a detector can be activated to detect the parking space corresponding to the battery swapping device 20, and the vehicle 30 can be prompted to move through signals such as light and sound according to the detection result. As an example, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the vehicle 30 in an unarrived state in Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 3 the figure, the detector can detect the parking position on one side of the battery swapping device 20 relative to the battery rack 10 ( Figure 3 the detection area shown in the shaded part).

[0048] Step S203: Detect whether there is a vehicle 30 at the parking position corresponding to the battery swapping device 20. If so, proceed to step S204; otherwise, continue to prompt the vehicle 30 to move. In this embodiment, the detector is disposed on the battery swapping device 20 so that it can move along with the battery swapping device 20 to detect whether there is a vehicle 30 at the parking position on the side of the battery swapping device 20 and within a preset range from the battery swapping device 20. When the vehicle 30 moves to the parking position, the detector disposed on the battery swapping device 20 is triggered to determine whether there is the vehicle 30. Corresponding to Figure 3 , Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the vehicle 30 in the in-place state in Embodiment 1. As Figure 4 shown, detect whether there is a vehicle 30 at the parking position on the side of the battery swapping device 20 relative to the battery rack 10. When the vehicle 30 moves to at least partially enter the detection area, for example, by blocking the infrared rays or laser emitted by the detector, or by emitting a light signal, etc., the detector is triggered to emit a trigger signal.

[0049] Step S204: Prompt the vehicle 30 to dock in place. In this step, the vehicle 30 can be prompted by sound and light signals that it has docked at the parking position corresponding to the battery swapping device 20. The driver can park the vehicle and perform necessary preparatory operations for the battery swapping operation.

[0050] Step S205: Start the battery swapping device 20 to replace the battery box 11 of the vehicle 30. The battery swapping device 20 moves the depleted battery box 11 of the vehicle 30 to the vacant placement position 12. Corresponding to the detected parking position of the detector, the battery swapping device 20 replaces the battery box 11 of the vehicle 30 from the side in the driving direction of the vehicle 30. As an example, the battery swapping device 20 can extend a robotic arm 22 towards the vehicle 30 parked at the docking position corresponding to the battery swapping device 20, move the depleted battery box 11 of the vehicle 30 onto the battery swapping device 20, and then extend towards the battery rack 10. At this time, since the battery swapping device 20 is at the battery swapping position corresponding to the vacant placement position 12, the battery swapping device 20 can directly move the depleted battery box 11 to the vacant placement position 12, and then obtain a fully charged battery box 11 from the battery rack 10 and move the fully charged battery box 11 to the vehicle 30.

[0051] During the battery swapping process, the battery swapping device 20 does not need to move to the vehicle 30 to obtain the depleted battery box 11 after the vehicle 30 docks, nor does it need to move to the vacant placement position 12 to place the depleted battery box 11, thereby effectively reducing the moving distance of the battery swapping device 20 and greatly improving the battery swapping efficiency of the battery swapping device 20. Before the next battery swapping operation, the battery swapping device 20 can also adjust the battery swapping position according to the new vacant placement position 12, further improving the battery swapping efficiency.

[0052] Embodiment 2

[0053] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the parking position of the battery swapping device 20 detected by the detector is below the battery swapping device 20. The battery swapping device 20 is a hoisting type battery swapping device 20, and the battery box 11 below is lifted by the grasping mechanism to move the battery box 11.

[0054] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of the dynamic parking type battery swapping system in Embodiment 2. As Figure 5 shown, the battery swapping device 20 can move above the battery box 11 and the vehicle 30 through a frame body (not shown in the figure) located above the battery swapping area. The battery swapping device 20 can grasp the battery box 11 through a winch or other grasping mechanism that can move in the vertical direction, and move upward after the grasping mechanism is connected to the battery box 11 to lift the battery box 11 and move the battery box 11.

[0055] In addition, the detector is connected to the upper battery swapping device 20 and emits detection light such as infrared rays or lasers downward to form a detection area 40 extending in the vertical direction. When the vehicle 30 moves below the battery swapping device 20 and triggers the detector to send a trigger signal, the position of the battery box 11 of the vehicle 30 corresponds to the battery swapping device 20, so that the grasping mechanism of the battery swapping device 20 moves downward to lift the battery box 11 and move the battery box 11.

[0056] The following will be combined with Figure 6 and Figure 7 to Figure 2 describe the differences from Embodiment 1 in the battery swapping method shown.

[0057] Figure 6 It is a top view of Embodiment 2. As Figure 6 shown, the battery rack 10 includes multiple rows of placement positions 12, each row of placement positions 12 extends along the driving direction of the vehicle 30, and is located on both sides of the parking position of the vehicle 30. The battery swapping device 20 can move above the battery box 11 and the vehicle 30. In Figure 2 the step S201 shown, the battery swapping device 20 moves to near the vacant placement position 12, so that the battery swapping device 20 can move a smaller stroke to place the battery box 11 in the placement position 12.

[0058] As Figure 2 and Figure 6As shown, in step S203, in the present embodiment, the detector is disposed on the battery swapping device 20 and can move along with the battery swapping device 20 to detect whether there is a vehicle 30 at the parking position below the battery swapping device 20. The parking position is located below the battery swapping device 20 and the distance in the horizontal direction from the battery swapping device 20 is within a preset range, such that the battery swapping device 20 can move a relatively small distance in the horizontal direction and then the grasping mechanism can move downward to grasp the battery swapping device 20 of the vehicle 30. Preferably, the battery swapping device 20 does not need to move in the horizontal direction and can directly move downward through the grasping mechanism to obtain the battery box 11 from the vehicle 30.

[0059] Figure 7 FIG. 4 is a top view of Embodiment 2 in the state where the vehicle 30 is in place. As Figure 7 shown, when the vehicle 30 moves to the parking position, the detector disposed on the battery swapping device 20 is triggered to determine whether there is the vehicle 30. Specifically, when the vehicle 30 moves to at least partially enter the detection area, for example, by blocking the infrared rays or laser emitted by the detector, or by emitting a light signal, etc., the detector is triggered to emit a trigger signal.

[0060] In step S205, the battery swapping device 20 adopts a hoisting type battery swapping method. The grasping mechanism moves downward until it docks with the depleted battery box 11 of the vehicle 30, hoists the battery box 11 of the vehicle 30 and moves it towards the nearby vacant placement position 12, such that the hoisted battery box 11 is located above the vacant placement position 12, and then the depleted battery box 11 is placed at this placement position 12. Then it moves above the fully charged battery box 11, hoists the fully charged battery box 11 through the grasping mechanism, moves above the vehicle 30 and places the fully charged battery box 11 on the vehicle 30 to complete the battery swapping operation.

[0061] During the battery swapping process, the battery swapping device 20 does not need to move above the vehicle 30 to obtain the depleted battery box 11 after the vehicle 30 docks, and only needs to move a relatively small distance to reach above the vacant placement position 12 to place the depleted battery box 11, thereby effectively reducing the moving distance of the battery swapping device 20 and greatly improving the battery swapping efficiency of the battery swapping device 20.

[0062] The above dynamic parking type battery swapping method and system start the battery swapping device 20 to replace the battery box 11 of the vehicle 30 when it is detected that there is a vehicle 30 at the parking position corresponding to the battery swapping device 20. During the battery swapping process, the vehicle 30 does not dock at a fixed battery swapping position, but the battery swapping device 20 docks at a position convenient for battery swapping according to the actual situation, and then the vehicle 30 docks at the parking position corresponding to the battery swapping device 20, thereby enabling the battery swapping device 20 to complete the battery swapping faster and improving the efficiency of replacing the battery box 11 of the vehicle 30.

[0063] Furthermore, during the battery swapping process, since the battery swapping device 20 will select a fully charged battery box 11 from the placement position 12 during the battery swapping process and will also select an empty placement position 12 to place the battery box 11, the empty placement positions 12 of the battery rack 10 and the placement positions 12 storing the fully charged battery boxes 11 are in a dynamic change process. The battery swapping device 20 and the battery swapping method involved in the above embodiments can dynamically adjust the initial battery swapping position of the battery swapping device 20 each time according to the conditions of the empty placement positions 12 and the placement positions 12 storing the fully charged battery boxes 11, and coordinate the distances between the battery swapping device 20 and the vehicle 30 relative to the placement positions 12 of the battery rack 10 by changing the docking positions of the vehicle 30 docked each time. Thereby, the moving distance of the battery swapping device 20 during each battery swapping process can be minimized, and the overall battery swapping efficiency is improved.

[0064] In the several specific embodiments provided, it should be understood that for those skilled in the art, it is obvious that it is not limited to the details of the above exemplary embodiments, and the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or basic characteristics of the present disclosure. Therefore, from any point of view, the embodiments should be regarded as exemplary and non-limiting. In addition, it is obvious that the term "including" does not exclude other units or steps, and the singular does not exclude the plural. The terms such as first and second are used to represent names and do not represent any specific order.

[0065] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and not to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above preferred embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent replacements can be made to the solutions of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A dynamic parking battery swapping method, characterized in that It includes the following steps: Detect whether there is a vehicle at the parking position corresponding to the battery swapping device; If there is a vehicle, start the battery swapping device to replace the battery box for the vehicle; Before detecting whether there is a vehicle at the parking position corresponding to the battery swapping device, it further includes: moving the battery swapping device to the battery swapping position, and the battery swapping position corresponds to the placement position of the battery rack; The battery swapping position corresponds to the vacant placement position; The battery swapping device replacing the battery box for the vehicle includes: the battery swapping device moving the depleted battery box of the vehicle to the vacant placement position; The battery swapping position corresponds to the placement position where the fully charged battery box is placed; The battery swapping device replacing the battery box for the vehicle includes: the battery swapping device moving the fully charged battery box of the battery rack to the vehicle; Detecting whether there is a vehicle at the parking position corresponding to the battery swapping device includes: when the vehicle moves to the parking position, triggering a detector provided on the battery swapping device to detect whether there is a vehicle at the parking position.

2. The dynamic parking type battery swapping method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Detecting whether there is a vehicle at the parking position corresponding to the battery swapping device includes: detecting whether there is a vehicle at the parking position on the side of the battery swapping device relative to the battery rack.

3. The dynamic parking type power swapping method according to claim 1, wherein Detecting whether there is a vehicle at the parking position corresponding to the battery swapping device includes: detecting whether there is a vehicle at the parking position below the battery swapping device.

4. A dynamic parking type battery swapping system, characterized in that, It includes: A battery swapping device for replacing the battery box for a vehicle; A detector for sending a trigger signal when detecting that there is a vehicle at the parking position corresponding to the battery swapping device; A controller for starting the battery swapping device to swap the battery for the vehicle when receiving the trigger signal; The controller is further configured to control the battery swapping device to move to the battery swapping position when the detector sends a trigger signal, and the battery swapping position corresponds to the vacant placement position of the battery rack; The detector includes one or a combination of a light curtain, an ultrasonic radar, and a photoelectric switch.

5. The dynamic parking type battery swapping system according to claim 4, wherein The detector is used to detect the parking position on the side of the battery swapping device relative to the battery rack, and the battery swapping device replaces the battery box for the vehicle from the side of the driving direction of the vehicle.

6. The dynamic parking type battery swapping system according to claim 4, wherein The detector is used to detect the parking position below the battery swapping device, and the battery swapping device replaces the battery box for the vehicle from above the vehicle.

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