Floating arrangement, component, device and method for a vehicle battery tightening device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a floating arrangement and components, devices, and methods for a vehicle battery tightening device. The floating arrangement for a vehicle battery tightening device includes: a first bracket formed with a first opening; a second bracket formed with a second opening; wherein the first opening and the second opening are positioned to at least partially overlap each other in an overlapping direction; a floating block inserted into the first opening and the second opening, and having a dimension transverse to the overlapping direction that is smaller than the corresponding dimension of each of the first opening and the second opening; a first connecting member and a second connecting member that movably couple the floating block to the first bracket and the second bracket at respective portions of the floating block, such that there is a first degree of freedom transverse to the overlapping direction between the first bracket and the floating block, and a second degree of freedom transverse to the overlapping direction between the second bracket and the floating block, and the first degree of freedom and the second degree of freedom are independent of each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a floating arrangement, components, equipment and methods for a vehicle battery tightening device. Background Art

[0002] So far, electric vehicles have become increasingly popular and people's demands are constantly increasing. Vehicle manufacturers are also building electric vehicle production lines to effectively supply the market. There are several differences between traditional fuel vehicles and electric vehicles, especially regarding the power source. Therefore, there are also differences in the assembly of traditional fuel vehicles and electric vehicles. It is noted that the installation of the battery is an important factor affecting the assembly efficiency and quality.

[0003] In particular, during the process of tightening the battery relative to the vehicle, a large torque and / or rotation angle need to be applied. If there is a potential misalignment (including, for example, offset and / or skew) of the screw hole, screw, tightening device, etc. during the period from the insertion before screwing to the end of tightening, it may be difficult to ensure the quality requirements for tightening the vehicle battery. In other words, high positioning accuracy is required for large torque tightening. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, there is a need in the art to improve the structures and processes involved in battery tightening.

[0005] According to some aspects of the present invention, there is provided a floating arrangement for a vehicle battery tightening device, including: a first bracket formed with a first opening; a second bracket formed with a second opening; wherein the first opening and the second opening are positioned to at least partially overlap each other in an overlapping direction; a floating block inserted into the first opening and the second opening, and having a dimension in a direction transverse to the overlapping direction smaller than the corresponding dimension of each of the first opening and the second opening; a first connecting member and a second connecting member, the first connecting member and the second connecting member movably couple it to the first bracket and the second bracket at respective portions of the floating block, such that there is a first degree of freedom between the first bracket and the floating block in a direction transverse to the overlapping direction, and there is a second degree of freedom between the second bracket and the floating block in a direction transverse to the overlapping direction, the first degree of freedom and the second degree of freedom are independent of each other, and preferably substantially orthogonal to each other. Thus, with the first bracket as a fixed reference system, the second bracket together with the floating block connected thereto can translate with the first degree of freedom, and the second bracket can also translate with the second degree of freedom. In this case, such a movement possibility is achieved that at least a limited translation can be performed along a movement direction belonging to the plane (lying within the plane) defined by the first degree of freedom and the second degree of freedom.

[0006] According to some aspects of the present invention, the floating block, the first opening, and the second opening form a cross-section of a substantially parallelogram, and two pairs of parallel sides of the parallelogram respectively correspond to a first degree of freedom and a second degree of freedom. Thus, a face stop advantageously occurs at the end of the translation range, which can be beneficial to the stability and / or durability of the floating arrangement. Preferably, the cross-section of the substantially parallelogram includes a substantially rectangular cross-section, particularly a rounded rectangle, advantageously a substantially square cross-section, such as a rounded square cross-section. Thus, the compactness of the floating arrangement is also maintained.

[0007] According to some aspects of the present invention, corresponding to the first degree of freedom, the corresponding dimension of the floating block in the direction transverse to the overlapping direction is set to be approximately 3 mm different from the corresponding dimension of the first opening, and / or corresponding to the second degree of freedom, the corresponding dimension of the floating block in the direction transverse to the overlapping direction is set to be approximately 3 mm different from the corresponding dimension of the second opening. Thus, the clearance size for translation is defined. However, it should be noted that due to the existence of the error chain, the floating arrangement may not be able to fully utilize the clearance during operation after assembly. Advantageously, the effective translation range for each degree of freedom is at least 1 mm, preferably at least 2 mm.

[0008] According to some aspects of the present invention, the first bracket and the second bracket are spaced apart in the overlapping direction, preferably forming a spacing of approximately 1.5 mm. Thus, the first bracket and the second bracket do not substantially come into direct contact, and the force between the first bracket and the second bracket will need to be transmitted via the floating block, specifically from the second bracket, to the second connecting member, to the floating block, to the first connecting member, to the first bracket, or vice versa. Moreover, as described below, this spacing may also provide a certain degree of skew range.

[0009] According to some aspects of the present invention, the corresponding part of the floating block includes a first part and a second part in the overlapping direction. The first part of the floating block is provided with a first hole corresponding to a first degree of freedom transversely to the overlapping direction, and the second part of the floating block is provided with a second hole corresponding to a second degree of freedom transversely to the overlapping direction. The first connecting member extends from the first bracket into the first opening and extends into the first hole to couple the first bracket to the floating block. The second connecting member extends from the second bracket into the second opening and extends into the second hole to couple the second bracket to the floating block. It is obvious that the extension length of the connecting member and the depth of the hole need to prevent the floating block from falling off. Thus, the connecting member and the hole form a sliding fit, preferably a clearance sliding fit. In the case where the clearance sliding fit includes a clearance transversely to the overlapping direction, such a movement possibility is achieved that it is possible to twist at least finitely about a rotational direction substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the first degree of freedom and the second degree of freedom. In the case where the clearance sliding fit includes a clearance along the overlapping direction, in combination with the spacing between the first bracket and the second bracket described above, such a movement possibility is achieved that it is possible to skew at least finitely about a rotational direction belonging to the plane (lying within the plane) defined by the first degree of freedom and the second degree of freedom.

[0010] According to some aspects of the present invention, the first hole and the second hole of the floating block are through holes. Preferably, there is only a single continuous connecting member passing through each hole of the floating block. Thus, the connecting member and the given hole form a continuous and stable sliding fit.

[0011] According to some aspects of the present invention, the first bracket includes a first through hole on one side along the first degree of freedom for receiving the first connecting member therethrough, and the second bracket includes a second through hole on one side along the second degree of freedom for receiving the second connecting member therethrough. Preferably, a first end cap and a second end cap are provided, which at least partially cover the side including the first through hole and the side including the second through hole respectively from the outside. Thus, the assembly of the floating arrangement is facilitated.

[0012] According to some aspects of the present invention, the floating block includes holes near the orifice of the first hole for receiving a first stop screw, and the first stop screw is configured to interact with the first connecting member. The floating block includes holes near the orifice of the second hole for receiving a second stop screw, and the second stop screw is configured to interact with the second connecting member. Thus, the movement margin of the connecting member and the given hole in certain directions is flexibly restricted.

[0013] According to some aspects of the present invention, a vehicle battery tightening assembly is provided, including: a floating arrangement according to various aspects; at least one, preferably at least two, tightening devices positioned relative to the second bracket; a bracket to which the first bracket is adjustably fixed.

[0014] According to some aspects of the present invention, the first bracket includes a slider and a fixing device, the bracket includes a guide and a mating portion, the guide has a hourglass-shaped cross-section, the slider is shaped to be slidably and form-locked therewith, and the fixing device is configured to operate relative to the mating portion to fix the first bracket at a desired position on the bracket. Thereby, it is adaptable to different lengths of the tightening device and / or battery thickness, etc.

[0015] According to some aspects of the present invention, the bracket includes a mounting plate for mounting to other devices, such as battery assembly auxiliary devices. Preferably, the mounting plate is substantially perpendicular to the adjustment direction of the first bracket relative to the bracket.

[0016] According to some aspects of the present invention, in the working state, the overlapping direction of the first opening and the second opening in the floating arrangement is substantially vertical, the tightening device is substantially vertically oriented, the guide and the mating portion of the bracket are substantially vertically oriented, and the mounting plate of the bracket is substantially horizontally oriented. Thereby, a favorable orientation is formed for the tightening device operating upward to at least partially eliminate the offset and / or skew described at the beginning.

[0017] According to some aspects of the present invention, the first bracket is formed as an L-shaped bracket, the first opening is provided along a substantially horizontal section of the L-shaped bracket, the slider is provided along a substantially vertical section of the L-shaped bracket, and the fixing device is provided at a lug of the substantially vertical section away from the slider.

[0018] According to some aspects of the present invention, there is provided a battery assembly auxiliary device including a floating arrangement and / or a tightening assembly according to various aspects. Preferably, the tightening assembly is mounted to a battery receiving layer of the battery assembly auxiliary device. Preferably, on both longitudinal sides of the battery receiving layer, there are provided: two first tightening assemblies, each first tightening assembly having one floating arrangement and two tightening devices; and one second tightening assembly, each second tightening assembly having two floating arrangements and three tightening devices, and the second brackets of the two floating arrangements of each second tightening assembly are formed integrally. Preferably, the battery assembly auxiliary device is configured such that all the tightening devices of all the tightening assemblies are actuated simultaneously.

[0019] According to some aspects of the present invention, there is provided a method for tightening a vehicle battery implemented using a floating arrangement, a tightening assembly, and / or a battery assembly auxiliary device according to various aspects, including: moving a tightening device and a fastener towards a fixing hole on the battery such that the end of the fastener makes initial contact with the battery; driving the fastener to rotate via the tightening device to screw the fastener through the fixing hole on the battery towards a corresponding hole on the vehicle; wherein, during the period from the initial contact of the end of the fastener with the battery until the fastener is fully tightened, in response to the reaction force exerted by the fastener on the floating arrangement via the tightening device, the floating arrangement moves in a direction that at least partially centers the fastener. Thereby, alignment is promoted throughout the process of tightening the battery relative to the vehicle. Preferably, the method includes receiving the fastener by the tightening device before moving the tightening device and the fastener.

[0020] According to some aspects of the present invention, driving the fastener to rotate via the tightening device includes rotating the fastener with a continuously increasing rotational speed increment before reaching a defined torque. That is, except for the initial start-up phase, before the rotational speed drops suddenly due to the tightening process (such as reaching the torque defined by the torque-angle method), the rotational speed continues to increase rather than becoming uniform. Thereby, the force during high-torque tightening is fully utilized to promote alignment among the screw hole, the screw, and the tightening device.

[0021] According to some aspects of the present invention, there is provided a battery assembly auxiliary method, including: receiving a battery onto a battery assembly auxiliary device; positioning the battery assembly auxiliary device at a position below the vehicle where the battery is to be assembled; lifting at least a part of the battery assembly auxiliary device such that the battery is initially substantially aligned with the vehicle; implementing the method for tightening a vehicle battery according to various aspects. Thereby, progressive alignment is achieved, especially during the process of tightening the battery relative to the vehicle.

[0022] It should be noted that although some aspects of the present invention are described above with respect to methods, arrangements, components, and devices, the features described with respect to one of the methods, arrangements, components, and devices can be applied to the others individually or in combination. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing an exemplary battery is presented.

[0024] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing an exemplary battery assembly auxiliary device is presented.

[0025] Figure 3A A perspective view showing a floating arrangement of a tightening device according to various embodiments is presented.

[0026] Figure 3B A top view showing a floating arrangement of a tightening device according to various embodiments is presented.

[0027] Figure 3C Shows an exploded schematic view of the floating arrangement of the tightening device according to various embodiments.

[0028] Figures 4A - 4B Shows a schematic view of the tightening assembly according to various embodiments.

[0029] Figure 5 Shows a schematic view of the battery assembly auxiliary equipment according to various embodiments. Detailed implementation manners

[0030] The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the present invention are shown. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments depicted and described herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. It will also be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in any manner and / or combination to provide many additional embodiments.

[0031] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this disclosure have the same meaning as would be advantageously understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terms used in the above description are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0032] For ease of illustration, in the various drawings, like reference numerals refer to like or similar structures, units, and / or components, and the parts in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0033] Now refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 , which shows a schematic view of an exemplary battery 1. The battery 1 can advantageously be a high-voltage battery. In the illustrated example, the battery 1 has a profiled contour based on a substantially rectangular shape and has a certain thickness. The battery 1 has a tapered protrusion in the middle part of the left edge and a tapered protrusion in the entire part of the right edge. Additionally, the battery 1 is provided with holes in the edges and / or central part of the shown surface, and at least some of these holes 11 are configured to receive fasteners for mounting the battery 1 to the bottom of a vehicle, such as a chassis. The holes 11 for receiving the fasteners are located on two longitudinal flanges extending between the left edge and the right edge of the battery 1 and are formed in three spaced-apart groups on each longitudinal flange, with each group having 2, 2, and 3 holes close to each other respectively. Such a battery 1 can have a mass on the order of up to 500 kg, and therefore, it is necessary to effectively fasten the battery 1 during assembly.

[0034] Now refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2A schematic view of an exemplary battery assembly auxiliary device 2 is shown. The battery assembly auxiliary device 2 can be used in a vehicle production line and can operate in a station-related area of a corresponding station (such as a station dedicated to battery assembly). In operation, a battery (such as the exemplary battery 1) can be received on the device 2. Then, the device 2 can be positioned at a position below the vehicle to which the battery is to be assembled. Then, at least a part of the device 2 can be lifted. During this process, a certain degree of alignment operation has advantageously been carried out to expect the battery to be initially substantially aligned with the vehicle. For the battery assembly auxiliary device and method, reference is also made, for example, to Chinese Patent Application No. 202110584534.3 under the name of the present applicant, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0035] The applicant recognizes that in the case of tightening the battery with a large torque, misalignments including, for example, offsets and / or skews can have an important impact on the assembly efficiency and assembly quality, and may also have an important impact on subsequent repairs and maintenance (such as battery swapping).

[0036] Now refer to Figures 3A - 3C , Figures 3A - 3C which shows various schematic views of at least a part of the floating arrangement 3 of the tightening device according to various embodiments.

[0037] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the floating arrangement 3 includes a first bracket 31 and a second bracket 32. The first bracket 31 and the second bracket 32 are respectively formed with a first opening 310 and a second opening 320. The first opening 310 and the second opening 320 are positioned to at least partially overlap each other in the overlapping direction. Advantageously, the first opening 310 and the second opening 320 are through in the overlapping direction. The floating arrangement 3 includes a floating block 30. The floating block 30 is inserted into the first opening 310 and the second opening 320, and the dimension in a direction transverse to the overlapping direction (such as the direction perpendicular to the Figure 3B plane drawn) (such as corresponding to the Figure 3B dimension within the plane drawn) is smaller than the corresponding dimension of each of the first opening 310 and the second opening 320. In the illustrated embodiment, the dimension of the floating block 30 in a first direction (such as the transverse direction within the plane corresponding to the Figure 3B plane drawn) is smaller than the corresponding dimension of each of the first opening 310 and the second opening 320 in the same direction; the dimension of the floating block 30 in a second direction (such as corresponding to the Figure 3BThe dimension in the longitudinal direction (in the plane shown) is smaller than the corresponding dimension of each of the first opening 310 and the second opening 320 in the same direction. The floating arrangement 3 includes a first connecting member 35 and a second connecting member 36. The first connecting member 35 and the second connecting member 36 movably couple it to the first bracket 31 and the second bracket 32 at respective portions of the floating block 30, such that there is a first degree of freedom between the first bracket 31 and the floating block 30 in a direction transverse to the overlapping direction (e.g., corresponding to Figure 3B the transverse direction in the plane shown), and there is a second degree of freedom between the second bracket 32 and the floating block 30 in a direction transverse to the overlapping direction (e.g., corresponding to Figure 3B the longitudinal direction in the plane shown). The first degree of freedom and the second degree of freedom are independent of each other and are advantageously substantially orthogonal to each other.

[0038] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the floating block 30, the first opening 310, and the second opening 320 form a cross-section of a substantially parallelogram in a direction transverse to the overlapping direction, and the two pairs of parallel sides of the parallelogram respectively correspond to the first degree of freedom and the second degree of freedom. In the illustrated embodiment, the floating block 30, the first opening 310, and the second opening 320 form a cross-section of a rounded square in a direction transverse to the overlapping direction (e.g., Figure 3B the transverse parallel sides shown correspond to the first degree of freedom, Figure 3B the longitudinal parallel sides shown correspond to the second degree of freedom).

[0039] According to some embodiments of the present invention, corresponding to the first degree of freedom, the corresponding dimension of the floating block 30 in a direction transverse to the overlapping direction is set to be approximately 3 mm different from the corresponding dimension of the first opening 310, and / or corresponding to the second degree of freedom, the corresponding dimension of the floating block 30 in a direction transverse to the overlapping direction is set to be approximately 3 mm different from the corresponding dimension of the second opening 320. In the illustrated embodiment, the dimension of the floating block 30 in the first direction (e.g., corresponding to Figure 3B the transverse direction in the plane shown) is approximately 3 mm different from the corresponding dimension of the first opening 310 (advantageously also from the second opening 320) in the same direction (e.g., Figure 3B the left gap plus the right gap shown); the dimension of the floating block 30 in the second direction (e.g., corresponding to Figure 3B the longitudinal direction in the plane shown) is approximately 3 mm different from the corresponding dimension of the second opening 320 (advantageously also from the first opening 310) in the same direction (e.g., Figure 3B the upper gap plus the lower gap shown).

[0040] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first bracket 31 and the second bracket 32 are spaced apart in the overlapping direction, advantageously forming a spacing D of approximately 1.5 mm.

[0041] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the corresponding portion of the floating block 30 includes a first portion 301 and a second portion 302 in the overlapping direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 301 is the lower portion of the floating block 30, the second portion 302 is the upper portion of the floating block 30, and the second bracket 32 will overlap on the first bracket 31, but the first bracket 31 and the second bracket 32 can have different overlapping orders and overlapping orientations. The first portion 301 of the floating block 30 is provided with a first hole 303 corresponding to a first degree of freedom transversely to the overlapping direction, and a first connecting member 35 extends from the first bracket 31 into the first opening 310 and extends into the first hole 303 to couple the first bracket 31 to the floating block 30. The second portion 302 of the floating block 30 is provided with a second hole 304 corresponding to a second degree of freedom transversely to the overlapping direction, and a second connecting member 36 extends from the second bracket 32 into the second opening 320 and extends into the second hole 304 to couple the second bracket 32 to the floating block 30. Advantageously, the first connecting member 35 and the second connecting member 36 are in the form of dowel pins. For example, the dowel pins can be integral with the corresponding brackets 31, 32 within the corresponding openings 310, 320, separately manufactured from the brackets and fixedly connected (such as welded) to the corresponding brackets 31, 32, or separate from the brackets and inserted into the receiving holes 311, 321 (such as threaded or unthreaded) facing into the corresponding openings 310, 320 on the corresponding brackets 31, 32.

[0042] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first hole 303 and the second hole 304 of the floating block 30 are through holes. Advantageously, there is only a single continuous connecting member 35, 36 passing through each hole 303, 304 of the floating block 30.

[0043] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first bracket 31 includes a first through hole 312 (such as opposite to the receiving hole 311) on one side along the first degree of freedom (for example, opposite to the side where the receiving hole 311 is located), for receiving the first connecting member 35 to pass through it. The second bracket 32 includes a second through hole 322 (such as opposite to the receiving hole 321) on one side along the second degree of freedom (for example, opposite to the side where the receiving hole 321 is located), for receiving the second connecting member 36 to pass through it. Advantageously, a first end cap 313 and a second end cap 323 are provided, which at least partially cover the side including the first through hole 312 and the side including the second through hole 322 from the outside respectively.

[0044] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the floating block 30 includes a hole (not shown in the figure) for receiving a first check screw near the orifice of the first hole 303, and the first check screw is configured to interact with the first connecting member 35. The floating block 30 includes a hole 306 for receiving a second check screw near the orifice of the second hole 304, and the second check screw is configured to interact with the second connecting member 36.

[0045] Advantageously, the tightening device floating arrangement 3 is included in or forms part of the tightening assembly.

[0046] Now referring to Figures 4A - 4B , Figures 4A - 4B FIG. shows a top view of at least a part of the tightening assembly 4 according to various embodiments.

[0047] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the tightening assembly 4 includes the floating arrangement 3 according to the present invention. For example, in the embodiment of Figure 4A , there is one floating arrangement 3, while in the embodiment of Figure 4B , there are two floating arrangements 3. Advantageously, when there are multiple floating arrangements 3, the second brackets 32 of the floating arrangements 3 of the tightening assembly 4 are fixed to each other or preferably formed integrally. The tightening assembly 4 includes a tightening device 40. The tightening device 40 is positioned relative to the second bracket 32. In other words, the tightening device 40 is directly mounted to the second bracket 32 or indirectly mounted to the second bracket 32 via an intermediate device. For example, in the embodiment of Figure 4A , there are two tightening devices 40, while in the embodiment of Figure 4B , there are three tightening devices 40. The tightening assembly 4 includes a bracket 41. The first bracket 31 is adjustably fixed to the bracket 41. For example, in the embodiment of Figure 4A , there is one bracket 41, while in the embodiment of Figure 4B , there are two brackets 41. Advantageously, when there are multiple brackets 41, the brackets 41 of the tightening assembly 4 (e.g., through the mounting plate 414 described below) are fixed to each other or preferably formed integrally. Advantageously, the tightening device 40 has a certain feeding ability in the working direction (e.g., corresponding to the plane drawn in Figure 4A , 4B , outward, especially substantially vertically upward in the working state).

[0048] With reference to Figures 3A - 3B , Figures 3A - 3B FIG. shows a detailed schematic view of at least a part of the tightening assembly 4 according to various embodiments. It should be noted that, for clarity, only individual reference numerals are selectively identified in Figures 4A - 4B .

[0049] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first bracket 31 includes a slider 315 and a fixing device 316. The bracket 41 includes a guide 412 and a mating portion 411. The guide 412 has an hourglass-shaped cross-section, and the slider 315 is shaped to slidably and form-lockingly engage therewith. The fixing device 316 is configured to operate relative to the mating portion 411 to fix the first bracket 31 at a desired position on the bracket 41. For example, the mating portion 411 includes a boss protruding from the surface S of the bracket 41, and the surface S of the bracket 41 further includes a recessed depression 413, and the guide 412 is at least partially seated in the depression 413.

[0050] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the bracket 41 includes a mounting plate 414 for mounting to other devices, such as the above-described, below-described, or other battery assembly auxiliary devices. Advantageously, the mounting plate 414 is substantially perpendicular to the adjustment direction of the first bracket 31 relative to the bracket 41. In Figure 4B the embodiment, the two brackets 41 of the tightening assembly 4 have a single integral mounting plate 414.

[0051] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in the working state, the overlapping direction of the first opening 310 and the second opening 320 of the floating arrangement 3 is substantially vertical, the tightening device 40 (especially the tightening gun / head) is substantially vertically oriented, the guide 412 and the mating portion 411 of the bracket 41 are substantially vertically oriented, and the mounting plate 414 of the bracket 41 is substantially horizontally oriented.

[0052] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first bracket 31 is formed as an L-shaped bracket, the first opening 310 is provided along a substantially horizontal section H of the L-shaped bracket, the slider 315 is provided along a substantially vertical section V of the L-shaped bracket, and the fixing device 316 is provided at a lug 317 of the substantially horizontal section H away from the slider 315.

[0053] Advantageously, the tightening assembly 4 is included in the battery assembly auxiliary device or forms part of the battery assembly auxiliary device.

[0054] Now refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 FIG. shows a front view of at least a part of the battery assembly auxiliary device 5 according to various embodiments, particularly showing its battery receiving layer 50, where some components are omitted for clarity. The battery assembly auxiliary device 5 can be constructed and operate substantially the same as the battery assembly auxiliary device 2. The battery receiving layer 50 may include at least one plate 500. The plate 500 is defined with a battery receiving volume 502 by, for example, a battery retaining clip 501. The battery receiving volume 502 can also be arranged differently, for example, see the Chinese patent application No. 202110584534.3 under the name of the present applicant as described above.

[0055] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the battery assembly assisting device 5 includes at least one tightening assembly 4 according to the present invention. Advantageously, the tightening assembly 4 (e.g., via the mounting plate 414) is mounted to the battery receiving layer 50 (e.g., the plate 500). In the illustrated embodiment, there are three tightening assemblies 4 on both longitudinal sides of the battery receiving layer 50, two of the tightening assemblies having one floating arrangement 3 and two tightening devices 40 (e.g., corresponding to Figure 4A of the embodiment), and one tightening assembly having two floating arrangements 3 and three tightening devices 40 (e.g., corresponding to Figure 4B of the embodiment). Advantageously, the battery assembly assisting device 5 is configured such that the tightening devices 40 of all the tightening assemblies 4 are actuated simultaneously.

[0056] Advantageously, the vehicle battery tightening operation is implemented using the floating arrangement 3, the tightening assembly 4, and / or the battery assembly assisting device 5 according to the present invention.

[0057] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the vehicle battery tightening operation includes the following method steps: moving the tightening device 40 and the fastener (e.g., Figure 5 exemplary fasteners are schematically shown on the three right-side tightening devices 40 in the figure) towards the fixing hole (e.g., fixing hole 11) of the battery (e.g., battery 1) such that the end of the fastener makes initial contact with the battery; driving the fastener to rotate via the tightening device 40 to tighten it through the fixing hole of the battery towards the corresponding hole (not shown) of the vehicle; wherein, during the period from the initial contact of the end of the fastener with the battery to the completion of the tightening of the fastener, in response to the reaction force of the fastener acting on the floating arrangement 3 via the tightening device 40, the floating arrangement 3 moves in a direction that at least partially centers the fastener. Advantageously, the tightening device 40 receives the fastener before moving the tightening device 40 and the fastener.

[0058] According to some embodiments of the present invention, driving the fastener to rotate via the tightening device 40 includes rotating the fastener with a continuously increasing rotational speed increment before reaching the defined torque.

[0059] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the tightening device 40 applies an equivalent total torque of approximately 200 to 250 Nm when the tightening is completed. Advantageously, the operating parameters of the tightening device 40 are defined by a torque parameter plus a rotation angle parameter, and in the case of the above equivalent total torque, the tightening device 40 is set to include operating parameters of up to 100 Nm + 90°.

[0060] Advantageously, the vehicle battery tightening operation is included in, or forms part of, a battery assembly assisting method. The battery assembly assisting method can be applied in a vehicle production line.

[0061] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a battery assembly assisting method includes: receiving a battery (such as battery 1) onto a battery assembly assisting device (such as battery assembly assisting device 5); positioning the battery assembly assisting device (such as battery assembly assisting device 5) at a position below a vehicle to which the battery (such as battery 1) is to be assembled; lifting at least a part of the battery assembly assisting device (such as battery receiving layer 50) such that the battery (such as battery 1) is initially substantially aligned with the vehicle; and performing a vehicle battery tightening operation according to the present invention.

[0062] The foregoing is a description of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications can be made in the exemplary embodiments without substantially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. The present invention is defined by the appended claims, including equivalents of the claims.

Claims

1. A floating arrangement for a vehicle battery tightening device, comprising: A first bracket, the first bracket being formed with a first opening; A second bracket, the second bracket being formed with a second opening; Wherein the first opening and the second opening are positioned to at least partially overlap each other in an overlapping direction; A floating block, the floating block being inserted into the first opening and the second opening, and having a dimension transverse to the overlapping direction smaller than the corresponding dimension of each of the first opening and the second opening; A first connecting member and a second connecting member, the first connecting member and the second connecting member respectively movably couple it to the first bracket and the second bracket at corresponding portions of the floating block, such that there is a first degree of freedom transverse to the overlapping direction between the first bracket and the floating block, and a second degree of freedom transverse to the overlapping direction between the second bracket and the floating block, and the first degree of freedom and the second degree of freedom are independent of each other.

2. The floating arrangement according to claim 1, wherein, Corresponding to the first degree of freedom, the corresponding dimension of the floating block in the direction transverse to the overlapping direction is set to be approximately 3 mm different from the corresponding dimension of the first opening, and / or Corresponding to the second degree of freedom, the corresponding dimension of the floating block in the direction transverse to the overlapping direction is set to be approximately 3 mm different from the corresponding dimension of the second opening, and / or The first bracket and the second bracket form a gap of approximately 1.5 mm in the overlapping direction.

3. The floating arrangement according to claim 1, wherein The corresponding portions of the floating block include a first portion and a second portion in the overlapping direction. A first hole corresponding to the first degree of freedom is provided in the first portion of the floating block transverse to the overlapping direction, and a second hole corresponding to the second degree of freedom is provided in the second portion of the floating block transverse to the overlapping direction. The first connecting member extends from the first bracket into the first opening and extends into the first hole to couple the first bracket to the floating block, and the second connecting member extends from the second bracket into the second opening and extends into the second hole to couple the second bracket to the floating block.

4. The floating arrangement according to claim 3, wherein, The first hole and the second hole of the floating block are through holes.

5. The floating arrangement according to claim 4, wherein, There is only a single continuous connecting member passing through each hole of the floating block.

6. The floating arrangement according to claim 3, wherein, The first bracket includes a first through hole on one side along the first degree of freedom for receiving the first connecting member therethrough, and the second bracket includes a second through hole on one side along the second degree of freedom for receiving the second connecting member therethrough.

7. The floating arrangement according to claim 6, wherein A first end cap and a second end cap are provided, which respectively at least partially cover the side including the first through hole and the side including the second through hole from the outside.

8. The floating arrangement according to claim 3, wherein, The floating block includes holes for receiving first stop screws near the orifice of the first hole, the first stop screws being configured to interact with the first connecting member, and the floating block includes holes for receiving second stop screws near the orifice of the second hole, the second stop screws being configured to interact with the second connecting member.

9. A vehicle battery tightening assembly, comprising: The floating arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 8; A tightening device, the tightening device being positioned relative to the second bracket; A bracket, the first bracket being adjustably fixed to the bracket.

10. The vehicle battery tightening assembly according to claim 9, wherein, The vehicle battery tightening assembly includes at least two tightening devices.

11. The vehicle battery tightening assembly according to claim 9, wherein, The first bracket includes a sliding member and a fixing device. The bracket includes a guiding member and a mating portion. The guiding member has a hourglass-shaped cross-section. The shape of the sliding member is configured to slidably and form-locked engage therewith. The fixing device is configured to operate relative to the mating portion to fix the first bracket at a desired position on the bracket.

12. The vehicle battery tightening assembly according to claim 9, wherein, The bracket includes a mounting plate for mounting to a battery assembly auxiliary device.

13. The vehicle battery tightening assembly according to claim 9, wherein, In the working state, the overlapping direction of the first opening and the second opening in the floating arrangement is substantially vertical, and the tightening device is substantially vertically oriented.

14. The vehicle battery tightening assembly according to claim 11, wherein, The first bracket is formed as an L-shaped bracket. The first opening is provided along a substantially horizontal section of the L-shaped bracket. The sliding member is provided along a substantially vertical section of the L-shaped bracket. The fixing device is provided at a lug of the substantially vertical section away from the sliding member.

15. An auxiliary device for battery assembly, comprising a floating arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and / or a tightening assembly according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein, The tightening assembly is mounted to a battery receiving layer of a battery assembly auxiliary device.

16. The battery assembly auxiliary device according to claim 15, wherein, On both longitudinal sides of the battery receiving layer, there are provided: two first tightening assemblies, each first tightening assembly having one floating arrangement and two tightening devices; and one second tightening assembly, each second tightening assembly having two floating arrangements and three tightening devices. The second brackets of the two floating arrangements of each second tightening assembly are formed integrally.

17. The battery assembly auxiliary device according to claim 15, wherein, The battery assembly auxiliary device is configured to simultaneously actuate all the tightening devices of all the tightening assemblies.

18. A method for tightening a vehicle battery implemented by using the floating arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the tightening assembly according to any one of claims 9 to 14, and / or the battery assembly auxiliary device according to claim 15 or 16, comprising: Moving the tightening device and the fastener towards a fixing hole on the battery such that the end of the fastener makes initial contact with the battery; Driving the fastener to rotate via the tightening device to screw the fastener through the fixing hole on the battery towards a corresponding hole on the vehicle; Wherein, during the period from the initial contact of the end of the fastener with the battery until the fastener is completely tightened, in response to the reaction force of the fastener acting on the floating arrangement via the tightening device, the floating arrangement moves in a direction that at least partially centers the fastener.

19. The method for tightening a vehicle battery according to claim 18, wherein, The method includes receiving the fastener by the tightening device before moving the tightening device and the fastener.

20. The vehicle battery tightening method according to claim 18, wherein, Driving the fastener to rotate via the tightening device includes rotating the fastener with a continuously increasing rotational speed increment until a defined torque is reached.

21. A battery assembly auxiliary method, comprising: Receiving a battery on a battery assembly auxiliary device; Positioning the battery assembly auxiliary device at a position below a vehicle to which the battery is to be assembled; Lifting at least a part of the battery assembly auxiliary device such that the battery is initially substantially aligned with the vehicle; Implementing the method for tightening a vehicle battery according to any one of claims 18 to 20.

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