A water power exchange system

Abstract

The present invention provides an on-water battery exchange system, comprising: a battery exchange station body, a battery exchange mechanism and a ship. The battery exchange station body is fixed to the riverbed, and the battery exchange station body has a support platform, which is higher than the river surface. The battery exchange station body and the river banks on both sides have space for ships to pass through, and battery boxes are stored on the support platform. The battery exchange mechanism is arranged on the support platform. The ship has a mounting seat for installing the battery box, and the ship can travel to either side of the support platform to cooperate with the battery exchange mechanism to perform the battery exchange operation. The battery exchange station body of the on-water battery exchange system of the present application is arranged in the center of the water area, and no longer occupies the dock or other venues, thereby increasing space utilization, and the ship can perform battery exchange during normal driving, avoiding operations such as driving to the shore or turning the bow, saving time. The battery exchange mechanism of the on-water battery exchange system has the functions of walking, rotating and lifting, so the ship can complete the battery exchange task in any direction and position of the support platform, thereby improving the battery exchange efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of battery replacement technology, and in particular to an on-water battery replacement system. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, the battery swapping method for electric ships is usually as follows: the ship is docked at the dock, and the tower crane at the dock is used to lift the depleted battery pack or battery container from the ship and place it at the dock's battery swap station for charging. Subsequently, the tower crane lifts the fully charged battery pack or battery container from the battery swap station and places it on the electric ship to provide a power source for the ship. When swapping batteries, the ship needs to dock at a designated dock or shore-based battery swap station. In addition, the dock's tower crane has certain requirements for the docking direction of the ship when lifting the battery pack or battery container. The ship needs to be parked in a certain direction to successfully complete the corresponding battery swap operation. For large ships, turning and turning around at the dock is relatively difficult, which increases the difficulty of battery swapping and poor battery swapping experience.

[0003] In view of this, the present invention is proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides an on-water power exchange system.

[0005] This application provides the following technical solutions:

[0006] An on-water power exchange system, comprising:

[0007] The battery swap station body is fixed to the riverbed and has a support platform. The support platform is higher than the river surface. The battery swap station body and the river banks on both sides have space for ships to pass through. The battery box is stored on the support platform;

[0008] A battery replacement mechanism, the battery replacement mechanism being arranged on the support platform;

[0009] A ship having a mounting base for mounting a battery box, and the ship can travel to either side of the support platform to cooperate with a battery replacement mechanism to perform a battery replacement operation.

[0010] Optionally, the battery swap station body includes a concrete foundation and a bracket;

[0011] The concrete foundation is located at the bottom of the riverbed;

[0012] The bracket is connected to the concrete foundation;

[0013] The support platform is connected to the bracket.

[0014] Optionally, the water battery exchange system further includes an underwater cable, and a charging device is provided on the battery exchange station body, and the charging device is used to electrically connect the battery box to charge the battery box;

[0015] The underwater cable is electrically connected to the charging device.

[0016] Optionally, the brackets enclose a wiring space, and the wiring space is located below the support platform;

[0017] The underwater cable extends along the wiring space to the support platform and is electrically connected to the charging device.

[0018] Optionally, the water power exchange system includes a track, and the track is arranged on the support platform;

[0019] Each of the battery boxes is located on both sides of the track;

[0020] The power exchange mechanism is movably arranged on the track.

[0021] Optionally, a water leakage hole is provided on the support platform.

[0022] Optionally, the battery swap mechanism includes a vehicle frame, a movable arm and a battery gripper;

[0023] The frame is movably connected to the track;

[0024] The movable arm is connected to the vehicle frame, and the battery gripper is connected to the movable arm. The movable arm can drive the battery gripper to move to transport the battery box.

[0025] Optionally, a slewing assembly is rotatably provided on the frame;

[0026] The movable arm is connected to the rotary assembly, and the rotary assembly can drive the movable arm to rotate around the rotation axis of the rotary assembly.

[0027] Optionally, the battery exchange mechanism includes a first oil cylinder and a second oil cylinder;

[0028] A hinge seat is provided on the rotary assembly;

[0029] The movable arm frame includes a first movable arm and a second movable arm, the first movable arm is hinged to the hinge seat, the second movable arm is hinged to the first movable arm, and the battery gripper is connected to the second movable arm;

[0030] Two ends of the first oil cylinder are respectively connected to the first movable arm and the articulated seat, and two ends of the second oil cylinder are respectively connected to the first movable arm and the second movable arm.

[0031] Optionally, the battery gripper includes a winding device and a gripping device;

[0032] The winding device is connected to the movable arm, and the winding device has a suspension rope;

[0033] The grabbing device is connected to the lifting rope, and the winding device winds or releases the lifting rope to lift or lower the grabbing device.

[0034] Optionally, the grasping device includes a main frame, a driving device and a plurality of horizontal hooks, and the horizontal hooks are rotatably connected to the main frame;

[0035] The driving device is arranged on the main frame, and the driving device is transmission-connected to each of the transverse hooks to drive each of the transverse hooks to rotate to a locked position or an unlocked position.

[0036] By adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0037] The battery swap station of the waterborne battery swap system of this application is set in the center of the water, no longer occupying docks or other places, increasing space utilization. Moreover, ships can swap batteries while they are in normal operation, avoiding operations such as driving to the shore or turning the bow, saving time. The battery swap mechanism of the waterborne battery swap system has walking, rotating and lifting functions, so the ship can complete the battery swap task in any direction and position of the support platform, improving the battery swap efficiency.

[0038] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The accompanying drawings are part of this application and are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention, but do not constitute an undue limitation of the present invention. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without inventive effort. In the accompanying drawings:

[0040] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the water battery exchange system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the coordinated structure of the battery swap station body and the battery swap mechanism of the water battery swap system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Enlarged view of part A in the middle;

[0043] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of the battery gripper of the battery exchange mechanism of the water battery exchange system provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0044] In the figure, 1. Battery swap station body; 11. Support platform; 12. Bracket; 13. Track; 14. Charging equipment; 2. Ship; 3. Wiring space; 4. Battery swap mechanism; 41. Movable arm frame; 411. First movable arm; 412. Second movable arm; 42. Battery gripper; 421. Winding device; 4211. Winding drum; 4212. Guide sleeve; 422. Grabbing device; 4221. Guide shaft; 42211. Cone; 4222. Main frame; 4223. Horizontal hook; 43. First oil cylinder; 44. Second oil cylinder; 45. Adaptive connecting seat; 46. Vehicle frame; 47. Rotating assembly; 471. Rotating motor; 472. Rotating bearing; 473. Gear; 48. Articulated seat; 5. Battery box.

[0045] It should be noted that these drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the conceptual scope of the present invention in any way, but rather to illustrate the concept of the present invention for those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention but are not used to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0047] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "inside", "outside", etc. indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limitations on the present invention.

[0048] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "mounted" and "connected" should be understood broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed, detachable, or integral connections; mechanical or electrical connections; and direct or indirect connections through an intermediary. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0049] See also Figures 1 to 4As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides an on-water battery exchange system, comprising: a battery exchange station body 1, a battery exchange mechanism 4 and a ship 2. The battery exchange station body 1 is fixed to the riverbed, and the battery exchange station body 1 has a support platform 11, and the support platform 11 is higher than the river surface. The battery exchange station body 1 and the river banks on both sides have space for the ship 2 to pass through, and the battery box 5 is stored on the support platform 11. The battery exchange mechanism 4 is arranged on the support platform 11. The ship 2 has a mounting seat for installing the battery box 5, and the ship 2 can move to either side of the support platform 11 to cooperate with the battery exchange mechanism 4 to perform the battery exchange operation. The battery exchange station body 1 of the on-water battery exchange system of the present application is arranged in the center of the water area, does not occupy the dock or other venues, increases space utilization, and the ship 2 can successfully complete the battery exchange without turning and adjusting the angle during normal driving, avoiding operations such as driving to the shore or turning the bow, saving time and improving battery exchange efficiency. The battery exchange mechanism 4 of the water battery exchange system has the functions of walking, rotating and lifting, so the ship 2 can complete the battery exchange action in any direction and position of the support platform 11, making the battery exchange process convenient and fast, and the battery exchange experience is good.

[0050] In one possible embodiment, see Figure 1 As shown, the battery swap station body 1 includes a concrete foundation (not shown) and a bracket 12. The concrete foundation is located at the bottom of the riverbed. The bracket 12 is connected to the concrete foundation. The construction of the concrete foundation can refer to the construction process of the bridge pier. The support platform 11 is connected to the bracket 12. The concrete foundation can extend out of the water surface or be located below the water surface, as long as the bracket 12 extends out of the water surface. The support platform 11 is higher than the highest water level of the river during the flood season. Under no circumstances will the river water submerge the support platform 11. The edge of the support platform 11 can be tilted downward, which is conducive to draining the accumulated water on the support platform 11.

[0051] See also Figure 1 As shown, the water battery exchange system also includes an underwater cable. A charging device 14 is provided on the battery exchange station body 1. The charging device 14 is used to electrically connect to the battery box 5 to charge the battery box 5. The underwater cable is electrically connected to the charging device 14. If the cable is erected above the water surface, it may affect the navigation of the ship 2 and even pose certain safety hazards. Therefore, the underwater cable is provided in this solution to avoid interference between the cable and the ship and improve safety.

[0052] See also Figure 1As shown, the bracket 12 encloses a wiring space 3, and the wiring space 3 is located below the support platform 11. The underwater cable extends along the wiring space 3 to the support platform 11 and is electrically connected to the charging device 14. The design of the wiring space 3 facilitates the extension of the underwater cable to the support platform 11. The wiring space 3 is located below the support platform 11, and the support platform 11 and the bracket 12 have a protective effect on the underwater cable, preventing the underwater cable from interfering with other structures in the river channel and causing damage to the underwater cable. Of course, other protective structures can also be set in the wiring space 3 to protect the cable segments extending from the underwater cable, and this application does not limit its specific structure.

[0053] In one possible embodiment, see Figure 1 As shown, the water battery exchange system includes a track 13, and the track 13 is arranged on the support platform 11. Each of the battery boxes 5 is located on both sides of the track 13. The battery exchange mechanism 4 is movably arranged on the track 13. The track 13 can extend in a direction perpendicular to the flow of the river water. Regardless of whether the ship 2 is traveling downstream or upstream, as long as the ship 2 travels to any side of the support platform 11, the battery exchange operation can be performed. The battery exchange mechanism 4 can be moved to a position close to the ship 2 for battery exchange, and the ship 2 does not need to adjust its posture and position when changing batteries. Of course, tracks 13 extending in other directions can also be provided so that the battery exchange mechanism 4 can travel to different positions on the support platform 11.

[0054] See also Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a water leakage hole is provided on the support platform 11. The water leakage hole is conducive to draining the accumulated water or rainwater on the support platform 11, so as to keep the support platform 11 dry and clean.

[0055] In one possible embodiment, see Figure 2 As shown, the battery exchange mechanism 4 includes a frame 46, a movable arm 41 and a battery gripper 42. The frame 46 is movably connected to the track 13. The movable arm 41 is connected to the frame 46, and the battery gripper 42 is connected to the movable arm 41. The movable arm 41 can drive the battery gripper 42 to move to transport the battery box 5. A friction wheel and a motor are provided on the frame 46. The motor drives the friction wheel to rotate, so that the battery exchange mechanism 4 moves back and forth on the track 13, realizing two-way battery exchange in the water battery exchange system. Regardless of whether the ship 2 is traveling downstream or upstream, as long as the ship 2 travels to both sides of the support platform 11, battery exchange can be carried out smoothly.

[0056] See also Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, a slewing assembly 47 is rotatably provided on the frame 46. The movable arm 41 is connected to the slewing assembly 47, and the slewing assembly 47 can drive the movable arm 41 to rotate around the rotation axis of the slewing assembly 47. The slewing assembly 47 includes a slewing motor 471 and a slewing bearing 472 (the slewing bearing is a first slewing bearing). The slewing bearing 472 has a first component and a second component, the second component is rotatably mounted on the first component, the first component is fixed (fixed to the frame 46), and the power exchange mechanism 4 is connected to the second component. For example, the movable arm 41 is connected to the second component. The output shaft of the slewing motor 471 is connected to a gear 473, and the gear 473 is engaged with the gear ring portion on the outer ring of the second component of the slewing bearing 472. The rotary motor 471 drives the gear 473 to rotate, and the gear 473 drives the second part of the rotary bearing 472 to rotate. The second part can drive the power exchange mechanism 4 to rotate 360°, realizing the lifting movement of the movable arm 41 in the left and right and front and back directions.

[0057] See also Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the battery exchange mechanism 4 includes a first oil cylinder 43 and a second oil cylinder 44. A hinge seat 48 is provided on the rotating assembly 47. The movable arm frame 41 includes a first movable arm 411 and a second movable arm 412, the first movable arm 411 is hinged to the hinge seat 48, the second movable arm 412 is hinged to the first movable arm 411, and the battery gripper 42 is connected to the second movable arm 412. The two ends of the first oil cylinder 43 are respectively hinged to the first movable arm 411 and the hinge seat 48, and the two ends of the second oil cylinder 44 are respectively connected to the first movable arm 411 and the second movable arm 412. The telescopic movement of the first oil cylinder 43 can adjust the pitch movement of the first movable arm 411, and the telescopic movement of the second oil cylinder 44 can adjust the pitch movement of the second movable arm 412. Through the combined movement of the two hydraulic cylinders and the slewing assembly 47, the movable arm 41 can be lifted in the vertical, left-right, and forward-backward directions, enabling lifting at any position within the effective orientation on a plane to accommodate the lifting of batteries in various orientations. The first movable arm 411 is hinged to the hinged base 48, and the second movable arm 412 is hinged to the first movable arm 411, allowing the movable arm 411 to be folded when not in use to prevent damage from collisions.

[0058] In one possible embodiment, see Figure 4As shown, the battery gripper 42 includes a winding device 421 and a grabbing device 422. The winding device 421 is connected to the movable arm 41, and the winding device 421 has a lifting rope. The grabbing device 422 is connected to the lifting rope, and the winding device 421 winds or releases the lifting rope to lift or lower the grabbing device 422. The lifting rope can be a steel wire rope. The flexibility of the steel wire rope can adapt to various postures of the ship 2. At the same time, when the winding device 421 releases the steel wire rope to lower the grabbing device 422 to grab the battery box 5, the movement of the movable arm 41 is reduced, and the difficulty of follow-up linkage control is reduced. A winch can be provided on the winding device 421, and one end of the lifting rope is wound on the winch. The winch rotates forward and reverse to lift or lower the battery box 5.

[0059] An adaptive connector 45 is rotatably mounted on the winding device 421 and hingedly connected to the movable arm 41. An angle adjustment mechanism is provided between the winding device 421 and the adaptive connector 45, which drives the winding device 421 to rotate relative to the adaptive connector 45. The adaptive connector 45 can be a ball joint or a cross universal joint. Under the influence of the gravity of the battery box 5, it can automatically adjust its position to maintain the battery box 5 perpendicular to the ground to accommodate the swaying of the vessel 2 on the water.

[0060] The angle adjustment mechanism may include a second slewing bearing and a drive motor. For example, the inner ring of the second slewing bearing (or the first component) is connected to the adaptive connector 45, the outer ring of the second slewing bearing (or the second component) is connected to the winding device 421, and the outer ring of the second slewing bearing is provided with convex teeth around its periphery. The drive motor is mounted on the adaptive connector 45, and a slewing gear is connected to the rotating shaft of the drive motor. The slewing gear meshes with the convex teeth on the outer ring of the second slewing bearing. The driving motor rotates to drive the outer ring of the second rotary bearing through the rotary gear, so that the winding device 421 rotates relative to the adaptive connecting seat 45 to adjust the angle of the battery box 5, so that the grasping device 422 and the battery box 5 are aligned, which facilitates the grasping device 422 to grasp the battery box 5. Even if the direction of the grasping device 422 changes during the rotation of the movable arm 41, the angle of the grasping device 422 can be adjusted through the angle adjustment mechanism, so that the grasping device 422 can smoothly grasp the battery box 5 or smoothly unload the battery box 5 onto the target battery seat. The battery seat is set on the support platform 11 for locking or releasing the battery box 5.

[0061] See also Figure 4As shown, the winding device 421 has a driving component and a plurality of winding drums 4211, and a lifting rope is wound around each of the winding drums 4211. Each of the lifting ropes is connected to the grabbing device 422. The driving component and each of the winding drums 4211 are in transmission connection to drive each of the winding drums 4211 to rotate synchronously. The driving component drives the winding drum 4211 to rotate forward, the lifting rope is extended, and the grabbing device 422 puts down the battery box 5. The driving component drives the winding drum 4211 to rotate reversely, the lifting rope is wound around the winding drum 4211, and the grabbing device 422 can lift the battery box 5. The number of driving components is not limited. There is much disclosure in the prior art about the structure in which such a driving component drives or directly drives each winding drum to rotate through a transmission assembly, and this application does not limit the specific structure.

[0062] The grabbing device 422 includes a main frame 4222, a driving device and a plurality of cross hooks 4223. The cross hooks 4223 are rotatably connected to the main frame 4222. The driving device is arranged on the main frame 4222. The driving device and each cross hook 4223 are transmission-connected to drive each cross hook 4223 to rotate to a locked position or an unlocked position. Figure 4 The horizontal hook 4223 is shown in the unlocked position. The drive device can be an electric push rod or a telescopic cylinder, one end of which is hinged to the main frame 4222 and the other end is hinged to the horizontal hook 4223. The telescopic movement of the drive device drives the horizontal hook 4223 to rotate, switching between the locked and unlocked positions. When the horizontal hook 4223 moves to the locked position, it extends into the bottom of the frame beam of the battery box 5, locking the battery box 5, thereby facilitating the lifting of the battery box 5.

[0063] See also Figure 4 As shown, a guide sleeve 4212 is provided on one of the main frame 4222 of the gripping device 422 and the winding device 421, and a guide shaft 4221 is provided on the other. The end of the guide shaft 4221 has a cone 42211. As the main frame 4222 of the gripping device approaches the winding device 421, the guide shaft 4221 is inserted into the guide sleeve 4212. As the main frame 4222 of the gripping device 422 rises and approaches the winding device 421, the guide shaft 4221 is inserted into the guide sleeve 4212, preventing the main frame 4222 of the gripping device 422 from deviating or rotating relative to the winding device 421. Therefore, the guide shaft 4221 serves a guiding function. The design of the vertebral body 42211 at the end of the guide shaft 4221 is conducive to the insertion of the guide shaft 4221 into the guide sleeve 4212. When the guide shaft 4221 is inserted into the guide sleeve 4212, the vertebral body 42211 at the end of the guide shaft 4221 has a guiding function.

[0064] If the battery box 5 of the traveling ship 2 is out of power, the ship 2 can travel to one side of the support platform 11 of the water battery exchange system, and the battery exchange mechanism 4 travels along the track 13 to the edge of the support platform 11 on that side, and grabs the low-power battery box 5 on the ship 2 and places it on the battery seat of the battery exchange station body 1, and charges it through the charging device 14. Subsequently, the battery exchange mechanism 4 can grab the fully charged battery box 5 on the battery exchange station body 1 and install it on the corresponding battery seat on the ship 2, thereby completing the battery exchange task.

[0065] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not constitute any form of limitation to the present invention. Although the present invention has been disclosed as above in terms of a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any technician familiar with this patent can make slight changes or modifications to equivalent embodiments using the above-mentioned technical contents without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. However, any simple modifications, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention are still within the scope of the solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A water battery exchange system, characterized in that: include: The battery swap station body is fixed to the riverbed, and the battery swap station body includes a concrete foundation, a bracket and a support platform. The concrete foundation is located at the bottom of the riverbed, the bracket is connected to the concrete foundation, and the support platform is connected to the bracket. The support platform is higher than the river surface, and the edge of the support platform is inclined downward. A water leakage hole is provided on the support platform. The battery swap station body and the river banks on both sides have space for ships to pass through. Battery boxes are stored on the support platform, and charging equipment is provided on the support platform. The brackets enclose a wiring space, and the wiring space is located below the support platform. A battery-swapping mechanism, the battery-swapping mechanism being arranged on the support platform; A ship having a mounting seat for mounting a battery box, wherein the ship can travel to either side of the support platform to cooperate with the battery replacement mechanism to perform a battery replacement operation; an underwater cable extending along the wiring space to the support platform and electrically connected to the charging device; The track is arranged on the support platform, and the track extends in a direction perpendicular to the flow of river water. Each battery box is located on both sides of the track, and the battery exchange mechanism is movably arranged on the track.

2. The water battery exchange system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery swap mechanism includes a vehicle frame, a movable arm and a battery gripper; The frame is movably connected to the track; The movable arm is connected to the vehicle frame, and the battery gripper is connected to the movable arm. The movable arm can drive the battery gripper to move to transport the battery box.

3. The water battery exchange system according to claim 2, characterized in that: A rotary assembly is rotatably provided on the frame; The movable arm is connected to the rotary assembly, and the rotary assembly can drive the movable arm to rotate around the rotation axis of the rotary assembly.

4. The water battery exchange system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The battery exchange mechanism includes a first oil cylinder and a second oil cylinder; A hinge seat is provided on the rotary assembly; The movable arm frame includes a first movable arm and a second movable arm, the first movable arm is hinged to the hinge seat, the second movable arm is hinged to the first movable arm, and the battery gripper is connected to the second movable arm; Two ends of the first oil cylinder are respectively connected to the first movable arm and the articulated seat, and two ends of the second oil cylinder are respectively connected to the first movable arm and the second movable arm.

5. The water battery exchange system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The battery gripper includes a winding device and a gripping device; The winding device is connected to the movable arm, and the winding device has a suspension rope; The grabbing device is connected to the lifting rope, and the winding device winds or releases the lifting rope to lift or lower the grabbing device.

6. The water battery exchange system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The grabbing device includes a main frame, a driving device and a plurality of horizontal hooks, wherein the horizontal hooks are rotatably connected to the main frame; The driving device is arranged on the main frame, and the driving device is transmission-connected to each of the transverse hooks to drive each of the transverse hooks to rotate to a locked position or an unlocked position.

Images