Quick-change bracket and battery replacement vehicle comprising same

Abstract

This invention discloses a quick-swap bracket and a battery swapping vehicle including the same. The bracket body includes a bracket body with at least one locking mechanism spaced along the length of the vehicle body. The locking mechanism is used to lock or unlock the battery pack vertically using a ball-operated locking method. The bracket body is connected to the vehicle body via a floating unit, allowing it to float vertically relative to the vehicle body. This invention uses a quick-swap bracket to transfer the battery pack. The bracket body and the vehicle body can float vertically relative to each other via the floating unit, thereby mitigating the damage caused by increased torque or vibration directly transmitted to the battery pack when the vehicle body is twisted or traveling on bumpy roads, thus improving the battery pack's lifespan. The ball-operated locking mechanism enables rapid installation and removal of the battery swapping vehicle, simplifying the installation and removal process and improving quick-swap efficiency.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application 2022108378041, filed on July 15, 2022. The entire contents of the aforementioned Chinese patent application are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to the field of vehicle battery swapping technology, and in particular to a quick-swap bracket and a battery swapping vehicle incorporating the bracket. Background Technology

[0003] Currently, for electric vehicles, the battery pack is generally fixedly connected to the vehicle body, and the electric vehicle replenishes its energy through charging. Alternatively, a quick-swap connection can be used, allowing the electric vehicle to replenish its energy by swapping the battery pack. Because charging is time-consuming, quick-swap charging is increasingly valued due to its greater convenience. However, for electric vehicles using quick-swap charging, a battery pack bracket is required to allow for rapid installation and removal of the battery pack. The battery pack bracket is typically fixed to the vehicle body, meaning that the rigid connection between the bracket and the body means that when the vehicle body is under stress, the force is transferred to the battery pack bracket and then to the battery pack.

[0004] This structure allows the vehicle body torsion caused by steering or bumps during electric vehicle operation to be directly transmitted to the battery pack bracket and battery pack through a rigid connection. This affects the connection between the battery pack and the battery pack bracket, especially the locking mechanism on the battery pack bracket, which can be damaged, preventing the battery pack from being attached. Alternatively, it can cause the battery pack to deform, crack, or even break in the circuit due to torque, affecting the battery pack's performance and potentially leading to a safety accident. Furthermore, because the original locking mechanism has multiple claws, all claws need to retract or separate simultaneously when locking or unlocking the battery pack, making the connection of the battery pack to the battery pack bracket through the locking mechanism cumbersome. This results in long and inefficient battery swapping times for electric vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the defects in the prior art where the rigid connection between the battery pack bracket and the electric vehicle causes the connection between the battery pack and the battery pack bracket to be affected by the vehicle body due to bumps and other reasons, resulting in damage to the locking mechanism on the battery pack bracket and the inability to attach the battery pack; or causing the battery pack to vibrate or deform, thereby affecting the performance of the battery pack. The present invention provides a quick-change bracket and a battery swapping vehicle including the bracket.

[0006] The present invention solves the above-mentioned technical problems through the following technical solution:

[0007] A quick-change bracket includes a bracket body, the bracket body having at least one locking mechanism spaced apart along the length of the vehicle body, the locking mechanism being used to lock or unlock the battery pack in a vertical direction by means of a ball-operated locking mechanism, the bracket body being connected to the vehicle body via a floating unit so that the bracket body can float relative to the vehicle body in the vertical direction.

[0008] This battery pack bracket is used in battery swapping vehicles. It features a locking mechanism on the bracket body that uses a ball-operated locking system to connect the battery pack, enabling quick battery swapping. Simultaneously, the battery pack bracket is floating to the electric vehicle, allowing the floating unit to offset forces such as bumps or torsion experienced by the vehicle, reducing or eliminating their transmission to the battery pack. This prevents interference with the connection between the battery pack and the bracket, ensuring the reliability and stability of the locking mechanism during use. Furthermore, it reduces torque transmission to the battery pack, preventing vibration or deformation, improving battery pack safety, and reducing the risk of damage. This, combined with the increased lifespan of the battery pack, enhances economic efficiency.

[0009] In addition, a locking mechanism that uses a ball bearing to lock or unlock the battery pack is provided on the bracket body to connect the battery pack. This allows the battery pack to be quickly installed and removed from the bracket body by moving it vertically, thereby simplifying the installation and removal process and improving the efficiency of quick replacement.

[0010] Preferably, the locking mechanism includes a ball bearing assembly, which is used to cooperate with the lock seat on the battery pack and realize the locking and unlocking of the battery pack and the bracket body through the ball bearing locking method;

[0011] Alternatively, the locking mechanism includes a lock seat, which is used to cooperate with the ball bearing assembly on the battery pack and to lock and unlock the battery pack and the bracket body through the ball bearing locking method.

[0012] In the above technical solution, the lock seat is used to cooperate with the expansion ball assembly on the battery pack to ensure the connection stability of the battery pack. The expansion ball locking method allows the battery pack to be connected to the bracket body in the vertical direction, which not only saves space above the battery swapping vehicle, but also allows the battery pack to be connected and disconnected simply by moving it in the vertical direction. This is more in line with the battery swapping logic of swapping the battery pack along the chassis and improves the speed of battery pack disassembly.

[0013] Preferably, the ball bearing assembly or the locking seat is floatingly connected to the bracket body.

[0014] In the above technical solution, the floating connection can reduce the torque or vibration transmitted to the support body when the battery swapping vehicle is subjected to steering torsion or bumps, thereby reducing the impact of torque or vibration on the support body.

[0015] Preferably, the lock seat has a locking chamber with an opening facing the ball bearing assembly, the ball bearing assembly being extendable into the locking chamber and at least a portion of the ball bearing assembly being engageable with the locking chamber to lock the battery pack and the bracket body.

[0016] In the above technical solution, the above structural form is adopted, and the battery pack and the bracket body are locked by the snap-fit ​​between the expansion ball assembly and the locking chamber, which is convenient to operate and has a reliable locking effect.

[0017] Preferably, the ball bearing assembly includes a connecting post, a locking part, and a driving part. The locking part is disposed within the connecting post, and the connecting post has a locking hole that allows at least a portion of the locking part to extend out. At least a portion of the driving part is disposed within the connecting post and can drive the locking part to move between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0018] When the locking part is in the locking position, the locking part extends at least partially out of the locking hole and engages with the inner wall of the locking chamber;

[0019] When the locking part is in the unlocked position, the locking part returns to the interior of the connecting post.

[0020] In the above technical solution, the above structural form provides a channel for the locking part to extend out of the connecting post. When the battery pack is locked, the driving part drives the locking part to extend out of the locking hole and engage with the inner wall of the locking chamber to achieve locking. When the battery pack is unlocked, the driving part drives the locking part to return to the inside of the connecting post so that the locking part and the inner wall of the locking chamber are separated to achieve unlocking. The above locking and unlocking operations are simple and convenient, which helps to improve the locking and unlocking efficiency of the battery pack.

[0021] Preferably, the driving part includes a driving bolt and a driving ball located at one end of the driving bolt. The driving ball is disposed in the connecting post and is movably connected to or abuts against the locking part. The driving bolt is partially inserted in the connecting post and can move up and down relative to the connecting post so that the driving ball can move toward the locking part to move the locking part to the locking position, or the driving ball can move away from the locking part to move the locking part to the unlocking position.

[0022] In the above technical solution, using the above structural form, when the battery pack is locked, the drive bolt is rotated to move it relative to the connecting post towards the drive ball, and the drive ball is continuously pushed towards the locking part so that the locking part extends out of the locking hole and engages with the inner wall of the locking chamber, thus achieving locking. When the battery pack is unlocked, the drive bolt is rotated in the opposite direction to move it relative to the connecting post away from the drive ball. After the drive ball loses the external force of the drive bolt, it does not apply a pushing force to the locking part, so that the locking part can return to the connecting post, thus achieving unlocking. The setting of the drive bolt and drive ball makes locking and unlocking of the ball bearing assembly and the lock seat more convenient.

[0023] Preferably, the portion of the locking part extending out of the locking hole has a mating surface facing the inner wall of the locking cavity, and the locking cavity has a locking surface corresponding to the mating surface, the shapes of the mating surface and the locking surface being matched.

[0024] In the above technical solution, the above structural form is adopted. The locking part and the locking chamber are engaged through the cooperation between the mating surface of the locking part and the engaging surface that matches its shape, which prevents the locking part from disengaging from the locking chamber in the locking position and ensures a stable engagement effect.

[0025] Preferably, the structure of the ball-locking mechanism further includes an anti-rotation and anti-reverse structure, which is connected to the ball-locking assembly and / or the locking seat to prevent relative rotational movement between the ball-locking assembly and the locking seat.

[0026] The above-mentioned technical solution adopts the above-mentioned structural form, which avoids relative rotation when the ball bearing assembly and the lock seat are engaged, thereby improving the safety and reliability of the connection between the battery pack and the bracket body.

[0027] Preferably, the vehicle body has a beam extending along the length of the vehicle body, the support body is located below the beam, and the floating unit is disposed above the support body.

[0028] In the above technical solution, the bracket body is easy to cooperate with the battery pack, ensuring the connection stability of the battery pack. The floating unit can reduce the torque or vibration transmitted to the bracket body when the electric vehicle is subjected to steering torsion or bumps, thereby reducing the impact of torque or vibration on the bracket body. In addition, the battery pack does not occupy the upper space of the vehicle body, thus leaving more space for electric vehicles to carry people and goods.

[0029] Preferably, the floating unit includes an elastic element, a connector, and a limiting element. The connector connects the bracket body and the vehicle body respectively. One end of the connector is fixed to one of the bracket body and the vehicle body. The other end of the connector passes through the other of the bracket body and the vehicle body and the elastic element in sequence. The other end of the connector is provided with a limiting element so that the elastic element is restricted between the bracket body or the vehicle body and the limiting element.

[0030] The above-mentioned structural design ensures the vertical floating of the bracket body relative to the vehicle body through elastic components and connecting components, and improves the stability of the vertical floating of the bracket body relative to the vehicle body through limiting components, thus preventing the bracket body from detaching from the vehicle body.

[0031] Preferably, the bottom plate of the vehicle beam is provided with a through hole for the connector to be movably inserted, the lower end of the elastic member abuts against the bottom plate, and the upper end of the elastic member abuts against the limiting member.

[0032] The above-mentioned structural design, by placing the elastic element between the base plate and the limiting element, prevents the force on the vehicle body from being directly transmitted to the bracket body, thereby avoiding affecting the connection between the bracket body and the battery pack. At the same time, the bracket body can float relatively within the range between the base plate and the limiting element.

[0033] Preferably, the side of the vehicle beam is provided with a mounting plate, which extends horizontally outward from the side of the vehicle beam. The mounting plate has a through hole for the connector to be movably inserted. The lower end of the elastic member abuts against the mounting plate, and the upper end of the elastic member abuts against the limiting member.

[0034] The above-mentioned structural design, with the mounting plate placed on the side of the vehicle beam, allows the floating unit to be located on the outside of the vehicle beam, thus avoiding penetrating the bottom plate of the vehicle beam and ensuring the strength of the vehicle beam.

[0035] Preferably, the side of the vehicle beam is further provided with a fixing bracket, the fixing bracket having a fixing part and a connecting part for fixing to the vehicle beam, and a receiving area is formed between the connecting part and the side of the vehicle beam for accommodating the mounting plate, the mounting plate being fixed on the fixing bracket.

[0036] In the above-described structural configuration, the mounting plate is indirectly fixed to the vehicle beam via a fixed bracket. The fixed bracket covers the outside of the mounting plate, protecting both the mounting plate and the floating unit. Furthermore, the fixed bracket is fixedly connected to the vehicle beam, thereby improving the connection stability of the mounting plate.

[0037] Preferably, a cover plate is provided above the fixed bracket, and the cover plate at least covers the receiving area.

[0038] The above-mentioned structure includes a cover plate that seals the top of the receiving area, further protecting the mounting plate and floating unit to achieve dustproof or waterproof functions.

[0039] Preferably, the floating unit further includes a limiting plate disposed between the elastic member and the limiting member.

[0040] The above-mentioned structural design increases the contact area between the limiting component and the elastic component through the limiting plate, so that the elastic component is subjected to uniform force when the electric vehicle body is subjected to force due to bumps or other reasons.

[0041] Preferably, there are multiple floating units, and two adjacent floating units form a group of floating components. The floating units in the same group of floating components are connected to the same limiting plate.

[0042] The above-mentioned structural configuration, which forms a set of floating components through two floating units and shares a limiting plate, makes the structure of the floating components compact, improves the stability of the connection between the bracket body and the vehicle beam, and reduces the number of installation steps and improves installation efficiency by sharing the same limiting plate.

[0043] Preferably, there are two vehicle beams, and each vehicle beam is provided with a plurality of floating components spaced apart along the length of the vehicle body to be connected to the support body.

[0044] The above structural design, by setting floating components on both vehicle beams, makes the connection between the support body and the vehicle more stable.

[0045] A battery swapping vehicle, the battery swapping vehicle including the quick-swap bracket as described above.

[0046] The battery swapping vehicle has its body and battery pack vertically connected and connected via a bracket body to enable rapid battery swapping. The battery pack can float vertically relative to the body via a floating unit between the bracket body and the vehicle body. This floating unit can cancel out the forces such as bumps or torsion experienced by the electric vehicle, thereby reducing or even eliminating the transmission to the battery pack. This mitigates the situation where torque or vibration is transmitted to the battery pack when the electric vehicle is twisted or bumped during steering, thus affecting the performance of the battery pack.

[0047] Preferably, the battery-swapping vehicle is an electric truck.

[0048] In the aforementioned technical solutions, the large size and heavy weight of the electric truck's battery pack make it more susceptible to damage to the connection between the battery pack and its support structure when encountering bumpy road conditions. Furthermore, the increased torque caused by the load on the electric truck during its torsion further amplifies the impact on the battery pack. Therefore, a battery pack support structure with a floating unit is used to mitigate the impact on the battery pack and the connection between the battery pack and its support structure.

[0049] The positive and progressive effects of this invention are as follows: The quick-change bracket of this invention is equipped with a locking mechanism on the bracket body that locks or unlocks via a ball-operated locking method to attach the battery pack, enabling quick battery pack swapping. By transferring the battery pack through the battery pack bracket, rapid battery swapping is achieved. The bracket body and the vehicle body can float vertically relative to each other via a floating unit, which can offset the forces of bumps or torsion experienced by the electric vehicle, thereby reducing or even eliminating their transmission to the battery pack. This mitigates the damage caused by increased torque or vibration directly transmitted to the battery pack when the vehicle body is tortuous or traveling on bumpy roads, improving the safety of the battery pack and making it less prone to damage. Furthermore, the battery pack's lifespan is increased, improving economic efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0050] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified view of part C in the middle.

[0052] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the vehicle body, quick-change bracket, and battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 4 This is a partial structural diagram of a vehicle body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the support body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Figure 6 This is a partially enlarged view of a floating unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of the support body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the expansion ball locking structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of a ball-locking structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0060] Electric vehicles 100

[0061] Locking component 300

[0062] 31 ball bearing assembly

[0063] Connecting post 311

[0064] Locking hole 3111

[0065] Locking part 312

[0066] Drive Unit 313

[0067] Drive bolt 3131

[0068] Drive ball 3132

[0069] Connector 23

[0070] Battery pack 10

[0071] 20 car beams

[0072] A along the length of the beam

[0073] Vehicle width direction B

[0074] support body 30

[0075] Locking mechanism 40

[0076] Lock base 41

[0077] Locking chamber 411

[0078] Floating unit 50

[0079] Elastic element 1

[0080] Connector 2

[0081] Limiting component 3

[0082] Mounting plate 4

[0083] Fixed bracket 5

[0084] Fixing part 51

[0085] Connecting part 52

[0086] Accommodation Area 53

[0087] Cover plate 54

[0088] Limit plate 6

[0089] Floating Component 7 Detailed Implementation

[0090] The present invention will be further illustrated by way of embodiments below, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiments described herein.

[0091] This invention provides a quick-change bracket, which can be used in specific structures such as Figure 1The electric vehicle 100 shown has two parallel beams 20 arranged in the front-to-back direction to connect the main components of the electric vehicle 100, such as the suspension and wheels. The battery pack 10 of the electric vehicle is also installed below these two beams 20 to facilitate quick replacement of the battery pack 10 from below the electric vehicle 100, making battery pack 10 replacement faster and more convenient. In this embodiment, the electric vehicle 100 is a heavy-duty truck or a light-duty truck; of course, it can also be applied to passenger cars such as sedans. The specific structure of the quick-change bracket in this embodiment is as follows: Figure 1 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, the bracket body 30 is connected to two beams 20 of the electric vehicle 100. The bracket body 30 is a frame structure welded from profiles. Each locking mechanism 40 uses a ball bearing locking method to lock and unlock in the vertical direction, and is spaced apart at least along the length of the vehicle body. Specifically, it can be located on the side wall or lower surface of the longitudinal beam of the bracket body 30, for locking connection with the battery pack 10. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism 40 uses a ball bearing locking method, which allows the battery pack 10 to move in the vertical direction. The ball bearings on the battery pack 10 only need to move closer or further away in the vertical direction to lock and unlock the battery pack with the locking mechanism 40, thereby connecting or disconnecting the battery pack 10 relative to the bracket body 30. The battery pack can be quickly installed and disassembled from the bracket body by moving in the vertical direction, thus simplifying the installation and disassembly method, improving the quick replacement efficiency, and achieving the purpose of quick battery replacement. As for the material of the bracket body 30, other materials can also be selected according to actual needs, such as sheet metal or square tubing, and are not limited to profiles.

[0092] Meanwhile, a floating unit 50 is provided vertically between the bracket body 30 and the vehicle beam 20. The floating unit 50 is used to transfer the bracket body 30 to the vehicle beam 20. The floating unit 50 itself can float vertically. When the electric vehicle 100 travels on a road with poor conditions, causing bumps or large turning angles that cause significant torsion to the vehicle beam 20, vibrations or torques will be generated. By setting the floating unit 50 on the vehicle beam 20, the battery pack 10 can float vertically relative to the vehicle beam 20 to counteract the forces such as bumps or torsion experienced by the electric vehicle, thereby reducing or even eliminating the transmission of these forces to the battery pack 10. This avoids affecting the connection between the battery pack 10 and the battery pack bracket, ensuring the reliability and stability of the locking mechanism 40 during use. Furthermore, it reduces the transmission of torque to the battery pack 10, preventing vibration or deformation of the battery pack 10, improving the safety of the battery pack 10, and making the battery pack 10 less prone to damage. Based on this, the service life of the battery pack 10 is increased.

[0093] Among them, such as Figure 2As shown, the floating unit 50 is positioned above the support body 30 to connect with the vehicle beam 20, thus placing the support body 30 below the vehicle beam 20. The battery pack 10 is positioned below the support body 30 to facilitate the installation and removal of the battery pack 10 by the battery swapping equipment (not shown) from below the electric vehicle. This means the battery pack 10 is locked or unlocked relative to the locking mechanism 40 of the support body 30, enabling the retrieval, placement, and transfer of the battery pack 10. Simultaneously, the space below the vehicle beam 20 can be fully utilized, while the space above the vehicle beam 20 can be used for cargo carrying, making the space utilization on the electric vehicle 100 more rational.

[0094] In other embodiments, the support body 30 may also be positioned above the beam 20, and the floating unit 50 may be positioned below the support body 30 to connect with the beam 20.

[0095] For other electric vehicles 100 without a beam, the bracket body 30 can also be directly connected to the vehicle body or other parts of the vehicle body through the floating unit 50, so that the bracket body 30 can float vertically relative to the vehicle body.

[0096] The specific structure of the locking mechanism 40 is as follows: Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the bracket body 30 is provided with multiple locking mechanisms 40. Along the length direction of the bracket body 30, the locking mechanisms 40 are located at least on both sides of the bracket body 30 and are spaced apart. Providing multiple locking mechanisms 40 on both sides of the bracket body 30 can improve the connection reliability and stability of the battery pack 10 relative to the bracket body 30 and the vehicle beam 20. In another embodiment, multiple rows of locking mechanisms 40 can also be provided, with each row having multiple locking mechanisms 40 spaced apart along the length direction of the bracket body 30, to further improve the connection reliability and stability of the battery pack.

[0097] Of course, in other embodiments, the locking mechanism 40 may also be provided on both sides of the bracket body 30 along the width direction of the bracket body 30, and the locking mechanism 40 on each side may be provided at intervals.

[0098] In this embodiment, the locking mechanism 40 includes a lock seat 41, and the locking member 300 includes a ball bearing assembly 31. The lock seat 41 is used to cooperate with the ball bearing assembly 31 on the battery pack 10, and the battery pack 10 and the bracket body 30 are locked and unlocked by the ball bearing locking method. The ball bearing locking between the battery pack 10 and the bracket body 30 is achieved by the cooperation between the ball bearing assembly 31 and the lock seat 41, which helps to improve the reliability and durability of the locking.

[0099] The locking seat 41 is floatingly connected to the bracket body 30, for example, by means of a spring. The floating connection can reduce the torque or vibration transmitted to the bracket body 30 when the electric vehicle 100 is subjected to steering torsion or bumps, thereby reducing the impact of torque or vibration on the bracket body 30.

[0100] In other embodiments, the top surface of the lock seat 41 may also be welded to the lower end surface of the bracket body 30 to improve the stability of the lock seat 41 connected to the bracket body 30. An adapter, such as a plate, may also be provided between the lock seat 41 and the bracket body 30 to increase the contact area between the lock seat 41 and the bracket body 30, thereby improving the stability of the lock seat 41 after it is connected to the bracket body 30.

[0101] The lock base 41 has a locking chamber 411 with an opening facing the ball bearing assembly 31. The ball bearing assembly 31 can extend into the locking chamber 411, and at least a portion of the ball bearing assembly 31 can engage with the locking chamber 411 to lock the battery pack 10 and the bracket body 30. The engagement between the ball bearing assembly 31 and the locking chamber 411 facilitates operation and ensures reliable locking.

[0102] The ball bearing assembly 31 includes a connecting post 311, a locking part 312, and a driving part 313. The locking part 312 is disposed within the connecting post 311, and the connecting post 311 has a locking hole 3111 that allows at least a portion of the locking part 312 to extend out. At least a portion of the driving part 313 is disposed within the connecting post 311 and can drive the locking part 312 to move between a locked position and an unlocked position. When the locking part 312 is in the locked position, the locking part 312 extends out of the locking hole 3111 and engages with the inner wall of the locking chamber 411. When the locking part 312 is in the unlocked position, the locking part 312 returns to the interior of the connecting post 311. The locking hole 3111 of the connecting post 311 provides a channel for the locking part 312 to extend out of the connecting post 311. When the battery pack 10 is locked, the driving part 313 drives the locking part 312 to extend out of the locking hole 3111 and engage with the inner wall of the locking chamber 411 to achieve locking. When the battery pack 10 is unlocked, the driving part 313 drives the locking part 312 to return to the inside of the connecting post 311 so that the locking part 312 and the inner wall of the locking chamber 411 are separated to achieve unlocking. The above locking and unlocking operations are simple and convenient, which helps to improve the locking and unlocking efficiency of the battery pack 10.

[0103] The driving part 313 includes a driving bolt 3131 and a driving ball 3132 located at one end of the driving bolt 3131. The driving ball 3132 is disposed in the connecting post 311 and is movably connected to or abuts against the locking part 312. The driving bolt 3131 is partially inserted in the connecting post 311 and can move up and down relative to the connecting post 311 so that the driving ball 3132 can move toward the locking part 312 and drive the locking part 312 to the locked position, or the driving ball 3132 can move away from the locking part 312 and drive the locking part 312 to the unlocked position. When locking the battery pack 10, the drive bolt 3131 is rotated to move it relative to the connecting post 311 towards the drive ball 3132, and the drive ball 3132 is continuously pushed towards the locking part 312 so that the locking part 312 extends out of the locking hole 3111 and engages with the inner wall of the locking chamber 411, thus achieving locking. When unlocking the battery pack 10, the drive bolt 3131 is rotated in the opposite direction to move it relative to the connecting post 311 away from the drive ball 3132. After the drive ball 3132 loses the external force of the drive bolt 3131, it does not apply a pushing force to the locking part 312, so that the locking part 312 can return to the connecting post 311, thus achieving unlocking. The setting of the drive bolt 3131 and the drive ball 3132 makes locking and unlocking of the ball bearing assembly 31 and the lock seat 41 more convenient.

[0104] The portion of the locking part 312 extending out of the locking hole 3111 has a mating surface facing the inner wall of the locking chamber 411. The locking chamber 411 has a corresponding engaging surface, and the shapes of the mating surface and the engaging surface match. The locking part 312 engages with the locking chamber 411 through the engagement between the mating surface of the locking part 312 and the engaging surface that matches its shape, preventing the locking part 312 from disengaging from the locking chamber in the locked position, and ensuring a stable engagement effect.

[0105] Specifically, the locking part 312 is a locking ball, with the arc-shaped surface of the portion of the locking ball extending out of the locking hole 3111 serving as the mating surface. The inner wall of the locking chamber 411 has an arc-shaped groove matching the shape of the arc-shaped surface as the engaging surface. In another embodiment, the locking part 312 is a locking steel column, placed horizontally such that the arc-shaped surface of the portion of the locking steel column extending out of the locking hole 3111 serves as the mating surface, and the inner wall of the locking chamber 411 has an arc-shaped groove as the engaging surface. Of course, in other embodiments, the locking steel ball can also be placed vertically, with the arc-shaped surface and both end faces of the portion of the locking steel ball extending out of the locking hole 3111 serving as the mating surface, and the inner wall of the locking chamber 411 having a U-shaped groove as the engaging surface.

[0106] Preferably, the side of the drive ball 3132 that abuts against the locking part 312 (e.g., locking ball, locking steel column) is provided with a recess to increase the contact area between the drive ball 3132 and the locking part 312, so as to avoid slippage between the drive ball 3132 and the locking part 312 during the process of the drive ball 3132 driving the locking part 312 to move.

[0107] The structure of the ball-operated locking method also includes an anti-rotation and anti-reverse mechanism. In this embodiment, an anti-rotation and anti-reverse mechanism is provided on the ball-operated assembly 31. Specifically, the anti-rotation and anti-reverse mechanism is connected to the drive bolt 3131, so that the ball-operated assembly 31 and the lock seat 41 cooperate to lock. After the battery pack 10 is fixed to the bracket body 30, the drive bolt 3131 is restricted from rotating, preventing the drive ball 3132 from moving downward and causing the locking part 312 to return to the unlocked position, thereby improving the safety and reliability of the connection between the battery pack 10 and the bracket body 30. In other embodiments, an anti-rotation and anti-reverse mechanism can also be provided on the lock seat 41, or both the lock seat 41 and the drive bolt 3131 can be provided with an anti-rotation and anti-reverse mechanism.

[0108] In other embodiments, the purpose of restricting the rotation of the drive bolt 3131 relative to the lock seat 41 can be achieved by one of the following engagement methods: ratchet and pawl, ball bearing, locking, or meshing.

[0109] The structure of the ball-operated locking mechanism also includes a connecting bracket 23, which has a mounting through hole. The drive unit 313 is installed in the mounting through hole, and the connecting bracket 23 is connected to the battery pack 10 or the bracket body 30. The drive unit 313 is installed in the mounting through hole of the connecting bracket 23, and the connecting bracket 23 secures the drive unit 313 to the battery pack 10 or the bracket body 30, increasing the installation stability of the drive unit 313 and thus improving the locking security of the battery pack 10.

[0110] In addition, the ball bearing assembly 31 can also be floated on the battery pack 10. The floated connection can reduce the torque or vibration transmitted to the battery pack 10 when the electric vehicle 100 is subjected to steering torsion or bumps, thereby reducing the impact of torque or vibration on the battery pack 10.

[0111] In another embodiment, the mounting positions of the ball bearing assembly 31 and the lock seat 41 can be interchanged. That is, the locking mechanism 40 includes the ball bearing assembly 31, which is used to cooperate with the lock seat 41 on the battery pack 10 and lock and unlock the battery pack 10 and the bracket body 30 through the ball bearing locking method. The ball bearing assembly 31 is floatingly connected to the bracket body 30. The floating connection can reduce the torque or vibration transmitted to the bracket body 30 when the electric vehicle 100 is subjected to steering torsion or bumps, thereby reducing the impact of torque or vibration on the bracket body 30. The specific structure of the floating unit 50 includes an elastic member 1, a connecting member 2, and a limiting member 3. The connecting member 2 is connected to the bracket body 30 and the vehicle beam 20 respectively. One end of the connecting member 2 is fixedly connected to the bracket body 30, and the other end of the connecting member 2 passes through the vehicle beam 20 and the elastic member 1 in sequence. The limiting member 3 is provided at the end of the other end of the connecting member 2. The radial cross-sectional dimension of the limiting member 3 is larger than the cross-sectional dimension of the elastic member 1 in the same direction. The upper and lower ends of the elastic member 1 abut against the upper surface of the vehicle beam 20 and the lower surface of the limiting member 3 so that the elastic member 1 is prevented from detaching from the connecting member 2. This allows the bracket body 30 to float vertically relative to the vehicle beam 20 through the floating unit 50, thereby reducing the vibration of the vehicle beam 20 or the torque transmitted to the bracket body 30 and then to the battery pack 10. At the same time, the limiting member 3 improves the vertical floating stability of the bracket body 30 relative to the vehicle body and prevents the bracket body 30 from detaching from the vehicle body.

[0112] In another embodiment of this invention, one end of the connector 2 is fixed to the beam 20, and the other end of the connector 2 passes through the bracket body 30 and the elastic member 1 in sequence. The end of the other end of the connector 2 is also provided with a limiting member 3, so that the elastic member is restricted between the bracket body 30 and the limiting member 3.

[0113] Because electric vehicles 100, especially electric trucks, use battery packs 10 that are large and heavy, and are only connected to the vehicle beam 20 by floating units 50, the load-bearing capacity of floating units 50 is required to be high. In this embodiment, the elastic element 1 is a rectangular spring with a spring constant of 510 Nm / mm. Rectangular springs have high load-bearing capacity, which can meet the load-bearing requirements of battery pack 10; secondly, rectangular springs have strong fatigue resistance, which can meet the high-frequency elastic deformation requirements of rectangular springs caused by high-frequency turning and bumps during use after battery pack 10 is installed on electric vehicle 100.

[0114] In this embodiment, the connecting member 2 is a vertically extending connecting rod, and one end of the connecting rod is integrally formed with a limiting member 3. Because the radial cross-sectional dimension of the limiting member 3 is larger than the radial cross-sectional dimension of the rectangular spring, it can prevent the connecting rod from separating from the rectangular spring. The two cooperate to realize the floating of the bracket body 30 relative to the vehicle beam 20. In other embodiments, the limiting member 3 can be additionally provided and fixed to one end of the connecting rod.

[0115] In a preferred embodiment, the beam 20 is a hollow or U-shaped structure. The connector 2 can pass through only the bottom plate of the beam 20, allowing the elastic member 1 to abut against the upper surface of the bottom plate and the limiting member 3 to achieve limiting and floating. Specifically, the beam 20 has a bottom plate extending horizontally, and the bottom plate of the beam 20 has a through hole for the connector 2 to be movably inserted. One end of the connector 2 is fixed to the bracket body 30, and the other end of the connector 2 passes through the through hole. The upper and lower ends of the elastic member 1 abut against the upper surface of the bottom plate and the lower surface of the limiting member 3, respectively, so that the bracket body 30 can float vertically relative to the beam 20 through the floating unit 50. By directly providing a through hole in the bottom plate of the beam 20 for the connector 2 to pass through, the structure at the vehicle body end is simple, and no additional accessories are required to connect with the bracket body 30.

[0116] In another preferred embodiment, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a mounting plate 4 is provided on the side of the vehicle beam 20. The mounting plate 4 is a rectangular plate and is welded to the vehicle beam 20. One end of the mounting plate 4 extends horizontally outward from the side of the vehicle beam 20. A through hole is opened on the mounting plate 4 in the vertical direction. The connecting member 2 passes through the through hole, and the lower end of the elastic member 1 is located on the upper surface of the mounting part 4. That is to say, the mounting part 4 supports the bracket body 30 through cooperation with the elastic member 1 and the connecting member 2. The upper end of the elastic member 1 still abuts against the lower surface of the limiting member 3, so that the elastic member 1 is restricted between the mounting plate 4 and the limiting member 3. The connecting member 2 is prevented from detaching from the elastic member 1 by the limiting member 3, and further prevented from detaching from the mounting plate 4, so as to ensure that the bracket body 30 and the vehicle beam 20 can float vertically through the floating unit 50. On this basis, the mounting plate 4 is installed on the side of the vehicle beam 20, so that the bottom plate of the vehicle beam 20 does not need to be drilled and its integrity is not damaged, thereby ensuring the structural strength of the vehicle beam 20.

[0117] In another preferred embodiment, such as Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6As shown, a fixing bracket 5 is provided on the side of the vehicle beam 20. The fixing bracket 5 is a "U"-shaped component, and both ends of the "U"-shaped component have fixing parts 51 that are fixed to the vehicle beam 20 and connecting parts 52 that connect the two fixing parts 51. The fixing parts 51 extend along the length direction A of the vehicle beam 20 and fit against the side of the vehicle beam 20. The fixing parts 51 are bolted to the vehicle beam 20, thereby improving the connection stability between the fixing bracket 5 and the vehicle beam 20 and facilitating maintenance and replacement. In other embodiments, welding or other fixing methods can also be used. The connecting part 52 is the "U"-shaped bottom of the "U"-shaped component and is integrally formed with the fixing parts 51 at both ends of the "U"-shaped component. A receiving area 53 is formed between the connecting part 52 and the side of the vehicle beam 20. A mounting plate 4 is provided in the receiving area 53. In this embodiment, the mounting plate 4 is not directly fixed to the vehicle beam 20. The mounting plate 4 is indirectly fixed to the side of the vehicle beam 20 by fixing it to the connecting part 52. This structural arrangement allows the mounting plate 4 to be indirectly and detachably mounted on the vehicle beam 20 via the fixing bracket 5, facilitating repair and replacement in case of damage. Furthermore, by covering the outside of the mounting plate 4 with the connecting part 52, the fixing bracket 5 provides protection for the mounting plate 4. Simultaneously, the elastic element 1, connecting element 2, and limiting element 3 are all located within the receiving area 53. The receiving area 53 provides space to ensure the floating unit 50 can float vertically while preventing dust, sewage, or debris from entering the floating unit 50 horizontally. This avoids the floating unit 50, located on the outside of the vehicle beam 20, from being corroded by dust or debris from the outdoor environment, ensuring the normal operation of the floating unit 50, especially the elastic element 1. The bracket body 30 is flexibly connected to the vehicle beam 20 instead of being rigidly connected to it.

[0118] In other embodiments, the mounting plate 4 is fixed to the vehicle beam 20 near the end of the vehicle beam, while the end away from the vehicle beam 20 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the receiving area 53 of the fixing bracket 5. That is, the mounting plate 4 extends to the inner wall of the receiving area 53 on the outside of the vehicle beam 20. One end of the mounting plate 4 is fixedly connected to the vehicle beam 20, and the other end of the mounting plate 4 is connected to the vehicle beam 20 through the fixing part 51 of the fixing bracket 5. This avoids the mounting plate 4 being a cantilever structure with one end bearing the force, and improves the load-bearing capacity of the mounting plate 4. On this basis, the capacity of the battery pack 10 hanging on the bracket body 30 can be increased accordingly, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0119] Furthermore, a cover plate 54 is provided above the fixed bracket 5. The cover plate 54 is arranged horizontally and covers the upper part of the receiving area 53. It is connected to the outer side of the vehicle beam 20 and the fixed bracket 5 so that the upper end of the receiving area 53 is closed by the cover plate 54 and the lower end of the receiving area 53 is closed by the mounting plate 4. This improves the sealing of the receiving area 53. The cover plate 54 also prevents dust, sewage or debris from entering the receiving area 53 vertically, preventing the elastic element 1 from being stuck by debris and unable to make vertical rebounding movement. This ensures that the floating unit 50 can work normally and prevents sewage from corroding the elastic element 1 and shortening its service life, thus improving the economy of the floating unit 50 in actual use. In specific implementation, the size of the cover plate 54 is not smaller than the size of the receiving area 53, so as to at least cover the receiving area 53.

[0120] In this embodiment, the floating unit 50 also includes a limiting plate 6, which is a horizontally oriented plate structure. The limiting plate 6 has a circular hole through which the connecting member 2 passes. The circular hole of the limiting plate 6 is smaller than the radial cross-section of the limiting member 3 to prevent the limiting plate 6 from detaching. The limiting member 3 is located above the limiting plate 6, and the limiting plate 6 is located between the limiting member 3 and the elastic member 1. That is, the upper end of the elastic member 1 abuts against the lower surface of the limiting plate 6, and the lower end of the elastic member 1 abuts against the upper surface of the mounting plate 4. By increasing the contact area with the upper end of the elastic member 1 through the limiting plate 6, the force on the elastic member 1 is more uniform when the electric vehicle 100's body is subjected to force due to bumps or other reasons. Simultaneously, the increased contact area allows the upward elastic force applied by the elastic member 1 to diffuse onto the limiting plate 6. In other words, the limiting plate 6 enhances the limiting performance of the elastic member 1, making the floating unit 50 more robust and improving its reusability.

[0121] Meanwhile, in order to improve the reduction of the impact of the torque or vibration of the vehicle beam 20 on the bracket body 30 and the battery pack 10, multiple floating units 50 are provided in this embodiment. Two adjacent floating units 50 are arranged side by side to form a group of floating components 7. Further, each of the two floating units 50 has two limiting members 3, two elastic members 1 and two connecting members 2. The mounting plate 4 has two parallel through holes corresponding to the floating components 7. The size of the receiving area 53 is corresponding to accommodate the floating components 7. Similarly to the mounting plate 4, the floating units 50 of the same group of floating components 7 are connected to the same limiting plate 6. The same limiting plate 6 has two parallel round holes to facilitate the insertion of the connecting members 2. This avoids the installation inconvenience caused by setting the mounting plate 4 and limiting plate 6 separately for the two floating units 50 of the same group of floating components 7, as well as the increased cost of setting the fixed bracket 5 and cover plate 54 separately for dust prevention. Furthermore, sharing the same limiting plate 6 can reduce the installation steps and improve the installation efficiency of the floating units 50.

[0122] It is understandable that by adding floating units 50, the force on the bracket body 30 is more even, and increasing the number of floating units 50 reduces the torque or vibration of the vehicle beam 20 transmitted to the bracket body 30 and then to the battery pack 10, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the bracket body 30 in connecting to the battery pack 10.

[0123] In this embodiment, there are two vehicle beams 20, and each vehicle beam 20 is provided with multiple floating components 7 spaced apart along the length direction A of the vehicle beam 20, such as 5 floating components 7. Of course, other numbers of floating components 7 can also be selected. The purpose is to improve the connection stability between the bracket body 30 and the vehicle beam 20, and to reduce the vibration of the vehicle beam 20 or the torque transmission to the bracket body 30 on the basis of the battery pack 10 being transferred through the bracket body 30.

[0124] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art should understand that these are merely illustrative examples, and the scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principles and essence of the present invention, but all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A quick change holder, characterized in that, The bracket body includes a bracket body, which is provided with at least a locking mechanism spaced apart along the length of the vehicle body. The locking mechanism is used to lock or unlock the battery pack in the vertical direction by means of a ball-operated locking mechanism. The bracket body is connected to the vehicle body through a floating unit so that the bracket body can float relative to the vehicle body in the vertical direction. The floating unit includes an elastic element, a connector, and a limiting element. The connector connects the bracket body and the vehicle body respectively. One end of the connector is fixed to one of the bracket body and the vehicle body. The other end of the connector passes through the other of the bracket body and the vehicle body and the elastic element in sequence. The other end of the connector is provided with a limiting element so that the elastic element is limited between the bracket body or the vehicle body and the limiting element. The floating unit also includes a limiting plate, which is disposed between the elastic member and the limiting member. There are multiple floating units, and two adjacent floating units form a group of floating components. The floating units in the same group of floating components are connected to the same limiting plate.

2. The quick-change bracket as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The locking mechanism includes a ball bearing assembly, which is used to cooperate with the lock seat on the battery pack and realize the locking and unlocking of the battery pack and the bracket body through the ball bearing locking method; Alternatively, the locking mechanism includes a lock seat, which is used to cooperate with the ball bearing assembly on the battery pack and to lock and unlock the battery pack and the bracket body through the ball bearing locking method.

3. The quick-change bracket as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The ball bearing assembly or the locking seat is floatingly connected to the bracket body.

4. The quick-change bracket as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The lock seat has a locking chamber with an opening facing the ball bearing assembly, the ball bearing assembly being extendable into the locking chamber and at least a portion of the ball bearing assembly being engageable with the locking chamber to lock the battery pack and the bracket body.

5. The quick-change bracket as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The ball bearing assembly includes a connecting post, a locking part, and a driving part. The locking part is disposed within the connecting post, and the connecting post has a locking hole that allows at least a portion of the locking part to extend out. At least a portion of the driving part is disposed within the connecting post and can drive the locking part to move between a locked position and an unlocked position. When the locking part is in the locking position, the locking part extends at least partially out of the locking hole and engages with the inner wall of the locking chamber; When the locking part is in the unlocked position, the locking part returns to the interior of the connecting post.

6. The quick-change bracket as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The driving part includes a driving bolt and a driving ball located at one end of the driving bolt. The driving ball is disposed in the connecting post and is movably connected to or abuts against the locking part. The driving bolt is partially inserted in the connecting post and can move up and down relative to the connecting post so that the driving ball can move toward the locking part and drive the locking part to the locking position, or the driving ball can move away from the locking part and drive the locking part to the unlocking position.

7. The quick-change bracket as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The portion of the locking part extending out of the locking hole has a mating surface facing the inner wall of the locking chamber, and the locking chamber has a locking surface corresponding to the mating surface, the shapes of the mating surface and the locking surface being matched.

8. The quick-change bracket as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The structure of the ball-locking mechanism also includes an anti-rotation and anti-reverse structure, which is connected to the ball-locking assembly and / or the locking seat to prevent relative rotational movement between the ball-locking assembly and the locking seat.

9. The quick-change bracket as described in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The vehicle body has a beam extending along the length of the vehicle body, the support body is located below the beam, and the floating unit is disposed above the support body.

10. The quick-change bracket as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The bottom plate of the vehicle beam is provided with a through hole for the connector to be movably inserted. The lower end of the elastic member abuts against the bottom plate, and the upper end of the elastic member abuts against the limiting member.

11. The quick-change bracket as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The side of the vehicle beam is provided with a mounting plate, which extends horizontally outward from the side of the vehicle beam. The mounting plate has a through hole for the connector to be movably inserted. The lower end of the elastic member abuts against the mounting plate, and the upper end of the elastic member abuts against the limiting member.

12. The quick-change bracket as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The side of the vehicle beam is also provided with a fixed bracket. The fixed bracket has a fixing part and a connecting part that are fixed to the vehicle beam. An accommodating area is formed between the connecting part and the side of the vehicle beam to accommodate the mounting plate. The mounting plate is fixed on the fixed bracket.

13. The quick-change bracket as described in claim 12, characterized in that, A cover plate is provided above the fixed bracket, and the cover plate at least covers the receiving area.

14. The quick-change bracket as described in claim 9, characterized in that, There are two vehicle beams, and each vehicle beam is provided with multiple floating components spaced apart along the length of the vehicle body to be connected to the support body.

15. A battery-swapping vehicle, characterized in that, The battery swapping vehicle includes a quick-swap bracket as described in any one of claims 1-14.

16. The battery-swapping vehicle as described in claim 15, characterized in that, The battery-swapping vehicle is an electric truck.

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