Battery exchange device, battery exchange method, and power supply apparatus

Abstract

The application provides a battery extraction device, a battery extraction method and a power supply equipment. The battery extraction device comprises a bearing assembly, a detection assembly, a driving assembly and a locking assembly. The bearing assembly is used for connecting the battery and is provided with a connector. The detection assembly is used for detecting the position of the battery. The driving assembly comprises a driver and a gear assembly. The driver drives the gear assembly to rotate according to the signal of the detection assembly, and drives the battery to move. The locking assembly comprises a locking piece and a position controller. The locking piece is telescopically arranged on the bearing assembly and is connected with the position controller. The driver stops the rotation of the gear assembly according to the signal of the position controller. The application has the beneficial effects that when the battery is placed at the battery inlet of the machine, the battery automatic extraction device can send the battery to the designated position and connect with the connector, automatically completes the extraction and installation process of the battery, improves the work efficiency and reduces the labor intensity of the workers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of mechanical automation technology, and in particular to a battery replacement device, a battery replacement method, and a power supply device. Background Art

[0002] With the development of the logistics industry, devices such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are increasingly being used in unmanned transportation scenarios. Battery swapping is a widely used method for replacing batteries in AGVs / AMRs. It allows the machine to replace a fully charged battery anywhere it runs out of power, eliminating the need to find an outlet for recharging. Currently, battery swapping is largely done manually due to the low body of the machine and the heavy weight of the battery, typically exceeding 10 kg. This makes manual replacement difficult and reduces work efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present application provides a battery replacement device, a battery replacement method and a power supply device to solve the above-mentioned problem of difficulty in battery replacement.

[0004] The embodiment of the present application is implemented as follows:

[0005] A battery replacement device, comprising:

[0006] The carrier assembly includes a carrier plate and a positioning plate, wherein the positioning plate is arranged on one side of the carrier plate, the carrier plate is used to carry batteries, and the positioning plate is provided with a connector, and the connector is used to electrically connect the batteries;

[0007] A detection component is provided on a side of the carrier plate away from the positioning plate and is used to detect the position of the battery;

[0008] A drive assembly, comprising a driver and a gear assembly, wherein the driver is transmission-connected to the gear assembly and electrically connected to the detection assembly, wherein a portion of the gear assembly is protruding from a side of the carrier plate, and the driver drives the gear assembly to rotate according to a signal from the detection assembly, and the gear assembly is used to drive the battery to move;

[0009] The locking assembly includes a locking member and a positioning controller. The locking member is telescopically arranged on the carrier plate and connected to the positioning controller. The detection assembly is spaced apart from the locking member. The positioning controller is electrically connected to the driver. The driver stops the rotation of the gear assembly according to the signal of the positioning controller.

[0010] In this way, the gear assembly can rotate and stop in time according to the signals of the detection assembly and the locking assembly, driving the battery to move and position on the carrying assembly, so that when the staff or other automatic equipment places the battery at the battery entrance of the machine, the automatic battery replacement device can send the battery to the designated position and connect it to the connector, automatically completing the battery replacement and installation process, improving work efficiency and reducing the labor intensity of the staff.

[0011] In one possible implementation:

[0012] The bearing assembly includes a mounting seat and a guide structure;

[0013] The carrier plate is detachably mounted on the mounting seat, and the guide structures are disposed on opposite sides of the carrier plate;

[0014] Receiving grooves are provided on opposite sides of the mounting seat;

[0015] The guide structure includes a plurality of rollers, and the rollers are rotatably installed in the receiving groove.

[0016] In one possible implementation:

[0017] The detection assembly includes a first rotating member and a first detector connected to the first rotating member;

[0018] A first through hole is provided at one end of the carrier plate away from the positioning plate. The first rotating member is provided in the first through hole and partially protrudes from the upper surface of the carrier plate.

[0019] In one possible implementation:

[0020] The detection assembly further includes a second rotating member and a second detector connected to the second rotating member;

[0021] The carrier plate defines a second through hole, the second through hole being located between the positioning plate and the first through hole, and the second rotating member being disposed in the second through hole and partially protruding from the upper surface of the carrier plate.

[0022] In one possible implementation:

[0023] The gear assembly includes a first gear, a second gear and a transmission shaft, wherein the first gear and the second gear are respectively connected to two ends of the transmission shaft;

[0024] The drive assembly further includes an output shaft and a transmission belt, wherein the output shaft is connected to the driver, and the transmission belt connects the output shaft and the transmission shaft;

[0025] The first gear and the second gear are respectively located on two opposite sides of the carrier plate, and both the first gear and the second gear partially protrude from the upper surface of the carrier plate.

[0026] In one possible implementation:

[0027] A third through hole is formed on the carrier plate, the third through hole is located between the second through hole and the positioning plate, and the locking member is telescopically disposed in the third through hole;

[0028] An inclined surface is provided on a side of the locking member facing away from the positioning plate, and a supporting surface is provided on a side of the locking member facing the positioning plate. The inclined surface and the supporting surface are arranged at an acute angle.

[0029] In one possible implementation:

[0030] It also includes a control unit, which is electrically connected to the detection component, the driver and the positioning controller.

[0031] In one possible implementation:

[0032] It also includes a pushing component electrically connected to the control unit;

[0033] The pushing assembly includes a pushing member and a pushing controller. One end of the pushing member is rotatably connected to the pushing controller. The pushing controller is used to drive the pushing member to rotate toward the battery according to a signal from the control unit.

[0034] An embodiment of the present application further provides a battery replacement method, which is applied to the battery replacement device described in the above embodiment, and includes:

[0035] The detection component detects the arrival of the battery at the entrance side of the carrier component and sends a signal;

[0036] Start the driver to drive the gear assembly to rotate, driving the battery to move along the carrier plate;

[0037] The locking member locks the battery, and the positioning controller determines that the battery has moved to a predetermined position and sends a signal;

[0038] The driver stops rotation of the gear assembly.

[0039] An embodiment of the present application further provides a power supply device, comprising a battery and the battery replacement device described in the above embodiment, wherein the battery is detachably mounted on a carrying assembly of the battery replacement device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present application and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other relevant drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0041] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a battery replacement device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0042] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The structure diagram of the battery replacement device shown in another direction.

[0043] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a simplified structural diagram of a battery replacement device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0044] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a simplified structural diagram of a battery replacement device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0045] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of a power supply device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0046] Description of main component symbols:

[0047]

[0048]

[0049] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments.

[0051] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may also be an element centered therein. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may also be an element centered therein. When an element is considered to be "set on" another element, it may be directly set on the other element or there may also be an element centered therein. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only.

[0052] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs. The terms used herein in the specification of this application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application. The term "or / and" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items.

[0053] Some embodiments of the present application are described in detail. In the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features of the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0054] See also Figure 1 This embodiment provides a battery replacement device 100, which includes a carrier assembly 10, a detection assembly 20, a drive assembly 30, and a locking assembly 40. The carrier assembly 10 is used to support the battery. The drive assembly 30 drives the battery to move and position on the carrier assembly 10 based on signals from the first detection assembly 20 and the locking assembly 40, completing the automatic battery replacement and installation process.

[0055] Specifically, the carrier assembly 10 includes a carrier plate 11 and a positioning plate 12. The positioning plate 12 is disposed on one side of the carrier plate 11 along a first direction A. The carrier plate 11 is used to support batteries, and the positioning plate 12 is provided with a connector 121 for electrically connecting the batteries to components such as circuit boards.

[0056] Furthermore, the carrier 11 is provided with a protrusion 111 . The protrusion 111 is generally strip-shaped and arranged along the first direction A. A groove (not shown) corresponding to the protrusion 111 can be provided on the battery. When the battery moves on the carrier 11 , the protrusion 111 can be received in the groove, thereby guiding the movement direction of the battery, reducing displacement deviation of the battery, and improving the alignment accuracy of the battery and the connector 121 .

[0057] In an embodiment of the present application, the carrier assembly 10 further includes a mounting seat 13, the carrier plate 11 is detachably mounted on the mounting seat 13, the positioning plate 12 is integrally connected to the mounting seat 13, and the side of the carrier plate 11 away from the positioning plate 12 is the entrance side of the carrier assembly 10. The positioning plate 12 is further provided with a positioning post 122 on the side facing the carrier plate 11, and a corresponding positioning hole (not shown) can also be provided on the end of the battery facing the positioning plate. When the battery is connected to the connector 121, the positioning post 122 can be accommodated in the positioning hole to assist in positioning the battery. In some embodiments of the present application, a sensor (not shown) can also be provided on the positioning post 122 to detect whether the battery is installed in place or whether the battery is loose. In another embodiment of the present application, the positioning post 122 can also be made of elastic material. During the battery installation and movement process, the positioning post 122 can be used to buffer the kinetic energy of the battery and absorb the impact force of the battery on the positioning plate 12.

[0058] The carrier assembly 10 further includes a guide structure 14, which is arranged on opposite sides of the carrier plate 11 along the second direction B. The guide structure 14 is used to support and guide the movement direction of the battery, thereby reducing the movement resistance of the battery. Specifically, the guide structure 14 includes a plurality of rollers 141. Receiving grooves 131 are provided on opposite sides of the mounting base 13. The rollers 141 are rotatably mounted in the receiving grooves 131, and the plurality of rollers 141 are arranged in parallel along the first direction. When the battery moves along the carrier plate 11, the plurality of rollers 141 support the battery and rotate with the movement of the battery. On the one hand, this can reduce the movement resistance of the battery, and on the other hand, it can help guide the movement direction of the battery.

[0059] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 The detection assembly 20 is disposed on a side of the carrier plate 11 away from the positioning plate 12. In other words, the detection assembly 20 is disposed on the entrance side of the carrier assembly 10. The detection assembly 20 is electrically connected to the drive assembly 30 and is used to detect the position of the battery. This allows the battery to be detected in a timely manner when it is at the entrance of the carrier assembly 10, and the drive assembly 30 drives the battery toward the positioning plate 12 based on the detection signal.

[0060] Specifically, the detection assembly 20 includes a first rotating member 21 and a first detector 22. A first through-hole 112 is defined at one end of the carrier plate 11 away from the positioning plate 12. The first rotating member 21 is positioned within the first through-hole 112 and partially protrudes from the upper surface of the carrier plate 11. The first detector 22 is connected to the first rotating member 21 and is positioned on a side of the mounting base 13 facing away from the carrier plate 11. When a battery is placed at the inlet side of the carrier assembly 10, the first rotating member 21 abuts against the battery. The first detector 22 can detect the battery's position through the rotation or pressure of the first rotating member 21 and generate a detection signal.

[0061] Furthermore, the detection assembly 20 may also include a second rotating member 23 and a second detector 24. The carrier plate 11 is also provided with a second through-hole 113. The second rotating member 23 is disposed within the second through-hole 113 and partially protrudes from the upper surface of the carrier plate 11. The second detector 24 is connected to the second rotating member 23 and is disposed on a side of the mounting base 13 facing away from the carrier plate 11. Along the first direction A, the second through-hole 113 is spaced apart from the first through-hole 112, i.e., the second through-hole 113 is located between the positioning plate 12 and the first through-hole 112. This allows the second rotating member 23 and the first rotating member 21 to be spaced apart and distributed on the surface of the carrier plate 11. The second rotating member 23 and the second detector 24 can be used to detect the position of the battery on the carrier plate 11, enabling multi-point detection of battery movement. In an embodiment of the present application, the first rotating member 21 and the second rotating member 23 can also be spaced apart on opposite sides of the protrusion 111 to comprehensively detect the battery's position, reduce problems such as tilting or deflection of the battery during installation, and reduce the risk of the battery becoming stuck during movement.

[0062] In the embodiment of the present application, the first rotating member 21 and the second rotating member 23 are substantially roller structures, which can also assist the movement of the battery on the carrier 11 and reduce the friction between the battery and the carrier 11 .

[0063] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 The drive assembly 30 includes a driver 31 and a gear assembly 32. The driver 31 is connected to the gear assembly 32 and is electrically connected to the detection assembly 20. The surface of the battery may also be provided with a rack structure (not shown) that cooperates with the gear assembly 32. A portion of the gear assembly 32 is protruded from the side of the carrier 11. The driver 31 drives the gear assembly 32 to rotate based on the signal from the detection assembly 20, and the gear assembly 32 is used to drive the battery to move.

[0064] Specifically, the gear assembly 32 includes a first gear 321, a second gear 322, and a transmission shaft 323. The first gear 321 and the second gear 322 are respectively connected to the ends of the transmission shaft 323. The drive assembly 30 also includes an output shaft 33 and a transmission belt 34. The output shaft 33 is connected to the driver 31, and the transmission belt 34 connects the output shaft 33 and the transmission shaft 323. The driver 31 drives the transmission shaft 323 to rotate via the output shaft 33 and the transmission belt 34, thereby causing the first gear 321 and the second gear 322 to rotate synchronously. The driver 31, which may be a motor, is disposed on the side of the mounting base 13 facing away from the carrier 11. The driver 31 can be activated based on a detection signal from the first detector 22. The mounting base 13 defines a first through-slot 132 and a second through-slot 133. The first through-slot 132 and the second through-slot 133 are located on opposite sides of the carrier 11 along the second direction B. The first gear 321 and the second gear 322 are respectively disposed in the first through slot 132 and the second through slot 133 , and both the first gear 321 and the second gear 322 partially protrude from the upper surface of the carrier 11 so as to engage with the rack structure of the battery to drive the battery to move.

[0065] The locking assembly 40 includes a locking member 41 and a positioning controller 42. The carrier plate 11 further defines a third through hole 114. The locking member 41 is telescopically disposed on the carrier plate 11 and is located within the third through hole 114. The positioning controller 42 is connected to the locking member 41 and is used to detect the telescopic state of the locking member 41 and / or control the lifting and lowering of the locking member 41. Along the first direction A, the third through hole 114 is located between the second through hole 113 and the positioning plate 12, and the detection assembly 20 is spaced apart from the locking member 41. A positioning groove (not shown) corresponding to the locking member 41 may also be provided on the side of the battery facing the carrier plate 11. The positioning controller 42 is electrically connected to the driver 31. When the locking member 41 is received in the positioning groove of the battery, the battery is connected to the connector 121. The positioning controller 42 sends a signal to indicate that the battery has reached a predetermined position. The driver 31 stops the rotation of the gear assembly 32 based on the signal from the positioning controller 42.

[0066] Furthermore, an inclined surface 411 is provided on the side of the locking member 41 facing away from the positioning plate 12, and the inclined surface 411 is inclined toward the positioning plate 12. A supporting surface 412 is provided on the side of the locking member 41 facing the positioning plate 12, and the supporting surface 412 is arranged at an angle to the inclined surface 411. Preferably, the angle between the supporting surface 412 and the inclined surface 411 is an acute angle. When the battery moves toward the positioning plate 12, the inclined surface 411 can reduce the resistance of the locking member 41 to the battery, and help the locking member 41 slide into the positioning groove of the battery. After the battery is installed in place, the supporting surface 412 can abut against the side wall of the installation groove to lock the battery and reduce the problem of the battery falling off accidentally.

[0067] In the battery replacement device 100 of the present application, the gear assembly 32 can rotate and stop in time according to the signals of the detection assembly 20 and the locking assembly 40, driving the battery to move and position on the carrier assembly 10, so that when the staff or other automatic equipment places the battery at the battery entrance of the machine, the battery replacement device 100 can send the battery to the designated position and connect it to the connector 121, automatically completing the battery replacement and installation process, improving work efficiency and reducing the labor intensity of the staff.

[0068] See also Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 In one embodiment of the present application, the battery replacement device 100 further includes a control unit 50, which is electrically connected to the detection component 20, the drive component 30 and the locking component 40. The detector of the detection component 20, the driver 31 of the drive component 30 and the positioning controller 42 of the locking component 40 are electrically connected via the control unit 50. When the detection component 20 detects that the battery has arrived at the entrance side of the carrier component 10, it sends a corresponding signal to the control unit 50. The control unit 50 starts the driver 31 according to the received signal, thereby rotating the gear assembly 32 and driving the battery to move toward the positioning plate 12. When the locking member 41 is received in the positioning slot of the battery, the positioning controller 42 determines that the battery has reached the predetermined position and sends a signal to the control unit 50. The control unit 50 stops the driver 31 according to the received signal, thereby stopping the movement of the battery and completing the installation and positioning of the battery.

[0069] The battery replacement device 100 also includes a pushing component 60, which is electrically connected to the control unit 50 and is used to push the battery with insufficient power out of the carrying component 10. The pushing component 60 is arranged on the positioning plate 12, and includes a pushing member 61 and a pushing controller 62. One end of the pushing member 61 is rotatably connected to the pushing controller 62, and the pushing controller 62 is electrically connected to the control unit 50. When the battery is connected to the connector 121, the pushing member 61 is roughly in a vertical state and supports the battery. When the battery is low on power, the control unit 50 sends a signal to the pushing controller 62, and the pushing controller 62 drives the pushing member 61 to rotate toward the battery to push the battery away from the positioning plate 12. At the same time, the driver 31 can also drive the gear assembly 32 to rotate in the opposite direction under the control of the control unit 50 to automatically remove the battery. When the detection component 20 cannot detect the battery, the drive component 30 stops.

[0070] See also Figure 4 The battery-replacement device 100 also includes a backup power supply 70, which is electrically connected to the control unit 50. When the battery charge is low, the control unit 50 switches the backup power supply 70 to the circuit of the battery-replacement device 100, electrically connecting the backup power supply 70 to the circuit of the battery-replacement device 100. When a battery with sufficient charge is installed in the carrier assembly 10 and connected to the connector 121, the control unit 50 disconnects the backup power supply 70 from the circuit and reconnects the battery to the device circuit.

[0071] Please refer again Figures 1 to 4 The present application further provides a battery replacement method applied to the battery replacement device 100 described in the above embodiment, comprising:

[0072] Step 1: The detection component detects that the battery has arrived at the entrance side of the carrier component and sends a signal to the control unit;

[0073] Step 2: The control unit activates the driver according to the signal of the detection component, drives the gear component to rotate, and drives the battery to move along the carrier plate of the carrying component;

[0074] Step 3: The locking member locks the battery, and the positioning controller determines that the battery has moved to a predetermined position and sends a signal;

[0075] Step 4: The control unit stops the driver according to the signal sent by the positioning controller.

[0076] See also Figure 5 An embodiment of the present application further provides a power supply device 200, comprising a battery 201 and the battery replacement device 100 described in the above embodiment, wherein the battery 201 is detachably mounted on the carrier assembly 10 of the battery replacement device 100.

[0077] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent replacements of the technical solutions of the present application should not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present application.

Claims

1. A battery replacement device, characterized in that: include: The carrier assembly includes a carrier plate, a positioning plate, a mounting seat, and a guide structure. The positioning plate is disposed on one side of the carrier plate and is provided with a connector for electrically connecting to a battery. The carrier plate is detachably mounted on the mounting seat. The guide structure is disposed on opposite sides of the carrier plate. Receiving grooves are provided on opposite sides of the mounting seat. The guide structure includes a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted in the receiving grooves. a detection assembly disposed on a side of the carrier plate away from the positioning plate, for detecting the position of the battery; the detection assembly includes a first rotating member and a first detector connected to the first rotating member; a first through hole is defined at one end of the carrier plate away from the positioning plate, the first rotating member is disposed in the first through hole and partially protrudes from the upper surface of the carrier plate; A drive assembly, comprising a driver and a gear assembly, wherein the driver is transmission-connected to the gear assembly and electrically connected to the detection assembly, wherein a portion of the gear assembly is protruding from a side of the carrier plate, and the driver drives the gear assembly to rotate according to a signal from the detection assembly, and the gear assembly is used to drive the battery to move; The locking assembly includes a locking member and a positioning controller. The locking member is telescopically arranged on the carrier plate and connected to the positioning controller. The detection assembly is spaced apart from the locking member. The positioning controller is electrically connected to the driver. The driver stops the rotation of the gear assembly according to the signal of the positioning controller.

2. The battery replacement device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection assembly further includes a second rotating member and a second detector connected to the second rotating member; The carrier plate defines a second through hole, the second through hole being located between the positioning plate and the first through hole, and the second rotating member being disposed in the second through hole and partially protruding from the upper surface of the carrier plate.

3. The battery replacement device according to claim 1, wherein: The gear assembly includes a first gear, a second gear and a transmission shaft, wherein the first gear and the second gear are respectively connected to two ends of the transmission shaft; The drive assembly further includes an output shaft and a transmission belt, wherein the output shaft is connected to the driver, and the transmission belt connects the output shaft and the transmission shaft; The first gear and the second gear are respectively located on two opposite sides of the carrier plate, and both the first gear and the second gear partially protrude from the upper surface of the carrier plate.

4. The battery replacement device according to claim 2, wherein: A third through hole is formed on the carrier plate, the third through hole is located between the second through hole and the positioning plate, and the locking member is telescopically disposed in the third through hole; An inclined surface is provided on a side of the locking member facing away from the positioning plate, and a supporting surface is provided on a side of the locking member facing the positioning plate. The inclined surface and the supporting surface are arranged at an acute angle.

5. The battery replacement device according to claim 1, wherein: It also includes a control unit, which is electrically connected to the detection component, the driver and the positioning controller.

6. The battery replacement device according to claim 5, characterized in that: It also includes a pushing component electrically connected to the control unit; The pushing assembly includes a pushing member and a pushing controller. One end of the pushing member is rotatably connected to the pushing controller. The pushing controller is used to drive the pushing member to rotate toward the battery according to a signal from the control unit.

7. A battery replacement method, characterized in that: The battery replacement method is applied to the battery replacement device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising: The detection component detects the arrival of the battery at the entrance side of the carrier component and sends a signal; Start the driver to drive the gear assembly to rotate, driving the battery to move along the carrier plate; The locking member locks the battery, and the positioning controller determines that the battery has moved to a predetermined position and sends a signal; The driver stops rotation of the gear assembly.

8. A power supply device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a battery and the battery replacement device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the battery is detachably arranged on a carrying component of the battery replacement device.

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