Quick change lock assembly and locking device using it

Abstract

The application provides a quick-change lock assembly, which comprises a shell, a hollow cavity is formed in the shell, a quick-change bolt arranged in the cavity, the quick-change bolt is movable in the axial direction to protrude from the cavity or be accommodated in the cavity, a through hole is formed in the axial direction in the quick-change bolt, a bolt driving rod, the bolt driving rod comprises a bolt matching section, the bolt matching section is slidably inserted into the through hole, the bolt matching section is matched with the through hole to enable the quick-change bolt to rotate with the bolt driving rod, a flange part, a first side surface of the flange part opposite to the quick-change bolt can push the quick-change bolt to move in the axial direction, and a tool matching section, an elastic member, two ends of the elastic member are respectively abutted against an inner top wall of the shell and a first side surface of the flange part, and a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism is fixed on the shell and abuts against a second side surface of the flange part, an opening is formed in the locking mechanism and used for the tool matching section to extend out, the second side surface is opposite to the first side surface, a first anti-loosening tooth is arranged on the second side surface, and a second anti-loosening tooth is arranged on the locking mechanism and suitable for being engaged with the first anti-loosening tooth to be locked or separated to be unlocked.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of locking technology, and more specifically, to a quick-change lock assembly for batteries and a locking device using it. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the rapid development of new energy vehicles, their sales have continued to grow globally. However, the charging time for the power batteries of new energy vehicles is long, and this problem is generally solved by quickly replacing the power batteries. This battery swapping mode replenishes the power of new energy vehicles by directly replacing their battery packs, enabling rapid power replenishment while facilitating battery maintenance and extending battery life.

[0003] However, current locking devices used to secure battery packs to the vehicle body require a large amount of space. Therefore, there is a need for a locking device that requires less space, achieves high fastening performance, and has a highly reliable anti-loosening structure. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a quick-change lock assembly and a locking device using it.

[0005] In a first aspect, a quick-change lock assembly is provided, comprising: a housing having a hollow cavity formed therein; a quick-change bolt disposed within the cavity, having an axially formed through hole therein, the quick-change bolt being axially movable to protrude from or be housed within the cavity; and a bolt drive rod including a bolt mating section, a flange portion, and a tool mating section, wherein the bolt mating section is configured to slidably insert into the through hole and engage with the through hole to allow the quick-change bolt to rotate with the bolt drive rod, and the first side of the flange portion opposite to the quick-change bolt is configured to be pushable. The quick-change bolt moves axially; an elastic member, the two ends of which abut against the inner top wall of the housing and the first side surface of the flange, respectively; and a locking mechanism fixed to the housing, wherein the locking mechanism abuts against the second side surface of the flange, and the locking mechanism has an opening for the tool engaging section to extend out, the second side surface being located opposite to the first side surface; wherein a first anti-loosening tooth is provided on the second side surface of the flange, and a second anti-loosening tooth is provided on the locking mechanism, suitable for engaging with the first anti-loosening tooth to lock or disengage to unlock. According to the configuration of the quick-change lock assembly of this application, the installation space required for the locking device can be greatly reduced, while achieving high fastening performance and high reliability in preventing loosening and rotation.

[0006] In some embodiments, the first and second anti-loosening teeth are oblique tooth-shaped structures. By using anti-loosening teeth with oblique tooth-shaped structures, it is possible to better prevent quick-release bolts from loosening.

[0007] In some embodiments, the inclination angle of the first anti-loosening tooth and the second anti-loosening tooth is 30° to 60°. By setting the inclination angle of the anti-loosening tooth between 30° and 60°, the anti-loosening and anti-rotation effect can be optimally achieved.

[0008] In some embodiments, the quick-change bolt is provided with trapezoidal threads. This configuration can improve the lifespan of the quick-change bolt.

[0009] In some embodiments, the through hole includes a first through hole segment and a second through hole segment, the cross-section of the first through hole segment being smaller than the cross-section of the second through hole segment. The bolt mating segment includes a guide portion and a drive portion. The guide portion is configured to insert into the first through hole segment to guide the insertion of the bolt drive rod. The drive portion is configured to insert into the second through hole segment and mate with the second through hole segment, allowing the quick-change bolt to rotate with the bolt drive rod. With this configuration, the rigidity of the quick-change bolt can be enhanced because the first through hole segment can be made thinner than the second through hole segment.

[0010] In some embodiments, the cross-sections of the driving part and the second through-hole segment are polygonal; or the driving part and the second through-hole segment are splined. This configuration allows for a simple way to drive the quick-change bolt with the bolt drive rod.

[0011] In some embodiments, a boss is formed on the top of the housing, and the outer ring of the boss has a toothed structure. By utilizing the interference fit of the toothed structure, the housing of the quick-change lock assembly is pressed into the battery pack beam, enabling rapid installation of the quick-change lock assembly and the battery pack beam.

[0012] Secondly, a locking device is provided, comprising: a quick-change lock assembly as described above; and a nut assembly including a quick-change nut, the quick-change nut including a nut body, the nut body having a through threaded hole that mates with the quick-change bolt. By using the quick-change lock assembly of this application, the installation space required for the locking device can be greatly reduced, while achieving high fastening performance and high reliability in preventing loosening and rotation.

[0013] In some embodiments, the nut assembly further includes: a cover plate; a base, the cover plate being fixedly connected to the base, forming an accommodating space between the cover plate and the base; the quick-change nut further includes a platform surface connected to the nut body, the platform surface being disposed within the accommodating space, and an opening being provided in the base for the nut body to extend out; the accommodating space is configured to allow the quick-change nut to move within a predetermined range. This configuration allows for better alignment of the quick-change bolt and quick-change nut when the axis of the quick-change bolt and the axis of the quick-change nut are not collinear.

[0014] In some embodiments, a flange is provided on the base and / or the cover plate to restrict the rotation of the quick-change nut relative to the base and / or the cover plate. By providing the flange, rotation of the quick-change nut relative to the base and / or the cover plate can be prevented when the quick-change bolt is tightened to the quick-change nut.

[0015] In some embodiments, the cover plate has an opening for the quick-change bolt to extend. This opening allows the nut assembly to accommodate quick-change bolts of different lengths.

[0016] Thirdly, a vehicle is provided, comprising: a battery pack beam with a hole therein; a body beam with a groove therein; and a locking device as described above, wherein the nut assembly is fixed in the groove of the body beam, and the quick-change lock assembly is fixed in the hole of the battery pack beam. This configuration further reduces the installation space required for the locking device.

[0017] The locking device according to this application, and in particular the quick-change lock assembly according to this application, can solve the problem of installation space required for quick-change locks, realize convenient assembly and replacement, and have simple assembly alignment and high assembly efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments and are used to explain this application, but do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic exploded view of a quick-change lock assembly in a locking device according to some embodiments of this application;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic exploded view of a nut assembly in a locking device according to some embodiments of this application;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a locking device including a quick-change lock assembly and a nut assembly according to some embodiments of this application;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the state when the quick-change lock assembly and nut assembly of the locking device according to some embodiments of this application are respectively installed on the battery pack beam and the body beam;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the quick-change lock assembly before it is installed onto the nut assembly;

[0024] Figure 6This is a schematic diagram illustrating the state after the battery pack beam is locked to the vehicle body beam using a locking device according to some embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains; the terminology used in the description of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the application; the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, in the description, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. The terms "first," "second," etc., in the description, claims, or accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order or hierarchy.

[0027] In this application, the reference to "embodiment" means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a mutually exclusive, independent, or alternative embodiment. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described in this application can be combined with other embodiments.

[0028] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "attachment" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0029] In this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, in this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0030] In this application, "multiple" refers to two or more (including two), and similarly, "multiple groups" refers to two or more (including two), and "multiple pieces" refers to two or more (including two).

[0031] The battery mentioned in the embodiments of this application refers to a single physical module comprising multiple battery cells to provide higher voltage and capacity. For example, the battery mentioned in this application may include a battery module or a battery pack, etc.

[0032] This application provides a quick-change lock assembly that requires little space, achieves high fastening performance, and has a highly reliable anti-loosening structure, as well as a locking device using it.

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of this application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] The locking device 300 of this application includes a quick-change lock assembly 100 and a nut assembly 200.

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic exploded view of a quick-change lock assembly in a locking device according to some embodiments of this application. Figure 2 This is a schematic exploded view of a nut assembly in a locking device according to some embodiments of this application. Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a locking device including a quick-change lock assembly and a nut assembly according to some embodiments of this application. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the quick-change lock assembly and nut assembly of the locking device according to some embodiments of this application are respectively installed on the battery pack beam and the body beam. Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view showing the quick-change lock assembly before it is installed onto the nut assembly. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the state after the battery pack beam is locked to the vehicle body beam using a locking device according to some embodiments of this application.

[0036] First, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 This describes the configuration of the quick-change lock assembly 100 of the locking device 300 of this application.

[0037] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the quick-change lock assembly 100 includes a housing 101, a quick-change bolt 103, an elastic member 105, a bolt drive rod 107, and a locking mechanism 109. The housing 101 has a generally cylindrical structure, forming a hollow cavity inside, and an opening 111 is formed in the top wall. In some embodiments, a boss 113 is also formed on the top of the housing 101, and the outer ring of the boss 113 has a toothed structure for pressing the housing 101 into the battery pack beam 404 of the new energy vehicle by interference fit, as will be described later.

[0038] A quick-change bolt 103 is disposed within the cavity and configured to move axially to protrude from or retract into the cavity via opening 111. In other words, the quick-change bolt 103 forms a clearance fit with the housing 101. A through hole 301 is formed axially within the quick-change bolt 103 for engaging with the bolt-fitting section 115 of the bolt drive rod 107, which will be described below. In some embodiments, the quick-change bolt 103 may be provided with a trapezoidal thread, thereby improving bolt life.

[0039] The bolt drive rod 107 includes a bolt mating section 115, a flange portion 117, and a tool mating section 119. The bolt mating section 115 is configured to slidably insert into the through hole 301 and engage with the through hole 301 to allow the quick-change bolt 103 to rotate with the bolt drive rod 107. The flange portion 117 has a first side facing the quick-change bolt 103. Figure 1 The upper surface (of which is the center) can abut against the bottom of the quick-change bolt 103, thereby allowing the quick-change bolt 103 to move axially when installed. The tool-fitting section 119 is configured to engage with a tool; when locking or removing the battery, the tool drives the tool-fitting section 119 to rotate, thereby rotating the quick-change bolt 103 via the aforementioned bolt-fitting section 115, thus tightening or loosening the quick-change bolt 103. Although not explicitly shown in the figures, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, for example, the tool-fitting section 119 may have a polygonal through-hole formed internally, and the front end of the tool may be a polygonal prism that engages with it, thereby enabling the tool to drive the tool-fitting section 119 to rotate.

[0040] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the bolt-fitting section 115 includes a guide portion 121 and a drive portion 123. The guide portion 121 can be formed as a round rod, while the drive portion 123 can be formed as a polygonal prism. Correspondingly, as... Figure 3As shown, the through hole 301 includes a first through hole section 303 and a second through hole section 305. The cross-section of the first through hole section 303 may be smaller than the cross-section of the second through hole section 305. The first through hole section 303 may be formed as a through hole with a circular cross-section corresponding to the shape of the guide portion 121. The guide portion 121 is configured to be inserted into the first through hole section 303 to guide the insertion of the bolt drive rod 107. The second through hole section 305 may be formed as a polygonal through hole with a shape corresponding to the drive portion 123. The drive portion 123 is configured to be inserted into the second through hole section 305 and cooperate with the second through hole section 305 to allow the quick-change bolt 103 to rotate with the bolt drive rod 107. Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the drive portion 123 and the second through hole section 305 may be a spline fit. Here, it should be noted that in the embodiment where the through hole 301 includes a first through hole segment 303 and a second through hole segment 305, the length of the second through hole segment 305 needs to be appropriately selected so that after the quick-change bolt 103 is tightened to the quick-change nut and the bolt drive rod 107 is reset, the drive part 123 does not come out of the second through hole segment 305.

[0041] The two ends of the elastic member 105 abut against the inner top wall of the housing 101 and the first side surface of the flange 117, respectively. Therefore, when the elastic member 105 is compressed and then recovers, it pushes the flange 117 away from the inner top wall of the housing 101. In some embodiments, the elastic member 105 may be a spring. In these embodiments, the spring may be sleeved on the outside of the quick-change bolt 103.

[0042] The locking mechanism 109 has a circular shape corresponding to the housing 101 and is fixed to the housing 101. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 109 can be locked to the housing 101 by a threaded connection. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 109 may be formed in a recessed shape on its inner side to accommodate the flange portion 117 of the bolt drive rod 107. Here, it should be noted that when the locking mechanism 109 is fixed to the housing 101, the elastic member 105 is already in a compressed state. Therefore, at this time, the flange portion 117 is pushed by the elastic member 105, and the locking mechanism 109 abuts against the second side of the flange portion 117 located opposite to the first side. An opening 125 is provided in the locking mechanism 109 for the tool mating section 119 to extend out. A first anti-loosening tooth 127 is provided on the second side of the flange portion 117, and a second anti-loosening tooth 129 is provided on the side of the locking mechanism 109 that abuts against the flange portion 117. The second anti-loosening tooth 129 is adapted to engage with the first anti-loosening tooth 127 to lock or disengage to unlock.

[0043] In some embodiments, the first anti-loosening tooth 127 and the second anti-loosening tooth 129 are oblique tooth-like structures. In these embodiments, the inclination angle of the first anti-loosening tooth 127 and the second anti-loosening tooth 129 is preferably 30° to 60°.

[0044] Next, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 This describes the configuration of the nut assembly 200 of the locking device of this application.

[0045] The nut assembly 200 includes a cover plate 201, a quick-change nut 203, and a base 205. The quick-change nut 203 has a nut body 207 and a platform 209 connected to the nut body 207. A through threaded hole is formed in the nut body 207 to mate with the quick-change bolt 103. An accommodating space is formed between the cover plate 201 and the base 205. In some embodiments, the cover plate 201 may be formed as a generally rectangular plate with a central protrusion, and the base 205 may be formed as a generally rectangular plate, thereby forming the aforementioned accommodating space between the cover plate 201 and the base 205. In some embodiments, threaded holes 211 may be provided at the four corners of the cover plate 201, and through holes 213 may be provided at positions on the base 205 corresponding to the threaded holes 211, thereby allowing passage, for example, through… Figure 4 The bolt 406 shown is fixedly connected to the body beam 402 of the new energy vehicle, as described later. The platform 209 of the quick-change nut 203 is arranged within the aforementioned receiving space. The receiving space is configured to allow the quick-change nut 203 to move within a predetermined range, thereby ensuring that the quick-change nut 203 is aligned with the quick-change lock assembly 100. An opening 215 is provided in the base 205 for the nut body 207 to extend. The diameter of the opening 215 is larger than the diameter of the outer ring of the nut body 207, thereby allowing the quick-change nut 203 to move within a predetermined range, as described above.

[0046] In some embodiments, a flange 217 is provided on the base 205 to restrict the rotation of the quick-change nut 203 relative to the base 205. Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the flange 217 may also be provided on one side of the cover plate 201. Or, the flange 217 may be provided on both the base 205 and the cover plate 201.

[0047] In some embodiments, the cover plate 201 has an opening 219 for the quick-change bolt 103 to extend out. This allows for the adaptation of quick-change bolts 103 of different lengths.

[0048] Next, refer to Figure 4 This describes an embodiment of using the quick-change lock assembly 100 and nut assembly 200 of this application to lock the battery pack to the body of a new energy vehicle.

[0049] like Figure 4As shown, the battery pack beam 404 of the new energy vehicle has a roughly circular hole 414 that corresponds to the shape of the outer shell 101 of the quick-change lock assembly 100. During installation, the boss 113 of the outer shell 101 is aligned with the circular hole 414, and the outer shell 101 of the quick-change lock assembly 100 is pressed into the battery pack beam 404 for riveting fixation through an interference fit of a toothed structure, thereby realizing the quick installation of the quick-change lock assembly 100 and the battery pack beam 404.

[0050] On the other hand, a roughly rectangular groove 408 corresponding to the shape of the nut assembly 200 is provided in the body beam 402 of the new energy vehicle. The nut assembly 200 is arranged in the groove 408 and supported by the groove 408. A through hole 410 is provided in the groove 408 at a position corresponding to the threaded hole 211 of the nut assembly 200. A bolt 406 is inserted into the through hole 410 and engages with the threaded hole 211 to fix the nut assembly 200 in the groove 408 of the body beam 402. An opening 412 is provided in the groove 408 at a position corresponding to the nut body 207 of the nut assembly 200. The nut body 207 passes through the opening 412 and engages with the quick-change bolt 103 of the quick-change lock assembly 100 to achieve locking.

[0051] During installation, such as Figure 5 As shown, a tool drives the bolt drive rod 107 to rotate via the tool mating section 119, thereby driving the quick-change bolt 103 to rotate via the bolt mating section 115, until the quick-change bolt 103 and quick-change nut 203 are tightened through a threaded connection. During this process, the elastic member 105 is further compressed because its two ends abut against the inner top wall of the housing 101 and the first side of the flange 117, respectively. After the quick-change bolt 103 is tightened, the tool is removed, and the bolt drive rod 107 returns to its original position via the elastic member 105. As previously described, since the elastic member 105 is already compressed when the locking mechanism 109 is fixed to the housing 101, i.e., before the quick-change bolt 103 begins to rotate, the elastic member 105 will still push the bolt drive rod 107 even when the bolt drive rod 107 is reset, causing the bolt drive rod 107 to abut against the locking mechanism 109. This causes the first anti-loosening tooth 127 provided on the first side of the flange portion 117 of the bolt drive rod 107 to engage with the second anti-loosening tooth 129 provided on the locking mechanism 109. The engagement of the anti-loosening teeth prevents the quick-change bolt 103 from loosening.

[0052] Figure 6 A schematic diagram is shown showing the state after the battery pack beam is locked to the vehicle body beam using the aforementioned locking device. The locking device according to this application, and especially the integrated quick-change lock assembly according to this application, enables rapid assembly of the locking device while simultaneously providing an anti-loosening and anti-rotation effect.

[0053] It should be understood that although the locking device was described above in conjunction with the power battery of new energy vehicles, the locking device is not limited to power batteries and can also be applied to other locking scenarios.

[0054] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. However, these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A quick-change lock assembly, comprising: The outer shell has a hollow cavity inside; A quick-change bolt is arranged in the cavity, and a through hole is formed in the cavity along the axial direction. The quick-change bolt can move along the axial direction to protrude out of the cavity or be stored in the cavity. A bolt drive rod includes a bolt mating section, a flange portion, and a tool mating section, wherein the bolt mating section is configured to be slidably inserted into the through hole and to engage with the through hole so that the quick-change bolt can rotate with the bolt drive rod, and the first side of the flange portion opposite to the quick-change bolt is configured to push the quick-change bolt to move axially; An elastic member, the two ends of which respectively abut against the inner top wall of the outer casing and the first side surface of the flange; and A locking mechanism is fixed to the housing, wherein the locking mechanism abuts against the second side of the flange portion, and the locking mechanism has an opening for the tool engaging section to extend out, and the second side is located on the opposite side of the first side. The flange portion has a first anti-loosening tooth on its second side and a locking mechanism has a second anti-loosening tooth that engages with the first anti-loosening tooth to lock or disengage to unlock.

2. The quick-change lock assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The first and second anti-loosening teeth are oblique tooth-shaped structures.

3. The quick-change lock assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The inclination angle of the first anti-loosening tooth and the second anti-loosening tooth is 30° to 60°.

4. The quick-change lock assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The quick-change bolt is provided with a trapezoidal thread.

5. The quick-change lock assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The through hole includes a first through hole segment and a second through hole segment, wherein the cross-section of the first through hole segment is smaller than the cross-section of the second through hole segment. The bolt mating section includes a guide portion and a drive portion. The guide portion is configured to be inserted into the first through-hole section to guide the insertion of the bolt drive rod. The drive portion is configured to be inserted into the second through-hole section and mate with the second through-hole section so that the quick-change bolt can rotate with the bolt drive rod.

6. The quick-change lock assembly according to claim 5, wherein, The cross-sections of the driving part and the second through hole segment are polygonal; or The drive section and the second through hole section are splined together.

7. The quick-change lock assembly according to claim 1, wherein, A boss is formed on the top of the outer casing, and the outer ring of the boss has a toothed structure.

8. A locking device, comprising: The quick-change lock assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and A nut assembly includes a quick-change nut, wherein the quick-change nut includes a nut body and a through threaded hole that mates with the quick-change bolt.

9. The locking device according to claim 8, wherein, The nut assembly also includes: Cover plate; The base, the cover plate is fixedly connected to the base, and an accommodating space is formed between the cover plate and the base; The quick-change nut also includes a platform connected to the nut body, the platform being arranged within an accommodating space, and an opening in the base for the nut body to extend out. The accommodating space is configured to allow the quick-change nut to move within a predetermined range.

10. The locking device according to claim 9, wherein, A flange is provided on the base and / or the cover plate to restrict the quick-change nut from rotating relative to the base and / or the cover plate.

11. The locking device according to claim 9, wherein, The cover plate has an opening for the quick-change bolt to extend out.

12. A vehicle comprising: The battery pack beam has holes in it; The body beam has grooves cut into it; and The locking device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, The nut assembly is fixed in the groove of the vehicle body beam, and the quick-change lock assembly is fixed in the hole of the battery pack beam.

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