Electric vehicle battery swapping system

Abstract

An electric vehicle battery swapping system includes: a track with a first working position for loading and unloading batteries from a vehicle and a second working position corresponding to a battery storage compartment; an unlocking mechanism for unlocking and locking the battery on the vehicle, slidably mounted on the track; a battery loading and unloading mechanism located at the second working position for loading and unloading the battery into the battery storage compartment; a lifting mechanism located at the second working position and connected to the battery loading and unloading mechanism for lifting and lowering the battery loading and unloading mechanism; and a battery holder slidably mounted on the track, which lifts the battery when the unlocking and unloading mechanism removes it from the vehicle and moves the battery between the first and second working positions. This battery swapping system reduces the number of times the unlocking and unloading mechanism needs to be positioned, thus reducing battery swapping time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electric vehicle battery replacement technology, and in particular to an electric vehicle battery swapping system. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of technology, electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular. However, the range of electric vehicles is becoming more and more prominent. Battery swapping has become a very important means of solving the range problem. When the battery of an electric vehicle is depleted, the vehicle can be driven into a battery swapping station to directly replace the battery.

[0003] During battery swapping, the electric vehicle battery swapping system generally includes an unlocking and locking mechanism for unlocking and locking the battery, a track connecting the battery pick-up and drop position of the vehicle to the battery storage position of the battery swapping system, and a battery pick-up and drop device for retrieving batteries from the battery storage compartment. The unlocking and locking mechanism can move along the track to move the battery between the vehicle and the battery storage compartment. When it moves to the position of the battery pick-up and drop device, the device picks up the battery from the unlocking and locking mechanism and places it in the battery storage compartment. Then, a new battery is taken out from the battery storage compartment and placed on the unlocking and locking mechanism. The unlocking and locking mechanism then moves back under the vehicle via the track and secures the new battery to the vehicle.

[0004] In the above process, the battery needs to be precisely positioned on the unlocking mechanism to be removed and placed. The unlocking mechanism also needs to move back and forth on the track and needs to be positioned multiple times. Therefore, the existing battery swapping system requires multiple positioning, has a relatively complex structure, and takes a long time to swap batteries. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides an electric vehicle battery swapping system that can reduce the number of times the locking and unlocking mechanism needs to be positioned, thereby reducing battery swapping time.

[0006] This invention provides an electric vehicle battery swapping system, comprising:

[0007] The track has a first working position for picking up and placing batteries from the vehicle, and a second working position corresponding to the battery storage compartment.

[0008] An unlocking mechanism, used to unlock and lock the battery on the vehicle, is slidably mounted on the track;

[0009] A battery loading and unloading mechanism, located at the second working position, is used to place the battery into the battery storage compartment and to remove the battery from the battery storage compartment.

[0010] A lifting mechanism, located in the second working position, is connected to the battery picking and placing mechanism and is used to realize the lifting and lowering of the battery picking and placing mechanism;

[0011] The battery holder is slidably mounted on the track. When the unlocking mechanism removes the battery from the vehicle, it lifts the battery and moves it between the first working position and the second working position.

[0012] Furthermore, the track includes a first track and a second track, the second track being disposed outside the first track, the unlocking mechanism being slidably disposed on the first track, and the battery holder being slidably disposed on the second track. The unlocking mechanism has a first height position in a raised state and a second height position in a lowered state. The height of the battery holder is located between the first height position and the second height position. When the unlocking mechanism returns from the first height position to the second height position after unlocking the battery, the battery is supported on the battery holder.

[0013] Furthermore, the unlocking mechanism is provided with a power mechanism, which includes a gear driven by a first motor and a rack on the first track. The gear meshes with the rack, and the first motor drives the unlocking mechanism to slide on the first track through the gear and the rack.

[0014] Furthermore, the second track is disposed on both sides of the first track, and a battery bracket is disposed on each of the second tracks. The battery bracket includes a support column and a support bar. The support column is slidably disposed on the second track, and the support bar is disposed on the support column and disposed parallel to the second track. When the unlocking mechanism returns from the first height position to the second height position, the battery is supported on the support bar.

[0015] Furthermore, the battery bracket also includes a second motor, a first conveyor belt, and a first connecting block. The second motor drives the first conveyor belt to rotate, and the support column is connected to the first conveyor belt through the first connecting block.

[0016] Furthermore, the lifting mechanism includes a lifting motor, a lifting belt, and a support frame that provides support for the lifting mechanism. The lifting motor is mounted on the support frame, and the lifting belt is connected to the battery pick-and-place mechanism. The lifting motor is connected to the lifting belt and drives the battery pick-and-place mechanism to move up and down through the lifting belt.

[0017] Furthermore, the battery picking and placing mechanism includes an outer frame, and a first picking and placing device and a second picking and placing device for picking and placing the battery. The outer frame is connected to the lifting mechanism, and the first picking and placing device and the second picking and placing device are disposed on the outer frame.

[0018] Furthermore, the outer frame includes a battery support frame and a frame body. The battery support frame is horizontally disposed below the frame body and connected to the frame body. The first pick-and-place device and the second pick-and-place device are disposed on the frame body. A gap is formed between the battery support frame and the first pick-and-place device and the second pick-and-place device. When the battery holder carrying the battery moves to below the lifting mechanism, the battery is located within the gap.

[0019] Furthermore, both the first and second pick-and-place devices include a third motor, a second conveyor belt, a connector, a connecting rod, a guide rail, a rotary cylinder, and a shift fork. The guide rail extends along a direction perpendicular to the rail. Rotary cylinders are evenly distributed at both ends of the guide rail along its extension direction. The shift fork is mounted on the rotary cylinder. The rotary cylinders at both ends of the guide rail are connected by the connecting rod. The connecting rod is slidably mounted on the guide rail. The third motor is mounted on the frame body and connected to the second conveyor belt. The connecting rod is connected to the second conveyor belt through the connector.

[0020] Furthermore, in both the first and second pick-and-place devices, there are at least two rotary cylinders at each end.

[0021] In summary, in this invention, through the arrangement and coordination of the track, unlocking mechanism, battery loading and unloading mechanism, lifting mechanism and battery bracket, the unlocking mechanism does not need to move again after unlocking the battery during the battery swapping process. That is, the unlocking mechanism does not need to perform any alignment operation, which reduces the number of times the unlocking mechanism needs to be positioned and reduces the battery swapping time.

[0022] The above description is merely an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to better understand the technical means of the present invention and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 The figure shown is a schematic diagram of the axonal structure of the electric vehicle battery swapping system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 As shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the Sino-Canadian unlocking mechanism and the first track.

[0025] Figure 3 The diagram shows the combined structure of the first power mechanism and the first track in the unlocking mechanism.

[0026] Figure 4The diagram shows the connection structure of the first roller and the first track in the unlocking mechanism.

[0027] Figure 5 As shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the middle battery bracket and the second track.

[0028] Figure 6 As shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the support frame, lifting motor, and lifting belt of the central lifting mechanism.

[0029] Figure 7 As shown Figure 1 A first-view axial side view of the battery loading and unloading mechanism.

[0030] Figure 8 As shown Figure 1 A front view schematic diagram of the battery loading and unloading mechanism.

[0031] Figure 9 As shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the axonal structure of the outer frame of the battery loading and unloading mechanism.

[0032] Figure 10 As shown Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of the first picking and placing device of the battery picking and placing mechanism.

[0033] Figure 11 As shown Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of the second pick-and-place device of the battery pick-and-place mechanism.

[0034] Figure 12 As shown Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the axonal structure after removing the connecting plate of the second pick-and-place device. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention in order to achieve the intended purpose, the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments.

[0036] This invention provides an electric vehicle battery swapping system that can reduce the number of times the locking and unlocking mechanism needs to be positioned, thereby reducing battery swapping time.

[0037] Figure 1 The diagram shown is an axonometric structural schematic of an electric vehicle battery swapping system provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1As shown, the electric vehicle battery swapping system provided by the present invention includes a track 10, on which a first working position 21 for picking up and placing batteries from the vehicle is provided, and a second working position 22 corresponding to a battery storage compartment (not shown); an unlocking mechanism 30, used for unlocking and locking the battery on the vehicle, is slidably disposed on the track 10; a battery picking and placing mechanism 40, located at the second working position 22, is used for placing the battery into the battery storage compartment and removing the battery from the battery storage compartment; a lifting mechanism 50, located at the second working position 22, is connected to the battery picking and placing mechanism 40 and is used to lift and lower the battery picking and placing mechanism 40; and a battery bracket 60, slidably disposed on the track 10, which lifts the battery when the unlocking and placing mechanism 30 removes the battery from the vehicle and moves the battery between the first working position 21 and the second working position 22.

[0038] In this embodiment, a track 10 is provided so that the unlocking mechanism 30 is slidably mounted on the track 10, and a battery tray 60 is added to the track 10. During the vehicle battery swapping operation, the unlocking mechanism and battery tray 60 are first moved away from the first working position 21 to prevent obstruction of vehicle entry, and the vehicle is parked above the first working position 21. Then, the unlocking mechanism 30 and battery tray 60 are moved to the first working position 21. The unlocking mechanism 30 rises and unlocks the battery. After the battery is unlocked, the unlocking mechanism 30 descends, and the battery falls onto the battery tray 60. The battery tray 60 moves from the first working position 21 to the second working position 22, transporting the battery to the battery swapping station. The battery pick-and-place mechanism 40 is raised to the height of the battery compartment with an empty space by the lifting mechanism 50. The battery pick-and-place mechanism 40 places the battery into the empty space, and the lifting mechanism 50 continues to move the battery pick-and-place mechanism 40 to the height of the battery compartment with a fully charged battery. The battery pick-and-place mechanism 40 removes the fully charged battery. The lifting mechanism 50 lowers the battery pick-and-place mechanism 40, the battery bracket 60 lifts the battery, and it moves back to the first working position 21. The unlocking mechanism 30 installs the battery onto the vehicle to complete the battery installation.

[0039] In this embodiment, through the setup and coordination of the above-mentioned mechanisms, the unlocking mechanism 30 does not need to move again after unlocking the battery during the battery swapping process. That is, the unlocking mechanism 30 does not need to perform any alignment operation, which reduces the number of times the battery needs to be positioned and reduces the battery swapping time.

[0040] Figure 2 As shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the Sino-Canadian unlocking mechanism and the first track. Figure 3 The diagram shows the connection structure between the first power mechanism and the first track in the unlocking mechanism. Figure 4 The diagram shows the connection structure between the first roller and the first track in the unlocking mechanism. Figure 5 As shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the middle battery bracket and the second track. (See diagram below.) Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in this invention, track 10 includes a first track 11 and a second track 12. The second track 12 is disposed outside the first track 11. The unlocking mechanism 30 is slidably disposed on the first track 11, and the battery bracket 60 is slidably disposed on the second track 12. The unlocking mechanism 30 is provided with a lifting rod (not shown) to allow the unlocking mechanism 30 to have a first height position in a raised state and a second height position in a lowered state. When in the first height position, the unlocking mechanism 30 can remove and install the battery on the vehicle. When in the second height position, the unlocking mechanism 30 can slide on the first track 11. The height of the battery bracket 60 is between the first height position and the second height position. In other words, when the unlocking mechanism 30 returns from the first height position to the second height position after unlocking the battery, the battery is supported on the battery bracket 60.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the unlocking mechanism 30 is provided with a power mechanism, which includes a gear 311 driven by a first motor (not shown in the figure) and a rack 312 provided on the first track 11. The gear 311 and the rack 312 mesh, and the first motor drives the unlocking mechanism 30 to slide on the first track 11 through the gear 311 and the rack 312.

[0042] Furthermore, there can be multiple first tracks 11. Figure 2 The example illustrates the structure when there are three first tracks 11, with at least one of the first tracks 11 having a rack 312. Figure 2 In the middle, a rack 312 is provided on one of the first tracks 11. The unlocking mechanism 30 is also provided with a roller 32, which rests on at least one of the first tracks 11. Figure 2 In the locking / unlocking mechanism 30, rollers 32 are provided on both sides, and the rollers 32 are mounted on the first rails 11 on both sides. The precise movement of the locking / unlocking mechanism 30 can be ensured by the coordinated arrangement of gears 311, racks 312 and rollers 32.

[0043] Furthermore, the first track 11 that contacts the roller 32 can be in an I-shape to improve the stability of the movement.

[0044] Please continue to refer to Figure 5In this embodiment, the second track 12 is disposed on both sides of the first track 11. A battery holder 60 is disposed on each second track 12. Each battery holder 60 includes a support column 61 and a support bar 62. The support column 61 is slidably disposed on the second track 12, and the support bar 62 is disposed on the support column 61 and is parallel to the second track 12. When the unlocking mechanism 30 returns from the first height position to the second height position after removing the battery, the battery is supported on the support bar 62.

[0045] Furthermore, the battery holder 60 also includes a second motor 63, a first conveyor belt 64, and a first connecting block 65. The second motor 63 drives the first conveyor belt 64 to rotate, and the support column 61 is connected to the first conveyor belt 64 through the first connecting block 65. The second motor 63 drives the support column 61 to move along the second track 12 through the first conveyor belt 64 and the first connecting block 65.

[0046] Furthermore, a first position sensor 121 is also provided at the end of the second track 12 to detect the position of the battery holder 60.

[0047] Figure 6 As shown Figure 1 A structural diagram of the support frame, motor, and lifting belt of the central lifting mechanism, as shown below. Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the lifting mechanism 50 includes a lifting motor 51, a lifting belt 52, and a support frame 53 that provides support for the lifting mechanism 50. The lifting motor 51 is mounted on the support frame 53. The lifting belt 52 is connected to the battery pick-and-place mechanism 40. The lifting motor 51 is connected to the lifting belt 52 and drives the battery pick-and-place mechanism 40 to move up and down through the lifting belt 52.

[0048] Figure 7 As shown Figure 1 A first-view axial side view of the battery loading and unloading mechanism. Figure 8 As shown Figure 1 A front view of the battery loading and unloading mechanism. Figure 9 As shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the axonal structure of the outer frame of the battery loading and unloading mechanism. Figure 10 As shown Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the first picking and placing device of the battery picking and placing mechanism. Figure 11 As shown Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of the second battery loading and unloading device in the battery loading and unloading mechanism. Figure 12 As shown Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the axial structure after removing the connecting plate of the second pick-and-place device. (See diagram below.) Figure 1 , Figures 7 to 12As shown, in this embodiment, the battery pick-and-place mechanism 40 includes an outer frame 41, and a first pick-and-place device 42 and a second pick-and-place device 43 for picking up and placing batteries. The outer frame 41 is connected to the lifting mechanism 50, specifically to the lifting belt 52. The first pick-and-place device 42 and the second pick-and-place device 43 are disposed on the outer frame 41.

[0049] The outer frame 41 includes a battery carrier 411 and a frame body 412. The battery carrier 411 is horizontally positioned below and connected to the frame body 412. A first pick-and-place device 42 and a second pick-and-place device 43 are mounted on the frame body 412, and a gap is formed between the battery carrier 411 and the first pick-and-place device 42 and the second pick-and-place device 43. When the battery holder 60 carrying the battery moves to below the lifting mechanism 50, the battery is located within this gap. When the lifting mechanism 50 raises the battery pick-and-place mechanism 40, the battery carrier 411 lifts the battery. When a battery taken out of the battery storage compartment is placed on the battery carrier 411, and the lifting mechanism 50 lowers the battery pick-and-place mechanism 40, the battery falls from the battery carrier 411 onto the battery holder 60.

[0050] Furthermore, multiple rollers 4111 are provided on the battery support frame 411, with the axial direction of each roller 4111 parallel to the extension direction of the track 10, and the multiple rollers 4111 are spaced apart along the extension direction perpendicular to the track 10. The battery storage compartment can be provided on both sides of the track 10. The above arrangement facilitates the movement of the battery between the battery loading and unloading mechanism 40 and the battery storage compartment.

[0051] Please continue to refer to Figures 10 to 12In this embodiment, the first pick-and-place device 42 and the second pick-and-place device 43 have basically the same structure, both including a third motor 441, a second conveyor belt 442, a connector 443, a connecting rod 444, a guide rail 445, a rotary cylinder 446, and a shift fork 447. The guide rail 445 extends in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the track 10. Rotary cylinders 446 are evenly distributed at both ends of the guide rail 445 along the extension direction of the guide rail 445, and the shift fork 447 is disposed on the rotary cylinder 446. The rotary cylinders 446 located at both ends of the guide rail 445 are connected by a connecting rod 444, which is slidably disposed on the guide rail 445. The third motor 441 is mounted on the frame body 412 and connected to the second conveyor belt 442. The connecting rod 444 is connected to the second conveyor belt 442 through the connector 443. The third motor 441 drives the rotary cylinder 446 to move along the guide rail 445 through the second conveyor belt 442 and the connector 443. The rotary cylinder 446 drives the shift fork 447 to move by rotating. With the above structure, when a battery removed from the vehicle is placed into an empty battery storage compartment, the battery support frame 411 lifts the battery to the height of the empty battery storage compartment. The third motor 441 drives the rotary cylinder 446 at one end of the connecting rod 444 to a suitable position via the second conveyor belt 442. The rotary cylinder 446 rotates, causing the shift fork 447 to contact the side of the battery. The third motor 441 continues to drive the rotary cylinder 446 to move, thereby pushing the battery into the empty battery storage compartment. After the above steps, the third motor 441 drives the rotary cylinder 446 back to its original position. The lifting mechanism 50 lifts the battery support frame 411 to the height of the battery storage compartment where the fully charged battery is located. The third motor 441 drives the rotary cylinder 446 at the other end to the side of the fully charged battery away from the track 10. The rotary motor starts, causing the shift fork 447 to contact the battery. The third motor 441 drives the rotary cylinder 446 to reset, so as to shift the fully charged battery onto the battery support frame 411.

[0052] In this embodiment, battery storage compartments are located on both sides of track 10, and the first pick-and-place device 42 and the second pick-and-place device 43 are respectively responsible for storing and retrieving batteries from the battery storage compartments on one side of track 10.

[0053] Furthermore, in the first pick-up and drop-off device 42 and the second pick-up and drop-off device 43, each end has at least two rotary cylinders 446 to ensure smooth battery movement.

[0054] To prevent the first pick-and-place device 42 and the second pick-and-place device 43 from interfering with each other, in this embodiment, the guide rail 445 of the first pick-and-place device 42 is located in the middle of the frame body 412, while the second pick-and-place device 43 has two guide rails 445, respectively located on both sides of the guide rail 445 of the first pick-and-place device 42. Both the first pick-and-place device 42 and the second pick-and-place device 43 have two connecting rods 444, with the connecting rods 444 of the second pick-and-place device 43 located on both sides of the connecting rods 444 of the first pick-and-place device 42. A connecting plate 448 is provided between the two connecting rods 444 of the same pick-and-place device for connection.

[0055] In summary, in this invention, through the arrangement and coordination of the track 10, the unlocking mechanism 30, the battery loading and unloading mechanism 40, the lifting mechanism 50, and the battery bracket 60, the unlocking mechanism 30 does not need to move again after unlocking the battery during the battery swapping process. That is, the unlocking mechanism 30 does not need to perform any alignment operation, which reduces the number of times the unlocking mechanism needs to be positioned and reduces the battery swapping time.

[0056] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery swapping system for electric vehicles, characterized in that: include: The track has a first working position for picking up and placing batteries from the vehicle, and a second working position corresponding to the battery storage compartment. An unlocking mechanism, used to unlock and lock the battery on the vehicle, is slidably mounted on the track; A battery loading and unloading mechanism, located at the second working position, is used to place the battery into the battery storage compartment and to remove the battery from the battery storage compartment. A lifting mechanism, located in the second working position, is connected to the battery picking and placing mechanism and is used to realize the lifting and lowering of the battery picking and placing mechanism; The battery holder is slidably mounted on the track. When the unlocking mechanism removes the battery from the vehicle, it lifts the battery and moves the battery between the first working position and the second working position. The track includes a first track and a second track, with the second track disposed outside the first track. The unlocking mechanism is slidably disposed on the first track, and the battery holder is slidably disposed on the second track. The unlocking mechanism has a first height position in a raised state and a second height position in a lowered state. The height of the battery holder is between the first height position and the second height position. When the unlocking mechanism returns from the first height position to the second height position after unlocking the battery, the battery is supported on the battery holder.

2. The electric vehicle battery swapping system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The unlocking mechanism is equipped with a power mechanism, which includes a gear driven by a first motor and a rack on the first track. The gear meshes with the rack, and the first motor drives the unlocking mechanism to slide on the first track through the gear and the rack.

3. The electric vehicle battery swapping system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second track is disposed on both sides of the first track, and a battery bracket is disposed on each of the second tracks. The battery bracket includes a support column and a support bar. The support column is slidably disposed on the second track, and the support bar is disposed on the support column and is disposed parallel to the second track. When the unlocking mechanism returns from the first height position to the second height position, the battery is supported on the support bar.

4. The electric vehicle battery swapping system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The battery bracket also includes a second motor, a first conveyor belt, and a first connecting block. The second motor drives the first conveyor belt to rotate, and the support column is connected to the first conveyor belt through the first connecting block.

5. The electric vehicle battery swapping system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism includes a lifting motor, a lifting belt, and a support frame that provides support for the lifting mechanism. The lifting motor is mounted on the support frame, and the lifting belt is connected to the battery pick-and-place mechanism. The lifting motor is connected to the lifting belt and drives the battery pick-and-place mechanism to move up and down through the lifting belt.

6. The electric vehicle battery swapping system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery picking and placing mechanism includes an outer frame, and a first picking and placing device and a second picking and placing device for picking and placing batteries. The outer frame is connected to the lifting mechanism, and the first picking and placing device and the second picking and placing device are disposed on the outer frame.

7. The electric vehicle battery swapping system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The outer frame includes a battery support frame and a frame body. The battery support frame is horizontally disposed below the frame body and connected to the frame body. The first pick-and-place device and the second pick-and-place device are disposed on the frame body. A gap is formed between the battery support frame and the first pick-and-place device and the second pick-and-place device. When the battery holder carrying the battery moves to below the lifting mechanism, the battery is located in the gap.

8. The electric vehicle battery swapping system according to claim 6, characterized in that: Both the first and second pick-and-place devices include a third motor, a second conveyor belt, a connector, a connecting rod, a guide rail, a rotary cylinder, and a shift fork. The guide rail extends along a direction perpendicular to the rail. Rotary cylinders are evenly distributed at both ends of the guide rail along its extension direction. The shift fork is mounted on the rotary cylinder. The rotary cylinders at both ends of the guide rail are connected by the connecting rod. The connecting rod is slidably mounted on the guide rail. The third motor is mounted on the frame body and connected to the second conveyor belt. The connecting rod is connected to the second conveyor belt through the connector.

9. The electric vehicle battery swapping system according to claim 8, characterized in that: In both the first and second pick-and-place devices, there are at least two rotary cylinders at each end.

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