A battery pack caching device, a battery swapping device, and a battery pack caching method for a battery swapping device

Abstract

The present application discloses a battery pack caching device, a battery swapping device, and a battery pack caching method for the battery swapping device. The battery pack caching device is configured to be disposed on the battery swapping device and includes a battery carrying part. The battery carrying part is movable between a third position and a fourth position. The battery carrying part moves to the third position to carry the battery pack. The battery swapping device includes a battery swapping base and a battery swapping platform disposed on the battery swapping base. The battery swapping platform is configured to carry the battery pack and is liftable between a first position and a second position higher than the first position. The third position is higher than the first position, so that a battery pack taking channel can be formed between the battery pack and the battery swapping base and / or the battery swapping platform. Thereby, it is convenient for the battery pack taking device to operate to remove the battery pack from the battery swapping device, which is convenient for the transportation of the battery pack and is beneficial to improving the battery swapping efficiency. Moreover, the above structure can well adapt to the battery swapping device with reduced own height and is also beneficial to the further thin-type optimization of the battery swapping device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of battery swapping, and particularly relates to a battery pack caching device, a battery swapping device, and a battery pack caching method for the battery swapping device. Background Art

[0002] Currently, the power supply methods of electric vehicles mainly include direct charging and quick battery swapping. Quick battery swapping generally adopts the method of detachable installation of battery packs for quick replacement, that is: charging the removed battery pack (usually in a battery swapping station), and installing other battery packs with stored electricity onto the vehicle body.

[0003] For large vehicles, such as trucks, especially heavy trucks, due to their large self-weight and load, the battery packs need to have a large capacity, which makes the volume and weight of the battery packs large. In cases where it is necessary to transfer the battery pack removed from the battery swapping vehicle from the battery swapping device to the battery swapping station, or to transfer the battery pack from the battery swapping device urgently, currently, the battery pack is lifted by a top hoist, and then the battery pack is taken from the battery swapping device. The equipment related to the top hoist will increase the occupied space of the entire battery swapping system, and has low safety and a complex structure.

[0004] It can be seen that there are many drawbacks in the prior art, which need to be further improved and enhanced. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a battery pack caching device, a battery swapping device, and a battery pack caching method for the battery swapping device to solve at least one of the above technical problems.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0007] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a battery pack caching device. The battery pack caching device is used to be arranged on a battery swapping device. The battery swapping device includes a battery swapping base and a battery swapping platform arranged on the battery swapping base. The battery swapping platform is used to carry a battery pack and can be lifted between a first position and a second position higher than the first position. The caching device is movably arranged on the battery swapping base and is used to carry the battery pack so that the battery pack can be separated from the battery swapping platform.

[0008] In the above technical solution, a buffer device is added to the battery swapping device. The buffer device is used to buffer the battery pack on the battery swapping device and enable the battery pack to be separated from the battery swapping platform, so that it is convenient for the battery pack picking device to extend between the battery swapping platform and the battery pack after the battery pack is separated from the battery swapping platform to pick up the battery pack. There is no need to set up a structure related to overhead lifting. The battery pack buffered on the battery swapping device is safer and the structure is simpler. It avoids the disadvantages of large space occupation, low safety, and complex structure of the battery swapping system caused by the use of overhead lifting devices in the prior art.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the buffer device includes a battery carrying part. The battery carrying part can move between a third position and a fourth position. The battery carrying part moves to the third position to carry the battery pack, and the battery carrying part moves to the fourth position to avoid the lifting of the battery swapping platform and the battery pack.

[0010] The third position is higher than the first position, so that the battery pack carried by the battery carrying part can form a battery pack picking channel between the battery swapping base and / or the battery swapping platform.

[0011] Through the above technical solution, the movement of the battery carrying part is controlled to realize the buffering of the battery pack, and the height of the battery carrying part is controlled to form a battery pack picking channel between the battery pack and the battery swapping device, so as to realize the picking of the battery pack by the battery pack picking device; moreover, through the above technical solution, the movement interference between the battery carrying part and the battery swapping platform can be avoided, and the structure is compact.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the height of the battery pack picking channel is set to allow the battery pack picking device to extend and transfer the battery pack by means of lifting.

[0013] Adopting this setting method can provide sufficient movement space for the battery pack picking device and facilitate battery transfer. Moreover, adopting the method of lifting the battery pack to transfer also avoids the disadvantages of large space occupation, low safety, and complex structure of the battery swapping system caused by the use of overhead lifting devices in the prior art.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the third position is lower than the second position; when the battery swapping platform lowers from the second position to the first position while carrying the battery pack, the battery carrying part carries the battery pack.

[0015] Adopting this setting method can avoid the battery carrying part from affecting the battery replacement work of the battery replacement platform. Additionally, by adopting this setting method, during the process of the battery replacement platform carrying the battery pack and descending from the second position to the first position, the battery carrying part can achieve the carrying and caching of the battery pack, and a battery pack taking channel can be formed after the battery replacement platform continues to descend, with higher efficiency. Moreover, by adopting this setting method, equipment linkage can be achieved, which is beneficial to improving the battery replacement efficiency and facilitating the transfer of the battery pack. Additionally, by adopting this setting method, during the process of the battery replacement platform carrying the battery pack and descending from the second position to the first position, the battery carrying part can achieve the carrying and caching of the battery pack, and a battery pack taking channel can be formed after the battery replacement platform continues to descend, with higher efficiency.

[0016] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the battery carrying part carries the battery pack by lifting, and / or the battery carrying part carries the battery pack by clamping, and / or the battery carrying part carries the battery pack by fitting connection.

[0017] In the above solution, the battery carrying part can achieve the caching and transfer of the battery pack through different carrying methods such as lifting, clamping, and fitting. By selecting or combining the above carrying methods, the battery carrying part in the present application can adapt to the transfer requirements of different specifications of battery packs and different transfer scenarios. And the above carrying structure is simple and compact, and can achieve the carrying of the battery pack by the battery carrying part without affecting the work of the battery replacement platform.

[0018] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the battery carrying part can rotate relative to the battery replacement base, so that the battery carrying part moves from the fourth position far from the battery replacement platform to the third position close to the battery replacement platform to carry the battery pack.

[0019] By adopting this setting method, the rotation of the battery carrying part is used to realize its movement between the third position and the fourth position, so as to achieve the carrying and caching of the battery pack.

[0020] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the caching device further includes a rotation driving mechanism, and the rotation driving mechanism is connected between the battery carrying part and the battery replacement base for driving the battery carrying part to rotate around a rotation axis;

[0021] The rotation axis is arranged along the lifting direction of the battery replacement platform; or the rotation axis is arranged perpendicular to the lifting direction of the battery replacement platform and extends along one side of the battery replacement platform.

[0022] In this solution, when the rotation axis is arranged along the lifting direction of the battery swapping platform (usually in the vertical direction), the battery carrying part can rotate / sway or flip in the horizontal plane, avoiding the excessive size of the driving structure in the horizontal direction and making the structure more compact. When the rotation axis is perpendicular to the lifting direction of the battery swapping platform and extends along one side of the battery swapping platform (usually in the horizontal direction), the battery carrying part can rotate / sway or flip in the vertical plane (for example, it can rotate from vertically downward to horizontal, or from vertically upward to horizontal), occupying a small space and having a compact structure.

[0023] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the rotation driving mechanism includes a third driving mechanism, and the third driving mechanism includes a third power unit for outputting a rotational motion and a third transmission unit for transmitting the rotational motion and driving the battery carrying part to rotate. The third transmission unit is connected to the battery carrying part;

[0024] And / or, the rotation driving mechanism includes a fourth driving mechanism, and the fourth driving mechanism includes a fourth power unit. The fourth power unit is used for outputting a linear motion. One end of the fourth power unit is connected to the battery swapping base, and the other end of the fourth power unit is connected to the battery carrying part, and the connection point is located outside the rotation axis.

[0025] With the above structure, it is possible to utilize the simple linear motion output by the fourth driving mechanism to drive the battery carrying part to act around its rotation axis, making the entire structure more compact and reducing the equipment volume. It is also possible to combine the linear motion output by the fourth driving mechanism with the rotational motion output by the third driving mechanism to conveniently supplement the insufficient displacement of the rotational motion of the battery carrying part in the horizontal direction, ensuring the in-place efficiency and in-place accuracy of the battery carrying part. Moreover, the third driving mechanism occupies a small space and has a compact structure, avoiding the excessive size of the driving structure in the horizontal direction and making the structure more compact.

[0026] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, along the lifting direction of the battery swapping platform, the battery carrying part is located between the first position and the second position, and the battery carrying part can translate relative to the battery swapping base, so that the battery carrying part moves from the fourth position far from the battery swapping platform to the third position close to the battery swapping platform to carry the battery pack;

[0027] Alternatively, in the plane perpendicular to the lifting direction of the battery swapping platform, the battery carrying part and the battery swapping platform avoid each other, and the battery carrying part can be in contact with a part of the bottom of the battery pack to lift the battery pack; the battery carrying part can move up and down relative to the battery swapping base, so that the battery carrying part rises from the fourth position not higher than the first position to the third position to lift the battery pack.

[0028] With the above setting method, by controlling the translation of the battery carrying part, it can approach or move away from the battery swapping platform, and when approaching the battery swapping platform, it can carry the battery pack to cache the battery pack. Or, it can cache the battery pack by controlling the lifting of the battery carrying part without interfering with the operation of the battery swapping platform, and control the lowering of the battery carrying part to avoid interfering with the operation of the battery swapping platform when the caching device is not in use.

[0029] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the battery carrying part includes a carrying bracket, and the carrying bracket has at least two support rods extending towards the battery swapping platform. At least two of the support rods of the carrying bracket can carry the battery pack when the battery carrying part moves to the third position, and an avoidance space is formed between the two support rods to allow the battery swapping platform to descend after the battery carrying part carries the battery pack;

[0030] And / or, the battery carrying part includes a plate-shaped carrying flat plate, and when the battery carrying part moves to the fourth position, the carrying flat plate can cover a part of the battery swapping base.

[0031] When the battery carrying part includes a carrying bracket and the carrying bracket has support rods, this structure is beneficial to ensuring the stability of the cooperation structure between the battery carrying part and the battery pack. In addition, adopting this structure can realize the carrying of the battery pack by the battery carrying part without affecting the operation of the battery swapping platform. When the battery carrying part includes a plate-shaped carrying platform, the setting of the carrying flat plate can cover a part of the battery swapping base when the caching platform is in the fourth position, thereby playing a role in protecting the corresponding structure inside the battery swapping base, without additionally setting a cover plate at the corresponding position of the battery swapping device, simplifying the structure of the battery swapping device, reducing the weight and cost of the battery swapping device, and being beneficial to strengthening the structural strength of the battery carrying part, thereby further ensuring the stability of the battery carrying part during the process of carrying the battery pack and avoiding unnecessary losses caused by the falling off / dropping of the battery pack.

[0032] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the caching device includes a moving driving mechanism, and the moving driving mechanism is connected between the battery swapping base and the battery carrying part for driving the battery carrying part to move relative to the battery swapping base.

[0033] Adopting the above solution can effectively utilize the installation space between the two ends of the battery swapping base between the battery swapping base and the battery carrying part, reduce the size of the entire device in the horizontal width direction and the vertical height direction, so that the structure of the entire device is more compact, and it is convenient for the entire battery swapping device to enter and exit the bottom of the vehicle.

[0034] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the mobile driving mechanism includes a first driving mechanism, the first driving mechanism includes a first power unit for outputting rotational motion and a first transmission unit for converting the rotational motion into linear motion, and the first transmission unit is connected to the battery carrying part;

[0035] The first transmission unit includes a first transmission part A and a first transmission part B which are transmission-connected. The first transmission part A is driven by the first power unit to perform rotational motion. The first transmission part B is connected to the battery carrying part and outputs the linear motion driven by the first transmission part A.

[0036] The above structure can realize the conversion and combination of rotation and linear motion, so that the power unit does not need to be directly facing the battery swap platform, making the battery swap equipment structure layout more flexible. At the same time, the first transmission unit and the second transmission unit extend in the same direction, which can also make the two more compact and avoid interference with other directional structures of the battery swap equipment.

[0037] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the first transmission part A includes a gear, the first transmission part B includes a rack, the gear and the rack are meshed for transmission, and the length direction of the rack is consistent with the movement direction of the battery carrying part;

[0038] Alternatively, the first transmission part A includes multiple transmission wheels, the first transmission part B includes a flexible member wound around the multiple transmission wheels, one of the transmission wheels is driven by the first power unit to rotate, the flexible member between the multiple transmission wheels is connected to the battery carrying part, and the extension direction of the flexible member between the multiple transmission wheels is consistent with the movement direction of the battery carrying part.

[0039] Alternatively, the first transmission part A includes a screw rod, the first transmission part B includes a rotating member connected to the screw rod, the length direction of the screw rod is consistent with the movement direction of the battery carrying part, and the rotating member is connected to the battery carrying part and is stopped and limited.

[0040] In the above technical solution, gear and rack transmission is adopted, and the gear and rack always maintain meshing contact, which has advantages in transmission accuracy, load and rigidity. It can be used for a long time under heavy load without tension adjustment. In addition, compared with sprocket chain, gear rack has higher transmission accuracy; long service life and low noise. The gear rack forms a single-sided meshing transmission structure, which occupies little space;

[0041] Providing a flexible member to connect the transmission wheel has the advantages of good transmission effect and high transmission strength;

[0042] When adopting the ball screw drive mode in which the ball screw cooperates with the rotating member, the transmission cooperation accuracy between the ball screw and the rotating member is high, the control is convenient, and the structure is more compact.

[0043] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, one of the first transmission part B and the battery carrying part is provided with a connecting groove, and the other is provided with a connecting convex block. The connecting convex block is arranged in the connecting groove to connect the first transmission part B and the battery carrying part, and the connecting convex block has a clearance fit with at least one groove wall of the connecting groove.

[0044] In the above technical solution, by using the clearance fit between the connecting convex block and the connecting groove, it is possible to effectively avoid jamming during the transmission process and reduce the requirement for the assembly accuracy of the equipment.

[0045] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the rotating member and the battery carrying part are rotationally limited by the cooperation of the connecting convex block and the bottom wall of the connecting groove;

[0046] And / or, the connecting convex blocks or connecting grooves are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the first transmission part B; the connecting grooves or connecting convex blocks are correspondingly arranged on the battery carrying part.

[0047] In the above technical solution, the clearance fit method can reduce the interference of the connecting groove on the movement of the connecting convex block, effectively avoid jamming, and this rotational limiting method has a simple and compact limiting structure and can be integrated with the transmission mechanism to make the entire structure more compact. In addition, arranging the connecting grooves and connecting convex blocks on both sides of the first transmission part B and the battery carrying part can improve the accuracy, stability and reliability of transmission and limiting.

[0048] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the moving drive mechanism includes a second drive mechanism, and the second drive mechanism includes a second power unit for outputting linear motion. One end of the second power unit is connected to the battery swapping base, and the other end of the second power unit is connected to the battery carrying part.

[0049] The second power unit directly outputs linear motion, with a simple structure and reliable movement, which can realize the rapid movement of the battery carrying part, is beneficial to improving the loading and transfer efficiency of the battery pack. And adopting this structure can effectively utilize the installation space on the battery swapping base.

[0050] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the buffer device further includes a guiding mechanism, and the battery carrying part is connected to the battery swapping base through the guiding mechanism to realize the guiding of the movement of the battery carrying part between the fourth position and the third position.

[0051] In the above technical solution, through the guiding mechanism, the stability, reliability and accuracy of the movement of the battery carrying part can be improved. In addition, the guiding mechanism also improves the carrying stability of the battery carrying part for the battery to a certain extent.

[0052] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the guiding mechanism includes a mutually cooperating guide rail and a slider. One of the guide rail and the slider is connected to the battery carrying part, and the other is connected to the battery swapping base. The extending direction of the guide rail is consistent with the movement direction of the battery carrying part.

[0053] In the above technical solution, the battery carrying part is guided by the guiding mechanism to move along a preset movement direction, avoiding the movement of the battery carrying part deviating from the preset direction. By using a slidably connected guide rail and slider, a stable linear motion relationship is achieved, and the transmission is smoother. Of course, other structures that can perform a guiding function can also be used.

[0054] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, a plurality of battery carrying parts are provided, and the plurality of battery carrying parts are respectively located on at least two opposite sides of the battery swapping platform.

[0055] In the above technical solution, the setting of a plurality of battery carrying parts is beneficial to improving the carrying capacity of the battery pack and can evenly distribute the pressure of the battery pack on the battery carrying part; on the premise of ensuring the carrying capacity and carrying stability, the equipment structure can be simplified, making the entire battery swapping equipment more compact, so as to facilitate the battery swapping equipment to efficiently complete the battery swapping operation in a limited working space. In addition, by arranging a plurality of battery carrying parts on two opposite sides of the battery swapping platform, the battery pack taking device can extend into the battery pack taking channel from the other two sides of the battery swapping platform, so as to transfer the battery pack cached in the battery swapping equipment.

[0056] In a second aspect, the present application further provides a battery swapping device, including a battery swapping base and a battery swapping platform arranged on the battery swapping base. The battery swapping platform is used to carry the battery pack and can be lifted between a first position and a second position higher than the first position, and further includes the buffer device as described above.

[0057] In this way, a buffer device is added to the battery swapping device. The buffer device caches the battery pack on the battery swapping device and enables the battery pack to be separated from the battery swapping platform, so that it is convenient for the battery pack taking device to extend between the battery swapping platform and the battery pack after the battery pack is separated from the battery swapping platform to take the battery pack. There is no need to set up structures related to overhead lifting. The battery pack cached on the battery swapping device is also safer and the structure is simpler. It avoids the disadvantages of large space occupation, low safety and complex structure of the battery swapping system caused by using overhead lifting equipment in the prior art.

[0058] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the battery swapping base includes a support frame and a receiving area formed within the support frame and opening upward, the battery swapping platform is lifted and lowered within the receiving area, and the buffer device is disposed on the support frame.

[0059] In the above technical solution, the setting of the receiving area can, on the one hand, facilitate the construction of the battery pack taking channel and facilitate battery transportation; on the other hand, it can also enable the battery swapping platform to always be inside the battery swapping device in the height direction when it does not need to be lifted, reducing the size of the battery swapping device in the height direction.

[0060] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the support frame is provided with a recess opening upward on at least one side of the receiving area, the recess is communicated with the receiving area, and the buffer device is disposed on the support frame other than the recess.

[0061] In the above technical solution, by setting the recess and cooperating with the receiving area, a battery pack taking channel can be formed within the height range of the battery swapping device, reducing the height of the battery pack taking channel. Further, the height when the battery carrying part is in the third position can be reduced, thereby reducing the overall height of the battery swapping device.

[0062] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the battery swapping device further includes a traveling mechanism for driving the battery swapping device to travel, the traveling mechanism is disposed on the battery swapping base, and the buffer device is disposed on the front side and / or the rear side of the battery swapping base along the traveling direction.

[0063] In the above technical solution, this setting method makes the battery pack taking channel communicate with both sides of the battery swapping device, making the use of the battery pack taking channel more flexible and convenient; and the buffer device is conveniently disposed, easily avoiding interference with the actions of other components of the battery swapping device, and can effectively utilize the height of the battery swapping device; the setting of the traveling mechanism enables the battery swapping device to freely move on the horizontal plane, facilitating the entire device to enter and exit under the vehicle to perform battery swapping operations.

[0064] In a third aspect, the present application further provides a method for caching battery packs of a battery swapping device, using the battery swapping device as described above, the method includes:

[0065] Controlling the movement of the buffer device and / or the battery swapping platform so that the buffer device carries the battery pack;

[0066] Controlling the separation of the battery swapping platform from the battery pack.

[0067] A buffer device is added to the battery swapping device. The buffer device is used to buffer the battery pack on the battery swapping device and enable the battery pack to be separated from the battery swapping platform, so that it is convenient for the battery pack picking device to extend between the battery swapping platform and the battery pack after the battery pack is separated from the battery swapping platform to pick up the battery pack. There is no need to set up structures related to overhead lifting. The battery pack buffered on the battery swapping device is safer and the structure is simpler. It avoids the disadvantages of large space occupation, low safety, and complex structure of the battery swapping system caused by the use of overhead lifting devices in the prior art.

[0068] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the step of controlling the movement of the buffer device and / or the battery swapping platform so that the buffer device carries the battery pack includes:

[0069] Controlling the buffer device to receive the battery pack from the battery swapping platform during the descent of the battery swapping platform to buffer the battery pack;

[0070] Or, controlling the buffer device to receive the battery pack from the battery pack picking device when the battery swapping platform is in the first position to buffer the battery pack.

[0071] The linkage of the devices is beneficial to improving the battery swapping efficiency and facilitating the transfer of the battery pack. In addition, by adopting this setting method, during the process of the battery swapping platform carrying the battery pack and descending from the second position to the first position, the battery carrying part can carry and buffer the battery pack, and a battery pack picking channel can be formed after the battery swapping platform continues to descend, with higher efficiency.

[0072] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the buffer device includes a battery carrying part, and the battery carrying part can move between a third position and a fourth position. The battery carrying part moves to the third position to carry the battery pack;

[0073] The third position is higher than the first position, so that the battery pack carried by the battery carrying part can form a battery pack picking channel with the battery swapping base and / or the battery swapping platform;

[0074] The step of controlling the movement of the buffer device and / or the battery swapping platform so that the buffer device carries the battery pack includes:

[0075] Controlling the battery carrying part to move to the third position,

[0076] Controlling the battery swapping platform to descend to a position not higher than the third position,

[0077] The battery carrying part receives the battery pack from the battery swapping platform;

[0078] Or, controlling the battery swapping platform to be in the first position, and controlling the battery carrying part to move to the third position,

[0079] Control the battery carrier to receive the battery pack from the battery pack taking device.

[0080] Through the above technical solution, controlling the movement of the battery carrier realizes the caching of the battery pack, and by controlling the height of the battery carrier, a battery pack taking channel is formed between the battery pack and the battery swapping device, thereby realizing the taking of the battery pack by the battery pack taking device; and this setting method can provide sufficient movement space for the battery pack taking device, facilitating battery transfer; it also avoids the movement interference between the battery carrier and the battery swapping platform during the transfer process, and makes the structure of the entire device compact.

[0081] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the step of controlling the separation of the battery swapping platform from the battery pack includes: controlling the battery swapping platform to descend to the first position to separate the battery swapping platform from the battery pack.

[0082] Enable the battery pack to be separated from the battery swapping platform, so that the battery pack taking device can extend between the battery swapping platform and the battery pack after the battery pack is separated from the battery swapping platform to take the battery pack, without the need to set up structures related to overhead lifting. The battery pack is cached on the battery swapping device with higher safety and a simpler structure. It avoids the disadvantages of large space occupation, low safety, and complex structure of the battery swapping system caused by using overhead lifting devices in the prior art.

[0083] Due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects achieved by the present invention are:

[0084] The present invention adds a caching device to the battery swapping device, uses the caching device to cache the battery pack on the battery swapping device, and enables the battery pack to be separated from the battery swapping platform, so that the battery pack taking device can extend between the battery swapping platform and the battery pack after the battery pack is separated from the battery swapping platform to take the battery pack, without the need to set up structures related to overhead lifting. The battery pack is cached on the battery swapping device with higher safety and a simpler structure. It avoids the disadvantages of large space occupation, low safety, and complex structure of the battery swapping system caused by using overhead lifting devices in the prior art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0085] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention, and constitute a part of the present invention. The schematic embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present application and do not constitute an improper limitation to the present invention. In the drawings:

[0086] Figure 1 is the front view structural schematic diagram of the battery swapping device in the present invention;

[0087] Figure 2 is the side view structural schematic diagram of the battery swapping device in the present invention;

[0088] Figure 3 It is a top - view structural schematic diagram of the battery - swapping device in the present invention;

[0089] Figure 4 It is an isometric structural schematic diagram of the battery - swapping device in the present invention;

[0090] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the guiding structure;

[0091] Figure 6 It is a structural schematic diagram of the gear - rack transmission in Embodiment 2;

[0092] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the rotation axis in Embodiment 1;

[0093] Figure 8 It is another schematic diagram of the arrangement of the rotation axis in Embodiment 1:

[0094] Figure 9 It is a structural schematic diagram of the first transmission unit in Embodiment 4;

[0095] Figure 10 It is a structural schematic diagram of the cooperation between the connecting groove and the connecting convex block in the next example of Embodiment 4.

[0096] Among them,

[0097] battery - swapping device 1, battery - swapping base 11, support frame 111, battery - swapping platform 12, unlocking layer 121, avoidance groove 1211, positioning layer 122, floating tray 123, accommodation area 101, traveling mechanism 102,

[0098] battery - carrying part 13, carrying bracket 131, support rod 132, first reinforcing rod 1311, second reinforcing rod 1312, battery - pack taking - out channel 14, rotation axis 15,

[0099] gear 21, rack 22, lead screw 23, rotating part 24;

[0100] guide rail 31, slider 32,

[0101] first power unit 41, 421 first transmission part A, 422 first transmission part B,

[0102] connecting groove 51, connecting convex block 52. Specific embodiments

[0103] In order to more clearly illustrate the overall concept of the present application, the following will be described in detail by way of examples in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the specification.

[0104] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention may be practiced in other ways than those specifically described herein, and thus, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0105] In addition, in the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0106] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "mounted", "connected", "connected to", "fixed", etc. shall be construed in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral body; it may be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a communication connection; it may be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and may be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0107] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the first feature being "on" or "under" the second feature may be that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are indirectly in contact through an intermediate medium. In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples", etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0108] Such as Figures 1-10As shown in the figure, the present invention provides a battery pack caching device and a battery swapping device 1 applying the battery pack caching device. The battery swapping device 1 includes a battery swapping base 11 and a battery swapping platform 12 disposed on the battery swapping base 11 and capable of carrying a battery pack to achieve vehicle battery swapping. In the vertical direction, the battery swapping platform 12 can be lifted and lowered between a first position and a second position higher than the first position. As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned battery pack caching device is movably disposed on the battery swapping base 11 and is used to carry the battery pack so that the battery pack can be separated from the battery swapping platform 12, thereby constructing a battery pack taking channel 14 between the battery pack and the battery swapping platform 12 for an external battery pack taking device to operate and take the battery pack off the battery swapping device 1, thus facilitating subsequent battery swapping operations and being beneficial to improving the working efficiency of the entire vehicle battery swapping work. And the above structure can well adapt to the battery swapping device 1 with its height reduced, and is also beneficial to the further thin-type optimization of the battery swapping device 1.

[0109] A caching device is added to the battery swapping device. The caching device is used to cache the battery pack on the battery swapping device 1 and enable the battery pack to be separated from the battery swapping platform 12, so that it is convenient for the battery pack taking device to extend between the battery swapping platform 12 and the battery pack after the battery pack is separated from the battery swapping platform 12 to take the battery pack. There is no need to set up structures related to overhead lifting. Caching the battery pack on the battery swapping device 1 is also safer and the structure is simpler. It avoids the disadvantages of large space occupation, low safety, and complex structure of the battery swapping system caused by using overhead lifting devices in the prior art.

[0110] Further, referring to Figures 1-4 As shown in the figure, the caching device includes a battery carrying part 13, and the battery carrying part 13 can move between a third position and a fourth position. When the battery carrying part 13 is not required to carry the battery pack, the battery pack carrying part is in the fourth position to avoid the lifting and lowering of the battery swapping platform 12 and the battery pack carried by the battery swapping platform 12 in the vertical direction. When the battery carrying part 13 is required to carry the battery, the battery carrying part 13 moves from the fourth position to the third position to carry the battery pack.

[0111] During the actual working process, when the battery swapping platform 12 completes the disassembly of the old battery pack at the second position and descends from the second position to the first position while carrying the old battery pack, the battery carrying part 13 moves from the fourth position to the third position to receive the old battery pack. At this time, the battery swapping platform 12 continues to descend to the first position; when the external battery pack taking device transfers a new battery pack to the battery swapping device 1, the battery carrying part 13 first moves from the fourth position to the third position to temporarily carry the new battery pack, and then the battery swapping platform 12 starts to rise from the first position and receives the new battery pack from the battery carrying part 13 during the rising process. At this time, the battery carrying part 13 moves back from the third position to the fourth position to avoid the rising of the battery swapping platform 12 and the new battery pack carried by the battery swapping platform 12. The battery swapping platform 12 then continues to rise with the new battery pack to the second position to complete the assembly of the new battery pack.

[0112] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the third position is higher than the aforementioned first position, so that the battery pack can form the aforementioned battery pack taking channel 14 between the battery swapping base 11 and / or the battery swapping platform 12 under the carrying of the battery pack carrying part. Specifically, when the battery swapping platform 12 descends to the first position, the battery pack can form the aforementioned battery pack taking channel 14 between the battery swapping base 11 and / or the battery swapping platform 12 under the carrying of the battery pack carrying part.

[0113] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the height of the battery pack taking channel 14 is set to allow the battery pack taking device to extend in and be able to transfer the battery pack from the battery swapping device 1 by means of lifting. Specifically, the aforementioned battery pack taking device can be the fork of a forklift, or the extending mechanism of a palletizer, or other more devices or structures that can realize the transfer of the battery pack. The present invention does not specifically limit the specific structure of the battery pack taking device and its transfer method for the battery pack.

[0114] Furthermore, the aforementioned third position is lower than the aforementioned second position, that is: along the vertical direction, the movable space of the aforementioned battery carrying part 13 is not higher than the aforementioned second position. This setting method can ensure that the battery carrying part 13 always moves outside the battery swapping position of the battery swapping platform 12, and can effectively avoid the battery carrying part 13 interfering with the normal battery swapping work of the battery swapping platform 12. In addition, by adopting this setting method, during the process of the battery swapping platform 12 carrying the battery pack and descending from the second position to the first position, the battery carrying part 13 can carry and cache the battery pack, and form the battery pack taking channel 14 after the battery swapping platform 12 continues to descend, with higher efficiency.

[0115] It should be noted here that the present invention does not specifically limit the way the battery carrying part 13 carries the battery, and it can adopt any one of the following carrying methods:

[0116] Bearing method 1: The battery bearing part 13 bears the battery pack by means of lifting.

[0117] In one example, referring to Figure 3 As shown, the battery bearing part 13 includes a bearing bracket 131. The bearing bracket 131 has at least two support rods 132 extending towards the battery swapping platform 12. An avoidance space is formed between the two support rods 132 to allow the battery swapping platform 12 to descend after the two support rods 132 lift the battery. Continuing to refer to Figure 3 As shown, the bearing bracket 131 includes a first reinforcing rod 1311 and a second reinforcing rod 1312 connected between the two support rods 132. The first reinforcing rod 1311 and the second reinforcing rod 1312 are mutually avoided with the battery swapping platform 12 in the plane where the battery swapping platform 12 moves in the lifting direction.

[0118] It can be understood that in other examples, the battery bearing part may include a bearing flat plate in the shape of a plate. When the battery bearing part moves to the fourth position, the bearing flat plate can cover above a part of the battery swapping base. The bearing flat plate can cover a part of the battery swapping base when the buffer platform is in the fourth position, so as to protect the corresponding structure inside the battery swapping base, without additionally setting a cover plate at the corresponding position of the battery swapping device, simplifying the structure of the battery swapping device, reducing the weight and cost of the battery swapping device. In addition, adding the bearing flat plate is beneficial to increasing the contact area between the battery bearing part 13 and the battery pack. On the one hand, it can improve the bearing capacity of the battery bearing part 13 and ensure the stability of the bearing structure. On the other hand, it can also evenly distribute the pressure of the battery pack on the support rods 132, avoiding damage to the battery bearing part due to the large self-weight of the battery pack. In addition, it can be understood that in this example, referring to the previous example, the bearing flat plate also has at least two support rods 132 extending towards the battery swapping platform 12. An avoidance space is formed between the two support rods 132 to allow the battery swapping platform 12 to descend after the two support rods 132 lift the battery.

[0119] Adopting this structure is beneficial to ensuring the stability of the cooperation structure between the battery bearing part 13 and the battery pack. In addition, adopting this structure can realize the bearing of the battery pack by the battery bearing part 13 while not affecting the operation of the battery swapping platform 12.

[0120] Bearing method 2: The battery bearing part 13 bears the battery pack by means of clamping;

[0121] Bearing method 3: The battery bearing part 13 bears the battery pack by means of fitting connection.

[0122] Since the battery carrying part 13 mainly carries the battery pack in the vertical direction, compared with the clamping carrying method used in the second carrying method, the lifting carrying method used in the first carrying method is easier to implement, and the carrying capacity of the lifting structure in the vertical direction is significantly better than that of the clamping mechanism in the vertical direction. In addition, the fitting connection carrying method used in the third carrying method usually requires a groove and other fitting structures matching the shape of the battery pack to be opened on the battery carrying part 13 to achieve the fitting connection with the battery pack. Compared with the lifting carrying method used in the first carrying method, the structure is more complex, and there is a risk of problems such as the battery pack being stuck in the fitting structure and difficult to disengage. Therefore, the battery carrying part 13 in the present invention preferably adopts the lifting carrying method in the first carrying method to carry the battery pack. Of course, it can also select the carrying methods in the second carrying method, the third carrying method or other more different carrying methods according to actual needs. It should be noted that the present invention does not specifically limit the specific structure of the battery carrying part 13, and it can adopt the structure shown in the above examples, and it can be adaptively changed according to actual needs or adopt other more different structures. Figure 3 As shown,

[0123] Similarly, it should be noted that the present invention does not specifically limit the movement mode and movement structure of the battery pack buffering device, and it can adopt any one of the following implementation manners:

[0124] Embodiment 1: In this embodiment, the battery carrying part 13 can rotate relative to the battery swapping base 11 around a rotation axis 15, so that the battery carrying part 13 can move from the fourth position far from the swapping platform 12 to the third position close to the swapping platform 12 in the horizontal direction through the rotation movement to carry the battery pack.

[0125] As Figure 8 shown, the aforementioned rotation axis 15 can be arranged parallel to the lifting direction of the swapping platform 12; or, as Figure 7 shown, the aforementioned rotation axis 15 can be arranged perpendicular to the lifting direction of the swapping platform 12 and extend along one side of the platform. That is, the battery carrying part 13 can move from the fourth position far from the swapping platform 12 to the third position close to the swapping platform 12 in the horizontal direction around the rotation axis 15 perpendicular to the plane where the swapping platform 12 is located, or the battery carrying part 13 can rotate around the rotation axis 15 parallel to the plane where the swapping platform 12 is located, and the battery carrying part 13 can be moved from the fourth position far from the swapping platform 12 to the third position close to the swapping platform 12 in the horizontal direction through the rotation.

[0126] Example 1: In this Example 1, the battery carrying part 13 realizes the position switching between the third position and the fourth position through the rotation movement.

[0127] Reference Figure 5 As shown, the battery pack buffer device includes a rotation drive mechanism that is respectively connected to the battery carrier 13 and the battery swapping base 11 to drive the battery carrier 13 to rotate relative to the battery swapping platform 12. The rotation drive mechanism includes a third drive mechanism. The third drive mechanism includes a third motion unit for outputting rotational motion and a third transmission unit for transmitting the rotational motion to the battery carrier 13 and driving the battery carrier 13 to rotate. The third transmission unit includes a rotation driving part connected to the output end of the third power unit and a rotation driven part connected to the battery carrier 13.

[0128] As a preferred embodiment of Embodiment 1, the rotation driving part and the rotation driven part are respectively gears 21 that mesh with each other. The third power unit is a motor. The two gears 21 are respectively connected to the output shaft of the motor and the battery carrier 13, and the axis of the gear 21 connected to the battery carrier 13 is coaxially arranged with the aforementioned rotation axis 15. In this solution, the motor drives the gear 21 as the rotation driving part to rotate, thereby driving the gear 21 as the rotation driven part to rotate, and thus can drive the battery carrier 13 to rotate relative to the battery swapping platform 12 and flip and move between the third position and the fourth position.

[0129] As another preferred embodiment of Embodiment 1, as Figure 7 shown, the rotation driving part and the rotation driven part can also both be transmission wheels. The two transmission wheels are respectively connected to the output shaft of the motor and the battery carrier 13. The axis of the gear 21 connected to the battery carrier 13 is coaxially arranged with the aforementioned rotation axis 15, and the two transmission wheels are connected by a flexible member in transmission. Specifically, the transmission wheel can be a sprocket, and the flexible member is a transmission chain that cooperates with the sprocket; the transmission wheel can also be a pulley, and the flexible member is a transmission belt that cooperates with the pulley; the transmission wheel can also be a rope wheel, and the flexible member is a transmission rope. Of course, these are only some preferred implementation schemes of the embodiments of the present invention, and other more different transmission methods and transmission structures can also be adopted. With the above structure, by setting a flexible member to connect the rotation driving part and the rotation driven part, the motion of the rotation driving part is converted into the motion of the flexible member and then into the rotation of the second rotating member, and the transmission effect is good and the transmission strength is large.

[0130] Embodiment 2: The difference between Embodiment 2 and the aforementioned Embodiment 1 is that the position switching of the battery carrier 13 between the third position and the fourth position is achieved through the conversion and / or combination of linear motion and rotational motion.

[0131] Reference Figure 1As shown, in the third embodiment, the aforementioned rotation drive mechanism further includes a fourth drive mechanism, and the fourth drive mechanism includes a fourth power unit for outputting linear motion. One end of the fourth power unit is connected to the battery swapping base 11, and the other end is connected to the battery carrying part 13. The connection point of the fourth power unit and the battery carrying part 13 is located outside the aforementioned rotation axis.

[0132] The fourth power unit can be a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, or an electric cylinder, etc., which are components or devices that can directly output linear motion. As Figure 6 shown, a rack 22 is provided on the battery swapping base 11, and a gear 21 corresponding to and meshing with the rack 22 is provided on the battery carrying part 13. Components or devices such as the aforementioned hydraulic cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, or electric cylinder that can directly output linear motion are fixedly connected to the rack 22 or rotatably connected to the gear 21. When it pushes the rack 22 or the gear 21 to perform linear motion in the horizontal direction, it also drives the gear 21 through the meshing of the gear 21 and the rack 22 to drive the battery to rotate relative to the battery swapping platform 12. By using the transmission of the gear 21 and the rack 22, the gear 21 and the rack 22 always maintain meshing contact, and have advantages in terms of transmission accuracy, load, and rigidity. When used for a long time under heavy loads, no tension adjustment is required, which is not only suitable for the replacement of battery packs for passenger cars with relatively less weight of the battery pack, but also suitable for the replacement of battery packs for trucks with relatively large weight. Moreover, compared with the sprocket and chain, the transmission accuracy of the gear 21 and the rack 22 is higher; and it has a long service life and low noise. The gear 21 and the rack 22 form a single-sided meshing transmission structure, which occupies less space, enabling the overall battery swapping device 1 to be made lower, ensuring that the battery swapping device 1 has enough space to swap a larger battery pack with the vehicle from the bottom. Of course, the present invention does not specifically limit the specific structure of the fourth power unit either, and it can also adopt other more different components or devices.

[0133] In another example, the fourth power unit can still be components or devices such as a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, or an electric cylinder that can directly output linear motion. However, in this example, the fourth power unit is connected to the combination of the aforementioned third power unit and the battery carrying part 13, and directly outputs linear motion to the combination of the third power unit and the battery carrying part 13, so as to compensate for the insufficient displacement distance of the rotational motion in the horizontal direction.

[0134] As can be seen from the above examples, in the second embodiment, the linear motion output by the fourth motion unit can be used to drive the battery carrier 13 to perform a linear reciprocating motion between the third position and the fourth position in the horizontal direction, thereby compensating for the deficiency of the displacement distance of the aforementioned rotational motion in the horizontal direction, improving the moving efficiency and the moving-in-place rate of the battery carrier 13 between the third position and the fourth position, and further improving the overall battery swapping efficiency. At the same time, adopting this structure can also prevent the turning radius of the battery carrier 13 from being too large during the turning process, which may affect the reduction of the height of the battery swapping device 1 itself.

[0135] Embodiment 2: Different from the first embodiment described above, in the second embodiment, the battery carrier 13 realizes the movement transfer between the third position and the fourth position only through linear motion.

[0136] Embodiment 3: Along the lifting direction of the battery swapping platform 12, the battery carrier 13 is located between the first position and the second position, and the battery carrier 13 can translate relative to the battery swapping base 11 so that the battery carrier 13 can move from the fourth position far from the battery swapping platform 12 to the third position close to the battery swapping platform 12 to carry the battery pack.

[0137] Specifically, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 5 as shown, a guide rail 31 is provided on the battery swapping base 11, and a sliding part matching with the guide rail 31 is provided at the bottom of the battery carrier 13. The battery carrier 13 can move between the third position and the fourth position along the guide rail 31 on the battery swapping base 11 under the drive of components / devices such as hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic cylinders, and electric cylinders that can output linear motion.

[0138] Compared with the solutions in the first and second embodiments above, the motion mode and motion structure of the battery carrier 13 in the third embodiment are both simpler and more efficient. And along the lifting direction of the battery swapping platform 12, the motion structure of the battery carrier 13 in the third embodiment occupies less installation space, which is beneficial to reducing the height of the battery swapping device 1 itself.

[0139] Embodiment 3: Different from the first and second embodiments described above, on the basis of the technical solutions described in the first and second embodiments, the battery carrier 13 in this embodiment can also perform a lifting motion relative to the battery swapping base 11 along the lifting direction of the battery swapping platform 12. And in the plane perpendicular to the lifting direction of the battery swapping platform 12, the battery carrier 13 and the battery swapping platform 12 avoid each other, and the battery carrier 13 can be in contact with a part of the bottom of the battery pack to lift the battery pack. In this embodiment, the battery pack buffer device includes a moving drive mechanism, which is connected between the battery swapping base 11 and the battery carrier 13 and is used to drive the battery carrier 13 to perform a lifting movement relative to the battery swapping base 11.

[0140] Embodiment 4: Refer to Figure 9 As shown, the moving drive mechanism includes a first drive mechanism. The first drive mechanism includes a first power unit 41 for outputting a rotational motion and a first transmission unit for converting the rotational motion into a linear motion. The first transmission unit is connected to the battery carrying part 13. The first transmission unit includes a first transmission part A 421 and a first transmission part B 422 that are transmission-connected. The first transmission part A 421 is driven by the first power unit 41 to perform a rotational motion. The first transmission part B 422 is connected to the battery carrying part 13 and outputs a linear motion under the drive of the first transmission part A 421.

[0141] As a preferred implementation manner of this embodiment, the first transmission part A 421 includes a gear, and the first transmission part B 422 includes a rack. The gear and the rack are in meshing transmission, and the length direction of the rack is the same as the movement direction of the battery carrying part 13; alternatively, the first transmission part A 421 includes a plurality of transmission wheels, and the first transmission part B 422 includes a flexible member wound around the plurality of transmission wheels. One transmission wheel is driven by the first power unit 41 to perform a rotational motion, and the flexible member between the plurality of transmission wheels is connected to the battery carrying part 13, and the extending direction of the flexible member between the plurality of transmission wheels is the same as the movement direction of the battery carrying part 13. It should be noted here that the transmission wheel can be a sprocket wheel, and the flexible member is a transmission chain that cooperates with the sprocket wheel; the transmission wheel can also be a pulley, and the flexible member is a transmission belt that cooperates with the pulley; the transmission wheel can also be a rope wheel, and the flexible member is a transmission rope that cooperates with the rope wheel.

[0142] Adopting the above structure can realize the conversion and combination of rotational motion and linear motion, so that the power unit does not need to be directly facing the battery swapping platform, making the structural layout of the battery swapping device more flexible. At the same time, the first transmission unit and the second transmission unit extend toward the same side, which can also make the two more compact and avoid interfering with the structures in other directions of the battery swapping device.

[0143] In a specific example, refer to Figure 9 As shown, the first transmission part A 421 includes a lead screw 23, and the first transmission part B 422 includes a rotating member that is cooperatively connected to the lead screw. The length direction of the lead screw is the same as the movement direction of the battery carrying part 13. The rotating member is connected to the battery carrying part 13 and is rotationally limited. In the above technical solution, the transmission cooperation accuracy between the lead screw 23 and the rotating member 24 is high and the control is convenient, which improves the moving efficiency of the battery carrying part 13, facilitates its carrying of the battery pack, and thus facilitates battery transportation. Continue to refer to Figure 9As shown in the figure, a lead screw pair structure is adopted to connect with the first power unit 41 for transmission, which enables the first power unit 41 to achieve the linear motion of the first transmission unit only by rotation. In this process, the lead screw 23 can reduce the speed and amplify the power when converting the rotational motion of the first power unit 41 into the linear motion of the rotating member 24, so that a power unit with a smaller power and size can be used, reducing the size of the power unit. The first power unit 41 is a motor. In this embodiment, the motor is a servo motor. The servo motor has high precision and can accurately drive the rotating member 24 to rotate in place to achieve precise lifting. Further, referring to Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown in the figure, as a preferred implementation manner in this specific example, a connecting groove 51 is provided in one of the first transmission part B422 and the battery carrying part 13, and a connecting convex block 52 is provided in the other. The connecting convex block 52 is arranged in the connecting groove 51 to connect the first transmission part B and the battery carrying part 13. The connecting convex block 52 has a clearance fit with at least one groove wall of the connecting groove 51. By using the clearance fit between the connecting convex block 52 and the connecting groove 51, it can effectively avoid jamming during the transmission process and reduce the requirement for the assembly precision of the equipment.

[0144] Specifically, the connecting convex block 52 has a clearance fit with the bottom wall and / or the side wall of the connecting groove 51. As a preferred example of the present invention, continue to refer to Figure 10 As shown in the figure, the rotating member 24 and the battery carrying part 13 are cooperated through the bottom wall of the connecting convex block 52 and the connecting groove 51 to achieve anti-rotation limit. This anti-rotation limit method has a simple and compact limit structure, and can be integrated with the transmission mechanism to make the whole structure more compact.

[0145] It should be noted here that the present invention does not specifically limit the setting method of the connecting convex block 52 and the connecting groove 51. As a preferred implementation manner of the present invention, connecting convex blocks 52 or connecting grooves 51 are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the first transmission part B422, and corresponding connecting grooves 51 or connecting convex blocks 52 are provided on the battery carrying part 13. Of course, more different setting methods can also be selected for the connecting convex block 52 and the connecting groove 51.

[0146] Embodiment 5: The mobile driving mechanism directly drives the battery carrying part 13 to lift relative to the power swapping base 11 through linear motion. Specifically, the mobile driving mechanism includes a second driving mechanism, and the second driving mechanism includes a second power unit for outputting linear motion. One end of the second power unit is connected to the power swapping base 11, and the other end of the second power unit is connected to the battery carrying part 13. The second power unit can be a component or device that directly outputs linear motion such as a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder.

[0147] Further, as a preferred implementation manner of the present invention, referring to Figure 6As shown in the figure, the battery pack caching device in the present invention further includes a guiding mechanism. The battery carrying part 13 is connected to the battery swapping base 11 through the guiding mechanism to guide the movement of the battery carrying part 13 between the fourth position and the third position. Specifically, continue to refer to Figure 5 As shown in the figure, the guiding mechanism includes a mutually cooperating guide rail 31 and a slider 32. One of the guide rail 31 and the slider is connected to the battery carrying part 13, and the other is connected to the battery swapping base 11. The extending direction of the guide rail 31 is consistent with the movement direction of the battery carrying part 13.

[0148] It should be noted here that the present invention does not specifically limit the specific shape and structure of the guide rail 31. As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the guide rail 31 is set to be able to conform to the movement trajectory of the battery carrying part 13 in the foregoing Embodiments 1 to 5. It can be a combination of one or more horizontal linear guide rails 31, vertical linear guide rails 31, and arc guide rails 31 at one end.

[0149] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of battery carrying parts 13 can be provided in the present invention, and the plurality of battery carrying parts 13 are evenly arranged along the circumference of the battery swapping platform 12. In the foregoing Embodiments 1 to 5, preferably, two battery carrying parts 13 are provided, and the two battery carrying parts 13 are oppositely arranged on both sides of the battery swapping platform 12.

[0150] Furthermore, refer to Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the battery swapping base 11 includes a support frame 111 and a receiving area 101 formed inside the support frame 111 and opening upward. The battery swapping platform 12 is lifted and lowered in the receiving area 101, and the caching device is arranged on the support frame 111. As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support frame 111 is provided with recessed parts opening upward on two opposite sides of the receiving area 101. The recessed parts are communicated with the receiving area 101, and the caching device is arranged on the upper part of the support frame 111 on the other two opposite sides of the receiving area 101.

[0151] Furthermore, refer to Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the battery swapping platform 12 includes an unlocking layer 121 and a positioning layer 122. The unlocking layer 121 is provided with battery positioning pins, and the top surface of the positioning layer 122 is provided with vehicle positioning pins. The unlocking layer 121 is provided with an avoidance groove 1211, and a part of the positioning layer 122 is located in the avoidance groove 1211 and partially overlaps with the unlocking layer 121 in height. Continue to refer to Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the avoidance groove is a notch. Continue to refer to Figure 3 As shown in the figure, a floating tray 123 for carrying the battery pack is further arranged above the unlocking layer 121. The unlocking layer 121 is recessed to form a receiving groove to receive the bottom of the floating tray 123.

[0152] Furthermore, refer to Figures 1-4As shown, the battery swapping device 1 further includes a traveling mechanism 102 for driving the battery swapping device 1 to travel. The traveling mechanism 102 is disposed on the battery swapping base 11 and includes a driving member connected to the battery swapping base 11 and traveling wheels. The driving member is used to drive the traveling wheels to rotate so as to drive the entire battery swapping device 1 to enter and exit under the vehicle bottom. Specifically, the driving member is a driving motor.

[0153] The present invention also provides a battery pack caching method applying any one of the above-mentioned battery swapping devices 1 and battery pack caching devices. The method includes:

[0154] Controlling the movement of the caching device and / or the battery swapping platform so that the caching device carries the battery pack;

[0155] Controlling the separation of the battery swapping platform from the battery pack.

[0156] By adding a caching device to the battery swapping device, using the caching device to cache the battery pack on the battery swapping device, and enabling the battery pack to be separated from the battery swapping platform, it is convenient for the battery pack taking device to extend between the battery swapping platform and the battery pack after the battery pack is separated from the battery swapping platform to take the battery pack. There is no need to set up structures related to overhead lifting. The battery pack cached on the battery swapping device is also safer and the structure is simpler. It avoids the disadvantages of large space occupation, low safety, and complex structure of the battery swapping system caused by using overhead lifting devices in the prior art.

[0157] Further, the step of controlling the movement of the caching device and / or the battery swapping platform so that the caching device carries the battery pack includes:

[0158] Controlling the caching device to receive the battery pack from the battery swapping platform during the descent of the battery swapping platform to cache the battery pack;

[0159] Or, controlling the caching device to receive the battery pack from the battery pack taking device when the battery swapping platform is at the first position to cache the battery pack.

[0160] Further, the caching device includes a battery carrying part. The battery carrying part can move between a third position and a fourth position. The battery carrying part moves to the third position to carry the battery pack;

[0161] The third position is higher than the first position so that the battery pack carried by the battery carrying part can form a battery pack taking channel between the battery swapping base and / or the battery swapping platform;

[0162] The step of controlling the movement of the caching device and / or the battery swapping platform so that the caching device carries the battery pack includes:

[0163] Controlling the battery carrying part to move to the third position,

[0164] Control the battery swap platform to descend to no higher than the third position,

[0165] The battery carrying unit receives the battery pack from the battery replacement platform;

[0166] Or, control the battery exchange platform to be in the first position, control the battery carrying part to move to the third position,

[0167] The battery carrying part is controlled to receive the battery pack from the battery pack taking device.

[0168] Furthermore, the step of controlling the battery swap platform to separate from the battery pack includes: controlling the battery swap platform to descend to the first position so that the battery swap platform separates from the battery pack.

[0169] More specifically, it is applied to disassembling and installing batteries in battery replacement equipment, including the following steps:

[0170] (1) Steps for disassembling the battery pack include:

[0171] 1. The battery swap device 1 is driven by the drive motor and moves as a whole to the bottom of the vehicle chassis. The battery swap platform 12 starts to move, rising from the first position to the second position to start disassembling the battery pack. At this time, the battery carrying part 13 is always in the fourth position.

[0172] 2. After completing step 1, the battery swap platform 12 carrying the unloaded battery pack starts to descend from the second position to the first position. During this process, the battery carrying part 13 moves from the fourth position to the third position and receives the battery pack from the battery swap platform 12;

[0173] 3. After completing step 2, the battery swap platform 12 continues to descend to the first position, so that the aforementioned battery pack access channel 14 is formed between the battery pack and the battery swap platform 12 / battery swap base 11;

[0174] 4. After completing step 3, the battery exchange device 1 is moved out from under the vehicle chassis as a whole under the drive of the drive motor, and the external battery pack picking device extends into the battery pack picking channel 14 and lifts and transfers the battery pack.

[0175] Alternatively, the steps for disassembling the battery pack include:

[0176] 1. The battery swap device 1 is driven by the drive motor and moves as a whole to the bottom of the vehicle chassis. The battery swap platform 12 starts to move, rising from the first position to the second position to start disassembling the battery pack. At this time, the battery carrying part 13 is always in the fourth position.

[0177] 2. After completing step 1, the battery swap platform 12 carrying the unloaded battery pack starts to descend from the second position to the first position;

[0178] After step 2 is completed, the battery swapping device 1 is driven by the driving motor and moves out from under the vehicle chassis as a whole;

[0179] After step 3 is completed, the battery swapping platform 12 is raised from the first position to a position not lower than the third position, and then the battery carrying part moves from the fourth position to the third position;

[0180] After step 4 is completed, the battery swapping platform 12 starts to lower its height and move towards the first position. During this process, the battery carrying part 13 receives the battery pack from the battery swapping platform 12;

[0181] After step 5 is completed, the battery swapping platform 12 continues to lower its height to the first position so that the battery pack taking channel 14 is formed between the battery pack and the battery swapping platform 12 / the battery swapping base 11;

[0182] After step 6 is completed, the external battery pack taking device extends into the battery pack taking channel 14 and lifts and transfers the battery pack.

[0183] (2) Steps for installing the battery pack:

[0184] 1. The battery carrying part 13 moves from the fourth position to the third position, the battery swapping platform 12 is in the first position, and the external battery pack taking device places the battery pack to be installed on the battery carrying part 13 and withdraws from the battery pack taking channel 14;

[0185] After step 1 is completed, the battery swapping device 1 moves as a whole under the drive of the driving motor to under the vehicle chassis, and the battery swapping platform 12 starts to act, raises its height from the first position, and receives the battery pack to be installed from the battery carrying part 13 during the rising process;

[0186] After step 2 is completed, the battery swapping platform 12 continues to rise to the second position. At this time, the battery carrying part 13 moves from the third position to the fourth position, and after reaching the second position, the battery swapping platform 12 completes the installation of the new battery pack;

[0187] After step 3 is completed, the battery swapping device 1 moves out from under the vehicle chassis as a whole under the drive of the driving motor.

[0188] Alternatively, the steps for installing the battery include:

[0189] 1. The battery carrying part 13 moves from the fourth position to the third position, the battery swapping platform 12 is in the first position, and the external battery pack taking device places the battery pack to be installed on the battery carrying part 13 and withdraws from the battery pack taking channel 14;

[0190] 2. After completing step 1, the battery swapping platform 12 rises from the first position to a position not lower than the third position to receive the battery pack, and at this time, the battery bearing part 13 moves from the third position to the fourth position;

[0191] 3. After completing step 2, the battery swapping platform descends to the first position, and the battery swapping device 1 moves as a whole under the drive of the driving motor to the lower part of the vehicle chassis;

[0192] 4. After completing step 3, the battery swapping platform 12 starts to act, rises from the first position, and after reaching the second position, the battery swapping platform 12 completes the installation of the new battery pack;

[0193] 5. After completing step 4, the battery swapping device 1 moves out as a whole from under the vehicle chassis under the drive of the driving motor.

[0194] (3) Repeat the above steps (1) and (2).

[0195] What is not described in this invention can be realized by adopting or referring to the existing technology.

[0196] What is not described in this invention can be realized by adopting or referring to the existing technology.

[0197] Each embodiment in this specification is described in a progressive manner. For the same or similar parts among the embodiments, reference can be made to each other, and the key points of each embodiment are the differences from other embodiments.

[0198] The above are only the embodiments of the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery pack caching device, which is used to be set on a battery swapping device. The battery swapping device includes a battery swapping base and a battery swapping platform arranged on the battery swapping base. The battery swapping platform is used to carry the battery pack and can be lifted between a first position and a second position higher than the first position. It is characterized in that, The caching device is movably arranged on the battery swapping base. The caching device includes a battery carrying part which can move between a third position and a fourth position. The battery carrying part moves to the third position to lift the battery pack, and the battery carrying part moves to the fourth position to avoid the lifting of the battery swapping platform and the battery pack. The third position is higher than the first position, so that a battery pack taking channel can be formed between the battery pack carried by the battery carrying part and the battery swapping base and / or the battery swapping platform, enabling the battery pack to be separated from the battery swapping platform. The caching device further includes a guiding mechanism. The battery carrying part is connected to the battery swapping base through the guiding mechanism to realize the guiding of the movement of the battery carrying part between the fourth position and the third position.

2. The battery pack caching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The height of the battery pack taking channel is set to allow a battery pack taking device to extend in and transfer the battery pack in a lifting manner.

3. The battery pack caching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The third position is lower than the second position. During the process that the battery swapping platform lowers the carried battery pack from the second position to the first position, the battery carrying part carries the battery pack.

4. The battery pack caching device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The battery carrying part can rotate relative to the battery swapping base, so that the battery carrying part moves from the fourth position far away from the battery swapping platform to the third position close to the battery swapping platform to carry the battery pack.

5. The battery pack caching device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The caching device further includes a rotation driving mechanism. The rotation driving mechanism is connected between the battery carrying part and the battery swapping base and is used for driving the battery carrying part to perform a rotational movement around a rotation axis. The rotation axis is arranged along the lifting direction of the battery swapping platform; or the rotation axis is arranged perpendicular to the lifting direction of the battery swapping platform and extends along one side of the battery swapping platform.

6. The battery pack caching device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The rotation driving mechanism includes a third driving mechanism. The third driving mechanism includes a third power unit for outputting a rotational movement and a third transmission unit for transmitting the rotational movement and driving the battery carrying part to rotate. The third transmission unit is connected to the battery carrying part. And / or, the rotation driving mechanism includes a fourth driving mechanism. The fourth driving mechanism includes a fourth power unit. The fourth power unit is used for outputting a linear movement. One end of the fourth power unit is connected to the battery swapping base, and the other end of the fourth power unit is connected to the battery carrying part, and the connection position is outside the rotation axis.

7. The battery pack caching device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Along the lifting direction of the battery swapping platform, the battery carrying part is located between the first position and the second position. The battery carrying part can perform a translational movement relative to the battery swapping base, so that the battery carrying part moves from the fourth position far away from the battery swapping platform to the third position close to the battery swapping platform to carry the battery pack. Or, in a plane perpendicular to the plane where the lifting direction of the battery swapping platform is located, the battery carrying part and the battery swapping platform avoid each other, and the battery carrying part can contact a part of the bottom of the battery pack to lift the battery pack. The battery carrier can move up and down relative to the battery swapping base, so that the battery carrier rises from the fourth position not higher than the first position to the third position to lift the battery pack.

8. The battery pack caching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The battery carrier includes a carrier bracket, the carrier bracket has at least two support rods extending towards the battery swapping platform, at least two of the support rods of the carrier bracket can carry the battery pack when the battery carrier moves to the third position, and an avoidance space is formed between the two support rods to allow the battery swapping platform to descend after the battery carrier carries the battery pack; And / or, the battery carrier includes a plate-shaped carrier flat plate, and when the battery carrier moves to the fourth position, the carrier flat plate can cover a part of the battery swapping base.

9. The battery pack caching device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The buffer device includes a moving drive mechanism, and the moving drive mechanism is connected between the battery swapping base and the battery carrier for driving the battery carrier to move relative to the battery swapping base.

10. The battery pack caching device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The moving drive mechanism includes a first drive mechanism, and the first drive mechanism includes a first power unit for outputting a rotational motion and a first transmission unit for converting the rotational motion into a linear motion, and the first transmission unit is connected to the battery carrier; The first transmission unit includes a first transmission part A and a first transmission part B that are in transmission connection. The first transmission part A is driven by the first power unit to perform a rotational motion, and the first transmission part B is connected to the battery carrier and outputs the linear motion under the drive of the first transmission part A.

11. The battery pack caching device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first transmission part A includes a gear, the first transmission part B includes a rack, the gear meshes with the rack for transmission, and the length direction of the rack is consistent with the movement direction of the battery carrier; Or, the first transmission part A includes a plurality of transmission wheels, the first transmission part B includes a flexible member wound around the plurality of transmission wheels, one of the transmission wheels is driven by the first power unit to perform a rotational motion, and the flexible member between the plurality of transmission wheels is connected to the battery carrier, and the extension direction of the flexible member between the plurality of transmission wheels is consistent with the movement direction of the battery carrier; Or, the first transmission part A includes a lead screw, the first transmission part B includes a rotating member in cooperation connection with the lead screw, the length direction of the lead screw is consistent with the movement direction of the battery carrier, and the rotating member is connected to the battery carrier and is rotationally stopped and limited.

12. The battery pack caching device according to claim 10, characterized in that, One of the first transmission part B and the battery carrier is provided with a connection groove, and the other is provided with a connection convex block. The connection convex block is arranged in the connection groove to connect the first transmission part B and the battery carrier, and the connection convex block is in clearance fit with at least one groove wall of the connection groove.

13. The battery pack caching device according to claim 12, wherein, The first transmission part A includes a lead screw, the first transmission part B includes a rotating member in cooperation connection with the lead screw, and the rotating member and the battery carrier are rotationally stopped and limited by the cooperation of the connection convex block and the bottom wall of the connection groove; And / or, connection bumps or connection grooves are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the first transmission part B; the connection grooves or the connection bumps are correspondingly arranged on the battery carrying part.

14. The battery pack caching device according to claim 9, wherein, The moving driving mechanism includes a second driving mechanism, and the second driving mechanism includes a second power unit for outputting linear motion. One end of the second power unit is connected to the power swapping base, and the other end of the second power unit is connected to the battery carrying part.

15. The battery pack caching device according to claim 1, wherein, The guiding mechanism includes a mutually cooperating guide rail and a slider. One of the guide rail and the slider is connected to the battery carrying part, and the other is connected to the power swapping base. The extending direction of the guide rail is consistent with the moving direction of the battery carrying part.

16. The battery pack caching device according to claim 1, wherein, A plurality of battery carrying parts are provided, and the plurality of battery carrying parts are respectively located on at least opposite sides of the power swapping platform.

17. A battery swapping device, comprising a battery swapping base and a battery swapping platform disposed on the battery swapping base, the battery swapping platform being used for carrying a battery pack and being capable of lifting between a first position and a second position higher than the first position, wherein, It further includes the buffer device according to any one of claims 1-16.

18. The battery swapping device according to claim 17, wherein, The power swapping base includes a support frame and a receiving area formed inside the support frame and opening upward. The power swapping platform lifts and lowers in the receiving area, and the buffer device is arranged on the support frame.

19. The battery swapping device according to claim 18, wherein, On the support frame, a recessed part opening upward is provided on at least one side of the receiving area. The recessed part communicates with the receiving area, and the buffer device is arranged on the support frame other than the recessed part.

20. The battery swapping device according to claim 17, wherein, The power swapping device further includes a traveling mechanism for driving the power swapping device to travel. The traveling mechanism is arranged on the power swapping base, and the buffer device is arranged on the front side and / or the rear side of the power swapping base along the traveling direction.

21. A battery pack caching method for a battery swapping device, wherein, Using the power swapping device according to any one of claims 17-20, the method includes: Controlling the movement of the buffer device and / or the power swapping platform so that the buffer device carries the battery pack; Controlling the separation of the power swapping platform from the battery pack.

22. The battery pack caching method for a battery swapping device according to claim 21, wherein, The step of controlling the movement of the buffer device and / or the power swapping platform so that the buffer device carries the battery pack includes: Controlling the buffer device to receive the battery pack from the power swapping platform during the descent of the power swapping platform to cache the battery pack; Or, controlling the buffer device to receive the battery pack from the battery pack taking device when the power swapping platform is at the first position to cache the battery pack.

23. The battery pack caching method for a battery swapping device according to claim 22, wherein, The buffer device includes a battery carrying part. The battery carrying part can move between a third position and a fourth position. The battery carrying part moves to the third position to carry the battery pack; The third position is higher than the first position so that the battery pack carried by the battery carrying part can form a battery pack taking channel between the power swapping base and / or the power swapping platform; The step of controlling the movement of the buffer device and / or the power swapping platform so that the buffer device carries the battery pack includes: Controlling the battery carrying part to move to the third position, Controlling the power swapping platform to descend to a position not higher than the third position, The battery carrying part receives the battery pack from the power swapping platform; Or, controlling the power swapping platform to be at the first position, controlling the battery carrying part to move to the third position, Controlling the battery carrying part to receive the battery pack from the battery pack taking device.

24. The battery pack caching method for a battery swapping device according to any one of claims 22-23, wherein, The step of controlling the detachment of the battery swapping platform from the battery pack includes: controlling the battery swapping platform to descend to the first position so as to detach the battery swapping platform from the battery pack.

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