A retired power battery pack turnover device and a turnover method

Abstract

The technical scheme of the present application provides a kind of retired power battery pack turnover device, including heavy operation platform, lifting mechanism, support plate frame mechanism and winch device, the bottom of the heavy operation platform is provided with several universal wheels for moving;The lifting mechanism is arranged at one side of the heavy operation platform, for lifting lifting;The support plate frame mechanism is arranged at the lifting end of the lifting mechanism, the support plate frame mechanism includes two spacer distribution inserts, the telescopic member is arranged on the insert, and the clamping jaw is rotatably connected to the telescopic end of the telescopic member, the insert is used to insert the bottom of tray for supporting.The present application can directly and smoothly turn the battery pack from the tray to the empty tray by the cooperation of the heavy operation platform, the lifting mechanism, the support plate frame mechanism and the winch device, and can directly carry out subsequent transfer and transfer, is more convenient in the turning process of battery pack recycling, improves the efficiency of the whole recycling process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of dismantling and recycling technology of retired power battery packs, and in particular to a device and method for flipping retired power battery packs. Background Technology

[0002] Retired power batteries have high remaining capacity and considerable utilization value. Dismantling and reusing them is a crucial step in the power battery recycling and utilization process. To ensure the integrity of individual cells when dismantling CTP battery packs, the entire pack needs to be flipped over, and the cells knocked out from the back of the bottom shell. However, due to the weight of the CTP battery pack, it cannot be flipped manually, so dismantling can only be completed with the assistance of a forklift and manual labor.

[0003] Existing forklifts typically only have basic loading and unloading capabilities. For example, the forklift described in Chinese invention patent CN112744744B includes: a forklift body; forks connected to the forklift body in a height-adjustable manner; and a radar assembly mounted on the forklift body, comprising multiple radars and a locking structure, with the radars spaced apart along the height of the forklift. Existing tipping mechanisms, however, lack the capability for loading and unloading goods. For instance, a battery pack tipping device described in Chinese invention patent CN110759060A includes a frame, a rotating mechanism mounted on the frame, a clamping mechanism located at the front end of the rotating mechanism, and a lifting mechanism connected to the rotating and clamping mechanisms. The lifting mechanism can drive the rotating and clamping mechanisms to move up and down. While this solution can effectively tip over, loading and unloading on the conveyor belt still requires a forklift for loading and unloading.

[0004] Therefore, in the current battery recycling field, the existing practice involves using pallets to support battery packs, forklifts for transport, and manual labor to secure the battery packs with straps or ropes before the forklift lifts them. Once suspended in the air, the battery packs need to be manually flipped and secured before the forklift arms slowly lower them to complete the flipping process. This process is cumbersome and unsafe. Therefore, finding a way to simultaneously facilitate battery pack transfer and flipping is a pressing technical problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, it is necessary to provide a device and method for flipping retired power battery packs to solve the technical problem of how to simultaneously achieve the convenience of battery pack transfer and flipping in the prior art.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives, the present invention provides a decommissioned power battery pack flipping device, comprising:

[0007] A load-bearing operating platform, the bottom of which is equipped with several casters for movement;

[0008] A lifting mechanism is provided on one side of the load-bearing operating platform and is used for lifting and lowering the load.

[0009] The support plate frame mechanism includes two insert plates spaced apart and arranged at the lifting end of the lifting mechanism, a telescopic member arranged on the insert plates, and a gripper rotatably connected to the telescopic end of the telescopic member. The insert plates are used to insert into the bottom of the tray for support, and the gripper is used to clamp and fix one side of the battery pack.

[0010] A winch device is provided, which is disposed at the fixed end of the lifting mechanism. The winch device includes a winding mechanism, a rope, and a connector. The winding mechanism is connected to the fixed end of the lifting mechanism. One end of the rope is disposed at the winding end of the winding mechanism, and the other end of the rope is connected to the connector. The connector is used to fix the battery pack to the other side. The winding mechanism winds up or releases the rope to drive the battery pack to rotate.

[0011] Furthermore, the lifting mechanism includes an outer frame with a top opening and a lifting assembly disposed within the outer frame.

[0012] Furthermore, there are two winch devices, which are fixed to the side of the outer frame near the load-bearing operating platform, and the winch rope can pass through the inside of the outer frame.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes a rotatable lever, which is located on the other side of the load-bearing operating platform and is used to drag the retired power battery pack flipping device for movement.

[0014] Furthermore, the lifting assembly includes a second hydraulic push rod, a lifting frame, a chain, a sprocket, and a lifting frame. The second hydraulic push rod is disposed on the inner bottom wall of the outer frame. The lifting frame is disposed at the telescopic end of the second hydraulic push rod. The two ends of the chain are respectively connected to the outer frame and the lifting frame. The sprocket is rotatably connected to the inner top wall of the lifting frame. The chain is connected to the sprocket. The lifting frame is slidably connected to the lifting frame. The lifting frame is the lifting end of the lifting assembly.

[0015] Furthermore, the insert plate has a groove that communicates with the end of the insert plate away from the support plate frame mechanism. The telescopic member is disposed in the groove, and the gripper is located at the end of the insert plate away from the support plate frame mechanism.

[0016] Furthermore, the telescopic component includes a first hydraulic push rod, a connecting frame, and a cover plate. The first hydraulic push rod is disposed within the groove, the connecting frame is disposed at the telescopic end of the first hydraulic push rod, and the cover plate is disposed on the connecting frame for covering the groove.

[0017] Furthermore, the gripper is U-shaped, with an outwardly extending protrusion that rotatably connects to the end of the insert plate. The end of the insert plate has a limiting groove that fits against the bottom surface of the protrusion, so that the left side of the gripper fits against the right end of the insert plate. The top of the gripper is also recessed with a cover groove. The two sides of the cover plate have fitting openings corresponding to the positions of the cover grooves. When the gripper flips upward, the two side walls of the cover groove can be inserted into the fitting openings, so that the gripper flips upward until it is parallel to the cover plate, thereby limiting the maximum rotation angle of the gripper to 270°.

[0018] Furthermore, the connector is a hook.

[0019] The present invention also provides a flipping method, which utilizes the retired power battery pack flipping device described above, and includes the following steps:

[0020] S1. Mobile retired power battery pack flipping device, which uses an insert plate to pick up an empty tray;

[0021] S2. Align the retired power battery pack flipping device with the battery pack to be flipped, adjust the height of the support plate frame mechanism so that the height of the clamp at the end of the insertion plate matches the battery pack, and clamp the clamp on one side of the battery pack.

[0022] S3. Fix the connecting piece on the control winch device to the other side of the battery pack, control the winch to tighten, so that the battery pack starts to rotate around the jaws, and at the same time control the telescopic piece to extend outward.

[0023] S4. When the battery pack rotates at an angle greater than 90°, the winch device 4 continues to unwind the battery pack in the opposite direction to overcome the gravity of the battery pack during the flipping process.

[0024] S5. When the battery pack is flipped to a near-horizontal position, the telescopic component is controlled to extend and retract again according to the size of the battery pack, so that the gripper slowly releases and exits until the battery pack is placed stably on the empty tray.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: through the cooperation of the load-bearing operating platform, lifting mechanism, support plate frame mechanism and winch device, the battery pack can be directly and smoothly flipped from the tray to the empty tray, and subsequent transfer and transportation can be carried out directly. The flipping process of battery pack recycling is more convenient and the efficiency of the entire recycling process is improved. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional view of the decommissioned power battery pack flipping device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is another three-dimensional view of the decommissioned power battery pack flipping device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional exploded view of the support plate frame mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram to be flipped according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the starting flipping according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the flipping and finishing process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] In the diagram: 1. Load-bearing control panel; 101. Casters;

[0033] 2. Lifting mechanism; 21. Outer frame; 22. Lifting assembly; 221. Second hydraulic push rod; 222. Lifting frame; 223. Chain; 224. Sprocket; 225. Lifting frame; 2101. Extension frame;

[0034] 3. Support plate frame mechanism; 31. Insert plate; 32. Telescopic component; 33. Gripper; 311. Groove; 321. First hydraulic push rod; 322. Connecting frame; 323. Cover plate; 3101. Limiting groove; 3301. Cover groove; 3231. Fitting opening;

[0035] 4. Winch assembly; 41. Winding mechanism; 42. Winding rope; 43. Connecting parts;

[0036] 5. Rotatable pull rod;

[0037] 6. Battery pack; 601. Storage tray; 602. Empty tray. Detailed Implementation

[0038] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this application and are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to illustrate the principles of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0039] like Figure 1-3As shown, this invention provides a decommissioned power battery pack flipping device, including a load-bearing operating platform 1, a lifting mechanism 2, a support frame mechanism 3, and a winch device 4. The bottom of the load-bearing operating platform 1 is equipped with several casters 101 for movement, allowing the entire device to be moved and transported. The lifting mechanism 2 is located on one side of the load-bearing operating platform 1 and is used for lifting and lowering. The support frame mechanism 3 is located at the lifting end of the lifting mechanism 2. The support frame mechanism 3 includes two spaced-apart inserts 31 located at the lifting end of the lifting mechanism 2, telescopic members 32 mounted on the inserts 31, and grippers 33 rotatably connected to the telescopic end of the telescopic members 32. The distance between the two inserts 31 is set according to the standard distance at the bottom of the pallet. The inserts 31 are used to insert into the bottom of the pallet for support and can be directly matched with the pallet for use, possessing sufficient transport capacity. The lifting mechanism 2 can lift and lower the support frame mechanism 3. The winch device 4 is located at the fixed end of the lifting mechanism 2, with a fixed position that does not change position with lifting and lowering. The winch device 4 includes a winding mechanism 41, a rope 42, and a connector 43. The winding mechanism 41 is connected to the fixed end of the lifting mechanism 2. One end of the rope 42 is located at the winding end of the winding mechanism 41, and the other end of the rope 42 is connected to the connector 43. The gripper 33 is used to grip and fix one side of the battery pack, and the connector 43 is used to fix it to the other side of the battery pack. During the flipping action, the gripper 33 and the connector 43 are respectively connected to the two sides of the battery pack. Pulled by the winding mechanism 41, the rope 42 is pulled up, causing the connector 43 to move. Since the gripper 33 can rotate, the battery pack is flipped during the traction process. The entire action is performed between the pallets, without the need for an additional production line. The battery pack is flipped directly during the transfer process, occupying little space and having high mobility. It mechanically flips the battery pack and enables direct transfer, improving the efficiency of recycling and ensuring high safety.

[0040] Understandably, the winding mechanism 41 consists of a motor and a cable drum, which is a conventional technology structure. The motor mainly controls the cable drum to rotate forward and backward to wind up or unwind cables or anchor chains, and the cable drum is its winding end.

[0041] Preferably, the gripper 33 is U-shaped, with an outwardly extending protrusion that rotatably connects to the end of the insert plate 31. The protrusion is located at the closed end of the gripper 33. The U-shaped open end of the gripper 33 is used to clamp the battery pack. The end of the insert plate 31 is provided with a limiting groove 3101 that fits against the bottom surface of the protrusion, so that the left side of the gripper 33 fits against the right end face of the insert plate 31. The top of the gripper 33 is also recessed with a cover groove 3301. The two sides of the cover plate 323 are provided with fitting openings 3231 corresponding to the positions of the cover grooves 3301. When the gripper 33 is flipped upward, the two side walls of the cover grooves 3301 can be inserted into the fitting openings 3231, so that the gripper 33 is flipped upward to be parallel to the cover plate 323, thereby limiting the maximum rotation angle of the gripper to 270°.

[0042] Understandably, when the side of the gripper 33 is in contact with the end of the insert plate 31, it is the starting position. The angle between the end face of the insert plate 31 and the upper surface of the cover plate 323 is 90 degrees. Therefore, when the gripper 33 flips from this position until the inner bottom wall of the cover groove 3301 at its top is in contact with the upper surface of the cover plate 323, the gripper 33 is parallel to the cover plate 323, and thus it has flipped 270°.

[0043] Preferably, the connector 43 is a hook, and the end tool can be replaced according to the actual working conditions.

[0044] In one embodiment, the lifting mechanism 2 includes an outer frame 21 with an open top and a lifting assembly 22 disposed within the outer frame 21. The load-bearing operating platform 1 is fixedly connected to the outer frame 21. The lifting end of the lifting assembly 22 and the load-bearing operating platform 1 are located on opposite sides of the outer frame 21, respectively, to balance the load.

[0045] Furthermore, the lifting assembly 22 includes a second hydraulic push rod 221, a lifting frame 222, a chain 223, a sprocket 224, and a lifting frame 225. The second hydraulic push rod 221 is disposed on the inner bottom wall of the outer frame 21, with its bottom end being its tail end, and is fixed to the outer frame 21. The lifting frame 222 is disposed at the telescopic end of the second hydraulic push rod 221, with its telescopic end being its top end, and can extend and retract. The lifting frame 222 is driven to rise and fall by the second hydraulic push rod 221. The two ends of the chain 223 are respectively connected to the outer frame 21 and the lifting frame 225. The sprocket 224 is rotatably connected to the inner top wall of the lifting frame 222. The chain 223 is connected to the sprocket 224, and the sprocket 224 is driven by the chain 223. When the lifting frame 222 is raised or lowered, it drives the sprocket 224 to move upward, thereby driving the bottom end of the chain 223 to move upward, so as to drive the lifting frame 225 to rise or fall. The lifting frame 225 is slidably connected to the lifting frame 222. The lifting frame 225 is the lifting end of the lifting assembly 22, wherein the support plate frame mechanism 3 is installed on the lifting frame 225.

[0046] Understandably, in order to ensure the stability of lifting, the outer frame 21 has sliding grooves on both sides, and the lifting frame 222 is inserted into the sliding grooves on both sides and can slide along the sliding grooves; the lifting frame 222 also has sliding grooves on both sides, and the lifting frame 225 is inserted into the sliding grooves on both sides and can slide along the sliding grooves.

[0047] In one embodiment, to facilitate the traction and stability of the winch during rotation, two winch devices 4 are used, connected to the battery pack by a pair of connectors 43 to improve the smoothness of the rotation traction. The winch device 4 is fixed on the side of the outer frame 21 near the load-bearing operating platform 1, and the winch rope 42 can pass through the inside of the outer frame 21, passing through the gap inside the outer frame 21 to reduce interference with the lifting function.

[0048] In one embodiment, to facilitate manual operation, the decommissioned power battery pack flipping device also includes a rotatable lever 5, which is located on the other side of the load-bearing operating platform 1 and is used to drag the decommissioned power battery pack flipping device to move it, making it convenient for manual dragging of the device.

[0049] In one embodiment, in order to allow the extension and retraction of the gripper 33 while the insert plate 31 is supporting it, a groove 311 is provided on the insert plate 31. The groove 311 is connected to the end of the insert plate 31 away from the support plate frame mechanism 3. The telescopic member 32 is disposed in the groove 311 for built-in installation, which does not affect the supporting function of the insert plate 31. The gripper 33 is located at the end of the insert plate 31 away from the support plate frame mechanism 3. The gripper 33 at the end facilitates docking with the battery pack.

[0050] Furthermore, in order to be used as a normal transfer device when the flipping function is not used, the telescopic component 32 includes a first hydraulic push rod 321, a connecting frame 322, and a cover plate 323. The first hydraulic push rod 321 is disposed in the groove 311, the connecting frame 322 is disposed at the telescopic end of the first hydraulic push rod 321, and the cover plate 323 is disposed on the connecting frame 322 to cover the groove 311. When the first hydraulic push rod 321 retracts, the cover plate 323 closes the opening of the groove 311, so that when the flipping action is not performed, the external part of its insert plate 31 is intact, which is easy to forklift and transfer.

[0051] Understandably, the bottom of the outer frame 21 is also provided with two extension frames 2101. The extension frames 2101 are located directly below the insert plate 31 and have the function of bottom protection. The bottom of the extension frames 2101 is also provided with rollers for auxiliary support and movement.

[0052] This invention provides a flipping method, which utilizes the above-mentioned retired power battery pack flipping device, and includes the following steps:

[0053] S1. Mobile retired power battery pack flipping device, which uses an insert plate 31 to pick up an empty tray 602;

[0054] S2. Align the retired power battery pack flipping device with the battery pack 6 to be flipped. The battery pack 6 is located on the placement tray 601. Adjust the height of the support plate frame mechanism 3 so that the height of the clamp 33 at the end of the insertion plate 31 matches that of the battery pack 6, and clamp the clamp 33 on one side of the battery pack 6. (Refer to...) Figure 4 The displayed state to be flipped;

[0055] S3. Fix the connecting piece 43 on the control winch device 4 to the other side of the battery pack 6, control the winch to tighten, so that the battery pack 6 begins to rotate around the gripper 33, and at the same time control the telescopic piece 32 to extend outward. (See reference) Figure 5 The starting flip state is shown;

[0056] S4. After the battery pack rotates more than 90°, the winch device 4 continues to unwind in the opposite direction to overcome the gravity of the battery pack 6 during the flipping process. (See reference...) Figure 6 The display shows the flipped-over state;

[0057] S5. When the battery pack 6 is flipped to a near-horizontal state, the telescopic component 32 is controlled to extend and retract again according to the size of the battery pack 6, so that the gripper 33 slowly releases and exits until the battery pack 6 is placed stably on the empty tray 602.

[0058] By following the steps above, the battery pack can be flipped smoothly.

[0059] The entire workflow is now complete, and anything not described in detail in this specification is existing technology known to those skilled in the art.

[0060] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for flipping a retired power battery pack, characterized in that, include: A load-bearing operating platform, the bottom of which is equipped with several casters for movement; A lifting mechanism is provided on one side of the load-bearing operating platform and is used for lifting and lowering the load. The support plate frame mechanism includes two insert plates spaced apart and arranged at the lifting end of the lifting mechanism, a telescopic member arranged on the insert plates, and a gripper rotatably connected to the telescopic end of the telescopic member. The insert plates are used to insert into the bottom of the tray for support, and the gripper is used to clamp and fix one side of the battery pack. A winch device is provided at the fixed end of the lifting mechanism. The winch device includes a winding mechanism, a rope, and a connector. The winding mechanism is connected to the fixed end of the lifting mechanism. One end of the rope is located at the winding end of the winding mechanism, and the other end of the rope is connected to the connector. The connector is used to fix the rope to the other side of the battery pack. The winding mechanism winds up or releases the rope to drive the battery pack to rotate. The insert plate has a groove that communicates with the end of the insert plate away from the support plate frame mechanism. The telescopic member is disposed in the groove, and the gripper is located at the end of the insert plate away from the support plate frame mechanism.

2. The decommissioned power battery pack flipping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lifting mechanism includes an outer frame with an open top and a lifting assembly disposed within the outer frame.

3. The decommissioned power battery pack flipping device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The number of winch devices is two, and the winch devices are fixed on the side of the outer frame near the load-bearing operating platform, and the winch rope can pass through the inside of the outer frame.

4. The decommissioned power battery pack flipping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a rotatable lever, which is located on the other side of the load-bearing operating platform and is used to drag the retired power battery pack flipping device for movement.

5. The decommissioned power battery pack flipping device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The lifting assembly includes a second hydraulic push rod, a lifting frame, a chain, a sprocket, and a lifting frame. The second hydraulic push rod is disposed on the inner bottom wall of the outer frame. The lifting frame is disposed at the telescopic end of the second hydraulic push rod. The two ends of the chain are respectively connected to the outer frame and the lifting frame. The sprocket is rotatably connected to the inner top wall of the lifting frame. The chain is connected to the sprocket. The lifting frame is slidably connected to the lifting frame. The lifting frame is the lifting end of the lifting assembly.

6. The decommissioned power battery pack flipping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The telescopic component includes a first hydraulic push rod, a connecting frame, and a cover plate. The first hydraulic push rod is disposed in the groove, the connecting frame is disposed at the telescopic end of the first hydraulic push rod, and the cover plate is disposed on the connecting frame for covering the groove.

7. The decommissioned power battery pack flipping device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The gripper is U-shaped, with an outwardly extending protrusion that rotatably connects to the end of the insert plate. The end of the insert plate has a limiting groove that fits against the bottom surface of the protrusion, so that the left side of the gripper fits against the right end of the insert plate. The top of the gripper also has a downwardly recessed cover groove. The two sides of the cover plate have fitting openings corresponding to the positions of the cover grooves. When the gripper flips upward, the two side walls of the cover groove can be inserted into the fitting openings, so that the gripper flips upward until it is parallel to the cover plate, thereby limiting the maximum rotation angle of the gripper to 270°.

8. The decommissioned power battery pack flipping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connector is a hook.

9. A flipping method, characterized in that, It utilizes the decommissioned power battery pack flipping device as described in any one of claims 1-8, and includes the following steps: S1. Mobile retired power battery pack flipping device, which uses an insert plate to pick up an empty tray; S2. Align the retired power battery pack flipping device with the battery pack to be flipped, adjust the height of the support plate frame mechanism so that the height of the clamp at the end of the insertion plate matches the battery pack, and clamp the clamp on one side of the battery pack. S3. Fix the connecting piece on the control winch device to the other side of the battery pack, control the winch to tighten, so that the battery pack starts to rotate around the jaws, and at the same time control the telescopic piece to extend outward. S4. When the battery pack rotates at an angle greater than 90°, the winch device continues to unwind the battery pack in the opposite direction to overcome the gravity of the battery pack during the flipping process. S5. When the battery pack is flipped to a near-horizontal position, control the telescopic component to extend or retract according to the size of the battery pack, so that the grippers slowly release and retract until the battery pack is placed stably on the empty tray.

Images